​Desert Island Discs may have a new Isle of Wight-based rival.

The new podcast Island Stories launches next Wednesday, telling the interesting and intriguing stories of people who live here.

The Stories will be told by Harriet Hadfield, former Sky News and BBC reporter, who grew up on the Island and has now moved back. 

She is also now a parish councillor in Seaview.

Harriet already sends out a weekly 5-Stories newsletter, picking up on the quirky and important stories on the Island's news agenda.

Now she has teamed up with another Islander Alex Warren for an eight-episode series of Island Stories. sponsored by estate agents Spence Willard.

Alex runs an island-based production company specialising in videography and photography.

He said: "Putting a podcast together is no mean feat though, each episode requires sourcing guests, branding, music, photography, and then of course editing."

Her guest in the first episode is Rob Da Bank, Bestival curator and West Wight resident.

Harriet said: "We’ve got a great range of guests already lined up for Series 1 — including a hovercraft pilot, film locations specialist and newspaper editor.

"Each episode will start with the question: Why the Island? before exploring living, working and family life here 

"At the end of each episode, we will ask a ‘quick fire’ round of five questions including favourite Island restaurant; activity; walk/swim spot; charity and what each guest loves most about the IW." 

You can find the Island Stories podcast on all major platforms like Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts or click here for all the links.

The music featured on the podcast is made by Mike and Izabella Russell, from Ryde-based production house Music Radio Creative.

 

Harriet said: “I love chatting to everyone I meet on the Island — so this podcast just feels like an extension of those conversations.”