Audiobooks narrated by Pam Ayres

Just a Minute: The Complete BBC TV Collection: Every Soundtrack Episode from the Hit BBC Comedy Show

"All 30 soundtrack episodes of the BBC TV version of Just a Minute Just a Minute is a radio perennial. Loved by listeners for almost 60 years, it’s the BBC’s longest-running and most popular panel game, having clocked up over 1000 episodes on Radio 4. And now, you can enjoy 30 more, with these sparkling soundtrack episodes from the BBC TV run of the show. First broadcast on BBC One in 1999 and BBC Two in 2012, they are chaired by the one and only Nicholas Parsons, who presides over a host of celebrity wordsmiths including Paul Merton, Pam Ayres, Clare Balding, Jo Brand, Gyles Brandreth, Barry Cryer, John Sergeant, Brian Sewell, Hugh Bonneville, Marcus Brigstocke, Julian Clary, Stephen Fry, Phill Jupitus, Miles Jupp, Shappi Khorsandi, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins and Liza Tarbuck. Though the format may be different, the aim of the game is still the same: to speak on a given theme for 60 seconds, without hesitation, repetition or deviation. Among the topics testing the panellists’ verbal dexterity are Ever Decreasing Circles, Mumbo Jumbo, Garden Gnomes, Yorkshire Pudding, Charlie Chaplin, A New Rule for Just a Minute, My 45th Birthday and Writer’s Block. So ready your ears for a feast of comic improvisations, magical monologues, cheeky challenges and outrageous one-upmanship, as the panellists set their sights on that rarest of beasts: a perfect, uninterrupted minute... NB: Contains mild innuendo. The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Cast and credits Devised by Ian Messiter Chaired by Nicholas Parsons BBC One series produced and directed by Helena Taylor BBC Two series produced by Andy Brereton and Jamie Ormerod and directed by Richard van't Riet Episode list: BBC One 19 Apr 1999: Barry Cryer, Su Pollard, John Sergeant and Brian Sewell 20 Apr 1999: Tony Hawks, Wendy Richard, Steve Frost and Clare Baldin 21 Apr 1999: Isla Blair, Gyles Brandreth, Linda Smith and Gary Wilmot 22 Apr 1999: Pam Ayres, Peter Jones, Wendy Richard and Linda Smith 23 Apr 1999: Jo Brand, Gyles Brandreth, Tony Hawks and Peter Jones 26 Apr 1999: Barry Cryer, Stephen Frost, Tony Hawks and Wendy Richard 27 Apr 1999: Michael Cashman, Peter Jones, Maria McErlane and Linda Smith 28 Apr 1999: Liza Goddard, Richard Morton, Tom O’Connor and Richard Vranch 29 Apr 1999: Clare Balding, Stephen Frost, Tony Hawks and Wendy Richard 30 Apr 1999: Barry Cryer, Su Pollard, John Sergeant and Brian Sewell 3 May 1999: Isla Blair, Gyles Brandreth, Linda Smith and Gary Wilmot 4 May 1999: Maria McErlane, Steve Punt, Wendy Richard and Linda Smith 5 May 1999: Gyles Brandreth, Ken Bruce, Liza Goddard and Richard Morton 6 May 1999: Pam Ayres, Peter Jones, Wendy Richard and Linda Smith 10 May 1999: Tony Hawks, Wendy Richard, Barry Cryer and Stephen Frost 11 May 1999: Michael Cashman, Peter Jones, Maria McErlane and Linda Smith 12 May 1999: Jo Brand, Gyles Brandreth, Tony Hawks and Peter Jones 13 May 1999: Maria McErlane, Steve Punt, Wendy Richard and Linda Smith 14 May 1999: Gyles Brandreth, Ken Bruce, Liza Goddard and Richard Morton 26 May 1999: Liza Goddard, Richard Vranch, Richard Morton and Tom O'Connor BBC Two 26 Mar 2012: Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins and Phill Jupitus 27 Mar 2012: Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Stephen Fry and Russell Tovey 28 Mar 2012: Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Marcus Brigstocke and Ruth Jones 29 Mar 2012: Paul Merton, Liza Tarbuck, Gyles Brandreth and Miles Jupp 30 Mar 2012: Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, John Sergeant and Jason Manford 2 Apr 2012: Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins and Tony Hawks 3 Apr 2012: Paul Merton, Shappi Khorsandi, Hugh Bonneville and Jason Manford 4 Apr 2012: Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Marcus Brigstocke and Stephen Mangan 5 Apr 2012: Paul Merton, Liza Tarbuck, Gyles Brandreth and Tony Hawks 6 Apr 2012: Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Stephen Fry and Shappi Khorsandi © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

BBC Comedy (Author), Barry Cryer, Graham Norton, Hugh Bonneville, Josie Lawrence, Marcus Brigstocke, Miles Jupp, Nicholas Parsons, Pam Ayres, Paul Merton, Ruth Jones, Stephen Fry, Steve Punt, Sue Perkins, Tony Hawks, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Dandy the Dormouse: A rhyming story full of nature facts and conservation tips by bestselling Pam Ayres

"A delightful, rhyming story about a little dormouse named Dandy, written and read by bestselling poet Pam Ayres, author of The Last Hedgehog and I Am Oliver the Otter. I am a dormouse, and Dandy is my name. There are many different mice, we're not all the same . . . Written in rhyme, Pam Ayres's charming tale I Am Dandy the Dormouse is a gentle reminder of how conservation efforts ensure dormice like Dandy and his mate, Dinky can thrive in their habitats. Bursting with natural facts interwoven throughout the story, and with information at the end including tips on how to spot these majestic creatures."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Emily the Owl: A tale from our wild and wonderful night skies

"Follow Emily the barn owl on an extraordinary journey through her life in the fields, unveiling the fascinating world of these secretive and enchanting creatures, written in rhyme and narrated by the much-loved poet, Pam Ayres. Did you ever see us, in these fields and grassy places? Sensed our silent wings; glimpsed our exquisite heart-shaped faces? From the loss of her cherished barn to finding hope and a new home, discover the resilience and beauty of barn owls like Emily in I am Emily the Owl. Learn what sustains these graceful hunters, from their hunts for voles and mice to the snug boxes that become their sanctuaries. Beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Nicola O'Byrne, I am Emily the Owl is the third book in Pam Ayres's Animal Stories series. Bursting with natural facts interwoven throughout the story, and with an information spread at the end that includes tips on how to spot these majestic creatures."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Hattie the Hare: A tale from our wild and wonderful meadows

"Read by the author, Pam Ayres. Join Hattie the playful Brown Hare as she leaps from meadow to farm to heath, in this heartwarming tale written in rhyme by the much-loved poet Pam Ayres, author of The Last Hedgehog. We didn't always live here, once we had a sunny home, We came here with centurions, all the way from Rome . . . From grape green meadows to old-fashioned farms, hares travelled thousands of miles to find a home in the British countryside. What do they eat? What's their perfect habitat? Can you tell them apart from rabbits? Wonderfully read by the author, I Am Hattie the Hare is a follow-up to the bestselling I Am Oliver the Otter, bursting with natural and historical facts interwoven throughout the story."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Oliver the Otter: A Tale from our Wild and Wonderful Riverbanks

"A heart-warming, rhyming story about a little otter called Oliver, written and read by bestselling poet Pam Ayres, author of The Last Hedgehog. Come on down to the riverbank, and discover a wild and wonderful world . . . Oliver the otter is happy enough living alone, swimming or scampering along the twisty-rooted waterways. Until one day, among the green rushes, he meets an otter called Ottilie - and his life changes forever. Written in rhyme, Pam Ayres's charming tale brings the natural world to enchanting life. With nature details interwoven throughout the story, and an information page at the end, including fun facts about otters."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

Say the Word: A BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show

"Frank Delaney's witty wordplay panel quiz game. Frank Delaney's language based panel quiz game series revolves around the English language. This upbeat, fun word battle sees a host of well-known contributors battling to Say the Word first. The series is filmed in front of a live audience at a wide range of literary festivals in the UK and live in the BBC Studios. In each episode the contestants move through five varied quiz rounds, from creating new words derived from a known writers work, guessing the origins of words, guessing the spelling of hard English words, too untangling the dramatic riddles to find the connecting syllables. In the round Loose Change the contestants look at words that have changed meaning. Can they guess the old definition and come up with the true new meaning? The finale is the definitive round Say The Word where famous passages from famous literature works are read out with words missing. Will the contestants succeed in guessing the words, the novel and the author? Expect jokes, silliness and laughs a plenty. On hand to offer a witty musical perspective on the world of words is the Nimmo Twins, opening each episode with skits and dramas based on well-known playwrights and novelists. Credits and Cast: Episode One Recorder live at The Way with Words literary festival in Totnes, Devon. With Sandi Toksvig, Tommy Pearson, Laura Wright and Christopher Matthew. Episode Two Recorded live at Cheltenham Festival of Literature in Glouchestershire. With Sheridan Morley, Jan Dalley, Humphrey Carpenter and Katie Fforde. Episode Three Recorded live at Cheltenham Festival of Literature, Gloucestershire. With Pam Ayres, Adam Hart-Davies, Sue Limb and John Julius Norwich. Episode Four Recorded live at Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House. With Christopher Cook, Miles Kington, Valerie Grove and Carol Boyd. Episode Five Recorded live at the Radio Theatre Broadcasting House. With Andrew Sachs, Felix Dexter, Helen Lederer and Kathy Lette Episode Six Recorded live at the Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House. With Hunter Davies, Sheila Steafel, Roger McGough and Helen Atkinson Wood. Producer: Simon Elmes First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Frank Delaney (Author), Andrew Sachs, Frank Delaney, Full Cast, Pam Ayres, Roger Mcgough, Sandi Toksvig, Sue Limb (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pam Ayres - Down the Line

"Pam Ayres, one of Britain’s best loved entertainers, personally presents this audiobook which brings together two of her solo stage shows with live audiences. Pam introduces each recording and then, as a bonus, reads a collection of new and previously unrecorded poems from her two most recent books, You Made Me Late Again and Up In The Attic. With poems such as My Mother Was Right About You, Geriatric Juliet, Poor Old Father Christmas, and The Hat From Hell, blending Pam’s characteristically sharp wit with her warm, comic observations on everyday life, this hilariously funny collection is a must-have for seasoned fans and first time listeners alike. It also includes some of Pam’s more reflective poems including the title poem, Down the Line, which she wrote for the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War. “Pam Ayres is absolutely essential to British humour.” MAIL ON SUNDAY"

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ayres on the Air: The Complete Series 1-6: The BBC Radio 4 sketch show

"Writer, poet, and broadcaster Pam Ayres has been making her fans smile for more than 30 years, since her first television appearance on Opportunity Knocks. Now some of her best sketches, verses and songs are brought together in this complete collection of series 1-6 of her Radio 4 show, Ayres on the Air . Each series consists of 4 episodes, with Pam performing witty and wonderful pieces on subjects as diverse as getting older, shopping and a surfeit of beige, bored chickens and school plays. With each sketch, she delights and entertains in a way that is unique to this very special broadcaster."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Necessary Aptitude: A Memoir

"Brought to you by Penguin. 'NEXT, I APPLIED TO WORK IN THE ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT, a sealed room where women operated clattering machines like enormous typewriters. After I had catastrophically and erroneously applied all the wrong information to several trolley loads of documents and lumbered the staff with weeks of corrective work, I was shown the door by a tight-lipped manageress. I knew what was coming. Over the relentless, furious din of machinery, I lip-read the familiar words: 'Lacks the necessary aptitude.'' Pam Ayres' early childhood in Stanford in the Vale was idyllic in many ways, and typical of that experienced by a great swathe of children born in rural areas in the immediate post-war years. Though her parents' generation was harrowed by war, better times were coming. Everything the family needed was within walking distance in the village, and life with four older brothers and a sister in their crowded council house was exceedingly lively. In her late teens, Pam grew dissatisfied with her life as a Civil Service clerk with only the local 'hop' for scintillating excitement. Having seen three of her brothers called up for National Service and sent off to exciting destinations, Pam felt desperate for travel and adventure. She joined the WRAF and soon found herself in the Far East. There she began to write in earnest, and develop the unique talent that would make her one of Britain's favourite comics... Written with Pam's much-loved combination of humour and poignancy, The Necessary Aptitude is a beautifully written memoir of her early years."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pam Ayres In Potting On

"Pam and Gordon Grant are a couple at odds running a rural garden centre. While Pam still feels young and is determined to avoid the slippery slope into middle-age, Gordon seems keen to dive in - slippers first. Pam’s ally at the garden centre is teenager Carol, a girl more than happy to speak her mind. If only, Gordon complains, there was something in her peroxide head apart from boob jobs, alco-pops, Johnny Depp and bronzed chests smothered in baby oil... Naïve deputy manager Dave, though older than Carol, is smitten. Luckily, he has Pam to advise him on the route to Carol’s heart: like pointing out that metal detecting is NOT a good idea for a hot date! And how could the garden centre survive without the ancient and, quite frankly, bizarre Roy, the highly inaccurate singer of pop songs and runner-up in the Gloucester beauty pageant? Will Pam’s last fling at life, adventure and fun overcome Gordon’s passion for comfortable trousers, caravanning and penny-pinching? Let battle among the begonias commence!"

Christoper Thompson, Pam Ayres, Peter Reynolds (Author), Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pam Ayres Live On Stage

"Pam Ayres' stage show has been a sell-out success throughout the world. With her natural warmth and wit she builds up a rapport with the audience that guarantees an evening of fun and laughter. Pam's reflections on daily life bring a chuckle of recognition from people of all ages. Whether she's reminiscing about the spartan conditions on a caravan holiday in the Fifties, or describing her less-than-spectacular prowess in a Nineties' gym, her wonderfully accurate wit is always a delight. In this live recording of Pam Ayres on stage at the Swan Theatre, Stratford, she includes - along with a few of her classic poems - more recent gems such as Sexy at Sixty, The Wonderbra and With These Hands to provide a richly entertaining example of Pam Ayres at her best."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Pam Ayres Poetry Collection

"Warm and witty, direct and droll, the sharply funny Pam Ayres has been amusing and entertaining her many fans for more than 30 years since her first television appearance on Opportunity Knocks. Her humorous observations of daily life touch a chord with anybody who's ever been bewildered by the exercise craze or has yearned after the vanished Spotted Dick. In this collection, Pam reads over 50 of her best-known and loved poems, including such favourites as 'Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth', 'I'm a Starling...me Darling', 'Will I have to be Sexy at Sixty?', and 'St. Tesco'. Many of the poems include a personal introduction by Pam."

Pam Ayres (Author), Pam Ayres (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Pam Ayres

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