大象传媒

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Greg Dyke. A top flight TV executive known for being instinctual and populist, his appointment as 大象传媒 Director-General was an uncharacteristically bold move for the corporation and an extraordinary moment for a youngster once marked out by his teachers as 'the boy least likely to succeed'. A natural businessman who relishes taking risks, his greatest successes have come from his ability to spot the moment and act quickly. He saved TV-am with Roland Rat, moved the 大象传媒's Nine O'Clock News at a fortnight's notice and thwarted Rupert Murdoch's digital hopes by backing Freeview.

But his critics say that it is his passion and instinct that ultimately led to his downfall. He was forced to resign from the 大象传媒 after a bitter row that erupted between the corporation and Downing Street about its coverage of the Iraq war. His departure, which followed considerable mud-slinging, ill temper and tragedy, prompted a huge display of loyalty from his staff as thousands gathered on the steps to wish him a tearful goodbye. Since then, he's kept a low profile - but doesn't rule out a return to high office if the right job came along.

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

Favourite track: Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
Book: Complete Works by Dylan Thomas
Luxury: A guitar with a guide to playing it.