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Sue Lawley's castaway is writer and comedian Ben Elton.

His fourth novel, Popcorn, has been widely-acclaimed by the critics. He's about to begin a nationwide tour with his stand-up comedy routine. And, after the success of his TV series The Young Ones and Blackadder, he's currently writing The Thin Blue Line for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ1. Yet despite all that, Ben Elton, this week's castaway, says he's more of an enthusiastic 'farty' than a "smug git in a shiny suit".

He muses as to whether his scatter-gun delivery (so mocked by the tabloids) is the result of his fear of the audience, or of a self-righteous belief in his own opinion, and when stranded on a desert island, he will reveal himself as a serious satirist or just a maverick motormouth.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: And Your Bird Can Sing by The Beatles
Book: His wedding photo album
Luxury: The British Museum

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 4 Oct 1996 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Fran Landesman

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Lewis Wolpert

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Music Played

  • Elvis Presley

    Heartbreak Hotel

    • Elvis 56.
    • RCA Classics.

  • The Clash

    London Calling

    Artist: The Clash

    • CBS.

  • Emmylou Harris

    One Of These Days

    • Profile - The Best Of Emmylou Harris.
    • Warner Brothers.

  • Bob Dylan

    Simple Twist of Fate

    • Blood On The Tracks.
    • CBS.

  • Vika and Linda Bull

    House Of Love

    • Vika and Linda.
    • Mushroom.

  • Midnight Oil

    Beds Are Burning

    • Diesel And Dust.
    • CBS.

  • Jennifer Warnes

    Ain't No Cure For Love

    • Famous Blue Raincoat.
    • RCA.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • The Beatles

      And Your Bird Can Sing

      • Revolver.
      • Parlophone.

  • Book Choice

    • His wedding photo album

  • Luxury Choice

    • The British Museum

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Ben Elton

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 Sep 1996 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 4 Oct 1996 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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