Before They Were Famous 

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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

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Ian Leslie

Claire Broughton

Before They Were Famous: Series 3: Episode 6

Episode 6

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - Before They Were Famous, Series 3, Episode 6

Hear Fay Weldon's illuminating quiz for Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Ian Leslie unearths the oft surprising first literary attempts of the likes of Fay Weldon and Friedrich Nietzsche. From 2015.

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

To start off this episode, we hear Fay Weldon's illuminating quiz for Cosmopolitan Magazine - 'Are you too obsessed with your ex?'. 

Next, it's Friedrich Nietzsche's lesser known work for a toy company catalogue - giving possibly more in depth descriptions than were initially required. 

Then we hear from beloved poet Pam Ayres again, in a piece submitted to the Office of Information as a draft for a public safety announcement. 

Finally, there's another of Henrik Ibsen's joke submissions for 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.

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