In Nicholas Parsons: A Man of Many Parts, Paul Jackson tries to pin down the essence of Nicholas Parsons with the help of Paul Merton, Jean Diamond, John Antrobus, Laura Beaumont, Gyles Brandreth, Jill Sinclair and Adrian Edmondson.
Then Paul Merton selects his favourite episode of Just a Minute, originally broadcast in 2010 and featuring Sheila Hancock, Gyles Brandreth and Barnsley poet Ian McMillan.
Also included here is Nicholas Parsons' appearance as a castaway on Desert Island Discs. He reflects on his career spanning more than 60 years, despite not being an obvious star in the making.
Lastly, this collection includes the complete Series 85 of Just Minute, the panel game that rewards those who can talk the hind leg off a donkey. This is the final ever series hosted by Nicholas Parsons, with panellists including Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Graham Norton, Jenny Eclair, Sheila Hancock, Phil Wang, Tony Hawks, Pam Ayres, Jan Ravens and Zoe Lyons.
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Radio 4's longest-running panel game returns for the first time since the death of much-missed maestro Nicholas Parsons, who chaired the show for over 50 years. Following in his footsteps for Series 86 are an array of special guest hosts, including Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Nish Kumar, Jenny Eclair, Gyles Brandreth, Lucy Porter, Stephen Fry, Julian Clary, Tom Allen and Jo Brand, while in Series 87, Sue Perkins takes the chair and endeavours to keep the participants in check.
All are primed to rule on cases of hesitation, deviation or repetition, as the panellists attempt to speak for 60 seconds on a given subject without interruption. Among the players bringing their linguistic A-game to the proceedings are Sheila Hancock (who appeared in the very first JAM episode in 1967), Tony Hawks, Pippa Evans, Desiree Burch, Shaparak Khorsandi, Pam Ayres and Mark Watson. The topics include Eating Like a Horse, Walking in New Shoes, The War of the Roses, Artificial Intelligence, A Big Night Out, The Art of Queuing and Oomph!
Each episode was produced using remote recording technology, with both panel and audience taking part from their homes all over the world - and now you can join them for a magical mix of quickfire improvisation, inspired ad-libbing and spontaneous hilarity, as these consummate entertainers battle for points, glory and the prize of a perfect, uninterrupted minute.
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(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Celebrating its 55th year on the air, the panel game that rewards those who can talk the hind leg off a donkey returns for two more sparkling series. Sue Perkins, now firmly established as host, is back in the chair, inviting the celebrity panellists to speak for 60 seconds without hesitating, deviating from the allotted subject or repeating themselves.
Taking up the challenge are an assortment of chatterbox comedians including Dane Baptiste, Paul Merton, Zoe Lyons, Gyles Brandreth, Shazia Mirza, Lucy Porter, Ria Lina, Jayde Adams and Daliso Chaponda. As ever, they're faced with topics ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous - among them My Favourite Kardashian, She Sells Sea Shells, Nosey Neighbours, The Ukulele, Kendal Mint Cake and The Art of Seduction.
So join them for more marvellous, magical, mirth-filled minutes, as they compete to find out who has the biggest gift of the gab. Seconds out, let battle commence...
Production credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Chaired by Sue Perkins
Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
Produced by Richard Morris, Hayley Sterling and Sarah Sharpe
Series 88 featuring: Dane Baptiste, Stephen Fry, Sheila Hancock, Paul Merton, Zoe Lyons, Gyles Brandreth, Shazia Mirza, Lucy Porter, Shaparak Khorsandi, Julian Clary
Series 89 featuring: Paul Merton, Pippa Evans, Tony Hawks, Suzi Ruffell, Gyles Brandreth, Ria Lina, Zoe Lyons, Dane Baptiste, Jayde Adams, Jan Ravens, Desiree Burch, Daliso Chaponda, Lucy Porter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 21 February-28 March 2022 (Series 88), 16 May-4 July 2022 (Series 89)
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
December 2022 marks 55 years of Just a Minute, Radio 4's longest-running and most beloved panel game. To commemorate this milestone, this special collection comprises five classic series of the hit show from 2010 and 2011, featuring a wealth of favourite panellists attempting to prove they have the gift of the gab.
Ready to pounce on hesitation, repetition or deviation is chairman Nicholas Parsons, while among the players are longtime regular Paul Merton; current JAM host Sue Perkins and Sheila Hancock (who first appeared in the second ever episode). Making their debuts on the show are celebrities Rick Wakeman, Kevin Eldon, Sir Terry Wogan and Fi Glover.
Other famous names showing off their verbal dexterity include Julian Clary (who reveals, among other things, what he thinks of New Year's Eve Parties); John Sergeant (explaining why it takes Two to Tango); Alun Cochrane (riffing on What Makes Me Furious); Stephen Fry (speaking on The Right Way to Greet Someone) and Josie Lawrence (who shares her ability to Leave on a High).
Listen as they take these topics, and many more, in their comic stride - can they achieve the coveted goal of speaking for sixty seconds without being challenged? (It sounds like a breeze, but it's harder than you think...)
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Produced by Tilusha Ghelani
Chairman: Nicholas Parsons
Series 56 featuring: Paul Merton, Julian Clary, David Mitchell, Gyles Brandreth, Josie Lawrence, Charles Collingwood, Chris Neill, Justin Moorhouse, Tony Hawks, Dave Gorman, Jenny Eclair, Pam Ayres, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, Liza Tarbuck
Series 57 featuring: Paul Merton, Jenny Eclair, Gyles Brandreth, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, Liza Tarbuck, John Sergeant, Tony Hawks, Ross Noble, Sheila Hancock, Shappi Khorsandi, John Bishop, Fred Macaulay, Stephen K Amos
Series 58 featuring: Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Alun Cochrane, Sue Perkins, Kevin Eldon, Julian Clary, Sheila Hancock, Ian McMillan, Gyles Brandreth
Series 59 featuring: Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Shappi Khorsandi, Rick Wakeman, Sheila Hancock, Sue Perkins, Marcus Brigstocke, Ross Noble, Tony Hawks, Liza Tarbuck, Sir Terry Wogan, Julian Clary, Graham Norton
Series 60 featuring: Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Julian Clary, Gyles Brandreth, Jenny Eclair, Sue Perkins, Graham Norton, Tony Hawks, Fi Glover
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 4 January-22 March 2010 (Series 56), 2 August-13 September 2010 (Series 57), 8 November-13 December 2010 (Series 58), 7 February-28 March 2011 (Series 59), 16 May-20 June 2011 (Series 60)
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Just a Minute is the grandaddy of panel games, entertaining Radio 4 listeners since 1967 with wit, whimsy and wonderful wordplay. To mark the show's 55th anniversary in December 2022, here are five fantastic series from 2011, 2012 and 2013, all chaired by the legendary Nicholas Parsons. Among them is Series 62, which commemorated JAM's 45th birthday with an episode tackling the same subjects given out in the very first series, and featured two special editions from Mumbai.
Among the panellists keen to show their mettle are first-timers Russell Kane, Miles Jupp, Hannibal Buress and Tim Vine, relative newcomers Richard Herring, Paul Sinha, Jason Manford and Stephen Mangan, and veterans Paul Merton, Sheila Hancock, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth and Sue Perkins (proving that she's as skilled at playing the game as she is at hosting it).
Under the watchful eye of the chairman, they attempt to talk for 60 uninterrupted seconds on topics including My Tartan Underwear, The Search for Intelligent Life, The Importance of Eyebrows, How to Annoy the Audience and My Mate Dan - but can they make it to a minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation? As the Minute Waltz fades away, let the hilarity commence...
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Produced by Tilusha Ghelani and Claire Jones
Chairman: Nicholas Parsons
Series 61 featuring: Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Shelia Hancock, Graham Norton, Josie Lawrence, Julian Clary, Phill Jupitus, Rick Wakeman, Gyles Brandreth, Jason Byrne, Shappi Khorsandi, Russell Kane, Miles Jupp, Pam Ayres
Series 62 featuring: Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Ross Noble, Jenny Eclair, Julian Clary, Sue Perkins, Charles Collingwood, Liza Tarbuck, Josie Lawrence, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Marcus Brigstocke, Anuvab Pal, Cyrus Broacha
Series 63 featuring: Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Sue Perkins, Greg Proops, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth, Alun Cochrane, Jenny Eclair, Tony Hawks, Richard Herring, Paul Sinha
Series 64 featuring: Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Liza Tarbuck, Graham Norton, Miles Jupp, Pam Ayres, Charles Collingwood, Gyles Brandreth, Janey Godley, Hannibal Buress, Tim Vine, Jason Byrne, Jenny Eclair, Tony Hawks, Alun Cochrane, Kevin Eldon
Series 65 featuring: Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, Jason Manford, Gyles Brandreth, Alun Cochrane, Stephen Mangan, Julian Clary, Jenny Eclair, Richard Herring
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 8 August-19 September 2011 (Series 61), 6 February-19 March 2012 (Series 62), 14 May-18 June 2012 (Series 63), 6 August-24 September 2012 (Series 64), 11 February-1 April 2013 (Series 65)
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Loved by Radio 4 listeners since 1967, Just a Minute is the deliciously devious word game that asks players to speak for sixty seconds on any given subject without hesitation, deviation or repetition. Putting them through their linguistic paces - and keeping order over the proceedings - is chairman Nicholas Parsons.
Included here are five series from 2013-14, collected together to celebrate the show's 55th birthday and featuring its 900th episode and a Christmas special. The polished performers are a mix of old hands such as Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins, Sheila Hancock and Jenny Eclair, and new kids on the block like Roy Walker, Henry Blofeld, Patrick Kielty, Joe Lycett, Rebecca Front, Holly Walsh, Vanessa Feltz, Kerry Godliman, Jonathan Ross and Frank Skinner.
Topics include 'Fur Coat and No Knickers', 'Murder Most Foul', 'Unanswerable Questions', 'Random Acts of Kindness', 'My Five a Day' and 'Books I Shouldn't Have Read': as well as one that will test the contestants' memory as well as their linguistic skills - 'Previously on Just a Minute'...
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Produced by Katie Tyrell, Tilusha Ghelani and Claire Jones
Chairman: Nicholas Parsons
Series 66 featuring: Paul Merton, Pam Ayres, Kevin Eldon, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth, Tony Hawks, Fred MacAulay, Roy Walker, Richard Herring, Russell Kane, Kevin Eldon
Series 67 featuring: Tony Hawks, Alun Cochrane, Patrick Kielty, Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton, Greg Proops, Joe Lycett, Sue Perkins, Russell Kane, Henry Blofeld, Julian Clary, Jenny Eclair, Liza Tarbuck, Stephen Mangan, Pam Ayres
Just a Christmas Minute featuring: Pam Ayres, Stephen Mangan, Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton
Series 68 featuring: Gyles Brandreth, Tony Hawks, Fi Glover, Paul Merton, Alun Cochrane, Rebecca Front, Russell Kane, Sheila Hancock, Richard Herring, Josie Lawrence, Fi Glover, Miles Jupp, Holly Walsh
Series 69 featuring: Paul Merton, Jenny Eclair, Julian Clary, Vanessa Feltz, Gyles Brandreth, Shappi Khorsandi, Patrick Kielty, Paul Sinha, Kevin Eldon, Joe Lycett, Sheila Hancock
Series 70 featuring: Paul Merton, Alun Cochrane, Jonathan Ross, Liza Tarbuck, Gyles Brandreth, Sue Perkins, Frank Skinner, Josie Long, Stephen Mangan, Tony Hawks, Kerry Godliman, Holly Walsh, Russell Kane, Jonathan Ross, Sheila Hancock
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 20 May - 24 June 2013 (Series 66), 12 August - 23 September 2013 (Series 67), 23 December 2013 (Just a Christmas Minute), 10 February - 31 March 2014 (Series 68), 19 May - 23 June 2014 (Series 69), 11 August - 29 September 2014 (Series 70)
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First broadcast in 1967, Just a Minute is Radio 4's longest-running panel game, and a national institution. These five series from 2015-2016, brought together in one collection to commemorate the show's 55th anniversary, feature some of the most magical moments in JAM's history - among them David Tennant's spectacular performance, speaking for an uninterrupted minute in his very first show.
Other debutants include Lucy Beaumont, Susan Calman, Tom Allen, Andy Hamilton, Josh Widdicombe, Rufus Hound, Nish Kumar, Esther Rantzen, John Finnemore and Alexei Sayle - but will any of them match the Tenth Doctor for verbal dexterity? Meanwhile, notching up their 100th appearance are Sheila Hancock, Gyles Brandreth and Graham Norton.
Whether novices or veterans, all the panellists are faced with the same challenge: to talk for 60 seconds without hesitation, deviation and repetition on any given subject - from 'Crows' Feet' to 'Hypnotising Chickens', 'Genghis Khan' to 'Kermit the Frog' and 'Wellington Boots' to 'Beef Wellington'. Join host Nicholas Parsons and the distinguished panellists, as they use their intellect, imagination and gift of the gab to beat the clock and win the points.
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Produced by Tilusha Ghelani and Victoria Lloyd
Chairman: Nicholas Parsons
Series 71 featuring: Julian Clary, Stephen Fry, Paul Merton, David Tennant, Tony Hawks, Josie Lawrence, Alun Cochrane, Gyles Brandreth, Marcus Brigstocke, Jenny Eclair, Shappi Khorsandi, Sheila Hancock, Graham Norton, Robin Ince
Series 72 featuring: Paul Merton, Tim Rice, Liza Tarbuck, Graham Norton, Alun Cochrane, Susan Calman, Gyles Brandreth, Sheila Hancock, Mike McShane, Pam Ayres, Lucy Beaumont, Marcus Brigstocke
Series 73 featuring: Janey Godley, Gyles Brandreth, Joe Lycett, Paul Merton, Andy Hamilton, Sue Perkins, Tony Hawks, Josh Widdicombe, Jenny Eclair, Sheila Hancock, Julian Clary, Susan Calman, Josie Lawrence, Tom Allen
Series 74 featuring: Paul Merton, Rufus Hound, Graham Norton, Pam Ayres, Gyles Brandreth, Tim Rice, Esther Rantzen, Stephen Fry, Jenny Eclair, Josie Lawrence, Nish Kumar
Series 75 featuring: Paul Merton, John Finnemore, Gyles Brandreth, Sheila Hancock, Josie Lawrence, Alexei Sayle, Graham Norton, Josh Widdicombe, Holly Walsh, Marcus Brigstocke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 9 February - 30 March 2015 (Series 71), 18 May - 6 July 2015 (Series 72), 24 August - 16 November 2015 (Series 73), 22 February - 28 March 2016 (Series 74), 16 May - 20 June 2016 (Series 75)
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Just a Minute has been entertaining generations of listeners since its first series in 1967. This collection of five series from 2018-2019, commemorating the programme's 55th anniversary, contains the last ever episodes chaired by broadcasting legend Nicholas Parsons, as well as several shows in which Gyles Brandreth sits in for him as temporary host.
Between them, they keep the scores and the peace, as players including newbies Sara Pascoe, Angela Barnes, Cariad Lloyd, Phil Wang, Ed Byrne and Kiri Pritchard-McLean join regulars such as Paul Merton, Pam Ayres, Josie Lawrence and Julian Clary to pit their wits against each other. One of them will achieve the rare feat of speaking for a full minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation - but who?
Among the subjects stretching the panellists' linguistic elastic to breaking point are 'Fishnet Stockings', 'The Wild West', 'The Theory of Evolution', 'George V', 'Bad Apples' and 'Pasta'. So sit back and marvel at their wonderful way with words, as they show off their ingenuity, invention and improvisational skills in a bid to trounce the competition and secure the game.
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Produced by Matt Stronge and Richard Morris
Chairman: Nicholas Parsons
Temporary chairman: Gyles Brandreth (Episodes 4 and 5, Series 81 and Episodes 3 and 4, Series 85)
Series 81 featuring: Paul Merton, Sheila Hancock, Fern Britton, Graham Norton, Marcus Brigstocke, Rebecca Front, Gyles Brandreth, Josie Lawrence, Sara Pascoe, Tony Hawks
Series 82 featuring: Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Tony Hawks, Zoe Lyons, Pam Ayres, Josie Lawrence, Julian Clary, Janey Godley, Fred MacAulay, Mark Watson, Jo Caulfield, Sheila Hancock, Jan Ravens, Rufus Hound
Series 83 featuring: Tony Hawks, Josie Lawrence, Gyles Brandreth, Angela Barnes, Paul Merton, Sheila Hancock, Josh Widdicombe, Julian Clary, Lee Mack, Zoe Lyons, Jenny Eclair, Fern Britton
Series 84 featuring: Gyles Brandreth, Kerry Godliman, Jenny Eclair, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Lucy Porter, Tony Hawks, Cariad Lloyd, Zoe Lyons
Series 85 featuring: Graham Norton, Zoe Lyons, Jenny Eclair, Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Phil Wang, Sheila Hancock, Fred MacAulay, Lucy Porter, Ed Byrne, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Mark Watson, Stephen Fry, Jan Ravens, Pam Ayres
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 14 May - 18 June 2018 (Series 81), 6 August - 24 September 2018 (Series 82), 4 February - 25 March 2019 (Series 83), 13 May - 17 June 2019 (Series 84), 5 August - 23 September 2019 (Series 85)
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Just a Minute is BBC Radio 4's longest-running panel show, and a national treasure. Since 1967, it has welcomed an array of stellar guest players to demonstrate their verbal dexterity, wicked wit and brilliant banter, as they attempt to speak for 60 seconds on a given subject without hesitation, repetition or deviation.
This extensive, wide-ranging box set brings together 32 of the finest episodes from the programme's history, including 24 taken from the previously published releases Another Classic Collection; A Further Classic Collection; The Golden Collection; Through the Years and A Vintage Collection; as well as 6 shows from The Classic Collection that have never before been available to download.
Spanning over four decades, from 1973 to 2005, they chart the evolution of the nation's best-loved radio comedy, showcasing some of the best and funniest panellists including Sheila Hancock, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Tim Rice, Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Wendy Richard, Jenny Eclair, Graham Norton and Sue Perkins - and, on one notable occasion, Nicholas Parsons.
Packed with fast-paced, irreverent fun and ferocious competition, this fabulous collection features more than 14 hours of non-stop laughter, as these talented talkers battle it out in a bid to secure that most elusive of prizes - a perfect, uninterrupted minute.
NB: Contains mild innuendo. The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Due to the archive nature of some of the episodes, the sound quality may vary.
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Produced by Simon Brett, John Lloyd, John Browell, David Hatch, Pete Atkin, Edward Taylor, Anne Jobson, Sarah Smith, Chris Neill and Claire Jones
Featuring Sheila Hancock, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams, William Rushton, Nicholas Parsons, Magnus Pike, Ray Alan, Tim Rice, Brian Johnston, John Junkin, Gyles Brandreth, Martin Jarvis, Barry Cryer, Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, Richard Murdoch, Wendy Richard, Richard Stilgoe, Tony Hawks, Jeremy Hardy, Jenny Eclair, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Lee Simpson, Graham Norton, Linda Smith, Steve Frost, Stephen Frost, Sue Perkins, Ross Noble, Fred MacAulay, Maria McErlane and Nick Revell
Chairman: Nicholas Parsons and (on 12 January 1977) Ian Messiter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:
6 August 1973, 23 December 1975, 15 December 1976, 12 January 1977, 16 March 1977, 20 April 1977, 20 February 1979, 15 January 1980, 12 February 1980, 20 February 1982, 29 October 1983, 28 July 1984, 3 April 1985, 18 January 1986, 18 April 1987, 4 April 1989, 28 April 1990, 23 February 1991, 7 January 1995, 28 January 1995, 11 February 1995, 18 February 1995, 18 January 1999, 1 February 1999, 19 July 1999, 2 August 1999, 25 February 2002, 4 March 2002, 26 January 2004, 31 January 2005, 21 February 2005 and 7 March 2005.
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
Both series of the BBC’s classic comedy panel game from 2023 – plus two Edinburgh Specials
The long-running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game is back for two more series, chaired once again by the superlative Sue Perkins. Joining her are an array of loquacious panellists, all hoping to avoid the pitfalls of hesitation, deviation and repetition as they strive to speak for 60 seconds on a given topic.
Showing off their quick wit and nimble minds are celebrities including Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Jennifer Saunders, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter, Alan Davies, Anna Maxwell Martin and Heidi Regan. Among the subjects up for discussion are Snakes and Ladders, Whitney Houston, Wordle, The Perfect Mullet, The Letter Q, Columbo, Revolving Restaurants and The Great Barrier Reef.
Also included are two special editions of Just a Minute recorded at the Edinburgh Festival, featuring Gyles Brandreth, Janey Godley, Susie McCabe, Fred MacAulay, Rachel Parris and debut contestants Ian Smith and Urooj Ashfaq. Faced with topics including How to Make a Good First Impression, Heckling A Walking Tour, Teacakes and A Hatchet Job, can they ad-lib their way to a complete, uninterrupted minute?
Note - April 2024: The audio files have been updated to include the complete Edinburgh specials.
Production credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Chaired by Sue Perkins
Produced by Rajiv Karia
Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
Series 90 featuring: Paul Merton, Jennifer Saunders, Julian Clary, Anna Maxwell Martin, Desiree Burch, Tony Hawks, Jan Ravens, Zoe Lyons, Alan Davies, Holly Walsh, Gyles Brandreth, Lucy Porter, Ria Lina, Rhys James
Series 91 featuring: Paul Merton, Jennifer Saunders, Julian Clary, Lucy Porter, Shaparak Khorsandi, Daliso Chaponda, Heidi Regan, Felicity Ward, Ivo Graham, Josie Lawrence, Gyles Brandreth, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks, Rachel Parris
Edinburgh Specials featuring: Gyles Brandreth, Janey Godley, Ian Smith, Urooj Ashfaq, Susie McCabe, Fred MacAulay, Rachel Parris
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 26 December 2022-13 February 2023 (Series 90), 3 April-22 May 2023 (Series 91), 21-28 August 2023 (Edinburgh Specials)
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
24 archive editions of the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons
Like a treasured piece of furniture, Just a Minute has graced the living rooms and kitchens of radio listeners for more than 50 years. Comfortable, relaxing and easy to sink into, it has long been the seat of sparkling comedy, infectious laughter and intelligent humour. We invite you once again to enjoy the fine patina of another top-drawer collection of classic episodes.
In these 24 previously unpublished editions, first broadcast between 1978 and 2009, the redoubtable players attempt to speak without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the given subject. Nicholas Parsons is in the chair, to introduce proceedings and adjudicate on challenges.
Seasoned players Kenneth Williams, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo and Paul Merton compete alongside guests including Bernard Cribbins, Sheila Hancock, Barry Cryer, Alfred Marks, Stanley Unwin, Richard Murdoch, Wendy Richard, Richard Morton, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton, Fred MacAulay, Greg Proops, Blythe Duff, Tim Rice, Jenny Eclair, Julian Clary, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Linda Smith, Sue Perkins, Ross Noble, Charles Collingwood, Maureen Lipman, Pam Ayres, Dara O’Briain, Gyles Brandreth, Shappi Khorsandi and Ian McMillan.
NB: Contains mild innuendo. The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Due to the archive nature of some of the episodes, the sound quality may vary.
Cast and credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Chaired by Nicholas Parsons
Episode selection by Michael Stevens
Music: The Minute Waltz (Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64) by Chopin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:
Episode Guide
1 21 February 1978
Featuring Bernard Cribbins, Sheila Hancock, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams
2 25 December 1979
Featuring Peter Jones, Lance Percival, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams
3 11 August 1984
Featuring Barry Cryer, Peter Jones, Tim Rice, Kenneth Williams
4 16 May 1987
Featuring Peter Jones, Derek NImmo, Tim Rice, Kenneth Williams
5 30 May 1987
Featuring Peter Jones, Alfred Marks, Tim Rice, Kenneth Williams
6 2 May 1989
Featuring Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Tim Rice, Stanley Unwin
7 30 May 1989
Featuring Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Richard Murdoch, Derek Nimmo
8 24 March 1990
Featuring Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Richard Murdoch, Wendy Richard
9 30 January 1993
Featuring Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Richard Morton, Derek Nimmo
10 3 February 1996
Featuring Tony Hawks, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Graham Norton
11 17 February 1996
Featuring Tony Hawks, Peter Jones, Fred MacAulay, Derek Nimmo
12 11 January 1997
Featuring Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Neil Mullarkey, Derek Nimmo
13 3 January 1998
Featuring Paul Merton, Derek Nimmo, Graham Norton, Greg Proops
14 10 August 1998
Featuring Blythe Duff, Tony Hawks, Paul Merton, Derek Nimmo
15 1 February 1999
Featuring Jenny Eclair, Steve Frost, Peter Jones, Tim Rice
16 5 February 2001
Featuring Julian Clary, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Paul Merton, Linda Smith
17 6 August 2001
Featuring Tony Hawks, Ross Noble, Sue Perkins, Tim Rice
18 14 August 2006
Featuring Charles Collingwood, Tony Hawks, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins
19 16 July 2007
Featuring Pam Ayres, Maureen Lipman, Paul Merton, Dara O’Briain
20 17 September 2007
Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Julian Clary, Jenny Eclair, Paul Merton
21 14 January 2008
Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Janey Godley, Tony Hawks, Kit Hesketh-Harvey
22 11 August 2008
Featuring Tony Hawks, Shappi Khorsandi, Ian McMillan, Paul Merton
23 29 December 2008
Featuring Charles Collingwood, Shappi Khorsandi, Paul Merton, Graham Norton
24 21 September 2009
Featuring Pam Ayres, Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins, Tim Rice
Two sparkling series of the BBC’s long-running comedy panel game from 2024
The fast-talking, quick-thinking Radio 4 parlour game returns with twelve more episodes, in which host Sue Perkins is joined by a wealth of talented and illustrious panellists including Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Lucy Porter, Tony Hawks, Eshaan Akbar, Eleanor Tiernan, Stephen Fry, Katherine Parkinson and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
In time-honoured tradition, each player endeavours to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation on a given subject. Among the topics in these two series are Skimming Stones, Apostrophes and Catastrophes, Doppelgängers, Doomsday Bunkers, The Perfect Outfit, Small-Town Secrets, Making Friends On The Internet and Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag.
Will they fall at the first hurdle, or fend off all comers to win the points? As the ‘Minute Waltz’ fades away, it’s time to find out...
Production credits
Devised by Ian Messiter
Chaired by Sue Perkins
Produced by Rajiv Karia
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Sound Manager: Jerry Peal
Series 92 featuring: Paul Merton, Daliso Chapondo, Kerry Godliman, Zoe Lyons, Lucy Porter, Angela Barnes, Eshaan Akbar, Eleanor Tiernan, Heidi Regan, Tony Hawks
Series 93 featuring: Stephen Fry, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks, Katherine Parkinson, Lucy Porter, Gyles Brandreth, Desiree Burch, Glenn Moore, Julian Clary, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Josie Lawrence
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 8 Jan-12 Feb 2024 (Series 92), 16 Sep-21 Oct 2024 (Series 93)
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd