The Blagger's Guide

Calling Beethoven 'the Sinatra of the sonata' is, without doubt, good. And David Quantick is the man to do so. His Blagger's Guide to the Classics on Radio 2 was a bonkers phonic fiesta in familiar Quantick style, meaning it was quick-fire, informative and very, very funny. Whether discussing Beethoven - 'the genius's genius', 'so important that even pop stars have heard of him', 'combed his hair with his feet' - or the woodwind section ('the part of the orchestra most likely to be bullied'), Quantick made you laugh while helping you understand. Though even a classical dummy like me already knew most of what was being imparted (a common problem with Radio 2 documentaries), Quantick's delivery and the programme's pace and wit left you feeling breathless rather than bored. And his cheekiness knew no bounds.

Here's Quantick on opera: It's not all big women dressed in Hagar the Horrible helmets and fat chavs singing about insomnia. But it should be.

Hooray for silly summer radio!