Last Word

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BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

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Factual: Life Stories

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

BBC Radio 4 LW

Last Word: George Shultz, Yvonne Conolly, Maureen Colquhoun, Christopher Plummer (pictured)

George Shultz, Yvonne Conolly, Maureen Colquhoun, Christopher Plummer

George Shultz, Yvonne Conolly, Maureen Colquhoun, Christopher Plummer (pictured)

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, George Shultz, Yvonne Conolly, Maureen Colquhoun, Christopher Plummer (pictured)

Matthew Bannister on a politician, a headteacher, an MP and an actor.

Matthew Bannister on US politician George Shultz, headteacher Yvonne Conolly, MP Maureen Colquhoun and actor Christopher Plummer.

Matthew Bannister on

George Shultz, the US Secretary of State during the Reagan years who came close to brokering a deal to abolish all US and Soviet nuclear weapons.

Yvonne Conolly, Britain’s first black female head teacher who overcame racism to become a role model for others.

Maureen Colquhoun, the first UK member of parliament to be openly in a same sex relationship. When they heard the news, her local Labour Party deselected her.

Christopher Plummer, the Canadian born actor who played many roles on stage and screen, but will always be remembered as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Angela Errigo
Interviewed guest: Rose Gottemoeller
Interviewed guest: Philip Taubman
Interviewed guest: Denise Patrick
Interviewed guest: Dame Angela Eagle
Interviewed guest: Peter Tatchell

Archive clips from: Maureen Colquhoun on Countdown to Number 10, Radio 4 TX 3.5.1979; I Was Britain’s First Black Headteacher, BBC World Service TV, TX 8.3.2020; West Indian Teacher, Pathe News TX 1969; William Shatner’s memories of Christopher Plummer, BBC World News TX 5.2.2021

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Last Word

George Shultz, Yvonne Conolly, Maureen Colquhoun, Christopher Plummer (pictured)

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