Count Arthur Returns to Radio 4 2020
Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show! has made a welcome 2020 return to the airwaves of BBC Radio 4. The series, which comprises his popular seasonal specials since 2014 and a brand new episode for Chrsitmas Day, has aired since the 6th November on Friday’s at 11:30. Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show! recently rated in the Radio Times as one of the top twenty radio shows of all time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006rbrr/episodes/player
In the words of Count Arthur, ‘Christmas isn’t just about charity, it is about baby Judas riding a donkey’.
In the series Count Arthur and his erstwhile protégé Malcolm (Terry Kilkelly) are surrounded by a host of regular characters created by his Radio Repertory Company – Mel Giedroyc, Alastair Kerr and Dave Mounfield. Dave, who played among others the much-loved characters Jerry and Geoffrey, sadly died in March 2020. His final Count Arthur recordings were two Christmas specials recorded in Autumn 2019, the first of which aired on Christmas Day 2019 – the second airs on Christmas Day 2020. All shows in the 2020 hybrid return of the series are dedicated to Dave’s memory.
The long running series first aired on BBC Radio 4 in 2005 and ran for seven series until the former variety star transferred to BBC TV in his eponymous sitcom in 2013. A TV series that started out on BBC2 and transferred to BBC1, running for three series until 2017. The 52 episodes of Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show! comprise seven series and ten specials since the programme first aired fifteen years ago.
Count Arthur will be next touring in his 20th Anniversary Tour, And This Is Me! in theatres around the UK in 2022. Details can be found here.
Other highlights of the Radio Show include winning the Sony Radio Award for Best Comedy in 2009 and being voted as the Best Radio Sitcom by the British Comedy Guide in 2016, 2018 and 2019. The TV series also enjoyed wide critical acclaim and was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Sitcom and Best Comedy Writing, as well as getting the nod for three British Comedy Awards. In August 2019, Count Arthur Strong’s TV sitcom featured in the top three of the Radio Times Most Missed TV Shows of the 21st Century. Since 2014, Count Arthur has returned to BBC Radio 4 annually with his celebrated Christmas specials.