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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Lionel Bart Story

Book of the Week: Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Lionel Bart Story: Episode 3

Factual: Life Stories

Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Lionel Bart Story

Episode 3

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Lionel Bart Story, Episode 3

Lionel Bart begins work on his musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!'.

Lionel Bart begins work on his musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!'. Alistair McGowan reads David and Caroline Stafford's biography.

Lionel Bart was a unique musical talent. He found fame with the hugely successful musicals Oliver! and 'Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be', but he was also a hit-making machine for some of Britain's first rock'n'roll stars - Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard, as well as giving the James Bond movie franchise its first song. 

He socialised with figures from both serious and populist culture, and experienced a downfall that was as spectacular as his theatrical triumphs. 

David and Caroline Stafford's new biography of Bart draws on previously unseen archive sources and interviews with those closest to him. 

Today, Bart gives Cliff Richard his first number one and begins work on his own musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!' Read by Alistair McGowan.

Abridged by Julian Wilkinson
Produced by Emma Harding.

BBC 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.

David and Caroline Stafford's biography of composer Lionel Bart. Read by Alistair McGowan

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Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Lionel Bart Story

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