Before They Were Famous 

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

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

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Before They Were Famous

Comedy: Spoof

Comedy. Ian Leslie uncovers the first literary attempts of the world's best-known writers

Comedy. Ian Leslie presents the spoof documentary series that brings to light the often surprising first literary attempts of the world's best-known writers

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 LW

Ian Leslie

Claire Broughton

Before They Were Famous: Series 3: Episode 3

Episode 3

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - Before They Were Famous, Series 3, Episode 3

How William Blake's spiritual leanings came to bear on public signs in London parks.

Ian Leslie unearths the oft surprising first literary attempts of the likes of William Blake and Pam Ayres. From June 2015.

Ian Leslie presents the show which brings to light the often surprising first literary attempts of the world's best known writers. 

In this episode, we gain some understanding of the force that was to be reckoned with in the case of William Blake, and how his spiritual leanings came to bear on his copy for public signs in London parks. 

We also hear the beginnings of Will Self's acerbic style in his submission as a child, re-working a classic fairy tale for an adolescent magazine. 

There's also the much loved poet Pam Ayres and her sadly unused submission for a reworking of the 3 minute warning in the event of a nuclear bomb. 

Finally, we hear another of the questionable offerings from Henrik Ibsen to the joke department of a Christmas cracker manufacturer.

Producer: Claire Broughton

A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2015.

Before They Were Famous: Series 3

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Before They Were Famous

Series 3

Episode 3

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4