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What Have I Done?

The Sunday Times bestseller and a frank, witty memoir from a British comedy icon

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What Have I Done?

By: Ben Elton
Narrated by: Ben Elton
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Read brilliantly by the author, Ben Elton. From The Young Ones and Blackadder theme music to snippets of his stand-up comedy shows, this audiobook includes bonus audio recordings showcasing special moments throughout Ben's incredible career.


What Have I Done? snaps, crackles and pops with wit, bravado and glorious Ben-ness. A triumph’ – Stephen Fry

‘A big life chronicled by truly the Upstart Crow of our generation’ – Dawn French

Ben Elton has done everything and worked with everybody. Now, in this frank, forthright, and hugely entertaining audiobook, he tells the whole story.

Discover the truth behind iconic hits like The Young Ones, Blackadder, and We Will Rock You. Relive the pioneering stand-up of Saturday Live that birthed a comedy revolution. From being the BBC’s youngest-ever sitcom writer to his most recent, critically acclaimed stand-up tour, Ben reveals unique insights into his groundbreaking work.

He talks honestly about his relationships with brilliant friends, inspiring contemporaries, and occasional foes. His life off-screen has been just as challenging and funny as it has been on, and he unpacks it all with wit, insight, and of course, a ‘little bit of politics’.

For decades, Ben’s been making people laugh, think, and getting on plenty of wicks - these are the uncensored stories.

‘Funny and fascinating, it’s a story of triumph and disaster and is the closest you’ll get to understanding where great comedy comes from’ – David Mitchell

'Bloody marvellous' – Jo Brand

Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Performing Arts Comedy Funny Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring
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Critic reviews

What Have I Done? is easily one of the most honest, thoughtful celebrity memoirs of the decade
This exhaustive yet never dull memoir reminds us why he remains one of the giants of British comedy over the last four decades
He has plenty of . . . superpowers. This hugely enjoyable book reminds you of all of them
What Have I Done? snaps, crackles and pops with wit, bravado and glorious Ben-ness. A triumph (Stephen Fry, actor, comedian, and bestselling author of Mythos)
Funny and fascinating, it’s a story of triumph and disaster and is the closest you’ll get to understanding where great comedy comes from (David Mitchell, comedian and bestselling author of Unruly)
Gripping, funny, breathtakingly honest and endlessly entertaining (Richard Curtis)
A gloriously dizzying ride through Ben Elton’s long and (still) very successful career, taking in the highs, the lows, the accolades and the slights. Bloody marvellous (Jo Brand, comedian and author of Born Lippy)
A big life chronicled by truly the Upstart Crow of our generation (Dawn French, actress, comedian, and author of The Twat Files)
Ben Elton is one of the greatest comedy talents of all time, ever, in any era (Marina Hyde, award-winning columnist and author of What Just Happened?!)
Tragedy, comedy and honesty make this book possibly the best autobiography you'll ever read (Brian May)
What has he done? Written a brilliant memoir, that’s all. Funny, touching, dazzling (Gyles Brandreth, broadcaster and author of Odd Boy Out)
Ben writes smooth and fast - reading this book was like being on a surfboard attached to a rollercoaster being pulled along by a dolphin (Sir Lenny Henry, award-winning comedian, actor, and author of Who Am I, Again?)
Provocative, hilarious, compassionate, dodgy politically, acerbic yet full of love, the real Ben leaps from every wonderfully written page (Andrew Lloyd Webber, award-winning composer and author of Unmasked)
As wildly honest, funny and smart as the man himself (Kenneth Branagh, award-winning actor and author of Beginning)
Ben tells his life story with the same genius wit of his legendary stand-up, hilarious novels and iconic television series (David Walliams, actor, comedian, and author of Gangsta Granny)
Uproariously serious with trenchant bursts of truth, fury and incendiary fun (Neil Kinnock)
Ben has given joy to countless millions. This is a wonderful book. Every creative young person should read it (Harry Enfield)
This is a rich helping of sheer pleasure, overflowing with wit, intelligence and phenomenal anecdotes from one of Britain’s greatest ever talents (Victoria Coren Mitchell, presenter of BBC's Only Connect and author of Richer, For Poorer)
All stars
Most relevant
I’ve always been a fan of Bens work way back in the 80s. A true genius with sit coms and comedy writing in general. He really knows the British heartbeat better than anyone. I enjoyed the whole book overall as Bens narration is polished and timing spot on. My only disappointment is the constant common thread of Ben pointing to his haters. It gets a bit endless after a while. Remembering Ben’s Friday night live performance it’s pretty clear why he’s rubbed up critics and people alike over the years.
In the 80s Ben came out of the blocks like a train with an ‘in your face’ attitude of ‘I’m right about everything in politics- all you are wrong’
It’s fair enough as it was his sole act and likely still is. Such a shame he still feels the need into his 60s to plead for understanding his side of things.
It’s a bit needy and unnecessary in my view.
Just get over yourself Ben.. you caused most of the early criticism yourself and the more you argue the toss the more they’ll do it anyway.
Still that said Ben is a truly accomplished, imaginative and original talented writer of 3 of the best British sit coms ever made
Blackadder, Young Ones and Thin Blue Line
Aside from the people pleaser neediness Bens book is a great read.

Excellent work with unexpected common thread

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I have loved Ben Elton's work over the years from The Young Ones to Blackadder to Upstart Crow. i have seen many top stand-ups over the years and none better than Ben who always gave lots of great laughs enormous value for money. But this book is amazing ... a must for any fan and also any aspiring writer. This is incredibly honest and candid stuff ... a real eye opener about the worlds of TV film, and theatre ... and the jealous high-profile critics and haters. Highly recommended, not least the excellent audio version read by the author. Thank you Mr Elton, and bravissimo!

Brilliant writer - brilliant autobiography

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I think what impressed me most was Ben's humanity, lack of airbrushing reality and being an overall good bloke. Thanks mate. The world needs more Ben Eltons (and family and friends).

I'm just an oorrdddinary bloke

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I was a teenager when I first came across Ben Elton and it was like making a new friend. I haven't always like everything he's done but I have always liked him and his politics and have respected his work. This warts and all autobiography does not disappoint. Thank you Ben, another hit.

Warm, frank and engaging

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Just an amazing history of his work, the highs and the lows. What a talent!

A Few People Hate Him, but More Love Him.

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