Desert Island Discs presenter Kirsty Young has revealed that Sir David Attenborough has been her favourite guest on the BBC Radio 4 show so far.

The veteran wildlife television presenter appeared as a castaway on the show for the fourth time in 2012.

As the show marks its 75th year, Kirsty – who has hosted the show since 2006 – said she fell “a little bit in love” with Sir David during his appearance on the show.

Sir David
(Yui Mok/PA)

She told Radio Times magazine: “David Attenborough, I mean, if I only ever did one, it would be that one.

“Honestly, he was a total, pure highlight. Absolutely bloody marvellous.”

Kirsty, 48, added that she would often go to extra lengths try to relax interviewees, including sharing a bottle of vodka with ex-Smiths frontman Morrissey.

Morrisey
(Ben Birchall/PA)

She said: “I try and make my castaway at ease. Once people relax, they’re more likely to open up.

“Bill Gates always wears an open-neck shirt so I wore an open-neck silk ladies’ shirt. For Paul Weller I wore a sharp suit.

“And we had it on good authority that Morrissey drinks neat vodka, so we made sure we had a bottle.

“When my producer said, ‘Would you like some tea or coffee… or vodka?’ Morrissey said, ‘Vodka.’ I had one as well. I wasn’t going to have a cup of tea when Morrissey was having a vodka. I didn’t drink it, he did.”

Radio Times
(Radio Times)

The Radio Times is on sale on Tuesday.