Monday, 13 May 2024

Desert Island Discs Revisited: Comic Castaways 4 - Johnny Vegas


DESERT ISLAND DISCS REVISITED: COMIC CASTAWAYS 4 - JOHNNY VEGAS (320kbs-m4a/97mb/42mins)

BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 18th March 2024

From Don McLean to Johnny Cash. Comedian Johnny Vegas talks to Kirsty Young about his music castaway choices.

As a stand-up comic he made his name as one of the most brilliant and unpredictable acts on the circuit. His stage persona was a belligerent drunk who would heckle his own audience. But the more successful he became, the more the similarities between his own life and his stage character seemed to blur. "I found popularity through self-destruction" he says, "and that can be quite addictive".

In recent years, he has cut down on his drinking, lost weight and now got engaged - all part of a plan to ensure he reached his 40th birthday and could be a proper father to his young son. "Life's actually turned around and been very good to me," he says.

BOOK CHOICE: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists - Robert Tressell
LUXURY CHOICE: Kiln
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Johnny Cash - Hurt

Producer: Leanne Buckle

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Johnny Cash - Hurt
Deacon Blue - Dignity
The Who - Love Reign O'er Me
Pulp - Common People
Colin Hay - Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
The Beautiful South - Domino Man
The La's - There She Goes
Don McLean - Vincent

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