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Western Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Comedy podcast launched exploring 'history' of Haverfordwest
Harford: An Oral History is written and performed by comedy writer Dan Hooper. The series, which began on February 20, presents a unique take on the town's past through the eyes of its inhabitants. Each episode is a monologue exploring a different chapter of Haverfordwest's history, from an unsuccessful attempt to build the world's tallest building in the small town to a battle re-enactment that turned into a real conflict. The stories are accompanied by experimental music to enhance the surreal experience. The 10-15 minute episodes offer a break from the typical chat format, appealing to fans of absurd, surreal humour. Mr Hooper said: "My aim was to create something layered and strange—like stumbling onto a late-night radio broadcast. "I didn't want this podcast to follow the usual chat or interview format. "Growing up in '90s Haverfordwest, it felt like nothing exciting ever happened. "This podcast aims to change that, even if none of it is true." Mr Hooper is an accomplished comedy writer and performer, having written for flagship BBC Radio 4 programmes such as The News Quiz, The Now Show, and The Show What You Wrote. He was shortlisted for the BBC Wales New Drama award in 2017 and was a semi-finalist for the 2022 Nobbs Memorial Trust. Harford: An Oral History is available to listen to now.
Edinburgh Live
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC announce iconic series will return nearly 18 years after being axed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Celebrating 25 years since its launch, the iconic BBC comedy Dead Ringers is making waves as it prepares for something quite extraordinary. The show, a favourite among fans that has been off-air for nearly two decades, is set to take an exciting new direction. Marking its quarter of a century legacy, Dead Ringers will venture outside the studio for its inaugural UK-wide tour. Renowned for its biting political satire and uncanny impersonations, the series aims to continue delivering laughs to live audiences from across the country. Original cast members such as Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis McLeod, and Duncan Wisbey will lead the expedition, revisiting beloved sketches and providing the top-tier comedy commentary the show is famed for. READ MORE - ITV Helen Flanagan 'dealt huge blow' as she eyes-up return to Coronation Street READ MORE -Paula Radcliffe's daughter's heartbreaking cancer journey as she runs marathon Although the cast have rendezvoused for stage shows in London and the Edinburgh Festival in the past, this impending tour signifies their first full-scale trek around the UK together. The tour not only brings laughter but also stands as a commemoration of Bill Dare, the esteemed creator and producer of Dead Ringers, who tragically passed away this March following an accident abroad. JFL Agency, through which Dare was represented, announced the sad news, with their spokesperson expressing: "We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas.", reports Belfast Live. "Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill's family and friends who will be devastated by his loss. Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none." Bill stood as a giant in the world of radio and TV comedy, having played a key role in the creation of seminal shows like The Now Show, Spitting Image, and The Mary Whitehouse Experience. The Dead Ringers crew have shared their excitement about embarking on a tour to honour his legacy. Starting in September, fans can expect a classic mix of satire, mischief, and uncanny impressions that Dead Ringers is celebrated for. Before they take to the stage, the radio iteration of Dead Ringers is set to air this June on BBC Radio 4's Friday Night Comedy. It's important to note that the tour will offer an exclusive live experience that won't be broadcast. The TV version of Dead Ringers was axed in 2009 after seven series. At the time, leading lady Jan Ravens remarked: "It's bizarre, there was no announcement or anything. "The producer just rang me and said it's not going to be re-commissioned. It would be nice to make an announcement or do a farewell edition of the show." Throughout its nine-year run, Jan masterfully mimicked a host of personalities, from Amy Winehouse to Ann Robinson, showcasing her remarkable talent for impersonation.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC hit comedy set for return after 18 years - but with a huge twist
The cast of a popular TV and radio series are set for a big reunion after it the BBC show unexpectedly axed over a decade ago - but there is a twist in its return A popular BBC comedy series is set to make a return after 18 years off air. However, fans won't take in the show in the same way as bosses have announced a big change. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, a former BBC Radio 4' show is taking to the road. The multi-award-winning topical satire show Dead Ringers is heading on full UK tour for the first time. The tour will feature long-standing cast members Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis McLeod, and Duncan Wisbey. It will take its audience on a journey through a quarter century of classic sketches, uncanny impressions, and the cutting-edge political and cultural satire that has defined the series. While the format's stars have previously performed together on stage shows, including in London and at the Edinburgh Festival, the upcoming tour will be the first of its kind for the show. The tour will be a tribute to Dead Ringers creator and producer Bill Dare, who died suddenly in March. In a statement Dare's agent JFL Agency confirmed he died, with has spokesperson saying at the time: 'We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas. 'Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill's family and friends who will be devastated by his loss. Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none.' Bill was a legendary figure in radio & TV comedy having also been behind such classic series as The Now Show, Spitting Image, and The Mary Whitehouse Experience. Now, the Dead Ringers team say they are honoured to hit the road to celebrate his work in this way. Audiences are set to watch the trademark Dead Ringers mix of wit, mischief, and impressions when it hits the road in September. Before that, the radio show returns in all its topical glory this June on BBC Radio 4 as part of Friday Night Comedy. This tour is a special event and will not be for broadcast. The TV series of the show was axed in 2009 after seven series. Star Jan Ravens revealed at the time: "It's bizarre, there was no announcement or anything. "The producer just rang me and said it's not going to be re-commissioned. It would be nice to make an announcement or do a farewell edition of the show." Jan took on the mimicking roles from characters including Amy Winehouse to Ann Robinson during its nine years on air.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bill Dare: Spitting Image and Dead Ringers creator dies
Comedy writer and producer Bill Dare, who worked on shows including ITV's Spitting Image and BBC's Dead Ringers, has died, his agent has 64-year-old created several award-winning satirical programmes for TV and radio over a decades-long a statement, his agent said he had "died at the weekend following an accident overseas" but did not provide further a post on social media, Dead Ringers star Jon Culshaw called Dare the "wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend". Dare also worked on programmes including The Late Edition and I've Never Seen Star topical satire show Dead Ringers is set to mark its 25th anniversary on BBC Radio 4 this also produced The Now Show, a biting take on the news which ran on Radio 4 from 1998 to EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said on Instagram that she was "devastated" at the news and that her "entire comedy career was down to Bill". Julia McKenzie, comedy commissioner for Radio 4, said: "Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows."She added: "He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky. "He will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts."Richard Morris, the creative director of comedy and entertainment at BBC Studios Audio, said: "Bill was a legendary figure in the comedy world and we, his friends and colleagues in radio, will miss him hugely. "We'll miss the sharp wit and wisdom he brought to every production he worked on."In a statement released on Monday, Dare's representatives at JFL Agency said: "We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas."Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill's family and friends who will be devastated by his loss."Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none."
Telegraph
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Comedy writer Bill Dare dies after accident abroad
Bill Dare, who worked on eight series of Spitting Image, has died after an accident overseas, his agent said. Dare wrote and produced programmes for TV and radio and created Dead Ringers, a television comedy impressions show broadcast on BBC Radio 4. He also produced The Now Show, a satirical take on the news that ran on Radio 4 from 1998 to 2024. In a statement released on Monday, Dare's agent, JFL Agency, confirmed that he died at the weekend. A spokesman said: 'We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas. 'Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill's family and friends who will be devastated by his loss. 'Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none.' 'Comedy obsessive' Julia McKenzie, the comedy commissioner for Radio 4, said: 'Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows. 'Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing. 'He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you'd see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show. 'He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky. She added: 'He will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts.' Richard Morris, the creative director of comedy and entertainment at BBC Studios Audio, said: 'Bill was a legendary figure in the comedy world and we, his friends and colleagues in radio, will miss him hugely. 'We'll miss the sharp wit and wisdom he brought to every production he worked on.'
