Proof that you don't have to chain-smoke like crazy to own a set of radio star cards - you can also binge on Bridgewater Biscuits. Here's a bit of 30s glamour: impressionist Florence Desmond and two character comedians - Jeanne de Casalis (Mrs Feather) and Suzette Tarri (Our Ada).

From w/c 21 September 1985 : Dusty Bin goes Latin with this 3-2-1 TV Times cover. #80s

This month is both the 70th anniversary of the start of Crackerjack and of ITV. Trying my utmost not to have favourites, I've celebrated one in Yours magazine and the other in Radio Times.

Today in Yours magazine, I manage to cram the entire history of Crackerjack from 1955 to 2021 into a double-page spread. That surely deserves a Crackerjack pencil.

Another spotting of #ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧 in the wild - this time in @waterstones.bsky.social Gower Street, London. Thank you to @staffordquips.bsky.social for the photos 📘📘📘 @edinburghup.bsky.social #Shakespeare #RadioDrama #AudioDrama

John Henry - trendiest spectacle-wearer of 1923. 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' now available from bookshops, online outlets and Zuckerbergia.

The book of the radio interview of the TV series is still available from all bookish outlets - shops, online and the odd ice-cream van. 'It's Friday, It's Crackerjack!' tells the entire history of the show from 1955 to 2021.

It’s such an excellent book and history of a classic children’s TV show. I promise you’ll love it.

In my book 'It's Friday, It's Crackerjack' I talk to everyone from a cameraman on the very first episode to Sam, Mark & team from the 21st century CBBC shows.

'Mr Grumble' was Joe Baker's father - and the scriptwriter was Jack Douglas' brother.

I was on Good Morning Scotland today, somehow squeezing the whole of Crackerjack (including Peter Glaze) into the final five minutes of the show. Listen here from 2:54:33 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Your occasional reminder that the deeds of Broadcasting House forbid certain trades and uses on the premises: "a meat slaughter-man" "a quasi-medical or quasi-surgical establishment" "a brothel or bagnio keeper" If those are your thing, see ITV.

Crackerjack is 70 years old today. Here's Don Maclean (as lean and tall as a Crackerjack pencil) and Peter Glaze (rotund as a cabbage). Full story of the show - including the 2020s version - in my book 'It's Friday, It's CRACKERJACK!'

Today in 1955 - The first ever edition of 'Crackerjack' was shown. Double or Drop? Crackerjack Pen? Crackerjackkkkkkkkk

It's often suggested that Kenneth Branagh has been heavily influenced by Laurence Olivier - but with his recent King Lear and now The Tempest, I'd say he's now in his John Gielgud phase... @the-rsc.bsky.social www.rsc.org.uk/the-tempest/

Our latest podcast is out now - on the first Radio Times. From that issue: - the front page - the first cartoon (on listening at a village hall) - the first letter (from Spain) - my favourite ad ("Height increased in 30 days"!) The podcast awaits your ears. Do it now, whatever your height.

I'm currently reading a showbiz autobiography, co-written by someone who describes himself as 'Britain's comedy historian.' It's a bit of a bombshell for comedy historians like myself and several of my friends to discover that the post of Britain's comedy historian has already been filled.

"We shall never come to Ramsgate again!" A gloomy bespectacled John Henry discovers radio stardom doesn't guarantee packed houses. Read about the triumphs and tragedies of John Henry in 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' from all bookshops and online booksellers.

John Henry's first radio partner played a domineering wife, the second a flirtatious neighbour. A case of life imitating art? 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' available from all bookshops and online booksellers.

Is that Charlie's radio co-star Arthur Haynes in soft focus in the background? Guess I'd better watch to find out.

Radio comedy 1920s-style. Imagine standing alone in here trying to make the nation laugh. 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' now in bookshops and online bookstores.

Percussionist James Blades to provide the last knockings of drama on Radio 3. www.brittenpearsarts.org/events/james...

Listening to the radio - 1920s style and now. Much has changed, much hasn't. Read how 1920s comedian John Henry quickly discovered the knack of talking to the listener one-to-one in 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' from all bookshops and online bookstores.

In 1924, John Henry and Blossom became the first radio stars to broadcast a live comedy routine from an aeroplane flying over London. And quite possibly the last. Read about this and their many other exploits in 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' from your local bookshop or online bookstore.

Proof that nobody is *just* a pretty face... #JayneMansfield

Forget 'Radio Fun' and 'Look-In' magazine. Radio comedian John Henry had his own comic strip as early as 1924. Read about this remarkable comedy pioneer in 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' from your local bookshop or online stores.

Okay, I've always favoured Marilyn - but I can't pretend I'm not impressed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFEI...

How did leading silent film star Mabel Poulton end up playing a maid in a saucy short movie with radio comedian John Henry? It'd be like Helen Mirren turning up in the Benny Hill Show. More on John and Mabel in 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' out now in bookshops and online booksellers.

The complex story of early radio's most popular comedy couple - and what happened when John Henry ditched Blossom for Gladys. 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' is out now in bookshops and online.

Believe it or not, this is how BBC topical comedy began. Read all about John Henry and his wireless elephant in 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' - now available in bookshops and online booksellers.

This is a fantastic read.

Out today! How BBC comedy began - and why its first stand-up superstar was so quickly forgotten. 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' is now available in bookshops and online booksellers.

My latest monthly #Shakespeare recommendation is now on Instagram - but you can also see it below. "Our court shall be a little academe Still and contemplative in living art" says the King of Navarre. He soon finds it won't be in Love's Labour's Lost #ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧 #RadioDrama #AudioDrama

I was looking for my collection of @raynewman.bsky.social books and I found them shelved next to Too Naked for the Nazis, the story of Wilson, Keppel & Betty. Was it sloppy shelving or is there a connection between Newman’s well-told tales of modern horror and England’s weirdest music hall act?

I shall be appearing in The Ripple Effect in September. Writer and director David Pollard gave an interview to Suffolk on Stage. www.suffolkonstage.co.uk/news/davidpo...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to whoever gave #ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧 five stars! #Shakespeare #RadioDrama #AudioDrama

Just published - my article on how drama producers used their ingenuity to make sure we still had new audio productions during Covid: 'A Plague on All Our Houses: How Screens Kept Audio Drama Alive During the Pandemic'. In the journal Resonance: doi.org/10.1525/res.... (1/2)

Pleased to finally have an author page up and running on Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/drand... Now when you click on my name it no longer takes you to books I haven't written (and in some cases, wouldn't want to be associated with!)

Many thanks to Peter Kemp for requesting a repeat of Kenneth Horne centenary documentary Sound the Horne (scripted by me, produced by Stephen Garner). It's on BBC Radio 4 Extra today and you can listen now here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...

Just started on BBC Radio 4 Extra...

Wouldn't a #roadtrip be fun? 🛣️ Let #Shakespeare come with you - as a #radioplay "Shakespeare on the Radio" by @audioandrea.bsky.social takes a tour of 100 years of #BBC radioplays by the Bard, 1923-2023 #BritishStudies #EnglishLiterature #BritishRadio #AdaptationStudies (sadly not our car!)

Klaxon: contains Radio 4 referring to me as a comedy historian which we all know is a made up job but I believe it was the first time it was used in the wild. It’s a cracking documentary.

A real honour to have Sound the Horne included in Radio 4 Extra's request weekend on Sunday 17th August. Jimmy Carr (pictured by my side, standing on his money) gave the perfect quickfire delivery to my script. Other highlights: Mollie Millest and Haunch Me My Venison. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...

I love #CharlesParis but before his arrival on #BBCRadio4 there was George Cragge. One of my favourite comedy/detective dramas #InTheRed has just started a repeat run on #BBCRadio4Extra Based on Mark Taverner's novel, it has a fantastic cast... And this little section almost made me spit out my tea!

Many thanks for this Murgatroyd and Winterbottom routine, Dang. More about this comedy double-act today on BBC Radio 4 Extra at 10.30 am (and afterwards on BBC Sounds).

Back on BBC Radio 4 Extra today (10.30 am, then BBC Sounds) 'Mr Murgatroyd and Mr Winterbottom'. Two comedy stars from very different worlds team up (anonymously at first) to form a fast-talking gag-packed double-act. Scripted, researched and co-interviewed by me. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...

I’m loving it.

Who could have imagined Wilson, Keppel and Betty were such a colourful act? Rare footage of the trio on YouTube - 107,000 views and counting. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLa0...

Six that I could find photos of - but fifteen I can put a name to. And I interviewed three of those pictured for the book.

Am hugely enjoying Alan Stafford’s terrifically well-written book about Wilson, Keppel and Betty. It’s not only stuffed with snackable titbits, but won the Diagram Prize for the oddest title of the year (really!)