What Have I Done?
The Sunday Times bestseller and a frank, witty memoir from a British comedy icon
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4.0 • 4 Ratings
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- £0.99
Publisher Description
The instant Sunday Times bestseller and critics' pick of the best biographies and memoirs of the year.
‘What Have I Done? snaps, crackles and pops with wit, bravado and glorious Ben-ness. A triumph’ – Stephen Fry
‘A big life chronicled by truly the Upstart Crow of our generation’ – Dawn French
Ben Elton has done everything and worked with everybody. Now, in this frank, forthright, and hugely entertaining book, he tells the whole story.
Discover the truth behind iconic hits like The Young Ones, Blackadder, and We Will Rock You. Relive the pioneering stand-up of Saturday Live that birthed a comedy revolution. From being the BBC’s youngest-ever sitcom writer to his most recent, critically acclaimed stand-up tour, Ben reveals unique insights into his groundbreaking work.
He talks honestly about his relationships with brilliant friends, inspiring contemporaries, and occasional foes. His life off-screen has been just as challenging and funny as it has been on, and he unpacks it all with wit, insight, and of course, a ‘little bit of politics’.
For decades, Ben’s been making people laugh, think, and getting on plenty of wicks – these are the uncensored stories.
‘Funny and fascinating, it’s a story of triumph and disaster and is the closest you’ll get to understanding where great comedy comes from’ – David Mitchell
'Bloody marvellous' – Jo Brand
What Have I Done? was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller w/e 11/10/2025.
Customer Reviews
Interesting and honest
Love him or hate him, this book explores those interesting times when popular music and popular culture changed forever at the end of the 1970s with Ben as one of those driving forces. He details the successes and failures with equal measure, both in his personal life and professional life.
Great insights into how the TV and movie industry work and the key players he met along the way. It’s worth a read just for that alone.
But his greatest successes have always been when he co-writes material for TV etc and not so good when writing / producing on his own. Aspects of which he does explore quite honestly.
Obviously covering the early days of such luminary players as Rik Mayall, Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson, it results in a compelling read if slightly egotistical in places. That sparkly suit has a lot to answer for. Recommended.
Entertaining and engaging autobiography
Entertaining and engaging autobiography from this prolific comedy writer, director and performer. Behind the scenes tales of the highs and lows of his long career and endless resilience in the face of critics.