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
Steve Allen (radio presenter) Steve Allen (radio presenter) Stephen Allen (born 17 March 1954) is an English radio presenter. He hosts the early morning breakfast show on LBC 97.3. Allen first worked as a nightclub disc jockey where he met Dale Winton and subsequently joined the United Biscuits Network, a radio station broadcasting to workers in the United Biscuits factories. His voice was heard in Scotland, Liverpool, Manchester and London. UBN closed in 1979, and Allen joined LBC as presenter of the "Night Extra" programme. He then moved on to present "The Night is Young" on the station. When LBC was separated into two