Roy Plomley by the guest's choice of music. His contract was renewed for a further 15 shows. In the end he presented 1,791 editions of the programme stretching over 43 years. Its success was attributed to his skill as an interviewer and to his meticulous research. Plomley was succeeded as presenter by Michael Parkinson (1985–1988), then by Sue Lawley (1988–2006), and most recently by Kirsty Young. "Desert Island Discs" is the second longest-running radio programme in the world (after the Grand Ole Opry), and it is still running. Until late September 2009, unlike many other BBC radio programmes, "Desert Island Discs" was
Mairead Farrell (radio presenter) subsequently changed her surname and now goes by "Mairead Ronan". Mairead has three children, a son, Dara from her first marriage to Fitzpatrick whom she had when she was 26 and two daughters, Eliza and Bonnie from her second marriage to Ronan. Mairead Farrell (radio presenter) Mairead Ronan (born 3 April 1980; née Farrell) is an Irish television and radio presenter. Mairead was born in Finglas on the Northside of Dublin. She attended a HR Management course after leaving school, but switched to a media course at Ballyfermot College of Further Education. Ronan was featured on "The Ray D'Arcy Show"