Catherine Cookson - Desert Island Discs

What this episode covers

Catherine Cookson is a very successful writer with 61 novels, all in print, to her name. But she was brought up in very poor circumstances on Tyneside by her mother, leaving school at the age of 13. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her days 'in service', about how she came to run a workhouse laundry, how eventually she became a full-time novelist, and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Thora by Adams/Wetherey Book: Her own autobiography Luxury: Piano

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How long is this episode of Desert Island Discs?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this Desert Island Discs episode published?

This episode was published on April 25, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Catherine Cookson is a very successful writer with 61 novels, all in print, to her name. But she was brought up in very poor circumstances on Tyneside by her mother, leaving school at the age of 13. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about...

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