The castaway for Desert Island Discs’ 75th anniversary? Well, it’s David, er, Beckham 

By Laura Lambert For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:00 EST, 19 January 2017 | Updated: 19:07 EST, 19 January 2017

Over the past seven and a half decades, the illustrious castaways on Desert Island Discs have ranged from Margaret Thatcher to Bruce Springsteen.

Such is the clout of the BBC Radio 4 programme that, for its 50th anniversary in 1992, then prime minister John Major accepted his invitation to be the guest.

So the decision to choose former England footballer David Beckham as the castaway for the show’s 75th anniversary has raised some eyebrows.

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We he is Goldenballs: David Beckham has become the surprise choice to join Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs’ 75th anniversary

Last night, Tory MP Sir Bill Cash questioned the choice, saying the BBC should have picked a ‘Nobel Prize winner, a really great author or a cultural icon’ to celebrate the landmark next weekend.

He said: ‘I am not saying I would discount David Beckham for any episode of Desert Island Discs, but for the 75th anniversary I think they could raise the pitch.’

However, Kirsty Young, the long-running presenter of the series, appeared delighted by the choice of the footballer, saying that having the ex-England captain on the show was the ‘perfect gift’.

Happy: Kirsty Young, the long-running presenter of the series, appeared delighted by the choice, saying that having the ex-England captain on the show was the ‘perfect gift’

As with all castaways, Beckham will be asked to choose eight records to take with him to the imaginary desert island, and invited to explain his reason for each one.

Fans of the show will no doubt be intrigued to find out what a man who is worth £280million picks as his one luxury item to take on to his island. And as the subject of countless biographies, and the author of several memoirs of his own, Beckham’s choice of book is also likely to be of interest.

High brow: Nicola Sturgeon appeared with presenter Kirsty in 2015

Acclaimed show: Such is the clout of the BBC Radio 4 programme that, for its 50th anniversary in 1992, then prime minister John Major accepted his invitation to be the guest

The father of four, 41, said: ‘I’m delighted to join Desert Island Discs for its 75th anniversary celebrations. Music has been a huge part of my – and my family’s – life and it is a real pleasure to highlight that on such an iconic programme.’

Miss Young, who has fronted the Sunday morning programme since 2006, said: ‘Seventy-five is a birthday worth celebrating, and having David Beckham as my castaway seems like the perfect gift.’

The landmark episode on January 29 will also play the sound of sea during the opening and closing of the programme for the first time since the 1960s.

Fuming: Last night, Tory MP Sir Bill Cash questioned the choice, saying the BBC should have picked a ‘Nobel Prize winner, a really great author or a cultural icon’ to celebrate the landmark

The first castaway on the popular series, which was the brainchild of broadcaster Roy Plomley, was actor and comedian Vic Oliver in 1942.

The 75th celebration will also be marked by a special three-hour programme on Radio 4 Extra next Saturday, called Desert Island Discs at 75.

During the special, Miss Young will showcase some of the best moments from the series and feature extracts from recently rediscovered episodes. 

Iconic: The late Roy Plomley appeared alongside Margaret Thatcher (when she was leader of the Tory Party) on his Desert Island Discs radio 4 show in 1978

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