Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer
Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.
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John Gray on JG Ballard
Philosopher John Gray chooses the iconic futuristic writer JG Ballard.
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Iszi Lawrence on Diana Barnato Walker
Iszi Lawrence chooses record-breaking aviator Diana Barnato Walker.
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Mohammad Mossadegh, PM of Iran ousted in a coup
Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup in Iran in 1953.
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Burt Lancaster
Broadcaster Gerry Anderson chooses Hollywood legend, Burt Lancaster.
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Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley
Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley.
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Chi-chi Nwanoku on Jessye Norman
Chi-chi Nwanoku picks the American singer Jessye Norman who became a global star of opera.
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Lady Eve Balfour
Lady Eve Balfour was a pioneering organic farmer and founder of the Soil Association.
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Ninette de Valois
‘The Godmother of English ballet’, Dame Ninette De Valois
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Ludwig Koch
Chris Watson on Ludwig Koch
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Kate Raworth on Donella Meadows
Economist Kate Raworth chooses the Environmental Scientist Donella 'Dana' Meadows
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Sophie Scott on Hattie Jacques
Sophie Scott chooses comedy legend Hattie Jacques.
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Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo
The head of ZSL, Matthew Gould, picks the founder of London Zoo
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Susie Dent on Thomas Mann
Susie Dent chooses the German writer Thomas Mann, who wrote Death in Venice.
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Tony Benn
Ellie Gibson picks the Labour politician Tony Benn
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Jake Arnott on John Gay
The satirist and writer of The Beggar's Opera nominated by Jake Arnott. With Ian Hislop.
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Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials
Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials and Fun Boy Three - includes Lynval Golding
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Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes
Jesse Norman picks Sir Edward Coke, lawyer and Parliamentarian.
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Kofi Annan
Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
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Frank Zappa
John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why
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Matthew Henson, Arctic explorer and pioneer
Matthew Henson, who may have been the first person ever to set foot on the North Pole.
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Frederick the Great of Prussia
Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.
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Arthur Ashe
Broadcaster Qasa Alom picks his hero Arthur Ashe.
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Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston
Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston
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Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.
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Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged
Nick Hayes, author of the Book of Trespass, nominates Roger Deakin.
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Minette Batters on Henry Plumb
Matthew Parris is joined by the president of the National Farmers' Union, Minette Batters.
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Bob Harris on Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United manager
Presenter Bob Harris champions Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
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Noddy Holder on Chuck Berry
Slade frontman Noddy Holder champions the life of rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
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Olivia Laing on Christopher Lloyd, Gardener and Writer
Writer Olivia Laing nominates the gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd.