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Preview
  • A Class Act

  • Life as a working-class man in a middle-class world
  • By: Rob Beckett
  • Narrated by: Rob Beckett
  • Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,537 ratings)

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A Class Act

By: Rob Beckett
Narrated by: Rob Beckett
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Summary

‘Pacy, witty and affectionate’ Guardian

Rob Beckett never seems to fit in. At work, in the middle-class world of television and comedy, he’s the laddie, cockney geezer, but to his mates down the pub in south-east London, he’s the theatrical one, a media luvvie. Even at home, his wife and kids are posher than him.

In this hilarious exploration of class, Rob compares his life growing up as a working-class kid to the life he lives now, trying to understand where he truly belongs.

Will he always be that fat kid who was told he’d never be a high-flyer? Why does he feel ashamed if he does anything vaguely middle class? Will he ever favour craft beer over lager? What happens if you eat 50 olives and drink two bottles of champagne? Why is ‘boner’ such a funny word?

In search of answers, Rob relives the moments in his life when the class divide couldn’t be more obvious. Whether it’s the gig for rich bankers that was worse than Matt Hancock hosting the GQ Men of the Year Awards, turning up at a swanky celebrity house party with a blue bag of cans from the offy or identifying the root of his ambition as a childhood incident involving soiled pants and Jurassic Park, Rob digs deep.

A Class Act is his funny, candid and often moving account of what it feels like to be an outsider and the valuable (sometimes humiliating) life lessons he’s learned along the way.

©2021 Rob Becket (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
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Critic reviews

‘Pacy, witty and affectionate’ Guardian

What listeners say about A Class Act

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Funny & Honest

Brilliantly funny and heartfelt. I loved it and will be buying copies to give as Christmas gifts!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not the best narration, although a good biography

I love Rob Beckett so was looking forward to listening to this. A good biography overall, although I was a little disappointed with the narration. Not the charismatic Rob we see on TV and seemed quite one dimensional and flat at times. On this occasion, I would have preferred to have read this book. Don't let this put you off though.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So funny

Great listen so honest and funny definitely worth the listen will listen again thanks Rob

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    5 out of 5 stars
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storytelling at its best!

storytelling at its best! thanks for sharing totally relatable experiences using humour nailed it! must read.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Honest, hilarious and heartfelt

A quick listen but enjoyed every minute. Rob comes across really down to earth and likeable. Had me genuinely laughing out loud throughout.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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down to earth

a great down to earth book by a very talented man who is so nice you just want to buy him a decent pint and have a chat

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

thoughtful, insightful, warm, funny and honest. a great listen with an overall inspiring message the editing was odd at times with the odd line repeated and abrupt cut offs to words but all in all fantastic. I know you had said you were nervous about recording the audio book, you did great. thank you for introducing us to your family and allowing us to peak behind the curtain. well done indeed

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So funny

If you enjoy parenting hell podcast you will enjoy this - listen in just a few days great stuff!

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Warming and self-reflective

Really enjoyed this, it’s written well but occasionally Rob sounds bored if his own work. Must have been challenging reading it for the audio. The mental health advice is very savvy and makes us all stop and think.

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    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant listen.

More thought provoking than I expected. felt like I was on his journey with him.

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