Paul Kerensa
Writer/Comedian/Broadcast Historian
Also posting BBC history things here as bbcentury.bsky.social, so follow that too, or don’t. And breathe.
paulkerensa.com/oldradio
- Nearly Leicester Comedy Festival time... Saturday's 2pm (Four Monarchs and a Mic) + 7pm (Good Clean Fun) shows are both over half sold. Let's see if we can to 3/4! Send your East Midlander pals... Beeb history + stand-up - here to inform, educate, and entertain.
- This tale and more at my @leicscomedyfest.bsky.social show this Saturday, 2pm, King Richard III Centre: events.comedy-festival.co.uk/events/four-...
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- Guildford chums - my hilarious pal Daliso Chaponda (as seen on everything) plays G Live this Thursday. I’ll be doing the warmup but don’t let that put you off. Come!
- New book ahoy! Fantastically Faithful Trailblazers Who Gave Their All For God is 3rd in the series, aimed at 7-11 year-olds, though I'm 47 and I learned a lot writing it. Published by SPCK, out February the somethingth. Eight Christians from history and their inspirational lives...
- Don’t tell ‘em Pike, but I’m in Thetford. The Dad’s Army Museum was closed, but that didn’t stop a few selfies. Stupid boy.
- When worlds collide... religion x radio history On this morning's Daily Service, I mentioned it's 100yrs (ish) since BBC listener Kathleen Cordeux requested a Daily Service. Our fab producer found a 90yr old edition in the archive, so 9mins in, a hymn+prayer from 1936: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
- Coming to @leicscomedyfest.bsky.social on Sat 7 Feb 2pm - Four Monarchs and a Mic: The BBC's Royal Engineer (stand-up history show) - King Richard III Visitor Centre 7pm - Good Clean Fun (stand-up comedy show) - James Café & Bistrô Be there or be elsewhere.
- You bet. (That is, I'll be doing a podcast about the centenary of the General Strike this May. Not a podcast on You Bet...)
- I'm on the road this week to these places... join me, Hemellers, Kingslynnites and Dissidents!
- Coming soon to #Leicester @leicscomedyfest.bsky.social... TWO shows on Sat 7 Feb 2pm, Richard III Centre - FOUR MONARCHS & A MIC - a BBC origin story 7pm, James Cafe Bistro - GOOD CLEAN FUN - a stand-up show that's also part of @kidscomedyfest.bsky.social. It's that clean. Come to either/both!
- Finished The Traitors UK series 4. You can now talk to me about it. The right result. I have not yet watched The Traitors Ireland. You may not talk to me about that. Thank you for your attention.
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- When I'm supreme ruler: no more toe fungus ads on websites.
- My workday today: Working on the biography of first radio dramatist Phyllis Twigg Writing for BBC1's Not Going Out Popping in the post some things for Patreon patrons Planning future @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast eps Pitching to venues my live show An Evening of (Very) Old Radio All very on brand.
- Very pleased with how well I did for Dry January 1st.
- Orange and Green clash.
- I'm looking forward to @laughingchili.bsky.social Comedy in Egham tonight - I'll be MCing acts inc the fab Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, in one of their last gigs before they retire. It'll be a joy, and I guess a little sad. Lovely chaps + really funny. laughingchili.littleboxoffice.com/events/133137
- 100 years ago today… the first radio scare - I had a blast re-enacting it. A literal blast. Video on Patreon (£5/mth - join me!)
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- My latest Substack is on the centenary of the first radio hoax, on 16/1/1926. “Is it true the House of Commons is blown up? Is the Savoy Hotel blown up? What has happened to Big Ben?” - Sunday Pictorial, 17/1/1926, quoting listeners' calls Read/subscribe: paulkerensa.substack.com/p/faked-news...
- 100 years ago today - the first radio scare! We recreate it on The British Broadcasting Century podcast... Would you have fallen for it and fled your home, or asked the Admiralty to send a warship to quell the mob, as listeners did a century ago? Have a listen!
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- Near Leicester on Sat 7 Feb? I'll be there at @leicscomedyfest.bsky.social for TWO shows. 2pm, King Richard III Centre: Radio/history nerds assemble! My 3rd live show on the early Beeb, FOUR MONARCHS AND A MIC: The BBC's Royal Engineer 7pm, James Cafe Bistro: Stand-up show GOOD CLEAN FUN Join me!
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- Just left X. Welcome if you've joined me here! I don't judge you for staying there - I stayed long enough. But it got too Musky. Here meanwhile seems... bluer. (No that's wrong. Skyier?) Anyway. Hello.
- Tomorrow (Friday), Exeter... My one man stand-up show heads to Wonford Methodist Church. Come, Exonians! (Other upcomings - Egham, Hemel, Norfolk, Suffolk, Leicester, Daventry, Eltham, Windlesham, Wesham, Sunbury - at paulkerensa.com/gigguide)
- Ah, #TheTraitors s4e4: How do I like being proven correct twice in one episode... (Posting upside down for the benefit of spoiler-avoiders)
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- I don’t generally make New Year’s resolutions. But 39 years ago today, I made this one: “I am going to do more stories. I don’t know if it will last.” So time for another: My resolution is to finish writing my novel this year. I have resolved it. I don’t know if it will last. (You can but try.)
- The Life of Chuck: quite a book, quite a film. Twisty-turny-feely - imperfect but aren't we all. It's not for everyone, but it is for me.
- Why are the logos for BBC shows Waterloo Road and The Traitors so similar? Are they set in the same universe? Is this another Corriedale? Is the Secret Traitor Mr Treneman?
- Unless you’re going all the way to Candlemas, may my drummers drumming and I be the last to wish you a very Merry Christmas. (Pic from 12 days ago)
- On Times Radio last night, m'radio drama The Truth About Phyllis Twigg was picked as Christmas radio highlight. Aw thanks! Others have called it "a perfect radio play" + "a joyful listen". Thanks if you've tuned in via your wireless set or BBC Sounds. Here if y'aven't: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
- A lovely first gig of the year in Long Buckby on Saturday - thanks to the hordes who came! Next stop, these places - do come, and/or book me for your gaff...
- After a day or two behind, and avoiding all comment about it, I am now up to speed on #TheTraitorsUK. I have my theories, which I won't say here for risk of spoilerizing. Enjoying the ride.
- Last call for this tonight, Daventry/Rugby/Northampton-ites… Cling on to Christmas!
- First gig of the year! In Northampton-ish (Long Buckby), tomorrow. Yes it's still a Comedy & Carols show - well, it's only the 10th day of Christmas, so it's £10-lords-a-leaping. All Jan/Feb gig details at paulkerensa.com/gigguide Merry New Year!
- A rare chance to hear some 100-year-old radio…
- First gig of the year! In Northampton-ish (Long Buckby), tomorrow. Yes it's still a Comedy & Carols show - well, it's only the 10th day of Christmas, so it's £10-lords-a-leaping. All Jan/Feb gig details at paulkerensa.com/gigguide Merry New Year!
- I don’t know what your New Year’s Day soundtrack has been, but here I’m giving the kids an education in vinyl, and the things that were on it… #keithharrisandorville #keithharris #orville
- Happy New Year! I hope 2026 is a bumper crop for you. Thanks if you came to a show in 2025. Here are your Januaritunities - catch me at shows in: Exeter, Egham, Norfolk, Hemel, but first this Saturday at Long Buckby near Northampton. And Merry 8th Day of Christmas!
- Vast thanks if you’ve been part of my 2025. A year of personal loss - and I’m grateful for the support and kindness there. And thanks if you’ve been part of my work year: 70 gigs, 30 TV/radio spots, 16 podcasts, some sitcom writing & my first radio drama. Here’s to you, here’s to 2026. HNYpk
- When in London for a Radio 2 slot that’s over by 7:30am, sometimes it’s nice to stick around + take in a show… An impromptu visit to Back To The Future The Musical. Great! (Scott) Very similar to my 2005 Edinburgh show Back To The Futon… I think that’s where they got the idea.
