The Atkinson People

Hooray! - I discovered Rowan Atkinson's only ever radio series on 4 Extra. Originally broadcast in 1979, on Radio 3, The Atkinson People is a series of spoof interviews, written by Atkinson and Richard Curtis, with Atkinson playing all the parts. First up, Sir Corin Basin, actor, raconteur and crashing bore. There's no point in me retelling the jokes, as it's Atkinson's delivery - his vowels twanging and pinging, his intonation on a bungee jump - that really makes them funny. Just listen, it's a joy. Someone crack open the advocaat.

Here's something for all us anoraks, the first, indeed the only radio comedy by Rowan Atkinson, a 1979 four-part series, co-written by Atkinson and Richard Curtis (later to write Four Weddings and a Funeral and other big screen hits), produced by Griff Rhys-Jones (before he became a star comedian himself) and featuring Howard Goodall, now composer in residence and presenter on Classic FM. Each show is a pretend interview with a great man; tonight esteemed actor and almighty bore Sir Corin Basin.