A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Comedy Drama

His Master’s Voice

Robert Hardy stars in this political satire from the writer of Absolute Power and In the Red 
 
Media mogul Lord Malan is the billionaire owner of The Blue Touch Paper, an old-fashioned, hard-right weekly magazine with traditional Conservative values. But the paper is so true blue, it’s losing its touch. Sales are falling and circulation is down – mainly because its core readers are either on the brink of death or foam-flecked with rage. It’s time for a new editor, and political commentator Anna is sure she’s a shoo-in for the position. 
 
Much to her disappointment, however, Malan picks a different candidate: Keith, the Guardian’s token Tory, who champions compassionate Conservatism. Nicknamed ‘Toynbee’, he’s tasked with turning the paper around. If he doesn’t succeed, he’ll be out of a job – and Anna and her friends on the Tory back bench are determined to make sure he fails… With the help of the rest of his team – PA Katrina and posh gossip columnist Giles, a.k.a. ‘Louche’ – can Keith set The Blue Touch Paper alight, or will his career fizzle out like a damp squib? 
 
Created and written by Mark Tavener in collaboration with Steve Punt, this sparkling sitcom was his final radio series before his death in 2007. It stars Robert Hardy as Lord Malan, Tony Gardner as Keith, Amelia Bullmore as Anna, Michael Maloney as Giles and Rachel Atkins as Katrina. 
 
Written by Mark Tavener and Steve Punt 
Produced by Dawn Ellis 
 
Cast 
Lord Malan – Robert Hardy 
Keith – Tony Gardner 
Anna – Amelia Bullmore 
Giles – Michael Maloney 
Katrina – Rachel Atkins 
Beverly – Saskia Wickham 
With Beth Chalmers, Simon Treves, Eve Webster and Stephen Critchlow 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4-25 July 2007 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

The Party Line: Complete Series 1-3

All three series of the satirical sitcom by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, following the fortunes of a hapless backbench MP 
 
Ever since he fell off the stage live on Question Time, Labour MP Duncan Stonebridge has been stuck in political limbo. Struggling with a tiny majority and a career that's going nowhere, he's caught between the impossible demands of his constituents and the dictates of Westminster - and constantly afflicted by the bane of all politicians: events. 
 
Whether he's getting wound up about a wind farm, saving his party agent from a rabid Russian oligarch, fending off accusations of financial irregularities or losing a laptop full of top-secret government reports, life never runs smoothly for the beleaguered backbencher. So when an old friend makes him an attractive job offer, will he give up his seat for a cushy corporate role - or battle on in the hope that things can only get better? 
 
Written by comedy kings and Now Show hosts Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, this sparkling sitcom was first broadcast in 2005, and still feels topical and relevant today. James Fleet stars as Duncan Stonebridge, with a stellar supporting cast including Simon Greenall, Geoffrey McGivern, Sally Hawkins and Sarah Solemani. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis 
Produced and directed by Adam Bromley and Dawn Ellis 
 
Cast 
Duncan - James Fleet 
Arthur/Tom - Simon Greenall 
Jane/Sue - Rachel Atkins 
Norman/Roger - Geoffrey McGivern 
Fennella - Sally Hawkins 
Lady Harriet - Geraldine McNulty 
Sue - Matilda Ziegler 
Neil - Neil Edmond 
Ruth - Sarah Solemani 
With Jenny Cox, Dominic Coleman, Sue Elliott-Nicholls, Lucy Montgomery, Neil Edmond, Hugh Dixon, Beth Chalmers, Manjeet Mann and Dan Mersh 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 May-30 June 2005 (Series 1), 3 October-7 November 2006 (Series 2), 7 October-11 November 2008 (Series 3) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A BBC Radio spoof documentary series

Crème de la Crime

The complete series 1-3 of the spoof true crime series, written by and starring Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis 
 
Michael Feydeau, alias TV's much-loved Inspector Niblett, and crime expert David Pershore (the bestselling author of A Nice Sit Down with Some Horrific Murders) go on a thrilling journey through the gruesome history of crime, digging deep into the vaults of villainy to exhume dastardly cases of theft, intrigue, deception, fraud, murder, murder and a touch more murder. 
 
Using a daring mixture of reconstructions, interviews, music and specially made noises, they serve up the twisted tales of spying skulduggery, wartime treason, the mysterious curse of an Egyptian mummy, and a fallen medieval monk. Also on the menu are a mélange of multi-murderers, a strange death by cutlery, a vanishing lord and a fiendish case of felony afloat... 
 
Starring Hugh Dennis as Feydeau and Steve Punt as Pershore, this sensational send-up of the true crime genre also features guest stars Emma Kennedy, Simon Greenall, Chris Pavlo, Olivia Colman, Ewan Bailey and Steven Kynman. 
 
Production credits 
Written by and starring Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis 
Produced and directed by Adam Bromley 
With Emma Kennedy, Simon Greenall, Chris Pavlo, Olivia Colman, Ewan Bailey, Steven Kynman 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 September-24 October 2001 (Series 1), 15 May-5 June 2002 (Series 2), 2-23 April 2003 (Series 3) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 comedy show

The Brig Society: The Complete Series 1-4

Shortlisted for the BBC Audio Drama Award 2015 for Best Scripted Comedy (Studio Audience) 
 
In the complete Series 1-4 of the multi-award-winning hit show from the people who brought you Cabin Pressure and Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, stand-up comedian Marcus Brigstocke has been put in charge of a thing! 
 
In each episode, Marcus finds he's volunteered to be in charge of a big old thing - a hospital, a prison, the banking system, the great British press - and each week he starts out by thinking "Well, it can't be that difficult, surely?" and ends up with "Oh - turns out it's utterly difficult and complicated. Who knew...?". 
 
Helping him fail to find the answers are regular guest stars such as Rufus Jones (Hunderby, Holy Flying Circus), William Andrews (Sorry, I've Got No Head), Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Miranda) and Colin Hoult (from Ricky Gervaise's Derek). Together they tackle the ills of British society, from the House Of Lords and internet trolling all the way up to the big issues - like why a paisley hanky is good for hiding disreputable stains, and how to use toothpaste to fool your landlord. 
 
Written by Marcus Brigstocke, Jeremy Salsby, Toby Davies, Nick Doody, Dan Tetsell, Steve Punt and Tom Neenan. 
Produced by David Tyler 
A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Shortlisted for the BBC Audio Drama Award 2015 for Best Scripted Comedy (Studio Audience) 
 
In the complete Series 1-4 of the multi-award-winning hit show from the people who brought you Cabin Pressure and Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, stand-up comedian Marcus Brigstocke has been put in charge of a thing! 
 
In each episode, Marcus finds he's volunteered to be in charge of a big old thing - a hospital, a prison, the banking system, the great British press - and each week he starts out by thinking "Well, it can't be that difficult, surely?" and ends up with "Oh - turns out it's utterly difficult and complicated. Who knew...?". 
 
Helping him fail to find the answers are regular guest stars such as Rufus Jones (Hunderby, Holy Flying Circus), William Andrews (Sorry, I've Got No Head), Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Miranda) and Colin Hoult (from Ricky Gervaise's Derek). Together they tackle the ills of British society, from the House Of Lords and internet trolling all the way up to the big issues - like why a paisley hanky is good for hiding disreputable stains, and how to use toothpaste to fool your landlord. 
 
Written by Marcus Brigstocke, Jeremy Salsby, Toby Davies, Nick Doody, Dan Tetsell, Steve Punt and Tom Neenan. 
Produced by David Tyler 
A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 comedy series

Punt, PI: Series 1-5

Series 1-5 of the comedy show where Steve Punt turns private investigator, examining little mysteries that perplex, amuse and beguile

Steve Punt (Author, Reader) 
 Stephen Punt (born 15 September 1962)[1] is a British writer, comedian and actor. Along with Hugh Dennis, he is part of comedy double act Punt and Dennis and presenter of BBC Radio 4 satirical news programme The Now Show.

The BBC Radio 4 show where Steve Punt turns private investigator, examining little mysteries that perplex, amuse and beguile. 
His methods may be unconventional but he gets the job done in this collection of all 17 epsiodes from series 1-5 of Punt PI. 
 
Ranging from the bizarre to the macabre, he investigates the following tantalising cases: 
Series 1: 
Steve probes cases including; a couple who find 400 false legs beneath their floor, missing steam trains hidden in case of nuclear war and Britian's own Bermuda triangle. 
Series 2: 
Steve investigates whether Hitler really was going to set up and HQ in Balham, goes on the trail of TV detector vans and searches for the real Manchurian Candidate. 
Series 3: 
The PI turns his hand to investigating the cases of Argelton, a place only existing on internet maps, whether the Nazis developed flying saucer technology, a search for Queen Victoria's voice and a curse of crying boy paintings. 
Series 4: 
Steve delves into the mysteries of a poisoned partridge, the disappearance of a film about David LLoyd George, and the site for the epic Battle of Wattling Street. 
Series 5: 
Our diligent investigator is called on to look into a pensioner's secret stash of arms, the 1928 Charfield Rail crash and a 400 year-old case of a missing person. 
 
Produced by Laurence Grissell 
A BBC Studios production

Punt PI: Series 6-10

Series 6- 10 of the comedy show where Steve Punt turns private investigator, examining little mysteries that perplex, amuse and beguile

The BBC Radio 4 show where Steve Punt turns private investigator, examining little mysteries that perplex, amuse and beguile. 
His methods may be unconventional but he gets the job done in this collection of all 18 epsiodes from series 6-10 of Punt PI. 
Ranging from the bizarre to the macabre, he investigates the following tantalising cases: 
Series 6: 
The Case of the Vanishing Machine Gun Maker, The Holliwell Incident, Pitchfork Murder - Lower Quinton and Who Killed the Bears? 
Series 7: 
The Mysterious Death of Flying Millionaire Alfred Loewnstein, The Baker Street Bank Robbery, The Case of the MP Who Vanished and Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm? 
Series 8: 
The Murder of Hollywood Director William Desmond Taylor, The Case of the Missing Cezanne, and The Great Mull Air Mystery. 
Series 9: 
The Suspicious Death of Emile Zola, The Reclusive Skeleton of Fingringhoe and There's a Kind of Hum. 
Series 10: 
Lost Nukes, Treasure in the Piano, Missing Priest and Taking the Pissoir? 
 
Produced by Laurence Grissell 
A BBC Studios production

Six episodes of the BBC Radio 4 topical comedy

The Now Show: Series 45

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present six episodes of topical comment, sketches and songs with the help of Mitch Benn, Jon Holmes and others.

Steve Punt is a writer, comedian and actor. Along with Hugh Dennis, he is part of comedy double act Punt and Dennis and presenter of BBC Radio 4 satirical news programme The Now Show. He is also a writer and programme associate for various television panel game shows, including Would I Lie to You? and Mock the Week, and is a writer for fellow comedians such as Rory Bremner and Jasper Carrott. 
 
Hugh Dennis is a comedian, actor, writer, impressionist and voice-over artist, best known for being one half of Punt and Dennis and for playing Pete Brockman, the father in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered. He is a panellist on the BBC Two satirical comedy show Mock the Week.

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present six episodes of topical stand-up comedy, sketches and songs with the help of Mitch Benn, Jon Holmes, Laura Shavin and special guests. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January and February 2015.

The Now Show

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present four episodes from the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy series.

In this selection from the seventh scurrilous series of the topical comedy show, broadcast in 2002, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis - plus the regular team of Marcus Brigstocke, Emma Kennedy, Jon Holmes and Mitch Benn - take a sideways look and an off-the-wall glance at a number of issues.   Includes 'The Membership of the Ring' - Gandalf, Logo and the gallant tebbits set out to destroy the Single Currency; 'The Official Police Poet'; 'The British Commuter Riots'; 'The Any-Excuse-to-do-Cartman' South Park Canadian Teacher Sketch; 'Cuban Prison Guantanamo Bay Social Club'; 'Are there too many murder dramas?'; 'Pop Idol' - award-winning programme, rubbish records... and loads of other stuff!

Steve Punt

David Tyler

The BBC Radio 4 Brainy Quiz Show

A quiz show hosted by Steve Punt (star of BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show and the brains behind Horrible Histories) where a team of three University students take on a team of three of their professors. 
 
The show is recorded on location at a different University each week, and pits three Undergraduates against three of their Professors in this fresh take on an academic quiz. The General Knowledge rounds include a quickfire bell-and-buzzer finale and the ‘Highbrow & Lowbrow’ round is cunningly devised to test not only the students’ knowledge of history, art, literature and politics, but also their Professors’ awareness of TV, music and sport. Meanwhile there are the three Specialist Subject rounds, in which students take on their Professors in their own subjects, and where we find out whether the students have actually been awake during lectures... 
 
In the eighth series the universities are Newcastle, Hertfordshire, Dundee, Merton College Oxford, Sheffield and Brunel. Questions range from Bach and benzene rings to Gnasher from The Beano and why eating detergent is wrong. 
 
In the ninth series the universities are Royal Holloway, Aberdeen, Plymouth, St Catharine’s College Cambridge, Brighton, and Oxford Brookes. We’ll hear about Lego, Scottish Gaelic fishing jargon and horse teeth via Jack Straw, James Bond and Dick Dastardly. 
 
In the tenth series the universities are Bournemouth, Imperial College, Reading, Durham, Ulster, and Mansfield College Oxford. Questions range from sarcophagi to cocktail ingredients to Jack Reacher, with a bit of Tristram Shandy thrown in. 
 
In the eleventh series the universities are Southampton, Cumbria, Brasenose College Oxford, Anglia Ruskin, Northampton, and Nottingham Trent. Subjects include brothels, bats and robbing a bank, plus there’s a chance to brush up on Plato, piercings, and postage. 
 
In the twelfth series the universities are UCL, Leeds Beckett, Gonville & Caius College Cambridge, Warwick, Bangor, and Lancaster. Questions range from the isotropy of the universe and Kartvelian Languages to Yellow Submarines and a song about sausage rolls. 
 
In the thirteenth series the universities are Exeter, Strathclyde, Somerville College Oxford, Keele, King’s College London, and Portsmouth. Subjects include a giant spider, Kate Winslet, and why it's no longer illegal to commit champerty. Also, there's your chance to hear the most-played piece of music ever. 
 
In the fourteenth series the universities are Leicester, St Andrews, Loughborough, Falmouth, Robinson College Cambridge, and UEA. We’ll meet a five-legged sheep and a Belgian biscuit, and discover how to luff a jib, how to deconstruct a dodecagon, and the one thing Hannibal Lecter really shouldn’t eat… 
 
In the fifteenth series the universities are Bristol, Queen Mary London, University of Kent, Worcester College Oxford, Manchester Metropolitan University and more. Specialist subjects include Environmental Science, Drama, and History, so naturally we’ll be discussing Boron/Calcium pH proxy analysis, Noël Coward’s wartime satire and St Cuthbert’s A-level results. All this and the world’s hottest chili pepper to boot. If not to eat. 
 
Hosted by Steve Punt 
Devised & produced by David Tyler 
First broadcast 25 June 2018 – 19 October 2025 
A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

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