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

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Last Word: Mary Maher, Robbie Shakespeare (pictured), Anwar Ditta, Anne Rice

Mary Maher, Robbie Shakespeare, Anwar Ditta, Anne Rice

Mary Maher, Robbie Shakespeare (pictured), Anwar Ditta, Anne Rice

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, Mary Maher, Robbie Shakespeare (pictured), Anwar Ditta, Anne Rice

Matthew Bannister on a journalist, a bass player, a campaigner and an author.

Matthew Bannister on journalist Mary Maher, bass player Robbie Shakespeare, campaigner Anwar Ditta and author Anne Rice.

Matthew Bannister on

The journalist and feminist Mary Maher. She edited the women’s page of the Irish Times and was a prime mover in campaigns for equal rights. 

The bass player Robbie Shakespeare. With his partner Sly Dunbar he formed a powerful rhythm section in demand by artists from Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru to Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan.

Anwar Ditta, the British Asian mother who fought for five years to be allowed to bring her three children from Pakistan to the UK. 

Anne Rice the best-selling author of the Vampire Chronicles series of books.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Rosita Sweetman
Interviewed guest: Michael Foley
Interviewed guest: Don Chandler
Interviewed guest: David Katz
Interviewed guest: Tariq Mehmood
Interviewed guest: Ruth Bundey
Interviewed guest: Dr Samantha George

Archive clips used: RTE, Bowman - Tribute to Mary Maher 12/12/2021; GRANADA TV, World in Action: These Children Are Mine 16/03/1981; Oxford Television Production/BBC FOUR, Cover Stories - Anne Rice 25/06/2002; BBC Radio 4, Front Row - Tribute to Anne Rice 13/12/2021; Geffen Pictures, Interview With The Vampire (1994); Anne Rice YouTube Channel, Returning to Christianity 07/05/2010.

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

Mary Maher, Robbie Shakespeare (pictured), Anwar Ditta, Anne Rice

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