Mr Corbyn was in charge of Labour for nearly five years but stood down after his party endured a horror showing at the general election last year. Labour was decimated within the December vote, which saw Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative claim a huge victory. But after he stood from the leadership earlier this year to make way for Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Corbyn became the first opposition leader in modern times not to appear on one of BBC Radio’s flagship shows.

‘Desert Island Discs’ is an iconic programme, which sees guests castaway to a fictitious desert island.

The guest is allowed to bring with them eight tracks, a book and a luxury item to make their stay on the island as enjoyable as possible.

Over the years, dozens of politicians have appeared on the programme, including the likes of Mr Johnson, former Prime Ministers David Cameron, Theresa May and John Major, and ex-Lib Dem chief Nick Clegg.

However, Mr Corbyn did not appear at all during his time as leader of the opposition, a move that saw him claim a humiliating piece of history.

The likes of Michael Howard and Iain Duncan Smith both appeared while they were leaders of the Conservative Party, who were in opposition to Tony Blair’s Labour.

After Mr Cameron’s Conservatives regained power, Labour’s then leader Ed Miliband was invited on to the show.

And although William Hague and Neil Kinnock did not appear during their respective leaderships, they did go on to appear on the programme.

According to a report in The Times last year, ‘Desert Island Discs’ is seen by the spin doctors within parties as an easy way for leaders to show their more personal side.

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However, despite their best intentions, the appearances can backfire spectacularly.

One such event was Mr Miliband’s music choices back in 2013.

He was roundly mocked by the public after picking songs including ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams and ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond. 

A year after it was released, host Kirsty Young delivered her verdict on Mr Miliband’s appearance.

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She said: “I’m sure there was music in there that was very dear to him, but I thought probably he was doing what any frontline politician would do and slightly hedging his bets.”

Other controversial moments in the show with politicians included when former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was interviewed by former host Sue Lawley in 1996.

Ms Lawley pressed Mr Brown on his sexuality because he was in the Cabinet at the time and not married.

Described by observers as the “most controversial” interview in the history of the show, the BBC was inundated with complaints, although Ms Lawley stood by her “perfectly air and proper piece of interrogation”.

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