text: BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Ben Helfgott The BBC has updated its cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites if you visit a page which contains embedded content from social media. Such third party cookies may track your use of the BBC website. We and our partners also use cookies to ensure we show you advertising that is relevant to you. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the BBC website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. Continue Change settings Find out more ]]> Accessibility links Skip to content Accessibility Help BBC iD Notifications
  HomeCastaway archivePodcastsCollectionsSpecialsAboutFAQsContact Us You must enable JavaScript to play content Ben Helfgott Desert Island Discs Listen in pop-out player Kirsty Young's castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is the Holocaust survivor Ben Helfgott. His inspirational journey has taken him from the horrors of Nazi-occupied Poland to the highs of Olympic glory. He was nine years old when Germany invaded and at that point, he says, his childhood ended. He spent the next three years in a ghetto while his mother and younger sister were among those rounded up and shot by the Nazis. He was then deported to a series of concentration camps and, when he was eventually liberated from Theresienstadt, he was 15 years old and little more than a skeleton. He joined a group of 700 orphans who were brought to England to form a new life.He went on to become a successful businessman and a champion weightlifter - but his physical strength is matched by an extraordinary emotional fortitude. Not only has he made the most of every opportunity that came his way but he has spent his life campaigning to ensure those who died are properly commemorated.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Nessun Dorma by The Three TenorsBook: The History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand RussellLuxury: A bar with two discs for weight training.
  Share this page Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007763z Read more about sharing. Add Download Release date: 1 April 2007 Available now 45 minutes Last on Fri 6 Apr 2007 09:00 BBC Radio 4 FM More episodes Previous Available now Professor Raymond Tallis View Programme Next Available now Joanna Lumley View Programme See all episodes from Desert Island Discs Occupations Politics and Public Service, Campaigning Related links Wikipedia - Ben Helfgott Related episodes Aung San Suu Kyi Broadcast | 27 Jan 2013 Bill Morris Broadcast | 22 Nov 1998 Jimmy Knapp Broadcast | 19 Feb 1995 Gavin Laird Broadcast | 25 Oct 1992 Find every castaway from 1942 to the present. Listen to over 1,500 programmes. Find castaways & choices All Castaway names Musical choices Books and authors Luxury items Music and featured items See all from Ben Helfgott Credits Role Contributor PresenterKirsty YoungInterviewed GuestBen Helfgott Broadcasts See all broadcasts of Ben Helfgott (2) Featured in... Archive 2005-2011 — Desert Island Discs Guests are invited to choose the eight records they would take to a desert island View Group Desert Island Dishes: 11 life lessons from culinary castaways Ottolenghi, Nigella, Jamie, and more great chefs talk about love, dreams and cream cakes. Podcasts and Downloads Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes. Desert Island Discs Archive: 1956-1960 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1961-1965 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1966-1970 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1971-1975 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1976-1980 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1981-1985 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1986-1991 Desert Island Discs Archive: 1996-2000 Desert Island Discs Archive: 2000-2005 Desert Island Discs Archive: 2005-2011 Podcasts See all podcasts for Desert Island Discs You may also like View all Similar programmes By genre: Factual > Life Stories By format: Discussion & Talk HomeHelpProgrammesScheduleDownloadsBlog {{/each}}