logo
episode-header-image
Aug 31
50m 48s

Harry Hill, comedian

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Harry Hill is a comedian, writer and broadcaster best known for presenting popular television shows including You’ve Been Framed, Junior Bake Off and the multi award-winning TV Burp.

He was born Matthew Hall in Surrey and brought up in Kent. He became a Cub Scout and got a taste for performing when he was nine after playing Widow Twankey in the Christmas pantomime.

In 1983 he started studying medicine at St George’s Medical School in London and began work as a trainee doctor in 1988. He wrote and performed in medical revues during this time and comedy became his true passion. In 1990 he made the decision to follow his heart and leave medicine to try his luck as a stand-up.

In 1993 Harry got his first show on BBC Radio 4 – Harry Hill’s Fruit Corner. Four years later he starred in his own television series on Channel 4 which allowed him to channel his off-the-wall humour in a series of wildly unpredictable comedy sketches.

In 2001 he started writing and presenting Harry Hill’s TV Burp on ITV which looked back at the week’s television output in a series of comedy sketches and inventive parodies. The show won three BAFTAs, three Royal Television Society awards, a Rose d’Or and Seven British Comedy Awards.

Harry lives in London with his wife Magda. They have three children.

DISC ONE: Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) - Benny Hill DISC TWO: Have I The Right - The Honeycombs DISC THREE: Grandad’s Flannelette Nightshirt - George Formby DISC FOUR: Gay Bar - Electric Six DISC FIVE: Life During Wartime - Talking Heads DISC SIX: Hey Bulldog - The Beatles DISC SEVEN: Never Give Up on Love - Steve Brown DISC EIGHT: Life Is The Name Of The Game - Bruce Forsyth BOOK CHOICE: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes LUXURY ITEM: A bucket and spade CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Never Give Up on Love - Steve Brown

Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Paula McGinley

Up next
Today
Professor Sue Black on the mysteries of the human body
In 2015, the forensic anthropologist, Professor Dame Sue Black, was cast away by Kirsty Young.Brought up on the west coast of Scotland and in Inverness, she fell in love with biology at secondary school and read Human Anatomy at the University of Aberdeen. After graduation, she w ... Show More
3m 27s
Yesterday
Lemn Sissay on his foster family
The poet Lemm Sissay was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2015.As a poet, writer and playwright, much of his work tells the story of his search for his birth parents. Born to a young Ethiopian woman who wanted him temporarily looked after while she completed her studies, he was with ... Show More
3m 48s
Oct 7
Jill Scott on her start in football
The former footballer Jill Scott was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.Jill was part of the Lionesses’ winning team at the Euros 2022.When Jill was starting out in her career, the women players had to settle for second-hand kit and miserly wages.She spoke to Lauren about the ch ... Show More
5m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Harry Hill, tomahawk steak with Café de Paris-style butter & a syrah
Harry Hill is one of the UK’s most respected entertainers. He studied medicine at St George’s Hospital Medical School in South London before quitting to become a comedian. Harry spent 10 years hosting his multi award-winning TV show Harry Hill's TV Burp, which at its peak was wat ... Show More
29m 17s
Sep 2023
Alan Thicke & Shecky Greene Encore
GGACP marks the 40th anniversary of one of Gilbert's "favorite" gigs, the infamous late-night talk show "Thicke of the Night" (premiered September 5, 1983) with this ENCORE of a 2014 interview with actor, writer and producer Alan Thicke. In this episode, Alan reminisces about eve ... Show More
50m 8s
Dec 2018
Ep18 - Eric Idle | Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Eric Idle is an English comedian actor, author, and singer-songwriter who found immediate fame with Monty Python's Flying Circus. Following their TV success, the group began making films, which include Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983). Idle, ... Show More
51 m
Feb 2025
Steve Coogan, potato, cheese & onion pie and a rhubarb & pear crumble
Nick and Angela welcome their first guest of series 7 to Dish HQ. Legendary actor, comedian, writer and producer Steve Coogan was born in Lancashire. His career began on Spitting Image in the 80s, and he is most celebrated for his portrayal of the iconic Alan Partridge. He has ea ... Show More
38m 6s
Feb 2025
Chris O’Dowd, sticky pulled pork and a pickled salad and a whisky
Nick and Angela welcome another Irish guest to Dish HQ. Chris O'Dowd is an award-winning actor, writer and director. He was born in Boyle, County Roscommon, and studied politics at University College Dublin, later enrolling at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Chris p ... Show More
36m 16s
Sep 2024
Richard Armitage, a smash burger and a spritz
Richard Armitage’s dream of becoming an actor began in his teens, in a circus in Budapest, where he slept within sniffing distance of the elephant enclosure to earn a much-needed Equity card. Having spent his early career on stage, his big break came in the BBC adaptation of Eliz ... Show More
34m 46s
May 2025
Dara Ó Briain, chicken karahi, profiteroles and a primitivo
Angela and Nick pull out all the stops for a quick-witted comedian. Dara Ó Briain is an Irish comedian known for his incredible stand-up shows and TV-presenting prowess, including hosting BBC Two’s panel show Mock the Week, which ran for 17 years. Held in sky-high esteem by the c ... Show More
31m 41s
Feb 2024
S2 EP6: Sanjeev Bhaskar on his ground-breaking comedy show The Kumars at No. 42, 'browning up’ in 1970s comedy, and his outrageous rider demands
Louis meets star of Goodness Gracious Me and Unforgotten, Sanjeev Bhaskar. They discuss the late Queen’s favourite comedy programme - The Kumars At No. 42, 'browning up’ in 1970s comedy, and outrageous rider demands. Plus, Louis plays ‘Culture Wars Bingo’. Learn more about your a ... Show More
1h 28m
Sep 2020
Let George Do It 54-09-27 (420) The Ghost of Ireland Betty
Let George Do It is an American radio drama series produced from 1946 to 1954 by Owen and Pauline Vinson. Bob Bailey starred as private investigator George Valentine; Olan Soule voiced the role in 1954. Don Clark directed the scripts by David Victor and Jackson Gillis. The few ea ... Show More
30m 16s
Oct 2023
(340 PART 1) Tim Key: master of comedy, poetry and roasting Jamie Laing
Welcome back to Private Parts, the podcast where nothing is off limits. We’re back with another Friday episode and what a way to end the working week. We’re joined by the hilarious comedian turned poet, Tim Key. You’ll know him from Peep Show, Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters ... Show More
35m 4s