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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 LW

Desert Island Discs: Richard Osman, writer and broadcaster

Richard Osman, writer and broadcaster

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Richard Osman, writer and broadcaster

Richard Osman, broadcaster, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.

Richard Osman, broadcaster and writer, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item he would want with him if cast away on a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.

Richard Osman is a broadcaster, TV producer and writer who co-presents the quiz show Pointless on BBC One. His first novel, The Thursday Murder Club, was a publishing phenomenon, selling more than a million copies, and the follow-up became one of the fastest-selling titles since records began.

Richard grew up in Haywards Heath in West Sussex and his early passion for television led to him devising quiz shows and programme formats from a young age. After graduating from university he worked for a number of production companies where he helped to develop and produce shows including Total Wipeout, Deal or No Deal and 8 out of 10 Cats.  

In 2009 Richard became a co-presenter of Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong. It was not his intention to move in front of the camera, but he was given the job after taking on the role of co-host while the show was being developed. 

In 2020 Richard published his debut novel, the Thursday Murder Club, the story of four friends in a retirement community who band together to solve cold cases. It was an instant hit, selling 45,000 copies in its first three days on sale.  Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights. 

Richard lives in London and is writing his third novel featuring his resourceful retirees. 

DISC ONE: Bring Me Sunshine by Morecambe And Wise
DISC TWO: Metal Mickey by Suede
DISC THREE: Snooker (Drag Racer) by The Douglas Wood Group
DISC FOUR:  You Can't Stop The Beat by the cast of Hairspray (Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelly, John Travolta and Queen Latifah)
DISC FIVE: Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple
DISC SIX: American Boy by Estelle Featuring Kanye West
DISC SEVEN: Ran by Future Islands
DISC EIGHT: A Little Respect by Erasure

BOOK CHOICE:  Hercule Poirot: the Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
LUXURY ITEM: A pad of paper, a pen and dice
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: DISC FOUR:  You Can't Stop The Beat by the cast of Hairspray 

Presenter Lauren Laverne
Producer  Paula McGinley

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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Richard Osman, writer and broadcaster

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