One of ‘best radio series of all time’ is returning for | UK News

A long-running favorite of BBC Radio 4 listeners has returned with a model new episode. John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme aired its latest particular on August 25, marking the acclaimed sketch show’s first instalment in over a 12 months. The 45-minute episode, now obtainable on BBC Sounds, reunites Finnemore with his common forged – Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin and Carrie Quinlan – alongside composer Susannah Pearse at the piano and Sally Stares on cello.

The show promised “the funniest things John thought of in the last year” and delivered its common combine of witty sketches, surreal ideas and sharp observations.

First broadcast in 2011, Souvenir Programme rapidly established itself as one of the standout sketch reveals of current many years. Each episode options largely unconnected sketches, often lampooning social awkwardness, on a regular basis habits, or placing a comedian twist on basic literature, fairy tales and historical past.

Over the years, recurring options have change into fan favourites. These embrace “Since You Ask Me”, Finnemore’s eccentric storyteller closing routine; “Animal Designers”, which imagines animals as flawed prototypes; and the “Interview Sketch”, where Carrie Quinlan’s Patsy Straightwoman interviews characters from Finnemore’s creativeness.

Other staples, such as “The Archers Accidentally”, affectionate parodies of long-running radio soaps, and the spoof adverts for Mulligan’s, have additional cemented the series’ repute for ingenious, layered humour.

The show has not been afraid to experiment with format. A 2021 series centered on a single household across 5 generations, with episodes performed out in reverse chronology. In 2023 and 2024, Finnemore wrote one-off specials instead of full runs, including sketches impressed by his transfer to a village with a disputed identify.

The 2025 particular, however, marked a return to the standard sketch format, full with a playful “Cast Complaints” sketch poking enjoyable at Finnemore’s frequent modifications. The “Since You Ask Me” section was also positioned in the center of the episode for a twist on conference.

Over its run, John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme has picked up a number of accolades. It was named Best British Radio Sketch Show in the British Comedy Guide Awards 2011, received Silver for Best Comedy at the 2014 Radio Academy Awards, and was shortlisted the same 12 months at the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards.

Listeners and critics alike often place the programme among the best of its sort. With 9 full series, a number of specials and CD releases, it has change into a trendy staple of Radio 4 comedy.

The latest 45-minute episode, first broadcast on August 25, can now be streamed on BBC Sounds.