BBC Radio 4 invites listeners to take part in Your Desert Island Discs
Listeners are being asked to send in the songs that have been getting them through lockdown to be featured in a special programme.
Radio 4 listeners are being asked to share the pieces of music they have turned to during the lockdown for a new special programme titled Your Desert Island Discs.
Launched by Desert Island Discs host Lauren Laverne, the campaign will see some of the songs - and the stories behind their selection - feature on the programme which will air on Friday June 5th.
A BBC statement outlining the initiative says the song could be one that has helped key workers through a tough shift, provided company to someone delivering food to vulnerable neighbours, or brought about a moment of escape in an otherwise stressful lockdown day.
As well as appearing on the special Your Desert Island Discs programme, some of the stories will be staggered throughout the rest of Radio 4's schedule - including Woman’s Hour, Today, World At One, and PM.
Mohit Bakaya, Controller of Radio 4, said of the special programme, “One of the reasons Desert Island Discs is so loved is that it invites us all to think about the role music plays in our lives.
"It can be a powerful friend during stressful periods and I want Radio 4 to capture the tunes that have helped the nation get through this crisis so far, whether they’ve provided joy, reflection or comfort, and the stories that accompany them.
“We hope many people enjoy thinking about and sharing their music of choice and that Your Desert Island Discs day is a moment for the nation to come together and hear each other’s stories, as well as experience some musical escape as listeners find themselves ‘castaway’ during this strange time.”
Meanwhile Lauren Laverne added, “At the moment we all feel a little more cast away than we might like to.
"It seems the perfect time to pass the microphone to our wonderful listeners and invite them to tell us about one special track and why it matters."
Listeners who would like to take part can do so by sharing their stories and songs by email to desertislanddiscs@bbc.co.uk before 16 May, or posting on social media using the hashtag #YourDesertIslandDiscs before 16 May.
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Authors
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
