Vintage sharp-edged comedy from Andy Hamilton and Nick Revell – including the famous pirate sketch

Expensive, expansive, fun-filled and frantic, cult classic The Million Pound Radio Show ran for 11 years between 1985 and 1992, and won the 1991 British Comedy Award for Best Radio Comedy. Included here are all five series and six Specials, featuring a feast of quick-fire gags, stinging satire, comic chat and snappy sketches.

Get ready to chuckle as Captain Blackskull faces up to his mutinous crew; Snow White runs into a few problems with the Seven Dwarves; 007 makes a few lifestyle changes and a chatty stegosaurus wonders where all the other dinosaurs have disappeared off to. Plus, a determined GP attempts to break the world speed record for examining patients, a mafia Don tries to teach his son-in-law about family business, and a double agent gets confused about whose side he’s really on.

You’ll hear the hilarious history of Ancient Rome, science and the animal kingdom; find out how to become a successful politician and discover some diabolical ways to make money – as well as taking a twisted look at Gardeners’ Question Time, Desert Island Discs and Doctor Who… And there’s much more than just sketches to enjoy – Nick and Andy also poke fun at a host of well-known ‘80s and ‘90s personalities, conduct a host of side-splitting spoof interviews and bowl us over with their lively banter.

Written by and starring Nick Revell and Andy Hamilton, with co-stars including Harry Enfield, Felicity Montagu and Morwenna Banks, this sparkling comedy show won’t make you a millionaire – but it will make you laugh out loud.

NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast.


Cast and credits
Written by and starring Andy Hamilton and Nick Revell
With Amanda Swift, Jasper Jacob, Penelope Nice, Felicity Montagu, Harry Enfield, Morwenna Banks, Lesley Sharp and Nigel Pegram
Produced by Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 20 July-17 August 1985 (Series 1), 29 August-11 October 1986 (Series 2), 3 October-7 November 1987 (Series 3), 18 March-22 April 1989 (Series 4), 28 December 1989 (Christmas Special), 23 June 1990 (World Cup Special), 27 July-31 August 1991 (Series 5), 9 April 1992 (Election Special), 13 October 1992 (Columbus Special), 1 January 1994 (State of the Nation Special), 11 April 1996 (Millennium Special)