What Have I Done? cover art

What Have I Done?

My Autobiography

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What Have I Done?

By: Ben Elton
Narrated by: Ben Elton
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About this listen

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 book, 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 Inspiring Witty Thought-Provoking Heartfelt

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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
Ben even manages to do some impressions at times! An honest and open appraisal of his life and career so far. He's had his fair share of both stunning successes and vehement criticism. Ben's lived a varied and eventful life and seems to have been genuinely driven by a true passion for what he does. He doesn't always get it right but he's always true to himself and rolls with the punches. It was particularly interesting getting real insight into his early Young Ones and standup days. He display genuine love and loss for Rik in particular. He likes a name drop but fair enough, he's met plenty of very well known people along the way. Let's hope there's a lot more to come still.

Once in every lifetime...

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Ben remains my all time favourite author. Simple as that.
And I like Jonathon Ross a lot less now.

Legend! What a biography; well worth the wait.

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Loved it! Naturally, it is brilliantly written and expertly delivered. Highly recommended - especially to those of us who grew up through the eighties and appreciate quality comedy.

A wonderful insight.

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Thank you, Ben. I've never bought a book so quickly.
I even paid for it as I had no credits left.
Whilst never feeling comfortable with your stand-up, I've always been amazed and delighted with your writing.
I now dislike Jonathan Ross immensely. What a knob.
Love you and so glad you had a happy life in spite of the haters.
ZiggyV
Weston-super-Mare

Outstanding as always.

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A fantastic, illuminating view of the life of a brilliant, clever writer. I had no idea that he went to my college and was in the same course I was. Fantastic.

excellent autobiography

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Really loved the insight you gave us here Ben. Personally, you’re an absolute comedy hero of mine and I remember tears forming due to excessive laughter when watching your standup act.
I really don’t recall the h8 towards you and find it abominable from those who did it most. To put it in words that they’ll understand they can f the F off in my humble opinion.
To have gained a fifth star I really would have like 10 minutes audio of your very best standup routine but fully understand why you didn’t put it in, those h8ers huh.
Thanks again and best wishes to you mate👍

Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you Ben👍

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Fascinating, great book. Really interesting look at a full life of a creative mind and all round good bloke

Great listen

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This book chronicles not only a life and a body of work, but a changing Britain. A genuinely outstanding account of a significant cultural icon.

There is no authoritative work on the rise of alternative comedy - and this doesn’t try to be that - but it’s a brilliant and insightful observation of one of the most significant British cultural ‘waves’ of the last half century; written by someone at the centre of it.



Uniquely brilliant

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Really enjoyed learning more about Ben’s background and personal life as well as nodding along and grinning at all the shared memories this brought up. So many of his lines are common parlance in our family. Very enjoyable listen.

Fab trip down memory lane

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I remember being Ben Elton in my school play at the age of 9 doing his double seat routine! anyways, such a fantastic book about your amazing life! really interesting hearing about your close relationships with Stephen fry and Rik mayall ( my absolute fav)!! ade Edmondson and your wife Sophie gare. lots of great anicdotes and wonderful stories, would definitely recommend to anyone!!! 5 stars

Outstanding from start to finish

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