Just a Classic Minute

24 more archive editions of the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons As if to prove the point that good humour never dates, this collection of archive Just a Minute includes episodes broadcast across four decades, from 1973 to 2009. As usual, players must attempt to speak for one minute on a given subject without hesitation, repetition or deviation and while at the mercy of both the stopwatch and their fellow contestants’ buzzers. Mirth, merriment and silliness are bound to follow, in a fashion that has made ‘JAM’ a beloved institution not only in this country but also around the world. Nicholas Parsons welcomes listeners to each episode and gives his firm but fair adjudication to the many tricky challenges that ensue. Regular players Kenneth Williams, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo and Paul Merton pit their wits against each other and guests Sheila Hancock, Jean Marsh, Magnus Pyke, Joan Bakewell, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Took, Jan Ravens, Brian Johnston, Gyles Brandreth, Martin Jarvis, Simon Bates, Craig Ferguson, Stephen Fry, Pete McCarthy, Steve Frost, Jenny Eclair, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Maria McErlane, Julian Clary, Linda Smith, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton, Tim Rice, Sue Perkins, Wendy Richard, Bill Bailey, Chris Neill, Charles Collingwood, Janey Godley, Shappi Khorsandi and Liza Tarbuck. Please note: Contains mild innuendo. The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Due to the archive nature of some of the episodes, the sound quality may vary. Cast and credits Devised by Ian Messiter Chaired by Nicholas Parsons Episode selection by Michael Stevens Music: The Minute Waltz (Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64) by Chopin With thanks to Keith Wickham and the Radio Circle for archive assistance. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Episode Guide 1 01 October 1973 Featuring Sheila Hancock, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 2 26 November 1973 Featuring Peter Jones, Jean Marsh, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 3 19 January 1977 Featuring Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Magnus Pyke, Kenneth Williams 4 27 March 1979 Featuring Joan Bakewell, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 5 9 May 1981 Featuring Tim Brooke-Taylor, Peter Jones, Barry Took, Kenneth Williams 6 25 April 1983 Featuring Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Jan Ravens, Kenneth Williams 7 16 May 1983 Featuring Brian Johnston, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 8 30 June 1984 Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Martin Jarvis, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 9 1 February 1986 Featuring Simon Bates, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 10 8 March 1993 Featuring Craig Ferguson, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Derek Nimmo 11 8 January 1994 Featuring Stephen Fry, Peter Jones, Pete McCarthy, Paul Merton 12 4 February 1995 Featuring Steve Frost, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Derek Nimmo 13 25 February 1995 Featuring Jenny Eclair, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Peter Jones, Paul Merton 14 22 June 1998 Featuring Steve Frost, Peter Jones, Maria McErlane, Paul Merton 15 15 January 2001 Featuring Julian Clary, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Paul Merton, Linda Smith 16 4 February 2002 Featuring Jenny Eclair, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton, Tim Rice 17 29 July 2002 Featuring Tony Hawks, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Sue Perkins, Wendy Richard 18 17 February 2003 Featuring Bill Bailey, Tony Hawks, Chris Neill, Linda Smith 19 21 March 2005 Featuring Tony Hawks, Chris Neill, Tim Rice, Linda Smith 20 24 July 2006 Featuring Charles Collingwood, Tony Hawks, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins 21 3 March 2008 Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Janey Godley, Tony Hawks, Kit Hesketh-Harvey 22 12 January 2009 Featuring Charles Collingwood, Shappi Khorsandi, Paul Merton, Graham Norton 23 9 February 2009 Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Liza Tarbuck 24 10 August 2009 Featuring Charles Collingwood, Jenny Eclair, Stephen Fry, Paul Merton © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd