Audiobooks narrated by Mark Steel

Mark Steel’s in Town: Series 13 & 14: The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series

"The complete Series 13 and 14 of Mark Steel's comedy travel show Mark Steel is back with two more series of his award-winning show, in which he explores weird and wonderful places around the UK and beyond. After thoroughly researching each town's history, people and idiosyncrasies, he goes on to write and perform a tailor-made evening of stand-up for the residents..."

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Leopard in my House: One man’s adventures in cancerland

"Brought to you by Penguin. ‘I feel like there’s a leopard in my house, locked in a room. I’ve contacted the leopard authorities and they assure me they are used to dealing with leopards like this, and they have a plan for removing the leopard. It will take a while, though, and once in a while I can hear it growl. And that’s all very reassuring. Even so, several times a day I think to myself: “Hang on, there’s a leopard in my house.”’ One morning, while shaving, the comedian Mark Steel noticed that one side of his neck seemed larger than the other. After a whistlestop tour of assorted medical professionals, a consultant delivered the ominous words that would define the next months of his life: ‘I’m afraid it’s not good news, Mr Steel’. And so began a journey into the heart of the NHS, as he embarked on the long and uncertain road to cancer recovery via a range of mildly torturous and entirely miraculous treatments. What, if anything, might he learn about himself – and our capacity for coping with life when times get tough – as he becomes part of a club that one in two British people will ultimately join? A frank and funny diary of one man’s rather trying year, this is an unforgettable and uplifting story of getting ill, getting on with it, and getting better. © Mark Steel 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mark Steel Solution: The BBC Radio Comedy Series

"Mark Steel uses his unique logic to propose subversive solutions to society's problems What if the Royal Family was chosen by weekly lottery? Why should giving to charity be illegal? Could government economic policy be decided by sport? Award-winning writer and comedian Mark Steel aims to put the world to rights in these 15 episodes, as he comes up with radical proposals to improve our lives and sort out our social ills. From the economy to transport, housing, crime and our current age of pessimism, Mark’s got a brilliant idea that’s sure to fix the problem. Each show sees him using witty, persuasive arguments and short, sharp sketches to present his case, as he contends that having a job should be illegal, everyone should have to be gay for two years, and nobody should have to go to school until they’re 36. Whatever the issue, Mark’s got the answer – whether it’s dealing with immigration by deporting everyone born in England, or healing religious divisions by making everyone change their faith every Monday. Lend him your ears and he’ll convince you of anything, as he sets about proving that the ridiculous is really very sensible indeed – and that changing the world is easy, if you’re willing to listen to his advice... Written and performed by Mark Steel and Spitting Image writer Pete Sinclair, this funny, thought-provoking series also features Maria McErlane and Kim Wall. Written by Mark Steel and Pete Sinclair Starring Mark Steel, Pete Sinclair, Maria McErlane and Kim Wall Produced by Turan Ali (Series 1) and Phil Clarke (Series 2-4) Contents: Series 1 The Family: ‘No-one should live in the same family for more than one year’ Judges: ‘Ex-convicts should be recruited as High Court judges’ The Economy: ‘Government economic policy should be decided by sport’ Series 2 Unemployment: ‘Having a job should be illegal’ Transport: ‘Transport should only be paid for by people who don’t use it’ Housing: ‘Everyone in Britain should be re-housed at random’ The Royal Family: ‘The Royal Family should be chosen by weekly lottery’ Series 3 Sexual Politics: ‘Everyone should have to be gay for two years’ Charity : ‘Anybody who gives to charity should be jailed’ Crime: ‘Criminals should decide their own punishment’ Immigration: ‘Anyone born in England should be deported’ Series 4 Religion: ‘People should have to change their religion every Monday’ The Media: ‘Anyone in charge of the media should be sacked after thirty minutes’ Education: ‘Nobody should go to school until they are 36’ Pessimism: ‘Pessimists should be persecuted by law’ First broadcast BBC Radio 5 from 16 Oct-13 Nov 1992 (Series 1), 15 July-5 Aug 1994 (Series 2), 4 Aug-25 Aug 1995 (Series 3), 16 Aug-6 Sept 1996 (Series 4) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mark Steel Revolution: The BBC Radio Comedy Series

"Radical comedian Mark Steel takes a sideways look at some of the most tumultuous moments in history Mark Steel turns his analytical mind to the theme of revolutions in these six entertaining lectures, examining some of the major historical forces at work and holding up a mirror to our own age. In these entertaining lectures, he reinterprets the French Revolution, examining everything from the storming of the Bastille to the guillotine; looks at the politics of the sexual revolution (taking in the pill, the women’s movement and the Stonewall riots); and assesses the motivating factors and key players in the Russian Revolution – including the Romanovs, Rasputin and the Red Guard. He also explores how the Industrial Revolution transformed our perception of time, work and money; argues that the American Civil War was not just a rebellion but a full-blown revolution; and shows how Darwin’s revolutionary theory of natural selection was so shocking, he kept it quiet for 20 years for fear of a backlash... With readings by Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonça and witty comic sketches, this amusing, informative series is packed with fantastic stories, extraordinary characters and fascinating historical facts. Written and presented by Mark Steel With Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonça Produced by Phil Clarke Contents: The French Revolution The Sexual Revolution The Russian Revolution The Industrial Revolution The American Civil War The Theory of Evolution First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 June – 4 August 1998 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mark Steel Lectures: The BBC Radio Comedy Series

"Radical comedian Mark Steel profiles sixteen historical figures who shaped their era Sony Award-winning satirist and stand-up comedian Mark Steel takes us through the life stories of some of his favourite historical characters in this acclaimed radio series, which ran for three series on BBC Radio 4 before transferring to TV in 2003. From Oliver Cromwell to Ludvig van Beethoven, Mark’s chosen personalities are all passionate, driven – and more than a little eccentric... Among the inspirational people he profiles are W. G. Grace, one of cricket’s greatest players and the first modern celebrity; Mary Shelley, a radical’s daughter who married a poet and invented science fiction; Che Guevara, who became a left-wing hero despite chronic asthma; and Aristotle, who deserves to be remembered for much more than a line in a Monty Python song. In addition, he delves into the lives of Renaissance genius (and absent-minded buffoon) Leonardo da Vinci; Carthaginian elephant-wrangler and scourge of the Romans, Hannibal; jazz singer Billie Holiday, whose trademark song ‘Strange Fruit’ was so inflammatory that Columbia refused to record it; and gravity-defining mathematician Isaac Newton, who was obsessed with alchemy and tried to turn lead into gold. Illustrated with idiosyncratic sketches featuring Melanie Hudson, Martin Hyder, Kim Wall, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt, these informative, accessible and hugely entertaining lectures celebrate the remarkable men and women whose ideas and enthusiasm changed the world. Written and performed by Mark Steel With Melanie Hudson, Martin Hyder, Kim Wall, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt Produced by Phil Clarke (Series 1) and Lucy Armitage (Series 2 & 3) Executive producer: Paul Schlesinger Contents: Series 1 Oliver Cromwell W. G. Grace Charlie Chaplin Thomas Paine Series 2 Lord Byron Aristotle Leonardo da Vinci Che Guevara Billie Holiday Karl Marx Series 3 Ludwig van Beethoven Hannibal Isaac Newton Mary Shelley Muhammad Ali Napoleon Bonaparte First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-30 August 1999 (Series 1), 13 March – 17 April 2001 (Series 2), 18 September – 23 October 2002 (Series 3) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The News Quiz 2009: Series 67, 68 and 69 of the topical BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show

"Three series of the satirical radio panel show chaired by Sandi Toksvig Ever since 1977, The News Quiz has been finding the hilarity in the headlines and providing witty commentary on stories big and small. In these 25 episodes from 2009, the inimitable Sandi Toksvig is in the hot seat, presiding over an all-star panel of journalists and comedians. Bringing their A-game to the show are regulars including Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen, Sue Perkins and Carrie Quinlan, as well as relative newcomers such as Chris Addison, Phill Jupitus, Rory Bremner, Robin Ince and David Mitchell. Each episode brings a fresh crop of news for the team to get their teeth into, and among the topics under discussion are Barack Obama's first 100 days, MP's expenses, Twitter's shakedown of super-injunctions, North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the Iraq inquiry and the perils of drunken trampolining. Rounding off the proceedings are newsreaders Harriet Cass, Peter Donaldson, Charlotte Green, Corrie Corfield, Neil Sleat, Carolyn Brown and Rory Morrison, with a selection of classic comic cuttings sent in by listeners. Production credits Chaired by Sandi Toksvig Chair's script written by Stephen Carlin, Lucy Clarke, Rhodri Crooks, Jon Hunter, Simon Littlefield, Suk Pannu, James Sherwood and Danielle Ward With additional material by Nathon Caton, Matt Charlton, Steve Day, Gary Delaney, Miriam Elia, Gareth Gwynn, Elliot Howe, James Kettle, Benjamin Partridge, Dale Phillips, Dominic Philpott, Rory Stamp, John-Luke Roberts and Holly Walsh Produced by Victoria Llloyd, Katie Tyrrell and Ed Morrish A BBC Studios Production Series 67 featuring: Chris Addison, Clive Anderson, Dave Gorman, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Laurence Howarth, Shappi Khorsandi, Phill Jupitus, Fred MacAulay, David Mitchell, Sue Perkins, Carrie Quinlan, Mark Steel, Danielle Ward, Francis Wheen Series 68 featuring: Rory Bremner, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Robin Ince, Phill Jupitus, Josie Long, Fred MacAulay, Sue Perkins, Steve Punt, Carrie Quinlan, Hugo Rifkind, Mark Steel, Danielle Ward, Francis Wheen, Andy Zaltzman Series 69 featuring: Rory Bremner, Simon Evans, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Robin Ince, Miles Jupp, Fred MacAulay, David Mitchell, Andy Parsons, Sue Perkins, Carrie Quinlan, Hugo Rifkind, Paul Sinha, Mark Steel, Holly Walsh, Danielle Ward, Francis Wheen News items read by Harriet Cass, Peter Donaldson, Charlotte Green, Corrie Corfield, Neil Sleat, Carolyn Brown and Rory Morrison First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 9 January-27 February 2009 (Series 67), 1 May-19 June 2009 (Series 68), 25 September-20 November 2009 (Series 69) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Tbd (Author), Andy Hamilton, Carrie Quinlan, David Mitchell, Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Rory Bremner, Sandi Toksvig, Sue Perkins, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mark Steel’s In Town: Series 11 & 12: A BBC Radio 4 comedy series

"The complete Series 11 and 12 of Mark Steel's comedy travel show 'Consistently the funniest programme on the radio' The Independent Mark Steel is back with two more series of his award-winning show, in which he explores nine weird and wonderful places around the UK and beyond. After thoroughly researching each town's history, people and idiosyncrasies, he goes on to write and perform a tailor-made evening of stand-up for the residents. Series 11 takes him to the former mining town of Blyth, Northumberland, where he finds a fascinating industrial legacy, a posh pub, and a very nice beach; Walthamstow, where he's joined by local MP Stella Creasey for a discussion about the controversial 'mini-Holland' cycling scheme; and Whitby; where he dodges the seagulls to present his findings on the Dracula origin story, chip shops and the resort's whaling history. In Series 12, Mark tours the contrarian city of Nottingham to learn about local legends Robin Hood and Frank the xylophone player; and travels to Tring's Natural History Museum to take in the exhibit of fleas dressed as Mexicans. He also sets out to the Isles of Scilly, Salisbury and Newport, and pops over to Paris, where he performs two versions of his show: one in English and one in French... With just the right blend of affection and rudeness, he celebrates the curious stories, quirky characters and regional eccentricities that make these areas unique. Whether you're a local or an out-of-towner, his hilarious observations will have you roaring with laughter. Written by and starring Mark Steel Additional material by Pete Sinclair Produced by Julia McKenzie and Carl Cooper Production co-ordinators: Beverly Tagg, Sarah Sharpe and Katie Baum Sound Manager: Jerry Peal First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 1-15 December 2021 (Series 11), 22 August-26 September 2022 (Series 12) ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The News Quiz 2021: The Complete Series 104, 105 and 106: The Topical BBC Radio 4 Panel Show

"Twenty-four episodes of the popular topical comedy show, chaired by Andy Zaltzman With its brilliant blend of the silly, the serious and the satirical, The News Quiz has been a must-listen for comedy fans since 1977. Recorded in front of a virtual audience, these three series see Andy Zaltzman presiding over a motley crew of comedians and journalists as they trawl through news stories big and small to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence. Among the eager news-wranglers are Zoe Lyons, Nish Kumar, Helen Lewis, Athena Kugenblu, Lucy Porter, Paul Sinha, Daliso Chaponda, Mark Steel, Alice Fraser, Ayesha Hazarika and Kiri Pritchard-McLean. Beginning with a 'Best of 2020' episode, looking back on the 'highlights' of that particular annus horribilis, the panel go on to scrutinise subjects including lockdowns, the US Capitol riots, Joe Biden's inauguration, euphemistic food names, Handforth Parish Council's infamous Zoom meeting, climate change, vaccination, foreign holidays (and traffic lights) and Boris Johnson's stealth wedding. There's also a preview of some 'future news', the debut appearance of the Scapegoater Vx57, the Machine of Ultimate Blame, and the inaugural FALSE or VERY FALSE round - plus, Andy Zaltzman finally becomes the first News Quiz host to present the programme from the BBC Test Match Special commentary box at Lords. © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

BBC Radio (Author), Andy Zaltzman, Helen Lewis, Lucy Porter, Mark Steel, Nish Kumar, Paul Sinha, Various, Zoe Lyons (Narrator)

Audiobook

Booked!: The Complete Series 1-6: The BBC Radio 4 literary panel game

"All 36 episodes of the maverick literary quiz Poet Ian McMillan is our host in this gleeful game of literary tomfoolery, outrageous parody and biting wit. Joining him for some lighthearted competitive wordplay are a quartet of writers and comedians, all ready and eager to run riot through the halls of great literature. Their bookish challenges include 'New Beginnings and Endings', which sees them topping and tailing well-known literary works to produce some very tall tales, 'Sound Effects', where they have to guess a book title from a mélange of sounds, and 'Conversation Consequences', where they imagine some unlikely meetings between fictional characters. Mrs Malaprop shares a Jacuzzi with Eliza Doolittle, Inspector Clouseau takes Blanche Dubois to a dance and The Dong with the luminous nose honks hooters with Cyrano de Bergerac... In addition, the panellists seize the chance to liberate famous authors from their individual genres and turn them loose on something different. Among their freewheeling stylings are Hunter S Thompson writing a public school prospectus, John Betjeman creating the copy for a Ford Probe brochure and Franz Kafka dispensing self-help advice in his Little Book of Calm. Wreaking havoc with the literary canon are Roger McGough, Miles Kington, Mark Thomas, Dillie Keane, John Hegley, Rory Motion, Mark Radcliffe, Arthur Smith, David Stafford, Helen Lederer, Sophie Hannah, Simon Armitage, Stuart Maconie, Linda Smith and Mark Steel. Presented by Ian McMillan Devised by Marc Jobst Produced by Marc Jobst and Viv Beeby NB: contains some dated attitudes and language First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 31 October-5 December 1995 (Series 1), 18 February-25 March 1997 (Series 2), 14 October-18 November 1997 (Series 3), 2 July-6 August 1998 (Series 4), 25 November-30 December 1998 (Series 5), 22 June-27 July 1999 (Series 6) (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ian McMillan (Author), Arthur Smith, Helen Lederer, Ian McMillan, Linda Smith, Mark Radcliffe, Mark Steel, Roger Mcgough, Simon Armitage, Sophie Hannah, Stuart Maconie (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mark Steel’s in Town: Series 9 & 10: The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series

"The complete ninth and tenth series of Mark Steel's comedy travelogue In these two series of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show, comedian Mark Steel is on the road again, visiting places that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. Along the way, he delves into the history, heritage and culture of each town, before going on to write and perform a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. His first stop is Hastings, where he finds that a lot's happened since 1066 - including an annual Pirates' Day. Other destinations on his road trip include King's Lynn (where he's thrilled to find a traffic island full of rabbits), Carlisle (notable for its cursing stone and pervasive smell of biscuits) and Aberystwyth (the 'Athens of Wales' and home to the Holy Grail). Plus, he ventures into the Forest of Dean - but manages to make it out alive, and heads across the Med to Malta, where he samples some pastizzi and gets caught up in a parade. He also performs two COVID-friendly outdoor shows, on Brighton Beach and from a tree stump in The Dell Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon, and finishes with a special online episode, in which he talks to a virtual audience about the many places he's visited over the course of 10 series of Mark Steel's In Town. Winner of numerous accolades including the 2010 Silver and 2012 Gold Awards for Best Comedy at the Sony Radio Academy Awards and the 2018 BBC Radio Awards Best Comedy Show, this quirky, engaging series is - in the words of the Sony judges - 'stand-up comedy at its very best'. Cast and credits Written and performed by Mark Steel Additional material by Pete Sinclair Produced by Carl Cooper Production co-ordinators: Hayley Sterling and Beverly Tagg Sound Manager: Jerry Peal First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 January-21 February 2019 (Series 9), 12-26 November 2020 (Series 10)"

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The News Quiz Classic Collection: 12 original episodes from the topical Radio 4 comedy panel show

"Twelve rare archive editions of the humorous radio quiz show that gives a poke in the eye to the people and stories that make the news. For over forty years The News Quiz has graced the Radio 4 airwaves with an irreverent sideways look at the headlines. Having first appeared in 1977, it boasts a tantalising archive of episodes to remind us of the news from yesteryear, refracted through the satirical gaze of regular panellists including Alan Coren, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Jeremy Hardy. Among the many guest panellists featured here are Boris Johnson, Nigella Lawson, Jo Brand, Eddie Mair, John Sergeant, Linda Smith and Roy Hattersley. Sit back and enjoy these twelve vintage episodes, previously unpublished in their entirety. Barry Norman, Sheridan Morley, Barry Took, John Sergeant, Simon Hoggart and Sandi Toksvig take turns in the chair as a parade of Prime Ministers, party leaders, US presidents and other newsworthy mortals passes by. The episodes included in this collection are: 01/04/1977 with Barry Normal as the Chairman and Richard Ingrams, Nigel Dempster, Russell Davies and Alan Coren as the players. 16/08/1980 with Sheridan Morley as the Chairman and Simon Hoggart, Clement Freud, Bel Mooney and Alan Coren as the players. 06/05/1995 with Barry Normal as the Chairman and Francis Wheen, Bill Deedes, Alan Coren and Gillian Reynolds as the players. 20/04/1996 with Barry Normal as the Chairman and Francis Wheen, Roy Hattersley, Alan Coren and Andy Hamilton as the players. 09/04/1999 with John Sergeant as the Chairman and Boris Johnson, Tony Hawks, Francis Wheen, and Alan Coren as the players. 01/10/1999 with Simon Hoggart as the Chairman and Andy Hamilton, Francis Wheen, John O’Donnell and Mark Steel as the players. 29/10/1999 with Simon Hoggart as the Chairman and Nigella Lawson, Jeremy Hardy, Alan Coren and Andy Hamilton as the players. 19/10/2001 with Simon Hoggart as the Chairman and Jeremy Hardy, Jo Brand, Alan Coren and John Sergeant as the players. 18/07/2003 with Simon Hoggart as the Chairman and Linda Smith, Francis Wheen, Jeremy Hardy and Eddie Mair as the players. 29/10/2004 with Simon Hoggart as the Chairman and Richard Ingrams, Francis Wheen, Alan Coren and Sandi Toksvig as the players. 20/02/2009 with Sandi Toksvig as the Chairman and Jeremy Hardy, Fred MacAulay, Shappi Khorsandi and Mark Steel as the players. 10/05/2013 with Sandi Toksvig as the Chairman and Francis Wheen, Jeremy Hardy, Bridget Christie and Bob Mills as the players."

BBC Radio Comedy (Author), Andy Hamilton, Barry Norman, Barry Took, Jeremy Hardy, John Sergeant, Mark Steel, Sandi Toksvig, Sheridan Morley, Simon Hoggart, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive: Series 1-4: The Complete BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Creator of The Thick Of It, I'm Alan Partridge and Veep and films In The Loop and The Death Of Stalin, Armando Iannucci is probably the most famous writer/director/satirist of his generation. Here he hosts his own award-wining radio show. Comedians who guested over the four series include David Mitchell, Michael McIntyre, Russell Howard, Miranda Hart, Jo Brand, Phill Jupitus, Stewart Lee, Jack Dee, Clive Anderson and a young John Oliver (before he was launched to stardom on The Daily Show)."

Armando Iannucci (Author), Alexei Sayle, Armando Iannucci, Clive Anderson, Full Cast, Jo Brand, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Steel, Phill Jupitus (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Mark Steel