Actor and musician Hugh Laurie is castaway by Kirsty Young.

If life were straightforward he'd be marooned on the island because of his achievements as an Olympic rower. But his early promise on the water was scuppered by a bout of glandular fever - so he's had to make do instead with life as a worldwide entertainment superstar.

Very British comedy, very big budget movies, very successful syndicated TV drama - his 30 year career has taken him from A Little Bit of Fry & Laurie to a big bit of broadcasting history: his role in the U.S. show House ran for 8 series and had a global audience of 81 million.

So why now does he feel the need to risk his stellar reputation by making music too?

He says, "as soon as I acknowledge to myself that something is frightening and carries the risk of public humiliation I feel like I have to do it."

DISC ONE: Joe Cocker - The Letter
DISC TWO: Sister Rosetta Tharpe - My Journey to the Sky
DISC THREE: Randy Newman - Louisiana 1927
DISC FOUR: Son House - Grinnin’ in your face
DISC FIVE: Professor Longhair - Go to the Mardi Gras
DISC SIX: Nina Simone - I wish I knew how it would be to be free
DISC SEVEN: Lester Young-Buddy Rich Trio - I Cover the Waterfront
DISC EIGHT: Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

BOOK CHOICE: An encyclopedia
LUXURY CHOICE: A double set of throwing knives
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

Producer: Cathy Drysdale

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013. Show less