John O'Farrell – författare

'The funniest book about politics I have ever read' Alastair Campbell'Blending sharp satire with wit... a comedic reflection on the divided world' The Scotsman'The perfect read for anyone hooked on politics and enjoys good plot laced with humour' Sunday Express‘Hilarious…O’Farrell knows his stuff and, in an election year, his wry take on British politics at its most febrile is terrific value’ Mail on Sunday_________________All across Britain, a generation of grown-up children are graduating from university, moving back in to their old bedrooms and showing their gratitude by berating their parents for their out-of-date politics.All across Britain, a generation of grown-up children are graduating from university, moving back in to their old bedrooms and showing their gratitude by berating their parents for their out-of-date politics. But for proud and high-profile left-wingers Emma and Eddie Hughes, the return of their only child is a far greater challenge than they ever could have anticipated. Young Dylan had warned them there was something personal he needed to tell them, but nothing could have prepared his right-on parents for the shocking revelation he delivers. Their son is a Conservative.From John O’Farrell, author of the bestselling political satire, Things Can Only Get Better, comes Family Politics, an insightful, sharply funny and and warm-hearted antidote to our divided times._________________Praise for John O'Farrell'John O’Farrell couldn’t be unfunny if he tried’ Alan Johnson‘A joy to read but it is also highly relevant to the contemporary culture' John Boyne'More laugh-out-loud gags than the Tory Party has had recent leadership campaigns' Big Issue‘A touch of self-deprecation and a sense of humour… John O’Farrell has these qualities in spades’ Guardian‘If everyone read this book the country would be a far better place. I laughed, I cried, I loved it’ Jim Down

Following his hugely popular account of the previous 2000 years, John O''Farrell now comes bang up to date with a hilarious modern history asking ''How the hell did we end up here?'' An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain informs, elucidates and laughs at all the bizarre events, ridiculous characters and stupid decisions that have shaped Britain''s story since 1945; leaving the Twenty-First Century reader feeling fantastically smug for having the benefit of hindsight.

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Things Can Only Get Worse?: Twenty confusing years in the life of a Labour supporter written and read by John O''Farrell. ''…as the Labour candidate I prepared for every possible question on the local radio Election Phone-In. What I had not prepared for was my mum ringing up to say that she agreed with John O’Farrell. On EVERYTHING.''Things Can Only Get Worse is the personal story of one political activist helping Labour progress from its 1997 landslide to the unassailable position it enjoys today. Along the way, he stood for Parliament against Theresa May but failed to step into her shoes; he was dropped from Tony and Cherie’s Christmas card list after he revealed he always sent their card on to a friend from the SWP; and he campaigned for a new non-selective inner-city state school, then realised this meant he had to send his kids to a non-selective inner-city state school. The long-awaited sequel to the best-selling Things Can Only Get Better is for everyone who could use a good laugh after Brexit, Boris and Trump. A roller-coaster ride through the last two decades via the very best political jokes (excluding the ones that keep getting elected).

All five series of the political satirical soap opera set in the strangely familiar village of Little Blighty - plus Christmas Specials''A comic microcosm of a country not a million miles away'' Radio TimesLittle Blighty is an idyllic part of the world, with a church, a market, a small school and a pub, The Cock and Bull. Village life is pretty uneventful, though the humdrum happenings include social turmoil, economic upheaval and vicious political squabbles - all presided over by the redoubtable head of the Parish Council and Secretary of the Rotarians, Mrs Roberts.This formidable lady has been running things for nine years: despite the best efforts of the leader of the opposition, Working Men''s Club chairman Mr Blandish. He''s desperate for his members to present a united front against Mrs Roberts, but unfortunately they''re too busy fighting amongst themselves.The doctor''s surgery is overcrowded, the river''s polluted, the school is fiddling the exam results and the local market''s under threat from cheap imports, but nothing seems to dent Mrs Roberts'' popularity - until she introduces a conveyance charge across the village bridge. Could the ''Toll Tax'' finally be her downfall?Also included are three festive Specials, The Blighty Chronicles, It''s A Wonderful Blight and Dead of Blight, in which the village''s rich history is staged; a guardian angel visits Little Blighty; and we attend Lord and Lady Spenney''s Christmas party, where we hear some bloodcurdling supernatural tales...Scripted by Spitting Image writers John O''Farrell, Mark Burton and Mike Coleman, and first broadcast in 1988, this ''everyday story of a country folk'' is a pitch-perfect parody of the British political landscape in the late ''80s and early ''90s - and remains surprisingly topical today. It is performed by a star cast including Jo Kendall, Andrew Sachs, Nick Hancock, Michael Troughton and Alistair McGowan.Production creditsWritten by Mark Burton, John O''Farrell and Mike ColemanProduced by David Tyler and Lissa EvansPerformed by Jo Kendall, John Bluthal, Andrew Sachs, Nick Hancock, Bernadine Corrigan, Daniel Strauss, Michael Troughton, John Baddeley, Jonathan Kydd and Alistair McGowanFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 2-16 September 1988 (Series 1), 21 July-18 August 1989 (Series 2), 29 December 1989 (The Blighty Chronicles), 6 July-3 August 1990 (Series 3), 5 July-2 August 1991 (Series 4), 26 December 1991 (It''s A Wonderful Blight), 10 July-7 August 1992 (Series 5), 31 December 1992 (Dead of Blight)©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The 1993 series that sees Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins ''looking back'' at the decade that was yet to happen

Newsreader and ‘Godfather of Radio 4’ Brian Perkins and Spitting Image impressionist Kate Robbins star in this Sony Award-winning satirical show, set on New Year’s Eve at the turn of the millennium. As the Nineties come to a close, they recall the tumultuous, earth-shattering events of the years 1994-1999.

Join them as they revisit when the House of Commons voted for an Honesty Act; Blue Peter launched an appeal with a twist; the media’s attention turned to an unusual new breed of dog; The Archers went on strike; the Hubble space telescope discovered a new star sign and young people thrilled to an exciting new musical style blending dub reggae and horse-racing commentary…

Predicted using a crystal ball in 1993, this futuristic show was foretold by Spitting Image writers Mark Burton, John O''Farrell and Pete Sinclair, who also performed alongside special guests Chris Barrie, Hugh Dennis, Steve Coogan, Jack Dee, Rory Bremner and Alistair McGowan.

Cast and credits

Starring Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins

Written and performed by Mark Burton, John O''Farrell and Pete Sinclair

Special guests: Chris Barrie, Hugh Dennis, Steve Coogan, Jack Dee, Rory Bremner and Alistair McGowan

Produced by Caroline Leddy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:

1995 10 July 1993

1996 17 July 1993

1997 24 July 1993

1998 31 July 1993

1999 7 August 1993

1994 31 December 1993

© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.