William Hone is the forgotten hero of free speech in Britain.

He was a bookseller, publisher and satirist. In 1817, he stood trial for 'impious blasphemy and seditious libel'.

His crime was to be funny. Worse than that he was funny by parodying religious texts. And worst of all, he was funny about the despotic government and the libidinous monarchy.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman's comedy drama based on the real trial transcripts.

Hone ...... Robert Wilfort
Prince Regent ...... Arthur Bostrom
Cruikshank ...... Conrad Nelson
Ellenborough ...... Jonathan Keeble
Shepherd ...... David Benson
Abbott ...... Malcolm Raeburn
Lady Hertford ...... Melissa Sinden
Sarah ...... Fiona Clarke
Reporter ...... Graeme Hawley
Clerk ...... Graeme Hawley

Original music by Conrad Nelson.

Director: Gary Brown

Ian Hislop is the editor of Private Eye and a team captain on 'Have I got News for You'. Nick Newman is a satirical cartoonist for The Sunday Times and Private Eye. They have known each other since their schooldays and have written many successful TV programmes together including 'My Dad's the Prime Minister' and 'The Wipers Times'.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016. Show less