ISLE of Wight-based showbiz writer and broadcaster John Hannam's amazing archives of interviews with famous performers can now be heard all over the world in the form of podcasts.

Some of John's 4,000 interviews in a career spanning 40 years have been used by BBC Radio 2, including Matt Monro, Eartha Kitt, Adam Faith and Lonnie Donegan.

His John Hannam Meets chat show has been on Isle of Wight Radio for 25 years.

Recently his very first archive podcast, featuring a 2005 interview with American 60s pop idol Bobby Vee, had an unexpected impact. The hit recorder of songs like Take Good Care Of My Baby has been suffering from Alzheimer's for several years. Bobby's son Jeff sent an email to John within a few hours of the interview going online.

"Jeff told me they were halfway through listening to the interview in America and his Dad was grinning from ear to ear and was clearly enjoying it. I was just so pleased it was helping to bring back some of his memory loss," said John.

Every week John has two new podcast interviews. One contains current interviews and the other features one of his rare archives. All of his interviews are recorded face to face. He doesn't do any phone conversations.

"I like the thrill of sitting next to my guest and getting to know them for an hour or so. Some have become personal friends. I have missed out on a few big names with this policy but have no regrets."

Already online are archive podcasts featuring Tommy Cooper, Larry Grayson, Alan Rickman and Charlton Heston.

Others that will follow include Cilla Black, Anthony Minghella and Neil Sedaka.

Follow links from the Isle of Wight Radio website, John's own website and the iTunes library.