Great Lives

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Factual: Life Stories

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

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Matthew Parris

Len Goodman

David Stafford

Perminder Khatkar

Great Lives: Len Goodman on Lionel Bart

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

Len Goodman on Lionel Bart

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Len Goodman on Lionel Bart

Len Goodman champions Lionel Bart, the man who created the musical Oliver, as his hero.

Dancer Len Goodman chooses composer Lionel Bart, the creator of the musical Oliver! With Matthew Parris. From 2017.

Len Goodman's great life was one of the biggest figures in creating British musicals and pop music in the 1960's. 

The writer and lyricist behind the hit musical Oliver, knew everybody who was anybody, made a fortune and partied with Royalty. 

But like many who flourished in that era he also lost everything in a blitz of booze, drugs and bad behaviour.

Len Goodman makes a case for why he regards Bart as a genius.

With Matthew Parris. 

Helping Len him to unravel the story of his hero the expert witness is broadcaster David Stafford who co-wrote a biography on Lionel Bart named after Bart's second most famous musical: Fings Aint Wot They Used T'Be . 

Producer: Perminder Khatkar.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 January 2017.

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