Audiobooks narrated by Spike Milligan

'Rommel?' 'Gunner Who?': A Confrontation in the Desert

"Penguin Presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Rommel? 'Gunner Who?' written and read by Spike Milligan. 'Keep talking, Milligan. I think I can get you out on Mental Grounds.''That's how I got in, sir.''Didn't we all.' The second volume of Spike Milligan's legendary recollections of life as a gunner in World War Two sees our hero into battle in North Africa - eventually. First, there is important preparation to be done: extensive periods of loitering ('We had been standing by vehicles for an hour and nothing had happened, but it happened frequently'), psychological toughening ('If a man dies when you hang him, keep hanging him until he gets used to it') and living dangerously ('no underwear!'). At last the battle for Tunis is upon them..."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall

"Spike Milligan's legendary war memoirs are a hilarious and subversive first-hand account of the Second World War, as well as a fascinating portrait of the formative years of this towering comic genius, most famous as writer and star of The Goon Show. They have sold over 4.5 million copies. Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall written and read by Spike Milligan. 'At Victoria station the R.T.O. gave me a travel warrant, a white feather and a picture of Hitler marked 'This is your enemy'. I searched every compartment, but he wasn't on the train . . .' In this, the first of Spike Milligan's uproarious recollections of life in the army, our hero takes us from the outbreak of war in 1939 ('it must have been something we said'), through his attempts to avoid enlistment ('time for my appendicitus, I thought') and his gunner training in Bexhill ('There was one drawback. No ammunition') to the landing at Algiers in 1943 ('I closed my eyes and faced the sun. I fell down a hatchway'). Filled with bathos, pathos and gales of ribald laughter, this is a barely sane helping of military goonery and superlative Milliganese."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Goodbye Soldier

"Spike Milligan's legendary war memoirs are a hilarious and subversive first-hand account of the Second World War, as well as a fascinating portrait of the formative years of this towering comic genius, most famous as writer and star of The Goon Show. They have sold over 4.5 million copies. Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Goodbye Soldier, written and read by Spike Milligan. 'My namer is Maria Antonoinetta Fontana, but everyone call me Toni.''I'm Spike,' sometimes known as stop thief or hey you.'Yeser, I know.' The sixth volume of Spike Milligan's off-the-wall account of his part in World War Two sees our hero doing very little soldiering. Because it's 1946. Rather, he is now part of the Bill Hall Trio - a 'Combined Services Entertainment' inflicted on unsuspecting soldiers across Italy and Austria - and is largely preoccupied with the unbearably beautiful ballerina, Ms Toni Fontana ('Arghhhhhhhhh!). But he must enjoy it while he can before he is demobbed and sent home to Catford - so he does ..."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Goon Again

"Using scripts by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens, The Goon Show was recreated at the Playhouse Theatre in London for one extra-special celebratory night, with Andrew Secombe (standing in for his father Harry), Jon Glover (as Spike Milligan) and Jeffrey Holland (as Peter Sellers). Together, the team performed two missing episodes of the show - The Story of Civilisation and The Plymouth Ho Armada. It also featured announcements by Christopher Timothy (son of original Goon Show announcer Andrew Timothy) and music from Lance Ellington (son of original band leader Ray Ellington) and The John Wilson Orchestra. This audio release contains the entire fantastic show - a perfect tribute to the comic geniuses of Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers."

Spike Milligan (Author), Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

In the Psychiatrist's Chair: The renowned BBC Radio 4 interview series

"Twelve editions of the groundbreaking BBC Radio 4 interview series presented by Dr Anthony Clare. A master of incisive interrogation, Dr Anthony Clare became renowned for In the Psychiatrist's Chair. From 1982 until 2001 he conducted in-depth interviews with prominent people from different walks of life, inviting them to answer penetrating questions about their lives and careers. These twelve shows include his encounters with writer and performer Spike Milligan, playwright Peter Nichols, author Maya Angelou, political activist Bruce Kent,gynaecologist Wendy Savage, pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, film director Ken Russell, politician Edwina Currie, former Lord Chanceller Lord Hailsham, theatre director Peter Hall, author Barbara Cartland and journalist Jean Rook. Often moving and always insightful, Clare's questions go to the very heart of his subjects as he encourages them to talk frankly about their deepest fears and innermost feelings – making for fascinating and compelling listening. Duration: 9 hours approx."

Anthony Clare (Author), Anthony Clare, Barbara Cartland, Edwina Currie, Guests, Ken Russell, Lord Hailsham, Maya Angelou, Peter Hall, Spike Milligan, Vladimir Ashkenazy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Monty: His Part in My Victory

"Spike Milligan's legendary war memoirs are a hilarious and subversive first-hand account of the Second World War, as well as a fascinating portrait of the formative years of this towering comic genius, most famous as writer and star of The Goon Show. They have sold over 4.5 million copies. Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Monty: His Part in My Victory written and read by Spike Milligan. 'It's all over, Von Arnheim has surrendered and he's very angry.''This could mean war...' The third volume of Spike Milligan's laugh-a-line account of life as a gunner in World War Two resumes on the eve of victory in North Africa. Now Britain's looniest war hero must combat some of the direst threats a soldier has ever faced - boredom ('Christ, I just thought of Catford'), a cold ('In this weather?' 'Yed.'), moving camp ('It's a sort of Brighton with camels'), relaxing on the beach ('Life was golden, and we were the assayers'), moving camp again ('We're already somewhere else'), a visit to Carthage ('It's terrible, it's like Catford') and a perilous encounter with the gloriously endowed Mademoiselle Villion (''Help! massage,' I said weakly'). Against the odds, they survive and are sent at last to Italy to be killed..."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall

"Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall, written and read by Spike Milligan. A voice is calling across the land, 'Bombardier Milligan.''Bombadier Milligan is dead,' I replied in a disguised voice.The voice replied, 'Then he's going to miss his breakfast.' The fourth volume of Spike Milligan's legendary account of his time in the army during World War Two begins as he and his regiment land in sunny Italy in 1943 ('The ship touched the beach very gently, so gently I suspect it's not insured'). After a bout of Sandfly Fever, from which he soon recovers ('I'm ready to be killed again'), our plucky hero is piddled on by a farm dog ('Mussolini's revenge?') before forging his way inland towards the enemy and the sound of guns ('We're getting near civilisation'), where matters suddenly take a dark turn ('I was not really me any more') ..."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Parkinson Interviews The Goons And Peter Sellers

"In more than 500 episodes of Parkinson between 1971 and 1982, Michael Parkinson interviewed some of the greatest show-business talents.In Parkinson's interview with The Goons, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe remember their 'love/hate; let's get one over the BBC' relationship. Spike Milligan joins them from his sick bed in Australia, where he was suffering from the Lurgi. Slipping instantly from accent to accent, Yorkshire to Yiddish, Bluebottle to Bloodnok, Guinness to Gielgud, Peter Sellers, in his individual interview, relates showbiz anecdotes. Amid the hilarity, the authentic voice of Peter Sellers emerges, as he talks about his childhood, early career, and achievements. ©1996, 2000, 2002 BBC Audiobooks LTD (P)1996, 2000, 2002 BBC Audiobooks LTD"

BBC Audio (Author), Harry Secombe, Michael Parkinson, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Peace Work

"Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Peace work, written and read by Spike Milligan. 'I had not informed my parents of my return, I wanted it to be a lovely surprise; it was, for me, they were away ...' The seventh and last volume of Spike Milligan's memoirs sees our hero returning from war and Italy ... but to what? Aside from shooting large, inaccurate guns at Germans, all he has done for five long years is blow a trumpet, tell rude jokes and write and perform sketches for the entertainment of bored and murderous soldiers - who on earth is going to pay a civilian to do more of that? From the giddy heights of Hackney Empire to a Zurich Freak Show and beyond, Spike makes his way through the backwaters of showbiz, first as band musician then as one-man wild-act and eventually in the company of a group of like-minded comedians called Harry Secombe, Michael Bentine and Peter Sellers. They decide to call themselves The Goons..."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Remembering Spike Milligan

"Comic icon Spike Milligan recollects highlights from his stellar career. The comic genius of Spike Milligan changed the face of radio comedy through 'The Goon Show'. Here Milligan chooses and introduces classic clips from his astonishing career: readings from his books 'Puckoon' and 'Adolf Hitler, My Part in his Downfall', poems, songs, sketches, extracts from 'Q6' and 'In the Psychiatrist’s Chair'. He reminisces about India and Bexhill and reads his favourite poems including 'Fred Fernakerpan'. Also included is the complete version of 'The Starlings' - the only 'Goon Show' recorded outside of London and without a studio audience. Plus, of course, there’s a generous helping of 'Goon Show' clips, including 'The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler of Bexhill-on-Sea' and 'The Pevensey Bay Disaster', featuring Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers. In this recording you can hear in his own words why Spike was one of the biggest figures in British comedy.This recording was previously released as 'Spike Milligan at the Beeb'."

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sounds Natural: A BBC Radio 4 nature series

"Derek Jones meets celebrities with a love of wildlife in these 38 episodes from the classic nature-themed interview show Between 1970 and 1980, broadcaster Derek Jones invited a host of famous names to chat about their enthusiasm for nature and their encounters with animals. Delving into the BBC Sound Archive to select some of their favourite natural history recordings, they reveal their hitherto unknown passions – from birds and butterflies to the countryside and conservation. In these specially selected shows, Brian Blessed talks about his fascination with dinosaurs, keeping big cats and overcoming his fear of mountaineering, Bing Crosby tells us about wildfowling, ‘Mister Meadowlark’, naming racehorses and landing salmon; distinguished actress Dame Flora Robson speaks of her years in Hollywood, and her worries that the Los Angeles smog is killing the local flora and fauna; and Goon Show stars Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan let us in on their love for travel and wildlife photography (Harry) and ridiculous animal noises and names (Spike). Many of Jones’ guests share an interest in twitching, including Eric Morecambe, who relates how his curiosity about birds began when he went fishing with his father in Morecambe Bay, and Bobby Charlton, who developed his bird-spotting hobby while becoming a Manchester United legend. Humphrey Lyteltton reminisces about observing birds on holidays in North Wales, on tour with the band and in his back garden, and Peter Cushing recalls rescuing red shanks and watching oystercatchers and whimbrels on the Kent estuary with his late wife Helen. And, thirty years before Springwatch was a twinkle in Auntie’s eye, Bill Oddie confesses that when he wasn’t busy being a Goodie, he was busy birdwatching. Whether they’re mad about ornithology or hooked on angling, every one of the celebrities featured has a wealth of compelling personal stories to share, and fascinating insights to impart. Part natural history show, part nostalgic memoir, this wonderfully entertaining series is sure to inspire and delight. Cast and credits Presented by Derek Jones Produced by John Burton and Michael Bowen Guests in episode order: Robert Dougall, Cyril Fletcher, Nigel Stock, Kenneth Allsop, Humphrey Lyttelton, Percy Edwards, Peter Cushing, Barbara Mullen, Virginia McKenna & Bill Travers, Spike Milligan, Bernard Cribbins, Marghanita Laski, Adam Faith, Roger Whittaker, Flora Robson, Derek Nimmo, James Robertson Justice, Bobby Charlton, Bill Oddie, Susan Hampshire, Brian Blessed, Derek Waring, Sir Martin Furnival-Jones, Eddie Braben, Eric Morecambe, Henry Longhurst, Harry Secombe, Lord Home of The Hirsel, Bing Crosby, Eva Rueber-Staier, Esmond Knight, Andrew Sachs, Frank Thornton, Dulcie Gray, Norman Thelwell, HRH Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands, The Marquess of Bath, Windsor Davies First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 3 May 1971 to 10 December 1980. © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Derek Jones (Author), Andrew Sachs, Bill Oddie, Bing Crosby, Bobby Charlton, Brian Blessed, Derek Jones, Spike Milligan, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Spike Milligan In His Own Words

"In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, Spike Milligan talks about his life and career as one of the foremost comedy writers and performers of the 20th Century. The interviews included are: It Takes All Sorts, broadcast on BBC Radio, 23 January 1967 (featuring Holmes Tolley); Line Up, broadcast on BBC Radio, 30 October 1969 (featuring Joan Bakewell); Laugh Till It Hurts, broadcast on BBC Radio, 10 June 1971 (featuring Ralph Rolls); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC Television, 13th January 1973 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Face Your Image, broadcast on BBC Television, 14 March 1975 (featuring David Dimbleby); In the Psychiatrist's Chair, broadcast on BBC Radio, 25 September 1982 (featuring Anthony Clare); Famous Last Words, broadcast on BBC Television, 29 September 1986 (featuring Peter France). Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Spike Milligan (Author), Spike Milligan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Spike Milligan