Audiobooks by Jonathan Harvey

What Does the K Stand For?: A BBC Radio 4 Sitcom About Growing up Black, Gay and Funny in 1980s Lond

Stand-up meets sitcom in Stephen K Amos’s semi-autobiographical show about growing up black, gay and funny in 1980s London ‘One of the most likable figures in British comedy Radio Times Comedian Stephen K Amos is one of eight children, whose parents came to London from Nigeria in the 60s. In these three series, co-written with multi-award-winning British playwright Jonathan Harvey, he takes us back in time to the 1980s, as he reminisces about his dysfunctional childhood and formative experiences, and shares the dramas and traumas of his teenage years. We join his younger self as he wrestles with his identlty; falls in love; overcomes his stage fright and takes the lead role in the school play, Balham Side Story. And as he takes his first steps into working life, he gets caught up in the Brixton riots, worries about his parents splitting up, and finally plucks up the courage to reveal a secret… Shaquille Ali-Yebuah stars as Young Stephen, and each show is hosted by Stephen K Amos himself, adding stand-up narration and his own comic perspective. Among the cast are Ellen Thomas and Don Gilet as Stephen’s mum and dad, Fatou Sohna as Stephanie Amos, Gemma Whelan as Miss Collins, Michelle Butterly as Miss Bliss and Frankie Wilson as Jayson Jackson. And the answer to the show’s title? You’ll have to listen and find out... Cast and credits Stephen K Amos – Himself Young Stephen – Shaquille Ali-Yebuah Stephanie Amos – Fatou Sohna Virginia Amos – Ellen Thomas Vincent Amos/Tanktop – Don Gilet Miss Collins – Gemma Whelan Jayson Jackson/John the Baptist – Frankie Wilson PE Teacher/Red Coat/Philip/Check-in guy/Random Bloke – Harry Jardine Fanni – Emerald O'Hanrahan Fola – Kathryn Drysdale Bo Bells/Taxi driver/Stephanie Turner – Rachel Atkins Samaritan/Policeman/Taxi driver – David Seddon Miss Bliss – Michelle Butterly Mary Magdalene/Bette Davis/Sophie – Nadia Kamil Boy Roy – Ryan Watson Miss Hunt/Moira Stuart/Fergie – Margaret Cabourn-Smith Princess – Jocelyn Jee Esien Dustin – Laurie Kynaston With Frances Barber, Bola Okun, Emerald Crankson, Karen Bartke and David Sterne Written by Jonathan Harvey with Stephen K Amos Produced by Colin Anderson and Paul Sheehan Violin played by Rachel Barnes First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 November 2013-1 January 2014 (Series 1), 31 December 2014-4 February 2015 (Series 2), 25 January-15 February 2017 (Series 3) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Jonathan Harvey, Stephen K Amos (Author), Don Gilet, Ellen Thomas, Emerald O'hanrahan, Fatou Sohna, Frankie Wilson, Full Cast, Gemma Whelan, Harry Jardine, Rachel Atkins, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Stephen K Amos (Narrator)

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The Years She Stole

2017. Rachel Taylor's mother hasn't got much time left to live. Their relationship had often been strained and Rachel had never quite understood why. When clearing out her mother's things she thinks she finds an answer... 1978. Shirley Burke is on a family holiday when she first sets eyes on Doug, a man considerably older than herself. But Doug is married, and her young life is about to get very complicated...

Jonathan Harvey (Author), Emma Gregory, Katie Scarfe (Narrator)

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The History of Us

Liverpool, 1985: Kathleen, Adam and Jocelyn are three teenage friends who bond over an unconventional nativity play. They all have ambitions, they all have dreams. Adam wants to be a writer, Jocelyn wants to sing and Kathleen - well, she wants to be an embalmer. London, 2015: Kathleen is a borderline alcoholic, Adam is holding on to a shocking secret and Jocelyn is dead. How did having the world at their feet turn into having the weight of it on their shoulders?

Jonathan Harvey (Author), Des Yankson, Lucy Joules, Michelle Butterly, Philip Shaun McGuinness (Narrator)

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The Secrets We Keep

It's hard being that woman, the one whose husband disappeared. He went out five years ago for a pint of milk and never came back. So here I am with a daughter who blames me for everything, a son trying his best to pick up the pieces and a gaggle of neighbours who are incredibly nosy. Then I find a left luggage ticket in the pocket of one of his old coats and suddenly I'm thinking... What's if he's not dead? What if he's still out there somewhere?

Jonathan Harvey (Author), Emma Gregory, Gareth Bennett-Ryan, Multiple Narrators (Narrator)

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The Girl Who Just Appeared

London, 2014. Adopted when just a few months old, Holly Smith has never fitted in. But then she finds a biscuit tin full of yellowing papers under the floorboards of the flat she was born in. Could these papers be the key to her past? Liverpool, 1981. Fifteen-year-old Darren is negotiating life with his errant mother and the younger brother. When the Toxteth Riots begin, Darren finds himself with a moral dilemma.

Jonathan Harvey (Author), Julie Maisey, Multiple Narrators, Scot Williams (Narrator)

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The Confusion of Karen Carpenter

Hello. Two things you should know about me: 1) My name is Karen Carpenter. 2) Just before Christmas my boyfriend left me. I'm not THE Karen Carpenter. I just have the most embarrassing name in Christendom. Oh yeah. The boyfriend. After eleven 'happy' years he left me. No explanation just a post it on the kettle I think I'm handling it really well. I don't think I'm confused at all. What was my name again?

Jonathan Harvey (Author), Suzanna Hurst (Narrator)

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All She Wants

There are some things in life you can always rely on. Living in the shadow of your 'perfect' brother Joey, getting the flu over Christmas, and your Mother showing you up in the supermarket. Then there are some things you really don't count on happening: a good dose of fame, getting completely trashed at an awards ceremony, and catching your fella doing something unmentionable on your wedding day. This is my story, it's dead tragic. You have been warned... Jodie Xx

Jonathan Harvey (Author), Leanne Best (Narrator)

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