The doyen of British comedy writers, Barry Cryer looks back over his long career in conversation with Steve Wright.

In the first of two programmes, Baz recalls his early career including his very first job as a stand up comic at London's legendary Windmill Theatre in Soho - motto: 'we never clothed' - before moving into writing.

Since then his writing credits read like a history of British comedy since the 1960's. After a lengthy spell working with Danny La Rue, Barry moved into TV with The Frost Report. This opened all sorts of doors as he went on to write for Tommy Cooper, Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies, Stanley Baxter, Mike Yarwood, Jasper Carrott, Kenny Everett and many more.

He also collaborated with a number of American comedy greats in the glory days of Lew Grade's ATV - including Bob Hope, Jack, Benny Phil Silvers and Phyllis Diller.

In his 80th year, Barry was still very much in demand as a writer, performer in his regular farewell tours, and as a long serving panellist on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Expect plenty of anecdotes on the many larger than life characters who shared his professional life over six decades in the entertainment world - with a rare insight into the art and craft of the tough business of comedy writing.

Barry Cryer died aged 86 in 2022.

Producer: Bob McDowall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 2015. Show less