SPIN A DISC WITH BECKS

Created in 1942 by Roy Plomley, he hosted Desert Island Discs until 1985. Michael Parkinson did three years, handing over to Sue Lawley who in turn left DID to Kirsty Young in 2006 until now.

More than 3,000 episodes have been recorded, all introduced by the "Sleepy Lagoon" theme tune and herring gulls. The 75th year of this BBC radio programme celebrated by having a football icon as its "castaway". Who better than David Beckham? He is a bit "marmite" to many!
I tuned in and enjoyed his conversation with Kirsty, who handled him gently and he came over as a modest, successful and charitable man. Victoria was mentioned quite a bit, the "kids" rarely (I could sense Victoria smarting when David used "kids" rather than children!).
Becks' family was also mentioned quite a bit at the start and then with carefully crafted questions, Kirsty got information out of Becks, most of which we knew.

His musical choices were hardly stunning but there was a gentle mix of pop and other, relating to various stages of his life. There was not a Spice Girl to be heard thank God.

Allowed a copy of Shakespeare's works his choice of another book and an inanimate luxury item were surprising. Tune in to find out......

So, what do I do next? Find out which footballers have been on DID over its 75 years.
It goes like this:

There have been 11 footballers (no women), 23 sports' commentators (Des Lynam and Kenneth Wolstenholme were two well known to football) and overall 115 sportsmen and women. Cricket has supplied only 2. Horse racing (presumably not horses) 10 and sailing 14. There were other sports' people of course, but these were the top lot (not including cricket).

First up was Danny Blanchflower in 1960. At the time of the Spurs' Double year.
Then came Bill Shankly (1965), Sir Stanley Rous (1966). Big gap through the nasty 70s to Trevor Brooking (1982), Gary Lineker (1990), Jackie Charlton (1972 and 1996), Bobby Robson (1986 and 2004), Tony Adams (2010).

Interesting to know why Jackie and Bobby were asked twice? No Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst ?? I could go on!

Here is the link to get you into podcasts. Go on, try Sir Stanley Rous' choices!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/find-a-castaway