Beyond The Title

Beloved writer and comedian Harry Hill swapped a career in medicine for comedy in 1992 when he won the prestigious Perrier award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Just a year later Hill landed his own Radio 4 sketch series Harry Hill’s Fruit Corner which featured guest stars including the legendary Ronnie Corbett and spawned a BBC2 spin off series Harry Hill’s Fruit Fancies. Yet a move to Channel Four in 1997 for his self titled sketch show would set the foundation for the rest of his career as he offered platforms to TV newcomer Al Murray and cult hero Burt Kwock. In October 2001 Hill moved to ITV to front the show that arguably defined his career. Harry Hill’s TV Burp took an irreverent and frequently bizarre glimpse at that week’s television output and found the funny in the most extraordinary TV moments. While at ITV Harry lent his voice to the home video public access show You’ve Been Framed until 2022. More recently, Harry returned to Channel Four as the face of Junior Bake Off and has written two stage plays. I caught up with one of the most original characters in British comedy to talk; heroes, burps and his recollections on his life in comedy. Ladies and gentlemen Harry Hill.

Writer, comedian, and actress Helen Lederer reflects on her extraordinary life in entertainment, in combination with her long awaited autobiography, "Not That I'm Bitter".

Writer, journalist and broadcaster Nick Higham joined the BBC in 1978 as its first media correspondent a year before the Conservative landslide victory led by Margaret Thatcher. In 1993 his role expanded to Arts editor as he presided over the ever-changing entertainment landscape for an unprecedented quarter of a century. Leaving the BBC in 2018, Higham returned to his first love: British history, penning a repertoire of works on British history. His new book Mavericks: Oil, Revolution and The Battle of World War One charts the journey of a group of British diplomats making their way across the Caspian Sea. I caught up with the cultural commentator at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival to talk: culture, history and his recollections on a glittering career in British broadcasting. Ladies and gentlemen; Mr Nick Higham

Writer, producer and TV executive Charlie Parsons began his entertainment career  at London Weekend Television, contributing to the youth current affairs show Network 7. In 1990, whilst at Channel Four, Parsons created the format for a new late night chat show which embraced and showcased the very best in music. Presented by radio personality Terry Christian, The Word quickly developed a cult following and became responsible for the TV debut of Oasis. Yet in 1992, together with Bob Geldof and their production company Planet 24, Parsons would revolutionise morning television when he created the Channel Four extravaganza The Big Breakfast which ran for almost a decade with a plethora of presenters including Chris Evan’s, Gaby Roslin, Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen. After The Big Breakfast, Parsons spearheaded the Survivor series which has since become a worldwide television franchise. I caught up with one of the most influential and original television executives ever to grace the medium to talk; eras, mornings and his recollections on a glittering career behind the camera. Ladies and gentlemen Mr Charlie Parsons.

Writer, director, producer and composer Charles Garland began his entertainment career as a trained ballet dancer before joining the BBC in 1986, After assisting the legendary Jonathan Miller with the television adaptation of his play Cosi Fan Tutte, Charles climbed the ranks of BBC Light Entertainment working on sitcoms such as Perry and Croft’s Hi-De-Hi before contributing on You Rang M’Lord and Allo Allo. After climbing the ranks on Paul Daniels’ game show Every Second Counts, in 1995 Charles secured a producer role on David Croft’s last TV sitcom Oh Doctor Beeching starring Paul Shane, Su Pollard and Jeffrey Holland. I caught up with one of the longest serving producers in British television to talk: legends, laughs and his recollections on a truly glittering career in entertainment. Ladies and gentlemen Mr Charles Garland...