45-478: Delia Ann Smith CH CBE (born 18 June 1941) is an English cook and television presenter, known for teaching basic cookery skills in a direct style. One of the best-known celebrity chefs in British popular culture , Smith has influenced viewers to become more culinarily adventurous. She is also notable for her role as Honorary Life President (with her husband Michael Wynn-Jones ) of Norwich City , where she
90-433: A 12th man here. Where are you? Where are you? Let's be 'avin' you! Come on!" Norwich lost the match 3–2. Smith denied suggestions in the media that she had been drunk while delivering the speech though she did concede that "maybe in the heat of the moment I didn't choose the best words". In 2008, it was reported that Smith had rejected an offer from Norfolk-born billionaire Peter Cullum , who wished to invest £20 million in
135-470: A desert island , and choose eight audio recordings (originally gramophone records) to take with them; discussion of their choices permits a review of their life. Excerpts from their choices are played or, in the case of short pieces, the whole work. At the end of the programme they choose the one piece they regard most highly. Guests are also automatically given the Complete Works of Shakespeare and either
180-489: A 10% rise in egg sales in Britain and her use of ingredients such as frozen mash and tinned minced beef and onions, or utensils such as an omelette pan, could cause sell-outs overnight. This phenomenon, dubbed the "Delia effect", was most recently seen in 2008, after her book How to Cheat at Cooking was published. Her fame (and her relatively uncommon name) has meant that her first name has become sufficient to identify her to
225-568: A 40.4% stake in the club in April 2024, to increase their stake in the club to 85% and take majority control, with Smith and Wynn-Jones's shares decreasing to 10%. As part of the deal, Smith and Wynn-Jones also agreed to stand down from their roles as club directors and become honorary life presidents of the club. Already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Smith was appointed Commander of
270-415: A New Zealand soprano, was given the award in 2018 and Canadian author Margaret Atwood was given the award in 2019. Sebastian Coe , Baron Coe CH represented the Order at the 2023 Coronation . The insignia of the order is in the form of an oval medallion, surmounted by a royal crown (but, until recently, surmounted by an imperial crown ), and with a rectangular panel within, depicting on it an oak tree,
315-443: A book and a luxury item that they would take if they were to be cast away on a desert island , whilst discussing their life and the reasons for their choices. It was devised and originally presented by Roy Plomley . Since 2018, the programme has been presented by Lauren Laverne . More than 3,400 episodes have been recorded, with some guests having appeared more than once and some episodes featuring more than one guest. An example of
360-544: A castaway on the show. Plomley originally wanted the sounds of "surf breaking on a shore and the cries of sea birds" to open and close each programme. However, Leslie Prowne, the head of popular record programmes at the BBC , was concerned that it lacked definition and insisted that music should also be used. Plomley and the series' producer Frederic Piffard selected " By the Sleepy Lagoon ", composed by Eric Coates (who appeared on
405-535: A consultant for Seven Publishing which now publishes the magazine. Smith has developed other business interests outside of her culinary ventures, notably a majority shareholding of 53% in the football team Norwich City , with her husband. Both Smith and Wynn-Jones were season ticket holders at Norwich and were invited to invest in the club, which had fallen on hard times. She has had a significant impact on improving matchday catering standards and food revenues, only stepping back from day to day responsibilities on reaching
450-448: A guest who falls into both categories is Bob Monkhouse , who appeared with his co-writer Denis Goodwin on 12 December 1955 and in his own right on 20 December 1998. When Desert Island Discs marked its 75th year in 2017, The Guardian called the show a radio classic. In February 2019, a panel of broadcasting industry experts named it the greatest radio programme of all time. Guests are invited to imagine themselves cast away on
495-586: A gut to drive us [religious people] off the radar and try to convince us that we hardly exist." Companion of Honour The Order of the Companions of Honour is an order of the Commonwealth realms . It was founded on 4 June 1917 by King George V as a reward for outstanding achievements. It was founded on the same date as the Order of the British Empire . The order was originally intended to be conferred upon
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#1733092984924540-460: A limited number of persons for whom this special distinction seemed to be the most appropriate form of recognition, constituting an honour dissociated from either the acceptance of title or the classification of merit. It is now described as being "awarded for having a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time". The first recipients of the order were all decorated for "services in connection with
585-525: A longer book on prayer, A Journey into God . Smith became friends with the Catholic art historian Sister Wendy Beckett , selecting Beckett's book, 100 Best-loved Paintings, in her second appearance on Desert Island Discs broadcast in December 2023, four decades apart from her first invitation, in 1982. In 2012 Smith criticised atheism , stating that "militant neo-atheists and devout secularists are busting
630-415: A piano, the latter of which is one of the most requested luxuries. After Plomley's death in 1985, the programme was presented by Michael Parkinson from 1986 to 1988, then from 1988 to 2006 by Sue Lawley and from 2006 to 2018 by Kirsty Young . Young was replaced by 6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne , who interviewed Olympic diver Tom Daley for her first show, broadcast on 30 September 2018. Laverne
675-635: A shield with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom hanging from one branch, and, on the left, a mounted knight in armour. The insignia's blue border bears in gold letters the motto IN ACTION FAITHFUL AND IN HONOUR CLEAR , Alexander Pope 's description (in iambic pentameter ) in his Epistle to Mr Addison of James Craggs the Younger , later used on Craggs's monument in Westminster Abbey . Men wear
720-450: Is now time for a fresh approach and a younger team who, I am confident, will take the business even further." Smith & Wynn-Jones's twenty-eight years of involvement with Norwich City came to an end on 23 October 2024, when the club's other shareholders approved a deal that allowed Norfolk Holdings, a business group lead by the American businessman Mark Attanasio that previously purchased
765-450: The Bible or another appropriate religious or philosophical work. They are then prompted to select a third book to accompany them. Popular choices include Charles Dickens and Jane Austen . Actress Judi Dench , who has macular degeneration , was permitted to take an audiobook in place of a printed manuscript. Guests also choose one luxury, which must be inanimate and of no use in escaping
810-565: The University of East Anglia and in 2000, a fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University . In 2012 Smith was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork – the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover – to celebrate the British cultural figures of the last six decades. She was appointed Member of
855-575: The war " and were listed in The London Gazette . The order consists of the monarch of the Commonwealth realms, who is the Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, and a maximum of 65 members. Additionally, foreigners or Commonwealth citizens from outside the Commonwealth realms may be added as honorary members. Members are organised into a single class and are appointed by the monarch of
900-418: The Commonwealth realms in their capacity as sovereign of the order. While membership of the order confers no title or precedence , those inducted into the order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CH . Appointments to the order are generally made on the advice of prime ministers of the Commonwealth realms. For Canadians, the advice to the Sovereign can come from a variety of officials. Originally,
945-494: The Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours , "in recognition of ... [her] contribution to television cookery and recipe writing". In 1996, Smith was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Nottingham , a fellowship from St Mary's University College (a college of the University of Surrey ) and a Fellowship from the Royal Television Society . In 1999 she received an honorary degree from
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#1733092984924990-541: The Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to cookery. Smith was baptised in the Church of England , and attended a Methodist Sunday School , a Congregationalist Brownie group and later a Church of England youth group. At the age of twenty-two, she converted to Catholicism . Her first two short religious books, A Feast for Lent (1983) and A Feast for Advent (1983), are readings and reflections for these seasons. In 1988 she wrote
1035-466: The age of 70. In February 2005, Smith attracted attention during the half-time break of a home match against Manchester City . At the time Norwich were fighting an ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation from the Premier League , and to rally the crowd, Smith grabbed the microphone from the club announcer on the pitch and said: "A message for the best football supporters in the world: we need
1080-481: The badge on a neck ribbon (red with golden border threads) and women on a bow at the left shoulder. Desert Island Discs Desert Island Discs is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 . It was first broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme on 29 January 1942. Each week a guest, called a " castaway " during the programme, is asked to choose eight audio recordings (usually, but not always, music),
1125-491: The club, but wanted Smith and the other shareholders to relinquish their holdings. Both Smith and Cullum denied this offer had been made, with Smith telling the football club's AGM that she and her husband would be "very happy to stand aside" as majority shareholders if someone came along with an offer to buy them out. In August 2011, Smith announced that, anticipating her 70th birthday, she was stepping down from her catering role at Norwich City's Carrow Road football ground: "It
1170-558: The early 1970s, Alistair MacLean was chosen as a guest, but the head of the European wing of the Ontario Tourist Bureau, who had the same name, was accidentally invited instead. Plomley realised the error while conversing with MacLean shortly before they were set to record the programme. Without any time to find another guest, the interview was completed, but it was never broadcast. In January 1981, Princess Margaret appeared as
1215-547: The early 1970s, as resident cook on BBC East 's regional magazine programme Look East , shown on BBC One across East Anglia . Following this, she was offered her own cookery television show, Family Fare which ran between 1973 and 1975. Smith became a recognisable figure amongst young people in the 1970s and early 1980s when she was an occasional guest on the BBC's Saturday morning children's programme Multicoloured Swap Shop , giving basic cooking demonstrations. In Taiwan, Smith
1260-430: The early years of the BBC, programmes were broadcast live and were not usually recorded. This, in addition to the BBC's policy of only retaining a limited number of broadcasts, means very few episodes from the first 20 years of the show are known to exist; the earliest episode still in existence was broadcast on 25 April 1951 and features actress Margaret Lockwood . Several extracts were preserved for posterity at
1305-405: The first 60 years was "Ode to Joy", the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony . One of the most remarked broadcasts was Elisabeth Schwarzkopf 's 1958 selection of seven of her own recordings. This record was subsequently beaten by British pianist Dame Moura Lympany on her second appearance on the programme on 28 July 1979 when all eight of her selections were of her own recordings. In
1350-400: The guest for BBC Radio 4 's Desert Island Discs : first on 5 June 1982, when her choices included " The Sound of Silence " by Paul Simon and " Llef " by Rhos Male Voice Choir , and again on Christmas Eve 2023, when her choices included " This Woman's Work " by Kate Bush and " Happy " by Pharrell Williams . It has been claimed that Smith's television series Delia's How to Cook led to
1395-429: The island or allowing communication from outside. Roy Plomley enforced these rules strictly. He did, however, grant a special dispensation to Princess Michael of Kent , who chose her pet cat. However, subsequent presenters have allowed more variation on the rules; John Cleese was allowed to take Michael Palin with him, on the condition that he was dead and stuffed. Examples of luxuries have included champagne and
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1440-415: The music selections on the podcast versions are reduced to only playing for around 30 seconds or so (and in rare instances are unavailable, as mentioned in an announcement made by the presenter at the appropriate point of the programme). On 30 March 2011, the BBC placed more than 500 episodes from the show's archive online to listen to via iPlayer. Other episodes have since been added, both new and old. In
1485-485: The order was limited to 50 ordinary members, but in 1943 it was enlarged to 65, with a quota of 45 members for the United Kingdom , seven for Australia , two each for New Zealand and South Africa , and nine for India , Burma , and the other British colonies . The quota numbers were altered in 1970 to 47 for the United Kingdom, seven for Australia, two for New Zealand, and nine for other Commonwealth realms. The quota
1530-512: The public and the "Delia effect" has become a commonly used phrase to describe a run on a previously poor-selling product as a result of a high-profile recommendation. From 1993 to 1998 Smith worked as a consultant for Sainsbury's . In May 1993 she and her husband Michael Wynn-Jones launched New Crane Publishing to publish Sainsbury's Magazine; the company also published several of Smith's books for BBC Worldwide . Although Smith and Wynn-Jones sold New Crane Publishing in 2005, Smith continues to be
1575-437: The request of the guests, such as an extract featuring Alfred Hitchcock where he speaks about his films The Pleasure Garden (1925) and Rebecca (1940), gives his view on the changing landscape of the film industry and briefly discusses his then forthcoming film Psycho (1960). In 2022 over 90 recordings, previously thought to be lost, were rediscovered by the audio collector Richard Harrison. These recordings date from
1620-426: The show in 1951). The tune has been used since the first transmission in 1942. The sound of herring gulls has accompanied the music except for a period of time in 1964 when tropical bird sounds were used. Until late September 2009, Desert Island Discs could not be heard on the BBC's iPlayer service, which allows most programmes to be heard up to a week after transmission. The programme's website stated that this
1665-644: Was adjusted again in 1975 by adding two places to the New Zealand quota and reducing the nine for the other countries to seven. Whilst still able to nominate candidates to the order, the Cabinet of Australia has effectively stopped the allocation of this award to that country's citizens in preference to other Australian honours. The last Australian member, Doug Anthony , former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, died on 20 December 2020. Companions from other Commonwealth realms continue to be appointed, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ,
1710-578: Was as a hairdresser; she also worked as a shop assistant and in a travel agency. In 1962 at age 21, she started work in a small restaurant in Paddington , washing dishes before moving on to waitressing, then helping with the cooking. She started reading English cookery books in the Reading Room at the British Museum , trying out the recipes on a Harley Street family with whom she was living. Her next job
1755-549: Was at Carlton Studios in London, where she prepared food for studio photography. In 1969 Smith was taken on as the cookery writer for the Daily Mirror 's newly launched magazine. Their deputy editor was Michael Wynn-Jones , whom she later married. Her first piece featured kipper pâté , beef in beer and cheesecake . She baked the cake that was used on the cover of The Rolling Stones ' album Let It Bleed , which she later recalled
1800-515: Was compared to Taiwanese chef Fu Pei-mei , and she was called the "Fu Pei-mei of England". Her 1995 book Delia Smith's The Winter Collection sold 2 million copies in hardback, becoming the fifth biggest-selling book of the 1990s. In 2003 Smith announced her retirement from television. However, she returned for an eponymous six-part series airing on the BBC in Spring 2008. The accompanying book, an update of her 1971 best-seller How to Cheat at Cooking ,
1845-553: Was due to rights issues, as explained in The Sunday Times in 2006. It was announced on 27 September 2009 that an agreement had been reached as a result of which the programme would be available to stream via the iPlayer. The first episode available through the iPlayer was with Barry Manilow . Subsequently, the programme was also made available as a podcast, beginning with the edition broadcast on 29 November 2009, which featured Morrissey . However, due to music clearance issues,
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1890-623: Was in response to a request was for "a gaudy cake" that had to look "really horrible." In 1972 Smith started a column in the Evening Standard . She later defected to the rival Evening News , but she returned to the Standard when that newspaper bought out the News . She wrote for both for 12 years; later she wrote a column for the Radio Times until 1986. Smith's first television appearances came in
1935-585: Was initially drafted in as an interim presenter while Young was suffering from fibromyalgia ; she was appointed permanently in July 2019 when Young announced her decision not to return. The first castaway was Vic Oliver , and several castaways, including Celia Johnson , Arthur Askey , Trevor Nunn , John Schlesinger , Kenneth Williams , Terry Wogan , Brian Rix , David Attenborough , John Mortimer , Adele Leigh , Delia Smith and Stephen Fry have been cast away more than once. The most requested piece of music over
1980-552: Was previously the Joint Majority Shareholder alongside Wynn-Jones from 1998 to 2024. Born to Harold Bartlett Smith (1920–1999), an English RAF radio operator and tool salesman, and a Welsh mother, Etty Jones Lewis (1919–2020), in Woking , Surrey , her parents divorced when she was 15 years old and her brother was aged 7. Smith attended Bexleyheath School , leaving at the age of 16 without any qualifications. Her first job
2025-673: Was published in February 2008, again becoming a best-seller. In 2010 she appeared in a five-episode series, Delia through the Decades , with each episode exploring a new decade of her cooking. Also in 2010, Smith and Heston Blumenthal were signed up to appear in a series of 40 commercials on British television for the supermarket chain Waitrose . In February 2013 she announced that she had retired from television cookery programmes, and would concentrate on offering her recipes online. Smith has twice been
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