Just a Minute: Series 71-75

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Panel Game

By: BBC Radio Comedy

Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons, Various

Five fantastic series of the much-loved panel show, hosted by the late Nicholas Parsons

First broadcast in 1967, Just a Minute is Radio 4's longest-running panel game, and a national institution. These five series from 2015-2016, brought together in one collection to commemorate the show's 55th anniversary, feature some of the most magical moments in JAM's history—among them David Tennant's spectacular performance, speaking for an uninterrupted minute in his very first show.

Other debutants include Lucy Beaumont, Susan Calman, Tom Allen, Andy Hamilton, Josh Widdicombe, Rufus Hound, Nish Kumar, Esther Rantzen, John Finnemore and Alexei Sayle—but will any of them match the Tenth Doctor for verbal dexterity? Meanwhile, notching up their 100th appearance are Sheila Hancock, Gyles Brandreth and Graham Norton.

Whether novices or veterans, all the panellists are faced with the same challenge: to talk for 60 seconds without hesitation, deviation and repetition on any given subject—from 'Crows' Feet' to 'Hypnotising Chickens', 'Genghis Khan' to 'Kermit the Frog' and 'Wellington Boots' to 'Beef Wellington'. Join host Nicholas Parsons and the distinguished panellists, as they use their intellect, imagination and gift of the gab to beat the clock and win the points.

Cast and credits

Devised by Ian Messiter

Produced by Tilusha Ghelani and Victoria Lloyd

Chairman: Nicholas Parsons

Series 71 featuring: Julian Clary, Stephen Fry, Paul Merton, David Tennant, Tony Hawks, Josie Lawrence, Alun Cochrane, Gyles Brandreth, Marcus Brigstocke, Jenny Eclair, Shappi Khorsandi, Sheila Hancock, Graham Norton, Robin Ince

Series 72 featuring: Paul Merton, Tim Rice, Liza Tarbuck, Graham Norton, Alun Cochrane, Susan Calman, Gyles Brandreth, Sheila Hancock, Mike McShane, Pam Ayres, Lucy Beaumont, Marcus Brigstocke

Series 73 featuring: Janey Godley, Gyles Brandreth, Joe Lycett, Paul Merton, Andy Hamilton, Sue Perkins, Tony Hawks, Josh Widdicombe, Jenny Eclair, Sheila Hancock, Julian Clary, Susan Calman, Josie Lawrence, Tom Allen

Series 74 featuring: Paul Merton, Rufus Hound, Graham Norton, Pam Ayres, Gyles Brandreth, Tim Rice, Esther Rantzen, Stephen Fry, Jenny Eclair, Josie Lawrence, Nish Kumar

Series 75 featuring: Paul Merton, John Finnemore, Gyles Brandreth, Sheila Hancock, Josie Lawrence, Alexei Sayle, Graham Norton, Josh Widdicombe, Holly Walsh, Marcus Brigstocke

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 9 February - 30 March 2015 (Series 71), 18 May - 6 July 2015 (Series 72), 24 August - 16 November 2015 (Series 73), 22 February - 28 March 2016 (Series 74), 16 May - 20 June 2016 (Series 75)

© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd