Mark Steel

Interview: Mark Steel on his Edinburgh Fringe show

Comedian Mark Steel explores notion of belonging at this year's Fringe as he shares the story of his search for his natural parents with Claire Smith.

Mark Steel: Finding out who I am

Comedian and writer Mark Steel recently found out the story behind his adoption in 1960. And the truth was so extraordinary that you almost couldn't make it up...

Mark Steel's In Town ... & he's looking for local laughs

In front of an audience of audibly refreshed locals, Steel sees how far he can push the famed British ability to laugh at ourselves. The answer is quite a long way.

Radio Times review

Oh what a pity! After my absolute joy in the return of this series last week, there was no preview copy available to listen to. Fellow Mark Steel fans may like to check out the Radio Times website where we have an interview with the man himself.

He was originally due to be interviewed on Friday 8 May but when our journalist rang, after the general election results, Mr Steel, understandably came back with "Not today mate". I have been informed, however, that his mood is grand in this performance from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Radio Times review

Mark Steel is no slacker. He always does his research before taking to the stage to talk to a town about itself.

In the case of Fleetwood in Lancashire, subject of this performance, it has involved reading local history books and pamphlets, going on a tour of the Fisherman's Friend factory (Fleetwood's most famous global export), visiting the museum and trying his best to get on the ferry, which never seems to be in a position to cross the 20-yard river to neighbouring Knott End.

But it is how he presents his research that wins over the locals and his Radio 4 audience. He discovers on the Fisherman's Friend website, for instance, that the high-octane cough sweet is "lozenge of the stars" -- based on the fact that Stevie Wonder once asked for one when he had a cold.

Mark Steel: Chipping Norton is full of lovely people

As his award-winning Radio 4 show returns, the comedian reveals why he's as rude as possible and meets a pool-playing dog.

Interview: Mark Steel

Mark Steel is the latest in the rich line of comics that Shetland has been treated to in recent months.

Mark Steel upsets the chakras with Glastonbury show

Mark Steel has been accused being abusive towards religious beliefs, after he mocked the New Age followers who live in Glastonbury. A complaint about an episode of Mark Steel's In Town broadcast on Radio 4 in January escalated all the way up to the Editorial Standards Committee of the BBC Trust - which has now cleared him of being offensive.

Russell Brand's book's confusing but so are his critics

It's a truth universally acknowledged that his detractors have always made perfect sense.