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 5

Episode 5

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - Before They Were Famous, Series 3, Episode 5

Jane Austen's first employment was as a bailiff's clerk penning letters to debtors.

Ian Leslie unearths the oft surprising first literary attempts of the likes of Jane Austen and Martin Amis. From 2015.

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

The episode begins with Jane Austen's first employ as a bailiff's clerk penning exceptionally sweet letters to unfortunately late paying debtors. 

To follow, we hear Edward Lear's indecipherable missives on behalf of the British Intelligence services and a Radio 4 stalwart, the Shipping Forecast, is re-imagined in a submission found in the archives from a young Martin Amis suggesting how to update the format. 

To end, there's another of Henrik Ibsen's unexpected offerings of jokes for a Christmas cracker company.

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 5

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4