Audiobooks by Barry Took

Take It From Here: The Later Years: 40 Episodes from Series 9-13 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

More timeless comedy from the long-running variety show Take It from Here was one of the most popular radio shows of its day, running for 12 years on the BBC Light Programme between 1948 and 1960. With its literate, pun-filled scripts written by comedy legends Denis Norden and Frank Muir, it was a huge hit with listeners, and over 20 million regularly tuned in to enjoy the madcap adventures of the TIFH team. These 40 specially chosen shows feature Madam Butterfly as you’ve never heard it before, a West End musical spoof, the fall and rise of Punch and Judy – and quickfire quizzing with ‘Double Your Nothing’. Meanwhile in ‘The Glums’, the marathon engagement of the drippy Ron and the doting Eth rumbles on, and down at his local, Mr Glum regales barman Ted with tales of woe and hard-luck stories. Also included are three Christmas episodes from 1955, 1958 and 1959; the 250th show (Series 10, Episode 1); the 10th anniversary episode (Series 11, Episode 12) and the last ever episode (Series 13, Episode 20) – as well as a piece of comedy history: the original version of a sketch made famous by Peter Sellers, 'So Little Time' (Series 12, Episode 15). Jimmy Edwards, June Whitfield, Dick Bentley and Wallas Eaton star in this sparkling selection of shows, with musical accompaniments from Alma Cogan, The Keynotes, Toni Eden and The Polka Dots. NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Production credits Starring Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley, June Whitfield and Wallas Eaton With contributions from ‘Herbert Mostyn’ (aka Frank Muir and Denis Norden) Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden (Series 9-12) and Barry Took and Eric Merriman (Series 13) Produced by Charles Maxwell (Series 9-12) and Charles Chilton (Series 13) Music from The Keynotes and the Augmented BBC Revue Orchestra, Alma Cogan (Series 9), Toni Eden (Series 13) and The Polka Dots (Series 13) With thanks to Keith Wickham Episode guide First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the following dates: Series 9 (11 October 1955-3 April 1956) Episode 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6 ,7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 ,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 Series 10 (2 January-15 May 1957) Episode 1, 2 January 1957 Episode 7, 13 February 1957 Episode 8, 20 February 1957 Episode 17, 24 April 1957 Episode 20, 15 May 1957 Series 11 (8 January-21 May 1958) Episode 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 Series 12 (27 November 1958-12 March 1959) Episode 2, 5, 13, 14, 15 Series 13 (22 October 1959-3 March 1960) Episode 10 & 20 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Barry Took, Denis Norden, Eric Merriman, Frank Muir (Author), Alma Cogan, Dick Bentley, Full Cast, Jimmy Edwards, Joy Nichols, June Whitfield (Narrator)

Audiobook

Guess What?: The BBC Radio 4 20 questions game show

Barry Took presents this revised radio version of the popular parlour game 'Twenty Questions' Hosted by veteran humorist Barry Took, presenter of Points of View and former chair of The News Quiz, this entertaining guessing game sees a panel of intellectually acute guests attempting to determine a mystery object in 20 tries. Their only clue is the category it falls into: animal, vegetable, mineral, abstract, or a combination of all four. For most rounds, the studio audience know the answer and cheer on the contestants with promising guesses - but sometimes, both they and the listeners are kept in the dark, giving them an opportunity to play along too. Pitting their wits against Barry Took are panellists Geoffrey Durham, Jeremy Hanley, Helen Atkinson Wood, Hattie Hayridge, Dick Vosburgh, Neil Innes, Jan Ravens, Nigel Dempster, Frances Edmonds, Chris Serle and Clare Francis, as they play their hunches and attempt to identify everything from a supermodel to a Page 3 girl, the Channel Tunnel to the shipping forecast, and a minicab driver to man's best friend. Using their best deductive reasoning, will they figure it out - or will they get stumped? Production credits Chaired by Barry Took Written and compiled by Michael Dines Voice provided by Peter Donaldson Produced by Andy Aliffe With: Geoffrey Durham, Jeremy Hanley, Helen Atkinson Wood, Hattie Hayridge, Dick Vosburgh, Neil Innes, Jan Ravens, Nigel Dempster, Frances Edmonds, Chris Serle, Clare Francis First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 April-10 June 1998 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Barry Took (Author), Barry Took, Geoffrey Durham, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne Compendium: Classic BBC Radio Comedy

A fascinating and hilarious collection of archive rarities - plus two restored episodes - from the much loved BBC radio comedy series Starring Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee, Round the Horne breathed daring new life over the BBC radio airwaves from 1965 to 1968, a madcap mix of daring double entendres, captivating characters and bawdy badinage. In this exhaustive collection of rare material, two complete episodes - Series 1, Episode 5 and Series 1, Episode 15 - are presented complete and remastered, alongside a cornucopia of previously unpublished segments from the series' original run. In addition there's a host of rarities from the BBC Sound Archive and other sources, including the cast's appearance on Sounds Familiar and Kenneth Horne's autobiographical turn on The Time of My Life, both from 1968. These are followed by A Tribute to Kenneth Horne from 1969, Round and Round the Horne from 1977, and Horne of Plenty from 2004. There's also a selection of rarely heard interviews with cast and writers, two sketches in celebration of Much Binding in the Marsh, and more.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), , Full Cast, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Various Narrators (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: The Complete Julian & Sandy: Classic BBC Radio comedy

Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick are the notorious resting thespians in this hilarious collection of sketches from Round the Horne.‘Oh, hello. I’m Julian, and this is my friend Sandy...’ Through four series of Round the Horne, Julian and Sandy graced each episode with an encounter with ‘that nice Mr Horne’. Each week they'd be up to new tricks, from filmmaking (Bona Prods) to a travel agency (‘something exciting in a cheap package’) and a ‘bijou restaurantette’ (La Casserole de Bona Gourmet). In these 48 lally-trembling scenarios, Jools and Sand cater for the intimate at ‘omey in Bona Caterers, shake hands with a prospective member in Keep Britain Bona, set themselves up as Bona Tax Consultants and teach the world to talk proper in Bona School of Languages. Plus, they reveal to Mr Horne just what Julian received on his last birthday… This fantabulosa selection of Julian and Sandy sketches is brimming with sparkling repartee, gloriously camp humour and outrageous innuendo. So don’t be strange – come on in, rest your lallies and let your riah down with two of the best pros in the business. Duration: 3 hours 40 mins.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Johnnie Mortimer, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series 4: 17 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC radio comedy

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 17 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy, including the 1967 Christmas special.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock - the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix. In addition to the 16 episodes of Series Four, this edition also includes the 1967 Christmas special episode Cinderfella and The Bona History of Julian and Sandy, in which Maureen Lipman takes a vada at Round the Horne’s most flamboyant omipalonies. Duration: 9 hours approx

Barry Took (Author), Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond Our Ken: Series One

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Ron Moody star in the surviving 13 episodes from the very first series of the classic weekly show, the forerunner to Round the Horne. Between 1958 and 1964, Beyond Our Ken lit up the airwaves. A madcap mix of sketches and songs, it remains as funny today as when it was first broadcast. Full of witty wordplay, larger-than-life characters, comic catchphrases and sublimely silly humour, the show introduced regulars such as Rodney and Charles, countryman Arthur Fallowfield and roving reporter Cecil Snaith. Enjoy regular documentary feature 'Hornerama', plan a break with 'Kenneth Horne's Holiday Bureau', listen to Parisian caberet artist Maurice Chandelier, and meet Felicity and Ambrose - the happiest couple in Great Britain. With episodes written by Eric Merriman and Barry Took, and musical interludes from The Malcolm Mitchell Trio and The Fraser Hayes Four, join avuncular host Kenneth Horne and friends in this hilarious precursor to Round the Horne. Duration: 6 hours 30 mins approx.

Barry Took, Eric Merriman (Author), Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Ron Moody (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series 3: Classic Comedy from the BBC Archives

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 20 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. It carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix.Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire third series can be enjoyed once again, along with a PDF booklet featuring cast biographies and a full series history. Duration: 10 hours approx.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series 2: 15 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC radio comedy

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 15 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix.Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire second series can be enjoyed once again, plus the 1966 Christmas episode, 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and a special Transcription Services episode 'The Man With The Golden Thunderball'. along with a PDF booklet featuring cast biographies and a full series history.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), , Barry Took, Full Cast, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Marty Feldman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series One: March 1965 - June 1965

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 16 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix.Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire first series can be enjoyed once again.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Douglas Smith, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond Our Ken The Collector's Edition: Series 2

Kenneth Horne is joined by Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee and Pat Lancaster in the second series of the classic weekly show, which lit up the airwaves between 1958 and 1964. The forerunner to Round the Horne, Beyond Our Ken is a madcap mix of sketches and music. Seven series were broadcast between 1958 and 1962, written principally by Eric Merriman - Barry Took joined him as co-writer for the first two series. With musical entertainment from Pat Lancaster and The Malcolm Mitchell Trio, join genial host Kenneth Horne and his ensemble in this fantastic funny show.

Barry Took, Eric Merriman (Author), Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Pat Lancaster, Ron Moody (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round The Horne Julian And Sandy

A collection of fab sketches from 'Round the Horne's most flamboyant duo. In this first fantabulosa selection of sketches from BBC Radio's classic comedy 'Round the Horne', we find that two infamously outrageous resting thesps from Carnaby Street are game on for a variety of entrepreneurial endeavours. As Kenneth Horne trolls along in search of some essential service or other, the tinkle of a doorbell invariably brings him to one of Julian and Sandy's bona establishments.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Bona World Of Julian & Sandy

Barry Took (Author), Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

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