Main content

Celia Imrie

Actress Celia Imrie joins Kirsty Young to choose her Desert Island Discs.

Immediately recognisable as one of Britain's most versatile actresses she's worked in television, theatre and films over the past four decades. While she's taken roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company and in big budget films, it's her instinct for TV comedy - working alongside Victoria Wood and Julie Walters - that has made her a household name.

Audiences loved the spoof soap opera Acorn Antiques and she won an Olivier Award for her role in the stage production. In the early days, though, she remembers the camera crews were unsure what was going on. "I do remember the cameramen watching what had been a very slick show up until Acorn Antiques and then just thinking, 'Why is this bit so bad? Why is the scenery swaying in the background?'"

Record: Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Book: The Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Luxury: A cut glass crystal chandelier with candles

Producer: Leanne Buckle.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 18 Feb 2011 09:00

Music Played

  • Bette Midler

    Is that all there is?

    Composer: Leiber and Stoller

    • Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook.
    • Columbia.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Jonathan & Darlene Edwards

      Tiptoe through the Tulips

      Composer: Burke/Dubin

      • Jonathan and Darlene's Greatest Hits Volume II.
      • Corinthian records.
  • Jimmy Shand

    Mrs Cholmondeley's Reel

    Composer: Trad

    • Guid Luck Go Wi’ Ye.
    • Grasmere Records.
  • Wynonna Judd

    I'm So Lonesome I could Cry

    Composer: Hank Williams, Sr.

    • Wyonna Sing – Chapter 1.
    • Curb Records.
  • Fritz Kreisler

    Schön Rosmarin

    Artist: Fritz Kreisler with the Victor Symphony Orchestra

    • Kreisler: Violin Works.
    • Naxos.
  • Barbara Windsor

    It's Nicer in Nice

    Composer: Leslie Bricusse

    • The Boyfriend/Goodbye Mr Chips/ original soundtracks.
    • MGM CD.
  • Giacomo Puccini

    Tosca Act 2 (finale)

    Artist: Maria Callas & Tito Gobbi with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra conducted by Georges Pretre.

    • Puccini: Tosca.
    • EMI CMS.
  • The Royal Artillery Orchestra conducted by Major Frank Renton, RA.

    March of the Toys

    Composer: Victor Herbert Arr. F .A Renton

    • Digital Marching Strings: Royal Artillery Orchestra.
    • Bandleader.
  • Book Choice

    • The Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

  • Luxury Choice

    • A cut glass crystal chandelier with candles.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Celia Imrie

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 Feb 2011 11:15
  • Fri 18 Feb 2011 09:00

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast