Great Lives

Shortened

BBC Radio 4 Extra

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.

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Great Lives: Vivian Stanshall

Vivian Stanshall

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Vivian Stanshall

Neil Innes discusses the life of his colleague and friend Vivian Stanshall.

Neil Innes champions his comic friend and fellow 1960s 'Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band' member. With Matthew Parris. From 2009.

Musician and performer Neil Innes chooses the life of his Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band colleague, and friend, Vivian Stanshall. 

Neil tells Matthew Parris about the moment he met Vivian in London: he was wearing Billy Bunter trousers, a Victorian frock coat and horrible purple pince-nez glasses and carrying a euphonium. 

So began a friendship and a musical partnership that exploded into life with The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, culminating in tours and TV series. 

Vivian's second wife, Ki Longfellow, joins the discussion to help explore the man behind the colourful public persona.

Producer: Toby Field

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Great Lives

Vivian Stanshall

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra