Diana and I spent far more talking about the business of life than death but as she got older death nosied in. Then producer Eddie Morgan had this idea for a very final sort of interview: a Final Say to be broadcast after the subject has died. This way the interviewer (me) can ask anything and the interview (Diana) can respond as they like. It seemed a great way to explore and contain the growing death talk. Of course, it ended up being more about life and it’s not like Diana was short on candour it me short on questions. After we filmed it with kind clever Eddie we had the most glorious day our at Kew Gardens and it’s wheeling her round the glasshouse I remember more than anything.

Final Say with Diana Athill will be broadcast on Sky Arts, 10pm Wednesday, 6th March.