The Versatile Voice of Kenneth Williams: A Centenary Celebration

February 22nd 2026 marks 100 years since the birth of Kenneth Williams.

Wes Butters is on hand to guide us through an eclectic selection of programmes from the BBC Archives as he attempts to discover the many different sides of the beloved comic performer, actor and writer.

Michael Sheen shares how he got into the character of Kenneth for the BBC Four programme Fantabulosa!

Plus we'll hear from guests who worked with Kenneth including actress Thelma Ruby, presenter Ken Bruce and writer John Lahr.

Wes also speaks to Jackanory producer Jeremy Swan about his friendship with Kenneth, Bishop James Jones discusses Kenneth's faith, and producer Simon Brett talks about working with Kenneth on the early series of Just A Minute.

Programmes include:

Desert Island Discs (4 Extra Debut)
Kenneth is castaway by Michael Parkinson.

Hancock's Half Hour: The Wild Man of the Woods
The Lad announces that he's rejecting society to go and live a truly rural life.

Home This Afternoon (4 Extra Debut)
Kenneth talks to Peter Davalle about his life and career.

Strength In A Parched Place
A Bible story read by Kenneth Williams.

The Secret Life of Kenneth Williams (4 Extra Debut)
R.D. Wingfield’s fantastical tale in which Kenneth plays a secret agent version of himself.

The Streets of London (4 Extra Debut)
Kenneth invites Percy Edwards and Johnny Morris around the streets of his London.

Just A Minute (4 Extra Debut)
Nicholas Parsons challenges Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Ami MacDonald and Kenneth Williams

Big and Little (4 Extra Debut)
One of Sue Limb's stories written for very young children, starring Roy Kinnear as Big and Kenneth Williams as Little.

Round the Horne
Kenneth Horne welcomes the Palone Ranger, plus bona secrets of the BBC are revealed.

Diary of a Madman
Nikolai Gogol's insight into the mind of a man sliding into madness. Read by Kenneth Williams.

The Law Game (4 Extra Debut)
Kenneth Williams, Nerys Hughes and Ian McCaskill join Shaw Taylor to give verdicts on some challenging law cases. From 1988.

Presenter: Wes Butters
Producer: Chris Pearson
Archive Researcher: Andrew Jupp