Desert Island Discs

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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.

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Desert Island Discs: Andrew Ramroop, tailor

Andrew Ramroop, tailor

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Andrew Ramroop, tailor

Andrew Ramroop, tailor, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.

Andrew Ramroop, Savile Row tailor, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item he would want with him if cast away on a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.

Andrew Ramroop is a Savile Row tailor, whose international client list has included film stars and royalty.

Andrew grew up in a remote village in Trinidad and sewed his first garment at the age of nine, creating a simple pair of trousers from a pillowcase. He left school at 13 and was apprenticed to a local tailor who told him tales about the pinnacle of sartorial excellence, Savile Row – the place where James Bond’s suits were cut. 

Inspired by this vision, Andrew saved up for a ticket to sail to the UK: he emigrated at the age of 17, only the second person to leave his village.  He found work on Savile Row, went on to complete a degree at the London College of Fashion, and then gained a job at Maurice Sedwell, eventually taking over the business when Maurice retired.

In recent years, Andrew has been closely involved in training the next generation of tailors. He was awarded an OBE in 2009, for his work in tailoring and training, and was the UK’s Black Business Person of the Year in 2017. 

DISC ONE: Portrait of Trinidad by The Mighty Sniper 
DISC TWO: Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2 by Pink Floyd
DISC THREE: Time Will Tell by Jimmy Cliff
DISC FOUR: The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel
DISC FIVE: It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown & The Famous Flames
DISC SIX:  Desiderata by Les Crane
DISC SEVEN: Maria La O by Neil Latchman 
DISC EIGHT: Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
    
BOOK CHOICE: Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace   
LUXURY ITEM: A tenor steel pan drum    
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel   

Presenter  Lauren Laverne
Producer   Sarah Taylor

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