Bleak Expectations. Image shows from L to R: Hardthrasher (Geoffrey Whitehead), Aunt Lily (Celia Imrie), Young Pip (Tom Allen), Mr Gently Benevolent (Anthony Head), Sir Philip Bin (Richard Johnson), Harry Biscuit (James Bachman). Copyright: BBC
Bleak Expectations

Bleak Expectations

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2007 - 2012
  • 30 episodes (5 series)

Radio comedy following the adventures of Pip Bin as he struggles against the cruel plotting of his evil guardian Mr Gently Benevolent. Stars Tom Allen, Anthony Head, Richard Johnson, James Bachman, Susy Kane and more.

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 3 - A Youth Utterly Crocked

Pip must thwart the plans of his evil guardian Mr Gently Benevolent. Can underwater squirrels, oddly placed church bells and a stint in the workhouse foil him in his noble quest? Or will Aunt Lily and her Gloucestershire racing cows save the day?

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 29th August 2007
Time
11:30am
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Friday 22nd January 2010 11:30pm Radio 7
Sunday 2nd January 2011 10:30pm Radio 7
Thursday 29th September 2011 11:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Thursday 9th February 2012 11:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Sunday 28th December 2014 10:30pm Radio 4 Extra
Friday 5th May 2017 11:00pm Radio 4 Extra

Cast & crew

Cast
Tom Allen Young Pip
Anthony Head Mr Gently Benevolent
Richard Johnson Sir Philip Bin
James Bachman Harry Biscuit
Susy Kane Pippa Bin
Sarah Hadland Lily
Geoffrey Whitehead Hardthrasher
Laurence Howarth Mr Parsimonious
Perdita Weeks Poppy Bin
Celia Imrie Aunt Lily
Guest cast
Mark Perry Bakewell Abertwitch
Mark Evans The Reverend
Writing team
Mark Evans Writer
Production team
Gareth Edwards Producer

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