Last Word

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BBC Radio 4 LW

Factual: Life Stories

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

BBC Radio 4 FM

Last Word: Helen McCrory (pictured), Hans Küng, Eric Gordon, George Reynolds

Helen McCrory, Hans Küng, Eric Gordon, George Reynolds

Helen McCrory (pictured), Hans Küng, Eric Gordon, George Reynolds

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, Helen McCrory (pictured), Hans Küng, Eric Gordon, George Reynolds

Matthew Bannister on an actor, a theologian, an editor, a businessman.

Matthew Bannister on actor Helen McCrory, theologian Hans Küng, editor Eric Gordon, businessman George Reynolds.

Matthew Bannister on

Helen McCrory, the actor best known for playing the matriarch Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, but equally acclaimed for her classical stage performances. David Hare pays tribute.

Hans Küng, the controversial Catholic theologian who often clashed with the Vatican and wrote many books including 'Does God Exist?” and “Can We Save The Catholic Church?”.

Eric Gordon, the communist journalist who took his family to live in China under Chairman Mao and on his return bought the North London newspaper the Camden Journal and turned its fortunes around. 

George Reynolds, the colourful ex-offender who became a multi-millionaire, bought his local football club Darlington FC  and once offered to pay off the mortgages of many of his employees and give them each a Mercedes car. 

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: David Hare
Interviewed guest: Mark Strong 
Interviewed guest: Michael Coveney
Interviewed guest: David Willey
Interviewed guest: Charles Curran
Interviewed guest: Kim Gordon
Interviewed guest: Mike Amos

Archive clips used: Sunday programme: Radio 4, TX 7.10.2012; Infallibility Questioned - Prof. Hans Kung: Radio 4, TX 24.7.1971; BBC News: BBC One, TX 16.12.1968; Twenty-Four Hours - Gordon Family Interview: Radio 4, TX 20.10.1969; BBC News: BBC One, TX 16.10.1969; Midweek: Radio 4, TX 2.4.2003; Homeground - George Reynolds Playing By His Own Rules: BBC 2, TX 16.3.2004; Desert Island Discs – Helen McCrory: Radio 4, TX 3.7.2020

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Helen McCrory (pictured), Hans Küng, Eric Gordon, George Reynolds

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