Listen free for 30 days
-
Just a Minute: Through the Years
- 12 Classic Episodes of the Much-Loved BBC Radio Comedy Game
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons, Paul Merton, Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Kenny Everett, full cast
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Entertainment & Performing Arts
People who bought this also bought...
-
Just a Minute: The Golden Collection
- Classic episodes of the much-loved BBC Radio comedy game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Kenneth Williams, Nicholas Parsons, Full Cast, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Celebrating 50 years of Just a Minute on air, a collection of previously unpublished episodes from each of the programme's six decades, from 1967 through to the special Christmas 2016 programme Just a Minute Does Panto! Nicholas Parson chairs every programme, with a plethora of guest players, including Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth and Sheila Hancock.
-
-
Why so much Freud??
- By GeekCollector on 11-09-17
-
Just a Minute: Remembering Nicholas Parsons
- Including Series 85 of the BBC Radio 4 Panel Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Adrian Edmondson, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nicholas Parsons was the host of the Just a Minute for nearly 52 years - from its first broadcast on 22nd December 1967 until his last show on 23rd September 2019, aged 96. He was a comedy 'straight man', West End actor, radio personality, game-show presenter, chat-show host, quiz master supreme and larger-than-life stage superstar. Here we celebrate his life and work with a series of programmes compered by Paul Merton, plus Series 85 of Just a Minute - his final series.
-
-
A Quality Tribute
- By King Buxton on 31-01-21
-
Just a Minute: A Vintage Collection
- 12 Classic Episodes of the Much-Loved BBC Radio Comedy Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A further delightful collection of 12 episodes of the ever popular BBC Radio four-panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967. In this collection the players are at their players at their cleverest and funniest. With episodes taken from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s this collection is a must-have for old and new fans alike!
-
-
fun on the bus
- By Andy B on 02-12-19
-
Just a Classic Minute: 40th Anniversary Collection
- By: Ian Messiter
- Narrated by: Ian Messiter
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This 40th Anniversary special contains 16 episodes and spans all four decades of the series: the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Nicholas Parsons introduces each episode and provides fascinating background information on the game, as well as memories of its players and its devisor, Ian Messiter. As funny and popular today as when it first began in 1967, Just a Minute challenges contestants to speak for one minute on a given subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation.
-
-
One to get
- By SnapWriter on 06-04-16
-
Just A Minute: A Further Classic Collection
- 22 archive episodes of the much-loved BBC radio comedy game
- By: BBC Audio
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A further delightful collection of 22 previously unpublished episodes of the ever popular BBC Radio four-panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Showcasing five key players from the past five decades -Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins and Julian Clary - the collection also includes two bonus editions of the show. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967.
-
-
Have no hesitation...!
- By Intheamazone on 17-09-16
-
Just a Minute
- Another Classic Collection
- By: BBC Comedy
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A sparkling collection of 22 classic episodes of the ever-popular BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Showcasing five key players from the past five decades - Sheila Hancock, Gyles Brandreth, Jenny Eclair, Stephen Fry and Graham Norton - the collection also includes two bonus Christmas themed editions of the show. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967.
-
-
Review with no repetition, deviation, hesitation
- By B. A. Jones on 03-12-15
-
Just a Minute: The Golden Collection
- Classic episodes of the much-loved BBC Radio comedy game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Kenneth Williams, Nicholas Parsons, Full Cast, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Celebrating 50 years of Just a Minute on air, a collection of previously unpublished episodes from each of the programme's six decades, from 1967 through to the special Christmas 2016 programme Just a Minute Does Panto! Nicholas Parson chairs every programme, with a plethora of guest players, including Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth and Sheila Hancock.
-
-
Why so much Freud??
- By GeekCollector on 11-09-17
-
Just a Minute: Remembering Nicholas Parsons
- Including Series 85 of the BBC Radio 4 Panel Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Adrian Edmondson, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nicholas Parsons was the host of the Just a Minute for nearly 52 years - from its first broadcast on 22nd December 1967 until his last show on 23rd September 2019, aged 96. He was a comedy 'straight man', West End actor, radio personality, game-show presenter, chat-show host, quiz master supreme and larger-than-life stage superstar. Here we celebrate his life and work with a series of programmes compered by Paul Merton, plus Series 85 of Just a Minute - his final series.
-
-
A Quality Tribute
- By King Buxton on 31-01-21
-
Just a Minute: A Vintage Collection
- 12 Classic Episodes of the Much-Loved BBC Radio Comedy Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A further delightful collection of 12 episodes of the ever popular BBC Radio four-panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967. In this collection the players are at their players at their cleverest and funniest. With episodes taken from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s this collection is a must-have for old and new fans alike!
-
-
fun on the bus
- By Andy B on 02-12-19
-
Just a Classic Minute: 40th Anniversary Collection
- By: Ian Messiter
- Narrated by: Ian Messiter
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This 40th Anniversary special contains 16 episodes and spans all four decades of the series: the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Nicholas Parsons introduces each episode and provides fascinating background information on the game, as well as memories of its players and its devisor, Ian Messiter. As funny and popular today as when it first began in 1967, Just a Minute challenges contestants to speak for one minute on a given subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation.
-
-
One to get
- By SnapWriter on 06-04-16
-
Just A Minute: A Further Classic Collection
- 22 archive episodes of the much-loved BBC radio comedy game
- By: BBC Audio
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A further delightful collection of 22 previously unpublished episodes of the ever popular BBC Radio four-panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Showcasing five key players from the past five decades -Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins and Julian Clary - the collection also includes two bonus editions of the show. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967.
-
-
Have no hesitation...!
- By Intheamazone on 17-09-16
-
Just a Minute
- Another Classic Collection
- By: BBC Comedy
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A sparkling collection of 22 classic episodes of the ever-popular BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Showcasing five key players from the past five decades - Sheila Hancock, Gyles Brandreth, Jenny Eclair, Stephen Fry and Graham Norton - the collection also includes two bonus Christmas themed editions of the show. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967.
-
-
Review with no repetition, deviation, hesitation
- By B. A. Jones on 03-12-15
-
Just a Minute: Series 84
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Panel Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons, full cast
- Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this complete collection of episodes from series 84 of Just a Minute, Nicholas Parsons invites guests to try to speak for 60 seconds on a variety of subjects.
-
Just a Minute: Series 82
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Panel Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: full cast, Tony Hawks, Gyles Brandreth, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this complete collection of episodes from series 82 of Just a Minute, Nicholas Parsons invites guests to try to speak for 60 seconds on a variety of subjects such as George V, favourite breakfast eateries, canals, bad apples and pasta. With panellists including Paul Merton, Sheila Hancock, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawkes, Gyles Brandreth and Zoe Lyons, this series shows just why Just a Minute has been entertaining generations of listeners since its first series in 1967. Who can talk for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject? Find out as we play Just a Minute!
-
Just a Minute: Series 83
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Panel Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: full cast, Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this complete collection of episodes from series 83 of Just a Minute, Nicholas Parsons invites guests to try to speak for 60 seconds on a variety of subjects. With panellists including Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Josie Lawrence, Gyles Brandreth, Angela Barnes, Sheila Hancock, Josh Widdicombe, Julian Clary and Lee Mack, this series shows just why Just a Minute has been entertaining generations of listeners since its first series in 1967. Who can talk for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject? Find out as we play Just a Minute!
-
-
episode repetition
- By aggravatedandy on 28-05-19
-
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue: A Third Treasury
- Specials and Spin-offs from the BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- By: Humphrey Lyttelton, Graeme Garden
- Narrated by: Humphrey Lyttelton, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A sparkling collection of specials and spin-offs from the award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy show, plus two tributes to the legendary Humphrey Lyttelton. This third and final Clue treasury features a panoply of specials based around the perennial ‘antidote to panel games’. In the mix are I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Christmas Clue, featuring the team’s unique interpretation of A Christmas Carol; Humph in Wonderland, in which they venture down a rabbit hole; and In Search of Mornington Crescent, in which Andrew Marr peers behind the veil of secrecy surrounding that illustrious game.
-
-
Wish I read the tag line
- By @slytherinshare on 06-11-18
-
Just a Minute: Best of 2019
- Four Episodes of the Much-Loved BBC Radio Comedy Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Paul Merton, Nicholas Parsons, full cast
- Length: 1 hr and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this selection of episodes, the entertaining players brave enough to employ their wits and ingenuity against both the clock and their competitors are Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Sheila Hancock, Josh Widdicombe, Gyles Brandreth, Fern Britton, Jenny Eclair, and Kerry Godliman.
-
-
love it love it love it
- By Amazon Customer on 20-11-19
-
Just A Minute: Complete Series 56
- By: Nicholas Parsons
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nicholas Parsons chairs this complete series of the devious BBC Radio 4 word game. Featuring in these 12 episodes are panellists Paul Merton, Julian Clary, David Mitchell, Gyles Brandreth, Charles Collingwood, Tony Hawks, Dave Gorman, Josie Lawrence, Liza Tarbuck & Graham Norton.
-
-
Brilliant: a favourite download!
- By SnapWriter on 22-03-16
-
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue: A Second Treasury
- The Much-Loved BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Humphrey Lyttelton, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden
- Length: 22 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Another bumper collection of classic fun and games from one of BBC Radio 4's best-loved and most enduring comedy panel games. The inimitable Humphrey Lyttelton is in the chair for these 25 hilarious editions (including the very first episode from 1972) plus two volumes of vintage 'Live' recordings (ad libs, retakes, warm-ups and all), a 35th anniversary special edition, and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Desert Island, in which famous fans Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Germaine Greer choose their favourite 'Clue' moments.
-
-
The King of Panel Shows
- By G Noble on 22-10-17
-
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue Treasury
- Classic BBC Radio Comedy
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Humphrey Lyttleton, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden
- Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A bumper collection of classic fun and games from one of BBC Radio 4's best-loved and most enduring comedy panel games. The inimitable Humphrey Lyttelton is in the chair for these 36 hilarious editions, collected together for the first time. He presides over regular players Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Willie Rushton, plus guests including Stephen Fry, Tony Hawks, Andy Hamilton, Paul Merton, Sandi Toksvig and Jeremy Hardy.
-
-
Laugh out loud
- By AR on 24-02-17
-
Wordaholics: The Complete Series 1-3
- The Word-Obsessed BBC Comedy Panel Show
- By: Jon Hunter, James Kettle
- Narrated by: Alex Horne, Dave Gorman, Gyles Brandreth, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This witty and unexpected show brings you toponyms, abbreviations, euphemisms, old words, new words, cockney rhyming slang and Greek gobbledegook. Find out the meaning of words like giff-gaff, knock-knobbler and buckfitches; the difference between French marbles, French velvet and the French ache; hear the glorious poetry of the English language, as practiced from writers varying from William Shakespeare to Vanilla Ice; and spend time laughing and learning with some of the finest Wordaholics in the business.
-
-
Word Fun
- By Colby on 23-05-19
-
Just a Minute: Series 73
- All Eight Episodes of the 73rd Radio Series
- By: BBC Radio 4
- Narrated by: Nicholas Parsons, Paul Merton
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete 73rd series of the hugely popular BBC Radio 4 panel game, chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Just a Minute is a national institution which has entertained generations of listeners since it was first broadcast almost 50 years ago. Its winning formula - contestants must speak on a given subject for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation - is a surefire recipe for hilarity.
-
The News Quiz Classic Collection
- 12 Original Episodes from the Topical Radio 4 Comedy Panel Show
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Barry Norman, Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over 40 years The News Quiz has graced the Radio 4 airwaves with an irreverent sideways look at the headlines. Having first appeared in 1977, it boasts a tantalising archive of episodes to remind us of the news from yesteryear, refracted through the satirical gaze of regular panellists including Alan Coren, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Jeremy Hardy. Among the many guest panellists featured here are Boris Johnson, Nigella Lawson, Jo Brand, Eddie Mair, John Sergeant, Linda Smith and Roy Hattersley.
-
-
This is all very good but . . .
- By eightballtrickshot on 19-08-19
-
Just a Minute: Series 79
- BBC Radio 4 Comedy Panel Game
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: full cast, Nicholas Parsons
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Featuring a host of household names pitted against the clock, this is a collection of six episodes from series 79 of Just a Minute, hosted by the charming Nicholas Parsons.
-
-
Some great episodes
- By Buggymom on 02-06-20
Summary
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, 10 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, Andrée 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!
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.
Published by Penguin Random House Ltd
Licensed by BBC Worldwide Ltd
© 2018 BBC Worldwide t/as BBC Studios
Photographs © BBC
Devised by Ian Messiter
Chaired by Nicholas Parsons
All episodes first broadcast on BBC Radio 4
Episode selection by Michael Stevens
Music: The Minute Waltz (Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64) by Chopin
1. 12 October 1971
Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Andrée 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
What listeners say about Just a Minute: Through the Years
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- talker
- 28-05-20
A Brilliant Tribute
A great tribute to a fabulous show with a great host. Paul Merton echoes the love that so many people have for Just a Minute and Nicholas Parsons
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rudi Dinno
- 12-10-20
Hilarity ensues!
A veritable journey through the English language with just enough time to draw breath before the next hilarious ‘minute.’ Highly recommendable episodes and series.