Political commentator Peter Hitchens has been banned for life from the BBC's iconic radio programme Desert Island Discs, he revealed in a recent column for the Daily Mail. The right-wing figure, who campaigned for Britain's exit from the European Union, confirmed the ban and shared the five songs he would have chosen had he been invited as a guest.
Hitchens' Song Selections and Criticism
In his column, Hitchens wrote: "I have recently learned that the BBC has honoured me much more deeply, by banning me from the programme for life. You may have seen, in Michael Ashcroft's new biography of Nigel Farage, the Reform Leader was vetoed as a guest, by the mysterious thought police high in the BBC who decide such things."
Despite the ban, Hitchens listed his musical choices: Bob Dylan's Tomorrow is a Long Time, Fairport Convention's Farewell, Farewell, a 1929 recording of Purcell's Nymphs and Shepherds, Purcell's Rondeau from his suite Abdelazer, and Gustav Holst's 1913 St Paul's Suite.
Luxury Item and Book
Desert Island Discs traditionally asks guests to select five songs, a book, and a luxury item. Hitchens said he would bring a collection of Sherlock Holmes short and long stories, and a solar-powered fridge. He remarked: "For my luxury I'd like a solar-powered fridge to keep my fish and coconuts cool, and a collection of the Sherlock Holmes Short and Long Stories. Now do you see what you're missing, silly old BBC?"
Context of the Ban
Hitchens' banning follows the news that Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, was also barred from the programme. The BBC has not publicly commented on either decision. The show has previously hosted prominent figures including Boris Johnson, Margaret Thatcher, and Gordon Brown.
