In a fascinating collection of archive interviews with the celebrated writer, presenter and polymath, you can hear - in his own words - the beliefs and aspirations that have shaped him. He talks about his upbringing, a time when Stephen admits he was a rebellious schoolboy and behaved outrageously in order to survive school, and discusses his early love of language and Oscar Wilde. He also recalls discovering classic radio comedy and meeting Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie at Cambridge.

Stephen is extraordinarily honest about some of his personal experiences, which have included imprisonment for credit card fraud, going public about his sexuality, and coping with public criticism. He also comments on fame, addictions, being hard on himself and wanting to make people laugh.

The interviews in this collection include: Could Do Better, BBC Radio (first broadcast 4 November 1987); Walters' Weekly, BBC Radio (first broadcast 1 January 1988, featuring John Walters); Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio (first broadcast 27 November 1988, featuring Sue Lawley); Open to Questions, BBC TV (first broadcast 1 May 1989); Parkinson, BBC TV (first broadcast 15 January 1999, featuring Michael Parkinson); Front Row, BBC Radio (first broadcast 15 September 2010, featuring Mark Lawson).


Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

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