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Lionel Bart begins work on his musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!'. Alistair McGowan reads David and Caroline Stafford's biography.

Lionel Bart gives Cliff Richard his first number one and starts working on his own musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!'

A unique musical talent.

Lionel found fame with the hugely successful musicals Oliver! and 'Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be'.

Plus, he became a hit-making machine for some of Britain's first rock'n'roll stars - Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard -as well as giving the James Bond movie franchise its first song.

He socialized with figures from both serious and populist culture, and experienced a downfall that was as spectacular as his theatrical triumphs.

David and Caroline Stafford's biography of Bart draws on previously unseen archive sources and interviews with those closest to him.

Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.

Read by Alistair McGowan.

Producer: Emma Harding

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in December 2011.

15 minutes

Last on

Thu 12 Feb 2026 03:30
麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra

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See all episodes from Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Lionel Bart Story

Broadcasts

  • Wed 28 Dec 2011 09:45
    麻豆社 Radio 4 FM
  • Thu 29 Dec 2011 00:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Wed 19 Oct 2016 14:45
    麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 20 Oct 2016 02:45
    麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Feb 2026 08:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Feb 2026 13:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Feb 2026 19:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 12 Feb 2026 03:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra