David Lammy MP joined journalist and former Tory MP Matthew Parris on the popular Radio Four biographical series Great Lives, looking at late great figures and how they have influenced the guest and wider society.

David chose cult comedian Richard Pryor as his great life, reflecting on a remarkable career which saw Pryor become both the highest paid African American in film history while remaining a subversive comedian more at ease on the margins that in the mainstream . In the programme, David acknowledges that while some see Richard Pryor as highly controversial figure, he was an inspiration during his school years; his contribution to comedy - making an outsider's experience universally accessible - radically changed how stand up comedy was written and performed forever .

Richard Pryor's life story provides a fascinating illustration of how a dysfunctional childhood and personal life, struggles with substance abuse, and failing health (he was diagnosed with MS) can still create and nurture such an incredible and complex talent. 

Links

To listen to the programme please click the icon below or to learn more about Richard Pryor click here to visit his wikipedia page.

To visit the Radio 4 series' homepage - where you can also listen to this programme and past shows, click here.