Vic Oliver - The First Castaway Remembered

David Baddiel explores the life of the very first Desert Island Discs castaway, the mercurial entertainer Vic Oliver.

In the 40s, as a comedian, musician, host and music hall act, Oliver was a household name. He'd married Winston Churchill's daughter and found fame appearing on the wartime radio show Hi Gang while forging a successful stage career. During those war years he'd also attracted the attention of the Nazi party, as his name appeared on the notorious Black Book, the list of people to be arrested in the event of a successful invasion of Britain.

As David Baddiel discovers, there's a plethora of false accounts, myths and contradictions concerning Oliver's personal life, his relationship with the Churchill family and his impact on the world of entertainment. The programme also features the story of how he appeared to keep his Jewish background private.

With archive of Oliver in conversation and performance, contributors include Bill Pertwee, writer Brad Ashton, theatre historian Chris Woodward and trumpeter Joan Hinde.

The programme is written by Phil Collinge and produced in Salford by Stephen Garner.

First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2012.

Publicity contact: BS