Introduced by Melvyn Bragg and P. J. Kavanagh

'No gags on Scotsmen, Welshmen, clergymen, drink or medical matters. Do not sneeze at the microphone.' These were the BBC's official instructions to aspiring performers and entertainers back in 1925. Tonight's programme takes an affectionate look at radio comedy from the earliest days of the British Broadcasting Company right up to the present day.

Amongst those appearing in the programme to remember their successes and to reminisce together with the help of BBC Sound Archives are:
Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch : Band Waggon
Hattie Jacques and Deryck Guyler: ITMA
Maurice Denham and Sam Costa: Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh
Alan Simpson and Ray Galton: Hancock's Half-Hour
Frankie Howerd: Variety Bandbox
Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Junkin and Barry Cryer: Hello Cheeky
Producer BEN REA
Assistant editor TONY CASH
Editor BILL MORTON
Preview by Melvyn Bragg: page 5