Dead Ringers. Image shows from L to R: Lewis Macleod, Debra Stephenson, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey. Copyright: BBC
Dead Ringers

Dead Ringers

  • Radio sketch show
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2000 - 2023
  • 146 episodes (23 series)

Satirical impressionist show mocking the great and good, from politicians to those familar voices on Radio 4. Stars Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey, Lewis Macleod, Debra Stephenson and more.

  • Due to return for Series 24
Dead Ringers. Image shows from L to R: Lewis Macleod, Debra Stephenson, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey. Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sketch Show
Broadcast
2000 - 2023
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
146 (23 series), plus 5 highlights / drama special
Creator
Bill Dare
Stars
Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey, Lewis Macleod, Debra Stephenson, Phil Cornwell, Kevin Connelly, Mark Perry and more
Writers
Nev Fountain, Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Tom Coles, James Bugg, Sarah Campbell, Duncan Wisbey, Ed Amsden and more
Producers
Bill Dare, Mario Stylianides, Danny Wallace, Katie Tyrrell, Katie Marsden and Adam Bromley
Company

Dead Ringers is an impressionist show with a satirical bite.

Regular victims in the original series - which starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Kevin Connelly and Mark Perry - included Tony Blair, who keeps referring to his physical mannerisms; an almost totally incoherent Robin Cook; and the gaff-strewn speeches of George W. Bush.

As well as mocking politicians, Dead Ringers also makes fun of other Radio 4 programmes and personalities. Regular victims include the cast of The Archers, the (now no-longer running) patronising children's show Go4It, the surprisingly adult adventures of Alan Bennett and Thora Hird, and the most feared man on in the world, the bloodthirsty "Godfather of Radio 4", announcer Brian Perkins.

The episodes also feature a range of hoax calls, most of them involving the voice of the Tom Baker version of Doctor Who.

After 7 years off-air, the show returned in 2014 with a new cast of characters, and new cast members. Now, once again, no one is safe from merciless parody as the show aims to take down every programme, institution and politician you hold dear.

Catch-up

Additional details

Production
Studio

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 7th January 2000 at 6:30pm on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • BBC Radio Theatre
  • RADA Studios
  • Venue Cymru - 2018 episode
  • The Comedy Store (London) - 2019 Xmas Special
  • Zoom (Virtual)
  • The Cockpit (Marylebone) - Series 22
  • Bush Theatre - Series 23
  • Hay Festival - Series 24

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