The Clitheroe Kid

Four vintage instalments of the classic radio comedy starring Jimmy Clitheroe in 'The Clitheroe Kid'. James Robinson Clitheroe was enormously popular with the public as Jimmy in 'The Clitheroe Kid'. At the height of his popularity, the diminutive Lancastrian comic had regular audiences of over 10 million people and was a radio institution from 1958–1972. So join Jimmy, Mum, Grandad and Susan – or ‘scraggy neck’ – in these four classic episodes which show the cheeky and irrepressible schoolboy at the top of his class. 'Clitheroe and the Hound Dog' (9 February 1959) Jimmy saves Mr Higginbottom’s greyhound Lightning from being put down but, as Mum won’t allow him to keep a pet, he has to find somewhere else for the dog to stay. 'A Load of Chinese Junk' (29 December 1963) The school panto is Dick Whittington, but Jimmy much prefers to stay up late reading about the adventures of Aladdin. A tired Clitheroe Kid starts to dream of magic lamps... 'The Evils of Tomato Juice' (31 October 1965) Alfie is chosen to be best man at his friend’s wedding, but after a night of drinking Alfie tells Jimmy he is £30 richer – and has no recollection where the money has come from. 'Beware of the Neighbour' (8 October 1967) Jimmy has a new neighbour when a former ‘lumberjack’ moves in next door. However, Mr Ironside is not quite what the family expected... Guest starring Derek Nimmo.

James Casey

Les Dawson

Roy Barraclough

Eli Woods

Colin Edwynn

Daphne Oxenford

Full Cast

A BBC Radio 4 vintage comedy

25 episodes from the long-running BBC comedy series starring the legendary Les Dawson 
 
For over a decade between 1974 and 1985, lugubrious funnyman Les Dawson had radio audiences in stitches with his hit comedy show Listen to Les. 
 
Included in this collection are 25 vintage episodes, showcasing the gravel-voiced master of mirth at his very best. All your favourite characters are here, including gossip-loving housewives Cissie and Ada; chat show host Cosmo Smallpiece; the elegant Sophisticates and the hilariously dismal Desponds - as well as Wotan, Man of Steel; the debut appearance of comic discovery Justin Jest; and a rare interview with boxer Sugar Albert Ackroyd. 
 
You'll hear tales of 1920s gangsters, Britain's first space hero, and Leonard Shufflebottom: a man so thin, he was once used as a dipstick. Les also pays tribute to a feisty barber and a sheep-headed publican, presents his very own versions of Dallas and Columbo, reflects on the British sense of humour - and reveals how the mother-in-law joke was invented... 
 
Packed with deadpan one-liners, melancholic monologues, side-splitting sketches and unforgettable piano sing-alongs, these classic shows are sure to have your tear ducts prickling with laughter. 
 
NB: Some of the humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast 
 
Production credits 
Performed by Les Dawson 
With Roy Barraclough, Colin Edwynn, Daphne Oxenford and Eli Woods 
Written and produced by James Casey 
Music by Brian Fitzgerald 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 11 August 1974-17 March 1985 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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