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Peter O'Sullevan

Sue Lawley's castaway is horse-racing commentator Peter O'Sullevan.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week has been the voice of racing for half a century. Due to retire in November 1997, Peter O'Sullevan calculates that he has commentated on some 14,000 races.

After calling his last Grand National earlier this year he perhaps breathed a sigh of relief, because even after 50 broadcasts he admits to still finding the responsibility nerve-wracking. Horses have always been his life. He owns them, bets on them, writes about them and campaigns for their welfare, with the same enthusiasm that he had as a young boy riding with his grandparents' groom, Truelove.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Piano Concerto 5 in E Flat Major by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: Ends and Means by Aldous Huxley
Luxury: Bottle Of Calvados

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Sun 28 Sep 1997 12:15
麻豆社 Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Louis Armstrong

    Panama

    • Louis Armstrong And The All Stars.
    • Forlane International.

  • Guamary

    Floreo De Llamas (Dance Of The Flames)

    • The Flight Of The Condor.
    • 麻豆社 Records.

  • Duke Ellington

    It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

    Artist: I Anderson

    • Hits Of 32.
    • ASV Mono/Living Era.

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

    • 30e Annivesaire.
    • EMI France.

  • Ella Fitzgerald

    Lush Life

    Artist: Oscar Peterson

    • Oscar Peterson And Friends.
    • Verve.

  • Dave Brubeck

    Take Five

    • Greatest Hits.
    • CBS.

  • The Lady Is A Tramp

    Soloist: Yehudi Menuhin, Stephane Grappelli

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major 'Emperor'

      Soloist: Vladimir Ashkenazy Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra

      • The World Of Beethoven.
      • Decca.

  • Book Choice

    • Ends and Means - Aldous Huxley

  • Luxury Choice

    • Bottle Of Calvados

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Peter O'Sullevan

Broadcast

  • Sun 28 Sep 1997 12:15
    麻豆社 Radio 4

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