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
Jim Hawkins (radio presenter) Jim Hawkins (radio presenter) Jim Hawkins (born 1962) is a BBC radio presenter. Hawkins was born in Essex and brought up there and in Warwickshire, England. He now lives in Shropshire. Hawkins' broadcasting career began on a student radio station at Warwick University. He worked for independent local radio station Mercia Sound from 1981 to 1983. He joined BBC Radio 4 in 1984, writing and presenting the "News Stand" programme. Hawkins has worked for several commercial and BBC local radio stations across the United Kingdom in various roles on both sides of the microphone, including spells as a producer and