Les Dawson

Comedian Les Dawson's earnest and open interview with Dr Anthony Clare recorded the week before his death in 1993.

In published transcripts of the interview, Clare says he felt privileged to have been given the interview and described Les as being "in good humour and talked, joked, clowned and recalled memories of his life with an energy and gusto that was infectious." At the time of its first broadcast, it formed part of the BBC's tribute to, as Clare put it, "a funny, generous, wise and happy man".

Born in Dublin, author Anthony held a doctorate in medicine, a master's degree in philosophy and was a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. After becoming a regular on BBC Radio 4's Stop the Week in the 1980s, he became Britain's best-known psychiatrist and earned his own vehicle, In the Psychiatrist's Chair. Starting in 1982, this series ran until 2001 and also transferred to TV. Series highlights include conversations with Bob Monkhouse, Cecil Parkinson and Gerry Adams.

Anthony Clare died suddenly in Paris aged 64 in 2007.

Produced for BBC Radio 4 by Michael Ember Associates. From September 1993.