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
Kirsty Young the BBC announced Young would succeed Fiona Bruce as the presenter of "Crimewatch". She presented the show from January 2008 until December 2015. From 11 January 2010 she presented a four-part BBC TV series entitled "The British Family". In March–April 2011, she presented the TV series "The British at Work". On 31 August 2018 it was announced that Young would be stepping down from "Desert Island Discs" "for a number of months" to receive treatment for a form of fibromyalgia, and that Lauren Laverne would deputise during this period. Young attended Cambusbarron Primary School and Stirling High School. She returned