BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Radio 4 (FM)

Britain in a Box

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history

Series exploring the stories behind the making of programmes which have become part of TV history

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Britain in a Box 

Britain in a Box: Series 6: Desmond's

Desmond's

Series 6

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Britain in a Box, Series 6, Desmond's

Paul Jackson explores the origins and legacies of Channel 4 sitcom Desmond's. From 2013.

Paul Jackson tells the story behind Channel 4's barbershop sitcom Desmond's.  With Trix Worrell and Humphrey Barclay. From 2013.

The story behind Channel 4's longest running sitcom, Desmond's - the OTHER Peckham based comedy which featured Norman Beaton as Desmond, the owner of a West Indian Barber shop and Carmen Munroe who played his wife, Shirley.  

Series in which Paul Jackson celebrates innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history.

The 71 episode series ran from 1989 until 1994 upon the untimely early death of its star character, 'Desmond', played by Norman Beaton.

Paul speaks to the show's creator, Trix Worrell, who got the idea for setting a comedy in a West Indian Barber's shop whilst he was on a bus travelling through Peckham on the way to meet comedy producer, Humprey Barclay.

Both of them share their memories of the creation of Desmond's with Paul Jackson, along with the series' first producer, Charlie Hanson and script editor Paulette Randall.  Ram John Holder, one of the show's stars, 'Porkpie' tells Paul  how accurately the sit com portrayed the West Indian community and how it was a welcome change to be in a black sit com which was both funny and enjoyed by all sections of the audience.

The then commissioner for Channel 4, Farrukh Dhondy, gives his thoughts on the success of Desmond's and contributors question how much futher forward British television is today in its commission of comedies featuring members from the UK's diverse communities.

Producer: Sarah Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.

Britain in a Box: Series 6

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Paul Jackson tells the stories behind the making of TV classics

Paul Jackson tells the stories behind the making of TV classics and assesses their legacies

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Britain in a Box

Series 6

Desmond's

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4