Paul Kerensa
@paulkerensa.bsky.social
Writer/Comedian/Broadcast Historian
Also posting BBC history things here as bbcentury.bsky.social, so follow that too, or don’t. And breathe.
paulkerensa.com/oldradio
Also posting BBC history things here as bbcentury.bsky.social, so follow that too, or don’t. And breathe.
paulkerensa.com/oldradio
I made a (fairly obtuse)) meme - that I'd like to get a certain number of likes but no more than that, thank you for obliging.
December 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
I made a (fairly obtuse)) meme - that I'd like to get a certain number of likes but no more than that, thank you for obliging.
Oh not ignorant - nowadays they're essentially the same, and I don't know their different origin stories are well-known.
I've been pitching around a kids' book - Father Christmas vs Santa Claus - a fun tale of some of their differences...
I've been pitching around a kids' book - Father Christmas vs Santa Claus - a fun tale of some of their differences...
December 1, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Oh not ignorant - nowadays they're essentially the same, and I don't know their different origin stories are well-known.
I've been pitching around a kids' book - Father Christmas vs Santa Claus - a fun tale of some of their differences...
I've been pitching around a kids' book - Father Christmas vs Santa Claus - a fun tale of some of their differences...
Ahem.
Your seasonal reminder of my fun 'n' 'nformative festive history book:
Hark! The Biography of Christmas
From Bible to Buble, Santa to Slade - buyable in book/audiobook, read by me: amzn.to/4p5221b
(only the audiobook is read by me. You have to read the book yourself)
Your seasonal reminder of my fun 'n' 'nformative festive history book:
Hark! The Biography of Christmas
From Bible to Buble, Santa to Slade - buyable in book/audiobook, read by me: amzn.to/4p5221b
(only the audiobook is read by me. You have to read the book yourself)
December 1, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Ahem.
Your seasonal reminder of my fun 'n' 'nformative festive history book:
Hark! The Biography of Christmas
From Bible to Buble, Santa to Slade - buyable in book/audiobook, read by me: amzn.to/4p5221b
(only the audiobook is read by me. You have to read the book yourself)
Your seasonal reminder of my fun 'n' 'nformative festive history book:
Hark! The Biography of Christmas
From Bible to Buble, Santa to Slade - buyable in book/audiobook, read by me: amzn.to/4p5221b
(only the audiobook is read by me. You have to read the book yourself)
Alright, I'll bite. For the next few days, I'll offer a...
LATE BLACK FRIDAY+ DEAL!
Book my solo stand-up show for YOUR-YES-YOUR venue in 2026 + save a whopping 20% on the arbitrary £ we discuss to begin with.
Yes, 20%! Or more! Haggle! I don't mind.
My diary + DMs are open.
LATE BLACK FRIDAY+ DEAL!
Book my solo stand-up show for YOUR-YES-YOUR venue in 2026 + save a whopping 20% on the arbitrary £ we discuss to begin with.
Yes, 20%! Or more! Haggle! I don't mind.
My diary + DMs are open.
November 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Alright, I'll bite. For the next few days, I'll offer a...
LATE BLACK FRIDAY+ DEAL!
Book my solo stand-up show for YOUR-YES-YOUR venue in 2026 + save a whopping 20% on the arbitrary £ we discuss to begin with.
Yes, 20%! Or more! Haggle! I don't mind.
My diary + DMs are open.
LATE BLACK FRIDAY+ DEAL!
Book my solo stand-up show for YOUR-YES-YOUR venue in 2026 + save a whopping 20% on the arbitrary £ we discuss to begin with.
Yes, 20%! Or more! Haggle! I don't mind.
My diary + DMs are open.
Huge thanks TBI Media for having us and looking after this marvellous radio sanctuary, and to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show team for being so welcoming.
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
November 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Huge thanks TBI Media for having us and looking after this marvellous radio sanctuary, and to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show team for being so welcoming.
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
...Here are some selected highlights from my 3/4 century whizzthrough of Pause for Thought + its predecessor Five to Ten, inc. previous voices from Paul Simon to Barbara Cartland:
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
...Here are some selected highlights from my 3/4 century whizzthrough of Pause for Thought + its predecessor Five to Ten, inc. previous voices from Paul Simon to Barbara Cartland:
Pause for Thought annual get-together yesterday - what a great squad to be part of.
Chatted to many fine folks: bishops, rabbis, Scott Mills, R2 boss Helen and dozens more!
I was delighted to be asked to do a history of 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme too...
Chatted to many fine folks: bishops, rabbis, Scott Mills, R2 boss Helen and dozens more!
I was delighted to be asked to do a history of 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme too...
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Pause for Thought annual get-together yesterday - what a great squad to be part of.
Chatted to many fine folks: bishops, rabbis, Scott Mills, R2 boss Helen and dozens more!
I was delighted to be asked to do a history of 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme too...
Chatted to many fine folks: bishops, rabbis, Scott Mills, R2 boss Helen and dozens more!
I was delighted to be asked to do a history of 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme too...
If you have a church that might want a last-minute Comedy & Carols show, unusually I have a few gaps:
Tue 9 Dec
Tue 16
Thu 18 (London only)
Tue 23
Discount available due to late notice, though I'm sure folks are hungry for festive fun-times...
Want info? Send a letter up your chimney/email me.
Tue 9 Dec
Tue 16
Thu 18 (London only)
Tue 23
Discount available due to late notice, though I'm sure folks are hungry for festive fun-times...
Want info? Send a letter up your chimney/email me.
November 26, 2025 at 11:13 PM
If you have a church that might want a last-minute Comedy & Carols show, unusually I have a few gaps:
Tue 9 Dec
Tue 16
Thu 18 (London only)
Tue 23
Discount available due to late notice, though I'm sure folks are hungry for festive fun-times...
Want info? Send a letter up your chimney/email me.
Tue 9 Dec
Tue 16
Thu 18 (London only)
Tue 23
Discount available due to late notice, though I'm sure folks are hungry for festive fun-times...
Want info? Send a letter up your chimney/email me.
...and in a marvellous piece of casting, Phyllis' own great-great-granddaughter Flora plays her own great-grandmother, young Anne Twigg (first screen actress to play Anne Boleyn, and first screen actress to carry her own head - but that's not in this drama...)
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
...and in a marvellous piece of casting, Phyllis' own great-great-granddaughter Flora plays her own great-grandmother, young Anne Twigg (first screen actress to play Anne Boleyn, and first screen actress to carry her own head - but that's not in this drama...)
...Tamsin Greig plays first radio dramatist Phyllis Twigg Rory Kinnear is the BBC's first voice Arthur Burrows, with Amit Shah (Mr Bates vs The Post Office etc), Aja Dodd, Will Harrison Wallace, Haydn Watts, and you may even hear my voice in there somewhere...
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
...Tamsin Greig plays first radio dramatist Phyllis Twigg Rory Kinnear is the BBC's first voice Arthur Burrows, with Amit Shah (Mr Bates vs The Post Office etc), Aja Dodd, Will Harrison Wallace, Haydn Watts, and you may even hear my voice in there somewhere...
I can finally announce!
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I can finally announce!
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
I've updated www.comediansandcarols.com with links: Farnborough, Billericay, Knaphill, Hailsham, Much Wenlock, Kettering, Battle, Andover, Guildford.
+ I now a few gaps: Wed 3, Tue 9, Wed 10, Tue 15 or Thu 18 (London only) Dec... if you'd like a Christmas comedy show at yours?
+ I now a few gaps: Wed 3, Tue 9, Wed 10, Tue 15 or Thu 18 (London only) Dec... if you'd like a Christmas comedy show at yours?
November 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I've updated www.comediansandcarols.com with links: Farnborough, Billericay, Knaphill, Hailsham, Much Wenlock, Kettering, Battle, Andover, Guildford.
+ I now a few gaps: Wed 3, Tue 9, Wed 10, Tue 15 or Thu 18 (London only) Dec... if you'd like a Christmas comedy show at yours?
+ I now a few gaps: Wed 3, Tue 9, Wed 10, Tue 15 or Thu 18 (London only) Dec... if you'd like a Christmas comedy show at yours?
For the whereabouts of my comedy shows this weekend, follow my face:
November 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
For the whereabouts of my comedy shows this weekend, follow my face:
The latest @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast is a centenary dramatisation of a lost BBC broadcast...
On 12 Nov 1925 a celeb panel in a fancy hotel enjoyed wine + a gothic parlour game. The Celebrity Traitors of 1925!
On 12 Nov 2025 we re-enact 'An Evening of Mass Telepathy'.
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/350fce
On 12 Nov 1925 a celeb panel in a fancy hotel enjoyed wine + a gothic parlour game. The Celebrity Traitors of 1925!
On 12 Nov 2025 we re-enact 'An Evening of Mass Telepathy'.
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/350fce
November 12, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The latest @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast is a centenary dramatisation of a lost BBC broadcast...
On 12 Nov 1925 a celeb panel in a fancy hotel enjoyed wine + a gothic parlour game. The Celebrity Traitors of 1925!
On 12 Nov 2025 we re-enact 'An Evening of Mass Telepathy'.
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/350fce
On 12 Nov 1925 a celeb panel in a fancy hotel enjoyed wine + a gothic parlour game. The Celebrity Traitors of 1925!
On 12 Nov 2025 we re-enact 'An Evening of Mass Telepathy'.
Enjoy!
pod.fo/e/350fce
Next gigs...
This weekend (comedy clubs, with other acts):
Fri 7 - Southern Maltings, WARE
Sat 8 - Riverside Arts, SUNBURY
Next weekend (church solo shows):
Fri 14 - St Boniface, BUNBURY nr Chester
Sat 15 - ASHBOURNE Elim, Derbyshire
Do come out to play
paulkerensa.com/gigguide
This weekend (comedy clubs, with other acts):
Fri 7 - Southern Maltings, WARE
Sat 8 - Riverside Arts, SUNBURY
Next weekend (church solo shows):
Fri 14 - St Boniface, BUNBURY nr Chester
Sat 15 - ASHBOURNE Elim, Derbyshire
Do come out to play
paulkerensa.com/gigguide
November 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Next gigs...
This weekend (comedy clubs, with other acts):
Fri 7 - Southern Maltings, WARE
Sat 8 - Riverside Arts, SUNBURY
Next weekend (church solo shows):
Fri 14 - St Boniface, BUNBURY nr Chester
Sat 15 - ASHBOURNE Elim, Derbyshire
Do come out to play
paulkerensa.com/gigguide
This weekend (comedy clubs, with other acts):
Fri 7 - Southern Maltings, WARE
Sat 8 - Riverside Arts, SUNBURY
Next weekend (church solo shows):
Fri 14 - St Boniface, BUNBURY nr Chester
Sat 15 - ASHBOURNE Elim, Derbyshire
Do come out to play
paulkerensa.com/gigguide
I did 2 radio spots this morn, both on #CelebrityTraitors:
- BBC Radio2: Pause for Thought with Scott Mills - see pic, or hear here from 50:30:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
- PremierRadio: chat with Esther Higham on its biblical parallels & finale predictions: www.premier.plus/inspirationa...
- BBC Radio2: Pause for Thought with Scott Mills - see pic, or hear here from 50:30:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
- PremierRadio: chat with Esther Higham on its biblical parallels & finale predictions: www.premier.plus/inspirationa...
November 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
I did 2 radio spots this morn, both on #CelebrityTraitors:
- BBC Radio2: Pause for Thought with Scott Mills - see pic, or hear here from 50:30:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
- PremierRadio: chat with Esther Higham on its biblical parallels & finale predictions: www.premier.plus/inspirationa...
- BBC Radio2: Pause for Thought with Scott Mills - see pic, or hear here from 50:30:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
- PremierRadio: chat with Esther Higham on its biblical parallels & finale predictions: www.premier.plus/inspirationa...
3 years ago, my predictions for #celebritytraitors…
Maybe season 2?
Maybe season 2?
November 6, 2025 at 9:31 AM
3 years ago, my predictions for #celebritytraitors…
Maybe season 2?
Maybe season 2?
Tomorrow sums up my odd niche life:
7am: Broadcasting House, R2 Pause for Thought (theme: Celebrity Traitors. Do listen!)
am: bladder hospital (check-ups. TMI? Tough)
pm: Marconi House (site of the first BBC broadcast) to record a re-enactment
eve: Celebrity Traitors!
What a day
7am: Broadcasting House, R2 Pause for Thought (theme: Celebrity Traitors. Do listen!)
am: bladder hospital (check-ups. TMI? Tough)
pm: Marconi House (site of the first BBC broadcast) to record a re-enactment
eve: Celebrity Traitors!
What a day
November 5, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Tomorrow sums up my odd niche life:
7am: Broadcasting House, R2 Pause for Thought (theme: Celebrity Traitors. Do listen!)
am: bladder hospital (check-ups. TMI? Tough)
pm: Marconi House (site of the first BBC broadcast) to record a re-enactment
eve: Celebrity Traitors!
What a day
7am: Broadcasting House, R2 Pause for Thought (theme: Celebrity Traitors. Do listen!)
am: bladder hospital (check-ups. TMI? Tough)
pm: Marconi House (site of the first BBC broadcast) to record a re-enactment
eve: Celebrity Traitors!
What a day
Am I missing something?
Non-prince* Andrew will move from a house on the Windsor estate to a house on the Sandringham estate?
Could he just move to a house that’s NOT on a royal estate?
(*abbreviate if you must)
Non-prince* Andrew will move from a house on the Windsor estate to a house on the Sandringham estate?
Could he just move to a house that’s NOT on a royal estate?
(*abbreviate if you must)
November 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Am I missing something?
Non-prince* Andrew will move from a house on the Windsor estate to a house on the Sandringham estate?
Could he just move to a house that’s NOT on a royal estate?
(*abbreviate if you must)
Non-prince* Andrew will move from a house on the Windsor estate to a house on the Sandringham estate?
Could he just move to a house that’s NOT on a royal estate?
(*abbreviate if you must)
“Andrew - you have been banished. Before you leave my castle forever, please tell the world: are you a faithful, or are you a…”
October 20, 2025 at 8:08 AM
“Andrew - you have been banished. Before you leave my castle forever, please tell the world: are you a faithful, or are you a…”
Great to pay tribute to my old pal Steve Legg today at the Christian Resources Exhibition, with this lovely bunch. I'm the chancer sat between Mr Shine Jesus Shine and Mr Do Wah Diddy Diddy.
Cheers Steve, we're all big fans.
(pic: Kim Dopson)
Cheers Steve, we're all big fans.
(pic: Kim Dopson)
October 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Great to pay tribute to my old pal Steve Legg today at the Christian Resources Exhibition, with this lovely bunch. I'm the chancer sat between Mr Shine Jesus Shine and Mr Do Wah Diddy Diddy.
Cheers Steve, we're all big fans.
(pic: Kim Dopson)
Cheers Steve, we're all big fans.
(pic: Kim Dopson)
A fine time on BBC1’s Sunday Morning Live with Dawn, Mehreen + Sean looking at faith & ethics news:
-Renewables vs coal
-Vance vs Canterbury Cathedral
-AI vs Robin Williams’ family, inc a chance to talk about my dad’s LBD illness he shared with Mr W.
God bless humans, inc the gooduns who make this
-Renewables vs coal
-Vance vs Canterbury Cathedral
-AI vs Robin Williams’ family, inc a chance to talk about my dad’s LBD illness he shared with Mr W.
God bless humans, inc the gooduns who make this
October 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
A fine time on BBC1’s Sunday Morning Live with Dawn, Mehreen + Sean looking at faith & ethics news:
-Renewables vs coal
-Vance vs Canterbury Cathedral
-AI vs Robin Williams’ family, inc a chance to talk about my dad’s LBD illness he shared with Mr W.
God bless humans, inc the gooduns who make this
-Renewables vs coal
-Vance vs Canterbury Cathedral
-AI vs Robin Williams’ family, inc a chance to talk about my dad’s LBD illness he shared with Mr W.
God bless humans, inc the gooduns who make this
No YOU clear the clutter, Thames Water!
Here's an idea: pop the bill, payment plan + update all in one envelope.
...There, I've saved you money, now you save me money.
Here's an idea: pop the bill, payment plan + update all in one envelope.
...There, I've saved you money, now you save me money.
October 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
No YOU clear the clutter, Thames Water!
Here's an idea: pop the bill, payment plan + update all in one envelope.
...There, I've saved you money, now you save me money.
Here's an idea: pop the bill, payment plan + update all in one envelope.
...There, I've saved you money, now you save me money.
Two different shows in the next week in Hampshire...
Tonight - St James Church, Emsworth - solo comedy show
Wednesday 8th - Petersfield Museum - BBC origins show
Both nearly sold out, might squeeze you in. Google for deets.
Tonight - St James Church, Emsworth - solo comedy show
Wednesday 8th - Petersfield Museum - BBC origins show
Both nearly sold out, might squeeze you in. Google for deets.
October 4, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Two different shows in the next week in Hampshire...
Tonight - St James Church, Emsworth - solo comedy show
Wednesday 8th - Petersfield Museum - BBC origins show
Both nearly sold out, might squeeze you in. Google for deets.
Tonight - St James Church, Emsworth - solo comedy show
Wednesday 8th - Petersfield Museum - BBC origins show
Both nearly sold out, might squeeze you in. Google for deets.
About time too. Welcome to the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally.
Next stops: Pope, President and host of University Challenge/Mastermind.
Next stops: Pope, President and host of University Challenge/Mastermind.
October 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
About time too. Welcome to the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally.
Next stops: Pope, President and host of University Challenge/Mastermind.
Next stops: Pope, President and host of University Challenge/Mastermind.