Audiobooks narrated by Frank Thornton

Know Your Place: Selected episodes from the BBC Radio Comedy

"Eight episodes from the 1980s sitcom about a jobsworth caretaker pursued by an over-amorous cleaner Know Your Place ran for two series and 15 episodes between January 1982 and August 1983. Included here are all eight of the surviving shows, starring Roy Dotrice as curmudgeonly caretaker Ramsay Potts and Patricia Hayes as cheery cleaning lady Elsie Spurgeon. Janitor Ramsay works at Worthing Court, a once-prestigious block of Edwardian flats in Bloomsbury that has seen better days. He takes pride in keeping the place spick and span, but flirty, feisty Elsie is always distracting him from his duties – and getting him into trouble. While he’s a stickler for the rules, she delights in breaking them, and while he respects authority, she refuses to know her place. In these eight episodes, the odd couple join forces to deal with an MP stuck in a lift, and Elsie takes advantage when she’s given a storeroom and borrows a flat. Meanwhile, ‘the remarkable’ Ramsay hears the peal of wedding bells, takes on a dangerous job, is forced to give up cigarettes, has a close call with a local gangster – and saves Elsie from being evicted... Written by Andrew Palmer and Nell Brennan, and produced by Edward Taylor (The Men from the Ministry), this light-hearted sitcom also features a host of guest stars, including Frank Thornton, April Walker, Pat Coombs, Norma Ronald and Bernard Bresslaw. NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Production credits Written by Andrew Palmer and Nell Brennan Produced by Edward Taylor Cast Ramsay Potts – Roy Dotrice Elspeth Spurgeon – Patricia Hayes With Frank Thornton, John Graham, April Walker, John Glover, Pat Coombs, Sue Holderness, Norma Ronald, Nell Brennan, Yvonne Manners, Benny Lee, Joe Dunlop, James Taylor, Frances Jeater, Avis Bunnage, John Blythe and Bernard Bresslaw Episode guide 1 Lift Off 2 Not to Be Used for Babies 3 Room to Manoeuvre 4 Marriage of Convenience 5 Jumpers 6 Sisterly Feelings 7 Health Can Damage Your Smoking 8 Out of the Closet © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Andrew Palmer, Nell Brennan (Author), Bernard Bresslaw, Frances Jeater, Frank Thornton, Full Cast, John Graham, Norma Ronald, Pat Coombs, Patricia Hayes, Roy Dotrice (Narrator)

Audiobook

Are You Being Served?: Eight classic soundtracks from the original BBC TV series

"Eight vintage TV soundtracks from the long-running BBC sitcom set in a fictional London department store Are You Being Served? was a comedy juggernaut, running for 10 series between 1973 and 1985 and often attracting audiences of over 20 million. A family favourite, it was a fun-packed mix of double entendres, slapstick and larger-than-life characters – including cat-loving Mrs Slocombe and camp menswear assistant Mr Humphries, with his famous catchphrase, ‘I’m free’! In these eight innuendo-filled episodes, the staff of Grace Brothers are embroiled in sundry side-splitting schemes, from spending the night in tents on the shop floor to organising birthday celebrations for Mr Grainger and Young Mr Grace, and trying to learn new sales techniques to charm the customers. Mishaps and misunderstandings abound when Mr Goldberg establishes his own recruitment agency; a photo of Mr Humphries’ mother sparks some wild speculation; Mr Grainger wins the pools and decides to retire; and Young Mr Grace hints that he’s going to propose to Mrs Slocombe... Written by legendary comedy writing partners Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, these laugh-out-loud shows feature a brilliant ensemble cast including Frank Thornton, Mollie Sugden, Trevor Bannister, John Inman, Wendy Richard, Arthur Brough, Nicholas Smith and Harold Bennett. Disclaimer: some episodes may contain dated attitudes and language. Production credits Written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft Produced by David Croft ‘Our Figures are Slipping’ directed by Bernard Thompson Theme tune by David Croft and Ronnie Hazlehurst First broadcast on BBC1 on the following dates: Our Figures are Slipping 28 March 1973 (Series 1, episode 2) Camping In 4 April 1973 (Series 1, episode 3) The Clock 14 March 1974 (Series 2, episode 1) Wedding Bells 4 March 1975 (Series 3, episode 5) Founder’s Day 11 March 1977 (Series 5, episode 3) Goodbye Mr Grainger 4 April 1977 (Series 5, episode 6) The Agent 30 November 1979 (Series 7, episode 8) Heir Apparent 5 July 1981 (Series 8, episode 5) Cast Captain Stephen Peacock – Frank Thornton Mrs Betty Slocombe – Mollie Sugden Mr Dick Lucas – Trevor Bannister Mr Wilberforce Clayborne/Mr Humphries – John Inman Miss Shirley Brahms – Wendy Richard Mr Ernest Grainger – Arthur Brough Mr Cuthbert Rumbold – Nicholas Smith Young Mr Grace – Harold Bennett Mr Mash – Larry Martyn Mrs Grainger – Pearl Hackney Miss Robinson – Sandra Clark Mr Goldberg – Alfie Bass Mr Harman – Arthur English Mr Grace’s secretary/Miss Bakewell – Penny Irving Mr Grace’s nurse – Vivienne Johnson Mr Grossman – Milo Sperber Mr Spooner – Mike Berry © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

David Croft, Jeremy Lloyd (Author), Arthur Brough, Frank Thornton, Full Cast, Harold Bennett, John Inman, Mollie Sugden, Nicholas Smith, Trevor Bannister, Wendy Richard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mind Your Own Business!: A BBC Radio Vintage Comedy

"All four series of the hilarious adventures of tycoon Jimmy Bright and accountant Russell Farrow - starring Bernard Cribbins, Frank Thornton and Annette Crosbie It’s the 1980s: business is big, the shoulder pads are bigger and Jimmy Bright is a tycoon on a mission… He’s got big dreams and the only thing standing between him and a millionaire lifestyle is accountant, Russell Farrow, whose attention to financial detail is unsurpassed. The two must rub along if Jimmy’s business, BrightCo, is to succeed but they seem to have very different views on what success looks like. There’s plenty keeping the duo busy; there are business takeovers to contend with, relocation issues to consider and not to mention a blossoming office romance - is Russell falling for Sue the secretary or just putting in a lot of overtime? Set in an era when Thatcher was boss, money was everything and consumption was king, this vintage comedy from the BBC is pitch perfect. All four series collected together for the first time ever, this is a hilarious listen, that will have you laughing out loud as the two men try and make the most of some truly terrible situations. Bernard Cribbins’s career spanned over seven decades. He became known in the 1960s for his appearances in such comedy films as Two-Way Stretch and the Carry On series. His other screen credits include The Railway Children, Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy, Fawlty Towers and several appearances in Dr Who. Frank Thornton played the unforgettable Captain Peacock in TV sitcom Are You Being Served?. He also appeared in the role of Herbert 'Truly’ Truelove in the hugely popular TV sitcom Last of the Summer Wine. BAFTA award winning actress Annette Crosbie OBE is best known for her role as Margaret Meldrew in the BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave. NB: Series 2 Episode 3 has unfortunately been lost to time, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Cast and credits Written by Andrew Palmer Produced by Edward Taylor Jimmy Bright - Bernard Cribbins Russell Farrow - Frank Thornton Nan Forbes - Annette Crosbie Sue Plant - Annee Blott Bacon/Jacko - John Kane Youth/Man/Tenko - Paul B Davies Sir William Penny - Dennis Ramsden Colonel Jagger - John Graham Soyamoto - Kenneth Connor Mum - Patricia Hayes First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, 22 Dec 1987 – 26 Jan 1988 (series 1), 28 Apr - 2 Jun 1989 (series 2), 6 Apr - 11 May 1990 (series 3), 3 May - 14 Jun 1991 (series 4). ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Andrew Palmer (Author), Annee Blott, Annette Crosbie, Bernard Cribbins, Frank Thornton, John Kane (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Classic BBC Panto Collection: Puss In Boots, Aladdin, Mother Goose, Dick Whittington & Sleeping

"Five delightful pantomimes featuring musical numbers, silly jokes and fun for all the family! In Puss In Boots, young Tom dreams of winning the heart of Princess Rose Petal. Can Puss in Boots help Tom defeat Baron Skinflint and his greedy ogre, and win the princess’ heart? Aladdin is a happy peasant boy. But the wicked Abanazar needs his help, as only Aladdin can enter the secret cave to find a very special lamp… In Mother Goose, Jack and Jill are in love and want to get married. Will their wish come true, thanks to a magical goose which lays golden eggs? Dick Whittington has come to London to seek his fortune. It seems his luck is changing – until the evil King Rat threatens everything… In Sleeping Beauty, the christening of Princess Rosebud is interrupted by the Wicked Fairy Carabosse, who gives the baby a terrible gift. If Rosebud pricks her finger and spills a drop of blood she will fall into a deep sleep… With stellar casts including Terry Wogan, Maureen Lipman, Anita Harris, June Whitfield, Kenneth Connor and Frank Thornton. Everyone loves a traditional Christmas pantomime, and with this classic BBC Radio collection you can enjoy the festive fun whenever you wish. With rousing songs, corny jokes and the obligatory Widow Twankey, it’s perfect entertainment for all the family. Oh, yes it is!"

Chris Emmett (Author), Anita Harris, Frank Thornton, Full Cast, June Whitfield, Kenneth Connor, Maureen Lipman, Terry Wogan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Frank Thornton