Dead Ringers

Dead Ringers

'One of the finest comedy shows radio has come up with' -- The Times

'My name is William Hague, Conservative Party Leader. And I refuse to be referred to as the illegitimate spawn of Ann Widdecombe and Nicholas Parsons'

Dead Ringers transports you to an alternative Radio 4 where deadly continuity announcers rule the roost and Home Truths finally (inevitably?) clashes with John Peel's Radio 1 Show. Where a desperate Time Lord calls directory enquiries in search of his sworn arch-enemy and Alan Bennett and Thora Hird are the kind of thugs you most certainly wouldn't share your buttered scones with.

Alistair McGowan and fellow comics Jon Culshaw, Kate Robbins, Simon Lipson and Jan Ravens bring their considerable talent for mimicry to the airwaves, where the fields of politics, sport and entertainment are ploughed up and ridden rough-shod over in these four pincer-sharp episodes.

Dead Ringers. Dead Funny.

Written By
Jon Holmes, Andy Hurst, Simon Blackwell, Nev Fountain, Tom Jamieson. Richard Ayoade, Matt Holness, Ivor Baddiel, Ashley Boroda, D. A. Barham, Jon Culshaw, Gerard Foster, Mark Haynes, Lawrence Howart, Ewan Marshall, Trevor Lloyd & Rupert Russell

First Broadcast
BBC Radio 4
7 January 2000

Number of Series
Two (to date)
January 2000
June 2000

Dead Ringers The TV Series 2

Award-winning series Dead Ringers is back with highlights from its second television series. A huge hit on BBC Radio 4, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Kevin Connelly, Mark Perry and Phil Cornwell star once again in the best impression comedy on TV.

In this startling and hysterical alternate universe, David Dickinson is 'Auction Man', Mastermind gets 'sexed up', and Simon Schama and David Starkey battle it out - literally - in order to become television's leading historian.

In other wicked moments Delia Smith demonstrates How to Spectate, Ellen MacArthur tries her hand at some mundane chores, and Carry On Matron gets a Hollywood makeover.

Others joining Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Ozzy Osbourne, Gandalf and Greg Dyke include card-playing comedy duo Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.

Take a ringside seat for another TV swipe at the famous - and infamous - courtesy of Dead Ringers.

Dead Ringers: The TV Series 3

Just when politicians, celebrities and presenters thought they had got away with it, the award-winning Dead Ringers team is back with highlights from its third television series. A huge hit on BBC Radio 4, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Kevin Connelly, Mark Perry and Phil Cornwell star once again in the best impression comedy on TV.

Gordon Ramsay opens a new chapter of Hell's Kitchen with Hell's Library, there's the Ringers' take on Newsnight, Location Location Location, and Friends gets the Newsnight Review treatment.

Dead Ringers - Series 5 & 6

In this bumper edition of episodes from the fifth and sixth series, Graham Norton meets his match in Brian from Big Brother, Rabbi Lionel Blue is stranded on a reality radio version of Desert Island Discs, and demons quake when they face Hyacinth the Vampire Slayer. Russell Crowe and John Gielgud take starring roles in Scooby Doo, whilst the soothing harmonies of the Sing Something Simple gang crop up in the most unexpected places. Add infidelity in Ambridge, George Bush's Christmas and more phone calls from the Doctor for another riotous collection of sketches starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Kevin Connelly, Mark Perry and Phil Cornwell

Dead Ringers - Series 7

As the BBC bids a solemn farewell to a much-loved national figure, across the pond George Bush is played by Russell Crowe in the new film A Beautificacious Mind. In Ambridge, Brian and Siobhan receive the tragic news that their baby will be voiced by Martin Jarvis, whilst on Crimewatch Nick Ross investigates the mysterious theft of a certain globe-shaped BBC balloon.

Elsewhere, Nigella Lawson gives a dire warning about the perils of buying dodgy used recipes, and the Doctor tries to place a small ad for his next assistant. George Lucas' latest blockbuster tells of a young boy named Blair who dreamed of saving the galaxy, and Dale Winton ropes Graham Norton and Barbara Windsor into some showbiz coverage of the local elections.

Dead Ringers Series 10

All five instalments from the tenth series of the hugely popular BBC radio 4 comedy series

Dead Ringers ruthlessly takes the rip out of the celebrities we love to laugh at, be they actors, pop stars, politicians or those talented few who are simply famous for being famous.

Amongst the wicked highlights in these five episodes are an advert for a great new audiobook, Martin Jarvis Reads Saddam Hussein's Post-War Terror Messages, and some less-than-helpful tips from the Location Location Location team.

John Humphrys puts the staff of a hairdressing salon in the Mastermind chair, Dame Judi Dench and Martin Jarvis (again) attempt to break down a few racial stereotypes, and gangster rap star Shaggy masquerades as the Defence Secretary to answer some awkward political questions...

Dead Ringers - The Specials

The Archers Special
In celebration of 50 years of Ambridge, the Ringers team create their own affectionate tribute to the village. The Doctor calls Lynda Snell with a curious request, whilst Joe Grundy finds himself on Mastermind and Ann Widdecombe is stranded in a strange land. With Brian Perkins stalking the parish, which character will prove to be The Weakest Link?

Election Special
No politician escapes unscathed in this skewed take on the 2001 General Election. Brian 'Scaramanga' Perkins announces his own manifesto, whilst George W. Bush calls the famous Mr Blair and Sue MacGregor interviews Ali G. As for the Doctor, just what are the long-distance voting options for time travellers?

Unbroadcast material
A selection of sketches, featuring all your favourite characters, which didn't find their way onto the airwaves!

Dead Ringers - The Best of the Radio Series

New from 'BBC Enterprises' - the very best highlights from the award-winning BBC Radio 4 series

This compilation contains the funniest sketches of the award-winning and immensely popular BBC Radio 4 series. Featuring the unique vocal talents of Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly, Phil Cornwall and Alistair McGowan, this is cutting-edge comedy combined with razor-sharp impressions from the hilarious Dead Ringers team.

The Archers goes interactive, Ruth gets some bad news {'Oh nooo!'} and Brian 'Hard Man' Perkins takes on The Weakest Link's Anne Robinson - and wins. Patrick Moore books a taxi to Uranus for a very reasonable five dollars, Charlotte Green gets sexed-up -("is that a gun in your pocket or are you just pleased to hear me?") - and Doctor Who calls directory enquiries in his search for The Master, and then phones himself - twice!

Among your other favourites coming under fire in this comical collection are George W. Bush - and his search for Saddam's 'Penguins of Mass Destruction' - Rolf Harris meets Droopy in Cartoon Animal Hospital, Zippy from Rainbow tries Faking It as Cherie Blair, and You and Yours celebrates 1,000 years of broadcasting.

There's a new reality show to end them all (Desert Island Discs, featuring a real castaway on a desert island), and the Queen appears on Royal Brain of Britain...