Includes contributions from Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, Jenny Eclair and Gyles Brandreth. As its nine hundredth episode approaches, Just a Minute has consistently entertained BBC Radio 4 listeners since its first broadcast in December 1967. Inspired by a punishment handed out at school, the show's creator Ian Messiter devised a deceptively simple and versatile set of rules that has allowed the game to adapt and thrive as each new era of comedy entertainers emerges. Over forty-seven consecutive years, fans have laughed along with Kenneth Williams' outrageously funny 'battles' with Sheila Hancock, Paul Merton's imaginative flights of fancy, Clement Freud's acerbic wit, Julian Clary's flagrant innuendos, Graham Norton's celebrity 'gossip', Jenny Eclair's brutal honesty, Gyles Brandreth's extravagant monologues and Sue Perkins' infectious enthusiasm to name only a handful of the more than two hundred star entertainers who have braved the Just a Minute panel. In this official celebration, chairman Nicholas Parsons, the only person to have appeared in every programme, recalls the very best, occasionally awkward and often hilarious, moments from the last six decades. Magical minutes, verbal dexterity, sharp one-liners and witty challenges can all be marvelled at once again as Nicholas tells the Just a Minute story from its inauspicious pilot episode, through television and stage versions, and on to the present day, without hesitation, repetition or deviation...

Kenneth Williams, Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones and Paul Merton are the 'Famous Five' of Just a Minute: sparkling raconteurs whose sharp wits and skill made them consistently a pleasure to listen to. Each brings their own unique quality to the show, and this box set showcases their highlights - the moments which reveal these talented players at the very top of their game. Also among the featured shows are the first ever Just a Minute, plus the 25th anniversary edition and the infamous episode when Clement Freud failed to appear and the show's ever capable chairman Nicholas Parsons replaced him as a panellist. Full of fast-paced, irreverent fun and ferocious competition, this collection is a goldmine of wonderful comedy nuggets from five fantastically funny comedians. 11 CDs. 11 hrs.

Four of the funniest recent episodes from the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons Among the talented and humorous players in this sparkling quartet are Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Jo Caulfield, Julian Clary, Stephen Fry, Jan Ravens, Rebecca Front, Marcus Brigstocke, Sheila Hancock, Fern Britton and Graham Norton. Did Nicholas know Boudicca? What dish was to be served after the Royal Wedding? When did Gyles meet Fanny Cradock, and is he really getting married in the morning? What does Sheila know of George Orwell, and what are her views on ripped jeans? Should Paul be challenged for being out of tune? Answers to these and many more tantalising questions can be answered, without hesitation, deviation or repetition, after listening to this quartet of instalments! Duration: 2 hours approx.

Twelve archive editions of the the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons Having matured like a fine wine for over 50 years, Just a Minute continues to improve with age. A full-bodied, cheeky little number, it's both sparkling and robust, and ideal for almost every occasion. A few bottles of the finest have been brought up from the cellar for this vintage collection. In these twelve humorous, enlightening and previously unpublished editions - harvested from between 1972 and 2004 - players once again attempt to speak without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the given subject. Challenges fly thick and fast under the unflappable adjudication of Nicholas Parsons. Seasoned players Kenneth Williams, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Clement Freudand Paul Merton compete alongside guests including Tim Rice, Sheila Hancock, Michael Palin, Jenny Eclair, Tony Hawks, Ross Noble, Ray Alan, Rob Buckman, Barry Cryer, Wendy Richard, Jeremy Hardy, Richard Stilgoe, Steve Frost, Graham Norton, Liza Tarbuck, Kit Hesketh-Harvey and Julian Clary. Which players will be allowed time to breathe uninterrupted, as they demonstrate they have the nose for a corking finish? Find out as we play Just a Minute! Please note: Contains mild innuendo. The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Episode Guide 26 September 1972 Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 10 February 1976 Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Michael Palin, Kenneth Williams 20 February 1979 Featuring Ray Alan, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 22 January 1980 Featuring Rob Buckman, Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 3 April 1985 Featuring Barry Cryer, Peter Jones, Tim Rice, Kenneth Williams 23 February 1991 Featuring Peter Jones, Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Richard Stilgoe 11 February 1995 Featuring Jeremy Hardy, Tony Hawks, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo 1 February 1999 Featuring Jenny Eclair, Steve Frost, Peter Jones, Tim Rice 11 March 2002 Featuring Clement Freud, Sheila Hancock, Paul Merton, Graham Norton 7 July 2003 Featuring Clement Freud, Sheila Hancock, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Paul Merton 18 August 2003 Featuring Jenny Eclair, Clement Freud, Tony Hawks, Ross Noble 16 August 2004 Featuring Julian Clary, Clement Freud, Paul Merton, Liza Tarbuck

Ten archive editions of the the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game plus two very special programmes, chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Seasons come and go, and years fly by, but Just a Minute has been a constant ray of sunshine on Radio 4 for over 50 years. Now, in this new collection of programmes, ten previously unpublished editions - from the 1970s to the 2010s - are presented alongside two very special half hours: Just a Minute: 50 Years in 28 Minutes and 50 Years of Just a Minute: Paul Merton in Conversation with Nicholas Parsons. Among the many guest performers attempting to speak for 60 seconds without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject are Kenneth Williams, Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Andree Melly, Patrick Moore, Kenny Everett, Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Richard Murdoch, Jenny Eclair, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Stephen Frost, Gyles Brandreth, Sue Perkins and Frank Skinner. Who will win enough points to take a commanding lead, who will find themselves trailing a little, and who will finish in a strong fourth place? Find out as we play Just a Minute! 1. 12 October 1971: Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Andree Melly, Kenneth Williams 2. 18 April 1978: Featuring Clement Freud, Patrick Moore, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 3. 5 February 1980: Featuring Kenny Everett, Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Kenneth Williams 4. 16 June 1984: Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Tim Rice, Kenneth Williams 5. 16 June 1988: Featuring Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Wendy Richard, Kenneth Williams 6. 28 April 1990: Featuring Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Richard Murdoch, Wendy Richard 7. 2 August 1999: Featuring Jenny Eclair, Stephen Frost, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Peter Jones 8. 19 January 2004: Featuring Clement Freud, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Linda Smith 9. 9 January 2006: Featuring Clement Freud, Stephen Fry, Paul Merton, Tim Rice 10. 18 August 2014: Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Frank Skinner 11. 25 December 2017: Just a Minute: 50 Years in 28 Minutes. Featuring panellists from across the years 12. 1 January 2018: 50 Years of Just a Minute - Paul Merton in conversation with Nicholas Parsons Devised by Ian Messiter Chaired by Nicholas Parsons Episode selection by Michael Stevens Music: The Minute Waltz (Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64) by Chopin Duration: 5 hours 50 mins approx. Please note: The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Contains strong language and mild innuendo. Due to the archive nature of some of the episodes, sound quality may vary.

'Welcome to Just a Minute! And as The Minute Waltz fades away... please talk for 60 seconds on a random subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation...' First broadcast in 1967, Just a Minute is one of the longest-running radio comedy shows. A national institution, it is also loved and listened to all around the world. These four episodes find regulars Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Tony Hawks and Julian Clary attempting to talk non-stop for sixty seconds, along with special guests that include Stephen Fry, Sir Terry Wogan, Gyles Brandreth, Ross Noble, Sue Perkins and Liza Tarbuck. Among the subjects hilariously tackled are Dear Listener, The Best Sort of Babysitter, The Dictionary, A Limerick, The History of the World, How to Clean a Chandelier and On Valentine's Day, I Received... Join host Nicholas Parsons and the distinguished panellists, as they use their intellect, imagination and verbal dexterity to beat the clock and win the points in these four ferociously funny shows. 2 CDs. 1 hr 51 mins.