Desert Island Discs

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BBC Radio 4 LW

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Factual: Life Stories

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Desert Island Discs: Alexei Sayle, comedian

Alexei Sayle, comedian

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Alexei Sayle, comedian

Alexei Sayle, comedian and writer,  shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.

Alexei Sayle, comedian and writer, shares the eight discs, book and luxury he would want with him if cast away to a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.

Alexei Sayle is a comedian and writer, who began his career just over 40 years ago at the small Comedy Store venue in London, which proved a launch-pad for a new generation of comic stars. 

Alexei was born in Liverpool, where his parents were loyal members of the Communist Party: their politics informed almost every aspect of the family’s life, including holidays by train to eastern European countries that were then part of the Soviet bloc. 

He won a place at Chelsea School of Art but didn’t thrive as a painter. He began performing with a theatre troupe and - after answering an advertisement - became the compere on the opening night of the Comedy Store. He soon found himself at the centre of a new wave of British comedy. With his tight suits and often abrasive stage presence, he enjoyed successful stand-up tours, appearances on numerous TV shows including The Young Ones, and even a novelty pop hit. 

He attempted to launch a career in America, but was fired from a TV series on his 40th birthday. He stepped back from stand-up and devoted himself to writing novels and short stories. More recently, he has returned to live performance, and has also created a number of comedy series for Radio 4.  
 
He lives in London with his wife Linda: they have been married for almost 50 years. 

DISC ONE: Volver by Carlos Gardel    
DISC TWO: Joe Hill by Joan Baez 
DISC THREE: Aviator’s March by Yevgeny Kibkalo (baritone), conducted by Alexei Kovalev  
DISC FOUR: Seeräuber Jenny (Pirate Jenny) by Lotte Lenya 
DISC FIVE: Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin 
DISC SIX: Shipbuilding by Robert Wyatt  
DISC SEVEN: It Was a Good Day by Ice Cube    
DISC EIGHT: Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal
    
BOOK CHOICE: The Sword of Honour Trilogy by Evelyn Waugh
LUXURY ITEM:  A Chinese Broadsword 
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin 

Presenter  Lauren Laverne
Producer  Sarah Taylor

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Alexei Sayle, comedian

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