Beyond The Title

A graduate of the Arts Ed School of Acting, writer, actor and comedian Brendan Murphy burst onto the scene in 2008 when he was nominated for the Spotlight Prize for his debut show. As part of the Olivier Award nominated 'Potted Potter', he has toured extensively across the US and Canada before writing the critically acclaimed stage show Friend: The One With Gunther starring Joseph Maudsley. This was followed by his 2022 Edinburgh show Buffy Revamped. As a voice over artist, Brendan has voiced many popular TV adverts including Sky, Curry’s PC World and Christian Aid. I caught up with one of the brightest and most versatile performers on the circuit to talk heroes, acting and his hopes for the future. Ladies and gentlemen Mr Brendan Murphy.

Legendary actress, singer, songwriter and entertainer Su Pollard first tasted nationwide acclaim when she was cast as chalet maid Peggy Ollerenshaw in sitcom legends Jimmy Perry and David Croft’s third sitcom triumph Hi-de-Hi!: a role which she honoured until the programme's end in 1988, by which time she had already secured yet another role in Perry and Croft’s 1920’s farce You Rang M’Lord alongside Paul Shane and Jeffrey Holland. This led to a reunion with Jeffrey Holland and the late Paul Shane for the third and last installment of David Croft’s farcical trilogy in Oh Doctor Beeching where she played the part of downtrodden booking clerk Ethal Schuman. More recently, Su has become the doyen of the British panto appearing in everything from Dick Whittington to Cinderella and has even enjoyed a successful stint touring the country with the long running play The Vagina Monologues. I caught up with the sitcom legend to talk about laughter, chalet maids, singing and her recollections on an unparalleled career in British comedy. Ladies and gentlemen Ms Su Pollard.

Media studies degrees have forever divided opinion amongst the broadcasting community when it comes to attaining a career in one of Britain’s biggest media establishments. For years, students were put off from enrolling in courses which contained the dreaded “M” word through fear of missing out on a career in their desired field. Yet for writer Danny Wallace, graduating with a degree in media studies from the University of Westminster, set himself on the path to success. Joining the BBC as a junior producer at the somewhat tender age of 22, Danny was in the perfect place to oversee the creation and development of BBC Three which sparked a revolution in comedy. This was the era which saw an unprecedented explosion of comedy talent and BBC Three provided the perfect platform to harness such a smorgasbord of talent.

Iconic singer/songwriter turned podcaster Louise Wener shot to fame in 1995 as lead singer and guitarist of the soft rock band Sleeper alongside Jon Stewart, Andy Maclure and Kieron Pepper. Finding herself at the epicentre of Britpop, Louise became something of a female trailblazer in what was a heavily male dominated scene. With melancholic anthems including Sale Of The Century, Inbetweener and Statuesque, Sleeper perfectly encapsulated the naive positivity of Cool Britannia against the hopeful backdrop of Tony Blair’s New Labour. By the late nineties, music had changed and following Sleeper’s split in 1998 Wener turned her hand to literature, penning a repertoire of novels inspired by her love of music including Goodnight Steve McQueen and has even found the time to create her own podcast The Crisis Right where she chats with significant cultural figures about how they’re approaching midlife. I caught up with the Britpop icon to talk eras, heroes and her recollections on one of the most defining careers in British music. Ladies and gentlemen Louise Wener.

In a career spanning four decades, award winning screenwriter and playwright Simon Nye has become one of Britain’s most enduring and prolific TV auteurs of his generation. Beginning his career as a  translator, Nye then wrote his own novel entitled Men Behaving Badly and persuaded the legendary Beryl Vertue to take a look. The novel was adapted into an early evening ITV sitcom starring Harry Enfield and Martin Clunes which eventually became a massive hit for the BBC, spawning four more critically acclaimed series with Neil Morrisey as the loveable oaf Tony. Beyond sitcom, Nye has successfully penned the legendary ITV Christmas pantomime and wrote the screenplay for the 2006 movie Flushed Away. In 2000 he created the BBC sitcom Beast  starring Alexander Armstrong and Doon Mackichan before being in charge of updating the classic sitcom Reggie Perrin for the 21st century audience. Turning his hand to period drama in 2010, Nye penned the long running ITV period comedy drama The Durrells starring Keeley Hawes. I caught up with one of the most prolific writers to ever grace British television to talk; comedy, drama and his recollections on an unprecedented career behind the camera. Ladies and gentlemen Mr Simon Nye.

In 2023 as part of Beyond The Title’s Television Centre series, we were lucky enough to welcome the iconic TV presenter Sarah Greene to share her memories of what it was like to work in Britain’s original dream factory. Yet that’s only half the story of her remarkable career in entertainment. Fresh from hosting the BBC1 game show The Finish Line alongside Roman Kemp, in the last few years Sarah has guest presented ITV’s This Morning alongside Rylan Clark and appeared on the heavyweight BBC panel show Would I Lie To You. Yet her contribution to the history of British broadcasting proceeds her, predominantly presenting the seminal Saturday morning children’s show Going Live has earned her a significant spot within the pantheon of popular culture. As part of Beyond The Title’s women in entertainment series, we reunited with one of the most iconic and beloved female broadcasters to talk, live TV, heroes and more recollections on an unprecedented career in British television. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome back: Sarah Greene.

Legendary star of stage and screen Dame Maureen Lipman made her début in the stage production of The Knack at the Palace Theatre, Watford followed by the cult 1968 social drama Up The Junction alongside Dennis Waterman and Susan George before joining Lawrence Olivier’s prestigious National Theatre Company at The Old Vic in 1971. Yet in 1979 Lipman was cast in the first of many career defining roles as Jane Lucas in ITV’s forward thinking sitcom Agony alongside Simon Williams, Peter Blake and a young Bill Nighy. A return to the theatre resulted in Lipman heading up an all star cast including Hugh Jackman for the big screen adaptation of Oklahoma in 1999 before turning up on the cobbles of the heavyweight Coronation Street. I caught up with one of the most versatile and enduring performers to ever grace British television to talk legends, cobbles and her recollections on an unparalleled career in the Arts. Ladies and gentlemen Dame Maureen Lipman

Still in demand as an accomplished stage actor, Judy Buxton shows no signs of slowing down and her new play After All These Years alongside her real life husband; sitcom legend Jeffrey Holland. Forever proud of her extensive TV heritage, she is also the perfect booking for any TV festival and her anecdotes and insights from a lifetime on the box never fails to lighten any room. So whether it’s captivating a theatre audience with her powerful portrayal of strong women, playing the fool in a situation comedy or pontificating about the glory years of Light Entertainment, it’s reassuring to appreciate that there’s always something natural about her work. It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the great Judy Buxton to Beyond The Title and I await the next chapter of her remarkable career.

I caught up with one of the absolute icons of British television to talk legends, comedy and her recollections on an unparalleled career in the Arts. Ladies and gentlemen Dame Sheila Hancock.

TV and Light Entertainment are genres that remain universally celebrated throughout the UK simply because for the past seventy years, they’ve formed the bedrock of modern popular culture. TV stars have a very unique relationship with the public, being constant, enduring faces in their living rooms without ever knowing them. Bob Monkhouse was a star for over fifty years and his career charted the very rise of the medium, making him one of Britain’s first ever household names and in turn creating the footprint for the television comedian hereafter. A constant face on British television since its very inception, he collaborated with just about every comedy star of the twentieth century from Bob Hope, Morecambe and Wise and Tommy Cooper to Jack Dee, Frank Skinner and Alan Davies. Yet his self deprecation and generosity for other performers forever made him both a student and master of comedy which surrounded his life and career.

In such a prolific career, Monkhouse’s flair for entertainment encouraged him to cross boundaries into other roles which was totally unprecedented for the conservative TV landscape of the 1950’s. A writer, comedian, presenter, actor, artist and producer are all known descriptions of this entertainment polymath who went from amateur cartoonist to becoming one of the most important figures in the evolution of British television. The 27th December 2003 shall forever be a dark day for comedy as the master of one million jokes lost a long and high profile battle with cancer. Twenty years after his untimely death, Monkhouse’s legacy is still felt throughout the annals of British comedy and remains universally recognised as a true pioneer of modern Light Entertainment.

Radio and television personality Greg James joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 as the host of the early breakfast show before replacing the great Edith Bowman on weekday afternoons in 2009 where he remained for three years until a scheduling reshuffle which resulted in him securing the drive time slot. In 2017 he became the host of the 5Live cricketing podcast Tailenders alongside Felix White, Jimmy Anderson, renewed producer Mark 'Sharky' Sharman (AKA Sharknado the Movie) and regular input from Bristolian Matt ‘Mattchin’ Horan. This was followed by another BBC Sounds podcast Teach Me a Lesson alongside his wife Bella Mackie. In 2009, he presented a TV show for BBC Three called Sun, Sex and Holiday Madness, about British tourists in Magaluf and Young, Jobless and Living at Home, also for BBC Three. An unlikely union with the writer and comedian Russell Kane in 2012 resulted in the BBC Three entertainment series Britain Unzipped followed by the shortened chat show version Unzipped. Yet on 20th august 2018 James inherited one of the most coveted roles in daytime radio when he replaced Nick Grimshaw for the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show. I caught up with one of the leading figures iN broadcasting to talk sport, music and his recollections on his exciting career in the public eye. Ladies and gentlemen Mr Greg James.

Writer, producer and broadcaster Matt Everitt shot to fame in the mid nineties when he replaced Todd Parmenter as drummer of the Britpop group Menswear whose hits include the 1995 indie classics Daydreamer and Sleeping In which came to define the social liberation of the time. After leaving Menswear in 1996, Everitt later joined The Montrose Avenue, By the dawn of the new millennium the Britpop phenomenon was over and in 2002, for the first time in over thirty years, the BBC launched a brand new radio station which saw Matt turn his hand to broadcasting. In 2017 he launched the BBC podcast The First Time where some of the most famous and influential musicians in the world talk to him about the seminal first moments that changed their lives and careers. As part of Beyond The Title’s Britpop season, I caught up with the soft rock icon to talk dreams, sounds and his memories of the period that came to define modern pop culture. Ladies and gentlemen Mr. Matt Everitt

Beyond the Title kicks off its celebration of Britpop with an intimate podcast with Mathew Priest from the iconic Britpop pioneering band Dodgy.

Just before the 2020 lockdown, I had the enormous pleasure to meet the writer and comedian Marcus Brigstocke in Central London where we discussed and celebrated his vast achievements in comedy. Like everyone, neither he nor I had any idea that in a matter of weeks, the whole world would change forever as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Since then he has had appearances on the Channel Four lunchtime show Steph’s Packed Lunch and had landed a role in the Magic Mike film. I caught up with a Beyond The Title favourite to talk food, packed lunches and life after lockdown. Ladies and gentlemen welcome back to Marcus Brigstocke.

What’s it like being a jobbing comedian on the comedy circuit? We ask one of the brightest minds in comedy; writer and comedian Kae Kurd to lift the lid on the comedy world in 2023 and ask: is television still a significant rite of passage for performers? Kae has already provided material to award winning entertainment shows such as A League Of Their Own, Redknapp’s Big Night Night Out, Have I Got News For You and Cunk On Other Humans. As a performer, Kurd has appeared on everything from Live At The Apollo to Comedy Central’s Complaints Department. This was one of the most honest, thoughtful and entertaining episodes Beyond The Title has ever produced and we thoroughly recommend a listen!

One of the icons of TV variety, the Parrot Face himself Freddie Davies reflects on his remarkable career in entertainment which has spanned an extraordinary seven decades.

We had the pleasure of meeting one of British sport's most recognisable voices, Guy Mowbray. We heard first hand from the incredibly versatile and respected commentator on his impressive career. PLEASE LIKE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE Check out the website for other interviews and content www.beyondthetitle.co.uk Follow me on socials www.facebook.com/beyondthetitle www.twitter.com/beyondthetitle www.instagram.com/beyondthetitle

One of the influential figures in the LGBTQ+ and sociopolitical sphere, for the past half century, Peter Tatchell has been a tireless campaigner, voice and bastion of support for causes throughout the world from human rights to democracy. In this exclusive interview with Beyond The Title, Tatchell reflects on his career in the public eye and explains what more needs to be done for him to achieve his goals…

The story of television light entertainment in the UK has been told many times but now comes a new slant on an old story.  By ‘following the money’ and charting the ebbing fortunes of the showbiz dynasties that ruled the roost, we can shine a light onto the fascinating, lesser known sub-plot featuring the Svengali-like showmen that dictated what the viewing nation would watch and decided which talents would become household names. This is the story of British light entertainment as you've never heard it before.

One of the most recognisable voices on BBC Radio, writer and broadcaster Zoe Ball was announced as the new Radio 2 Breakfast Show host and took over from Chris Evans in January 2019. This was just one of the highlights in a career that has seen her become one of Britain’s most prolific presenters in a career spanning three decades. Born into the world of entertainment thanks to her father Johnny, Zoe began her television career as a runner at Granada Television and researcher for the Cool Cube on BSkyB before securing a presenting role on the BBC children’s series Fully Booked alongside Vernon Kay. In 1996 she united with the talents of Jamie Theakston for the second incarnation of the Saturday Morning juggernaut Live and Kicking before  becoming the first female to inherit the infamous Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1997 and helped to spearhead the laddete culture of the late nineties. Appearing in the third series of the heavyweight Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 partnered by Ian Whaite, she came third which proved to be the start of a long association with the series that climaxed in her presenting the sister show It Takes Two for nine years until 2020. I caught up with one of the most prolific broadcasters of her generation to talk fathers, fame and her recollections on an unparalleled career in broadcasting. Ladies and gentlemen Ms Zoe Ball.

One of the most colourful characters to ever grace the walls of Whitehall, former MP turned author and TV personality Ann Widdecombe reflects on her extraordinary career in public life.

To commemorate the recent passing of the legendary Barry Humphries, Beyond the Title welcomes back friend of the Podcast, Dick Fiddy to analyse and celebrate his huge contribution to the world of comedy. Coming to the UK in 1959 at the beginning of the satire revolution, Humphries rose to fame alongside formidable figures including Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller but his act was firmly set in the great tradition of variety and vaudeville and Dame Edna Everage was a perfect example of this. So join us as we celebrate the legendary Barry Humphries.

Legendary writer and broadcaster Michael Aspel joined the BBC in 1957 as a newsreader and continuity announcer based in the corporation’s Cardiff headquarters before starring in BBC Children's Hour serial Counterspy. By the early sixties, he was one of the leading newsreaders in Britain and found his home at the Lime Grove studios to record announcements about programmes while TV Centre was still being built. In 1968 he replaced Eamon Andrews (not for the last time) as the host of the popular children’s series Crackerjack for six years live from TV Centre alongside Don Maclean, Elaine Page and Little and Large. A move to LWT in 1984 resulted in the early evening chat show Aspel and Company which featured some of the world’s biggest names in entertainment. This made him the perfect candidate to inherit Eamon Andrews’ famous big red book in 1988 and for fifteen years Aspel became synonymous with the four words which brought a tear to many and to unsuspecting celebrities as he said those immortal words This Is Your Life. I caught up with the TV icon as part of Beyond The Title’s TV Centre season. Ladies and gentlemen Michael Aspel.

Away from her Bucks Fizz roots, entertainer and broadcaster Cheryl Baker was one of the most prolific broadcasters of the 80's and 90's. From Record Breakers to her own Sunday morning breakfast show 'Eggs and Baker', for a generation she epitomised BBC light entertainment and TV Centre occupied a big part of her BBC tenure. As part of Beyond the Title's TV Centre season, the Bucks Fizz star shares her memories of working in Britain's biggest TV factory.

Coming to TV Centre following a very successful career on the Northern working mens' circuit, as a writer and performer the legendary Johnny Ball was one of the most prolific entertainers of his generation and provided material for the kings and queens of British comedy. Yet when an invitation to front the long running children's programme Playschool came along, for seventeen years TV Centre became Johnny Ball's spiritual home. Johnny speaks openly and honestly about his relationship with Britain's flagship TV factory and offers his perspective on the corporation's need for infrastructure.

Part of the Beyond the Title's Television Centre season we celebrate the magic of classic Saturday morning TV with the iconic writer and broadcaster Sarah Greene. From budding actress to one of the most prolific broadcasters of her generation Sarah Greene's relationship with Television Centre dates back to her early childhood when she remembered watching her Mum in early live television drama. Come with us on a journey of nostalgia and memory as one of the most significant TV faces of the 80's and 90's shares her recollections of Britain's flagship TV factory.

Writer, actor and broadcaster Mark Curry found fame in 1976 when he appeared as Oscar in Alan Parker’s cult classic Bugsy Malone. In 1981, he co-hosted the series Get Set For Summer on BBC1 before moving to Manchester to preside over Saturday morning children’s programmes for the BBC. But in 1986 he returned to London to join the BBC’s flagship children’s entertainment series Blue Peter. After Blue Peter Curry stood in for the legendary Roy Castle on the iconic children’s show Record Breakers before joining the Radio 5 commentary team for their coverage of Wimbledon in the early 1990s. I caught up with one of the most versatile TV stars the corporation has seen as part of Beyond The Title’s TV Centre season to celebrate the magic of Britain’s finest dream factory.

One of the legends of factual entertainment broadcasting Dame Joan Bakewell found herself at the centre of the revolution during the mid-sixties when she was unveiled as one of the lead anchors on the BBC's landmark Arts programme 'Late Night Lineup'. Broadcast a staggering 364 days per year Lineup was the first of its kind to celebrate and showcase popular culture and discussed upcoming programmes and themes on the BBC. A pioneer, a trailblazer, and an icon are all adjectives used to describe the legendary Joan Bakewell but it's only in celebrating her remarkable career in this special podcast that we get an insight into just how much of a pioneer she really is.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR MOST AMAZING FEATURES YET...Remembering the magic and legacy of Television Centre with the help of some famous faces including Philip Schofield, Ben Elton, Anthea Turner, Louis Barfe, Mike Dixon, Colin Edmonds, Julian Dutton, Gaby Roslin and Graham McCann. I never thought I’d be able to do such a personal podcast but thanks to my good friend Iain Lee, I’ve been able to do something that I never thought was possible. If you don’t normally listen to my podcast please make this the first because I’m so proud of it:

Celebrating the genial magic of Eric and Ernie with one of the people who knew them the most: the author and former theatrical agent Gary Morecambe following our meeting at the opening of the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden in March last year.

Beyond The Title’s Radio season continues with one of the Britain’s best loved broadcasters Gaby Roslin. From The Big Breakfast to being the first TV presenter to land her own Saturday night TV show but over the past decade, Gaby has expanded her talents to radio and is the star of the award winning That Gaby Roslin Podcast.

From MTV to the doyen of the commercial radio breakfast show, Dave Berry’s relationship with the medium is unique in that he was a slow starter but then came to dominate it for over a decade. To celebrate Beyond The Title’s radio session, Dave reflects on the magic of the wireless in this exclusive podcast.

One of the most recognisable voices in radio, presenter and broadcaster Jo Whiley got her first taste of entertainment when she secured a music booker role on Channel Four’s seminal youth magazine series The Word alongside Terry Christian and a young Zoe Ball. A revolution at BBC Radio 1 in 1993 signaled the beginning of a new era for British music and Jo was selected to partner fellow DJ Steve Lamacq for the groundbreaking Evening Session which heralded a revolution in music which would make up the new sound of Radio 1. This was followed by a promotion to the weekday lunchtime slot where Jo would spend the next twelve years where she spearheaded the creation and development of Radio 1’s Live Lounge until 2009 when she moved to the relaxed pace of weekend afternoons. Yet in 2011 she left Radio 1 and found her new home on Radio 2 where she is the perfect companion for weekday evenings and has fronted the hugely successful Radio 2 In Concert. I caught up with the undisputed queen of Live events to talk music, fashions and her recollections on an unprecedented career in British broadcasting. Ladies and gentlemen Ms Jo Whiley.

From the Edinburgh Festival to award winning novelist, this week, writer and comedian Emma Kennedy reflects on her amazing career collaborating with the likes of Mel and Sue, Lee and Herring and Gaby Roslin.

In this episode we are joined by sporting legend Sally Gunnell.

In this episode, writer, actor, comedian turned podcaster Michael Fenton-Stevens reflects on his four decades in comedy

In this episode we get into the mind of a Paralympic champion with Hannah Cockroft.

One of the most exciting performers within British entertainment, writer, actor, comedian and podcaster Jess Robinson wasn’t always destined for a career in comedy and instead cut her teeth within the world of musical theatre. As a child, her mum recalls making costumes for her to perform her own performances in their living room. Attending the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, her passion lay in music, with cultivating a strong and versatile singing voice. On graduation, Jess secured the lead role in the theatrical interpretation of Little Voice at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon. This was the first time that Jess had considered playing around with voices in an attempt to mimic a particular character. Jane Horrocks’ voice in the 1998 film is so distinctive that it almost encourages impersonating and therefore Jess’s first impression was born.