The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa

In the first week of December 1923, the one-year-old British Broadcasting Company gave us two notable firsts, from different cultures: Its first Gaelic broadcast, and its first Muslim broadcast.

Neither are widely reported, but they offer a glimpse into an early BBC that might be more diverse and eager to share different voices than it's often thought. We've done some digging, and although there are no clips, we've found a few details - including some of the text. Plus when do you think the BBC first broadcast the Muslim call to prayer? Earlier than you might think...

Here in our moment-by-moment timeline, we share what we know about these landmark moments, with guest Remona Aly joining us to cast her eye over the recently rediscovered text of that earliest known broadcast about the Islamic faith. It was by high-profile Muslim convert Shaikh Rahmatullah al-Farooq, aka Lord Headley, aka Rowland George Allanson Allanson-Winn (yes, posh white British nobleman seems to have been the acceptable voice of minority religion at this point).

First we meet Rev John Bain, from the High United Free Church in Aberdeen, a native Gaelic speaker from Big Sand, Gairloch, Wester Ross. He gave a 15 minute sermon in Gaelic on Sunday 2 December 1923. (It may even have been the BBC's first church service, contrary to the historical record that St Martin-in-the-Fields began such services under Rev Dick Sheppard in early 1924.) Meanwhile Wireless Weekly magazine discuss English-speaking announcers struggling to introduce songs like Mo Ribhinn Chaoimhneil.

Two days later on Tuesday 4 December 1923, according to the Radio Times listing: "The Rt Hon Lord Headley, the famous Moslem Peer, will Talk on his recent experiences at Mecca." We've found a write-up in the RT of his 'Pilgrimage to Mecca' - enlightening about the man himself and his travels, as guest of King Hussein of Hejaz. See the show notes below to read the full text, and hear some of it on the podcast. And hear of other early Muslim BBC broadcasts, including the 'Call from the Minaret' in July 1925 and a reading from the Qur'an ten years later.

Journalist and broadcaster Remona Aly guides us through his experiences and gives her thoughts on reconnecting with a century-old tale of the Hajj pilgrimage. And we have a bit of a chuckle at how he kept fumbling his Magic Lantern show at his live events - yes, the Powerpoint fail of 1923.

Oh indeed, the early BBC wasn't all Christian sermons - whether in English or in Gaelic...

Plus we pay tribute to broadcast historian Tony Currie and TV presenter Dame Esther Rantzen, daughter of Harry... Who? Hear more here.

Plus a newly uploaded gramophone record parodying the early BBC, Paul's PhD is underway at Loughborough University, and we've been nominated for Best History Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards. Aw, thanks!

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 129: Orson Welles' War of the Worlds broadcast + an early BBC ghost story 

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

The BBC's first:

...however you phrase it, Gertrude Jennings' Five Birds in a Cage deserves far more attention than it's had for the past century and a bit.

In our moment-by-moment British broadcasting timeline it's 29 November 1923 when the BBC set the template for the modern radioplay with this adaptation of Jennings' satirical stageplay about five Tube passengers trapped in a lift. Will they get out? Will they throttle each other first? What does it have in common with Blackadder Goes Forth?

The BBC had broadcast a drama aimed at children (The Truth about Father Christmas by Phyllis Twigg - see episode 72 of this podcast), some Shakespeare plays (see episode 55 of this podcast), an excerpt of GK Chesterton and the occasional on-location panto. But the in-house modern radio drama was a new idea.

Although Richard Hughes' A Comedy of Danger from 1924 is credited as the first original radio play for adults, Five Birds in a Cage was an impressive adaptation of Gertrude Jennings' 1915 stage play of the same name - and it was reviewed on air too.

In this episode, three experts bring you everything you never knew you needed to know about Jennings and her work. Professor Tim Crook is Emeritus Professor at Goldsmiths University of London, and author of Writing Audio Drama among many other books, as well as the superb blog at kulturapress.com. Nicola Morgan and Dr Caroline Rance host the excellent and vital She Wrote Too podcast, elevating and amplifying under-appreciated female writers from the early twentieth century.

Plus hear that first review of a radio play by Archibald Haddon the first BBC drama critic. We tell of other forgotten radio drama moments, including Howard Rose's recollections of a dramatic broadcast on 2 September 1922, pre-BBC. And you'll hear Peter Eckersley and Rolls Wynn on their Cyrano de Bergerac broadcast from 17 October 1922. Plus the bizarre quirk that makes her the first writer to have two different productions on two different channels at the same time... for five minutes anyway.

Gertrude Jennings wrote quite a play - a social satire, a farce, a character comedy, with sound effects and a point to make. We're delighted to shout about it here - and see our shownotes below for She Wrote Too's podcast about her too, as well as Tim Crook's writing about her and other forgotten female writers.

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 128: Early Muslim and Gaelic voices on the BBC 

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

26 November-2 December 1923, and the BBC and the USA had a little conversation. Well, a big conversation, across an ocean, across a week, heard by listeners east and west of the Atlantic.

Our moment-by-moment timeline of British broadcasting has reached this momentous moment (aren't all moments momentous?) when British ears heard America, and American ears heard Britain, via radio.

It was all Radio Broadcast magazine's fault/idea. Its co-owner, Frank Doubleday of Doubleday, Page and Co, thought it would be nice for the two countries to hear each via some organised tests - and while US radio had reached the UK, the time difference made it trickier for the signals to be heard the other way around. It meant BBC staff setting their alarms for a few days of 3am broadcasts, and Biggin Hill Aerodrome proved the ideal place for the engineers to pick up what America was sending.

So this episode comes live (well, recorded) from Biggin Hill Aerodrome. You can even hear the odd plane.

It was here that BBC Deputy Chief Engineer Captain West and team listened for US radio - and ate Mrs West's fried sausages. Oh yes, we bring you all the details, including Reith and Eckersley singing God Save the King...

...and we bring you a guest: BBC producer and presenter Josephine McDermott has made an Archive on 4 documentary on international shortwave radio - The Sound of Soft Power. Link below, have a listen, and hear her tell us of the joy of finding such archive. 

A second part of the 1923 experiments came after Christmas that year, so a second part of this story will be on the podcast in a few episodes time - around ep 132, when Prof Simon J Potter will enlighten us on the BBC's global reach, linked to the Pittsburgh and Paris broadcasts heard on the BBC in late 1923. 

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 127: Early radio drama from Gertrude Jennings.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

We're back in our moment-by-moment timeline of British broadcasting's early days, and it's just after the BBC's first birthday...

16 November 1923: Sheffield 6FL becomes the BBC's first relay station, rebroadcasting programmes from Manchester.

But will there be original local content too? What of Sheffield's pre-BBC radio station? And is it coincidence that '6FL' could link to 'Fred Lloyd' - the man who made Sheffield broadcasting possible? Was it not he who marched into BBC Chief Engineer Peter Eckersley's office and said: "Have you heard the wireless in Sheffield? It's like an insurrection in hell!"

...Discover the truths, the maybes, the pioneering moments and the hidden history of this long-ignored station, from our Newspaper Detective Andrew Barker, who I'm convinced knows more than anyone on the planet about the Sheffield relay station 6FL, and what came before it.

Plus exclusive rare audio from Harry Lloyd in 1968, talking about how he and his dad began it all. We're so grateful to today's BBC Radio Sheffield and Sheffield City Archives for permission to share this clip, with an insight into not only how Sheffield broadcasting began in 1923, but the first days of local radio when that interview was broadcast on BBC Radio Sheffield, just months into its existence as the second local radio station of the modern era.

Thanks to Fred Lloyd, the Sheffield station achieved far more than the history books might let on - bringing the first educational broadcast to schools before the BBC, and the first broadcasting bishop.

A few key dates of Fred Lloyd and the Sheffield station's story, thanks to Andrew Barker...

20 Oct 1922: Fred Lloyd becomes President of the Sheffield and District Wireless Society, unusually giving his inaugural speech by radio from his home, to a packed hall of 800 members - facing an empty stage with just a loudspeaker.

31 Dec 1922: The Bishop of Sheffield, the local MP and a local newspaper editor broadcast from Fred Lloyd's home. That's the first bishop on air!

21 March 1923: Britain's first broadcast to schools, three of them in Sheffield, thanks to Fred Lloyd.

12 April 1923: BBC Chief Engineer Peter Eckersley visits Sheffield, and tests are carried out. Will the BBC take it over? (Yes.) The relay idea is born days later.

9 July 1923: Test transmissions begin at the university, again thanks to Fred Lloyd.

14 August 1923: The first attempt at relaying another station.

17 August 1923: Fred Lloyd says he hopes local programming continues, despite the relaying of other stations. Will it?

1 Sept 1923: Local newspapers run the Sheffield station for an evening.

13 Sept 1923: Fred Lloyd gives the experimental station's farewe... oh that would be spoiling it. You'll have to listen.

16 Nov 1923: Sheffield 6FL opens, under the BBC banner.

...So that's where we are in our timeline. Coming up on the podcast: November 1923 continues with transatlantic broadcasting, relays from France, early drama, an upcoming election, and BBC's first Muslim broadcaster. Stay subscribed and see the shownotes below for our social mediums and the like...

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 126: International broadcasting in November-December 1923.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

Broadcasting House, 1932: The BBC's first purpose-built home. 

When it first opened, some likened it to a ship, others to a New York skyscraper. And it was once called a Palace of the Ether...

That's the title of a new book by architectural historian Dr Elizabeth Darling, who joins us this episode for an audio tour of the building's earliest incarnation - from the outside design and sculptures to the Concert Hall/Radio Theatre, via the unique studios and the art deco reception, complete with Latin motto and statute of The Sower, still there today.

It's an incredible building, and whether you know a lot or a little, I'm sure you'll learn something new about BH - whether it's the bomb that didn't bother the newsreader, the WW2 dormitory, or the only studio you could smoke in, surrounded by fake books.

For the last couple of years, I've given walking tours of central London via spots linked with broadcasting history. Not this year alas, so this audio tour of the building we usually start with will be just what you need instead.

Plus one of your reviews gets chosen to 'win' a pretend piece of broadcasting history, and we look at how the BBC might change going forward, if you were in charge...

Look out for Elizabeth Darling's book - see link below - and stay subscribed to the podcast for more tales of early British broadcasting. Next time, we're back in November 1923 for the BBC's ninth station, and its first relay station: 6FL Sheffield. And we've got some rare clips for you...

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 125: We're back in our timeline in Nov 1923 for the first BBC relay station, Sheffield 6FL.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

On 1 January 1951, the BBC broadcast "a farming Dick Barton", aka "an everyday story of country folk", aka The Archers - the world's longest running broadcast drama.

Approximately 21,000 episodes later, it celebrates its diamond anniversary with a national tour of theatres, hosted by comedian and Archers fan Angela Barnes - who joins us this episode to tell us all about the show, and the show.

The live tribute features Archers cast members, a Q&A, an Ambridge-style pub quiz, and of course its iconic theme. It plays from Liverpool to London, Glasgow to Swansea. Enjoy!

Also this episode, less gladly, we consider the upcoming BBC cuts - and while we may not welcome news that Radio 4's The World Tonight or Midnight News are to go (and that's just the start), what would you cut, if you were DG?

I asked online, I wrote a Substack about it, and this episode we look at a few of the more frequent suggestions, from some of you. If you have further thoughts, do email the show and we might feature you next time.

We're also featuring your kind reviews of this podcast, if you've posted to Apple Podcasts. Thanks if so! If you haven't and would consider such a thing, please do and next time you-yes-you could be the proud winner of a fictitious piece of British broadcasting history...

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 124: We're back in our timeline in Nov 1923 for the first BBC relay station, Sheffield 6FL.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

On this special episode, we delve into early television with Professor John Wyver, whose book and conference is all about those overlooked decades of Stooky Bill, I think that's a pen, and vertical screens no bigger than a postcard. Sound familiar?

2026 is a big television centenary. On 26 January 1926, John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of television, showing moving images to a small gathering of scientists at his Frith Street laboratory in central London.

To celebrate, Magic Rays of Light: The Early Years of Television in Britain is a new book by Professor John Wyver - writer, producer and Professor of the Arts on Screen at the University of Westminster.

That university will soon be hosting a live in-person conference, The Cultures of Early Television, on 2 and 3 July at London's Portland Hall, not too far from today's BBC Broadcasting House. John Wyver is organising this, and joins us to talk us through the early years of television, the programmes available, the people behind it, what cinema made of TV, whether John Reith was a fan, how well-off were its first viewers, and much more.

Plus 27 June 2026 sees the end of longwave in the UK, so we take a quick look at how it developed, and herald an event by Cray Valley Radio Society that you can listen to or go to (if you're near Eltham).

It's all part of a few episodes themed on things you can go to this summer, from last episode's Asking Elvis show to next episode's Archers retrospective, via my own show An Evening of (Very) Old Radio and John Wyver's early television conference. Details of all of these in the shownotes, so read on...

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 123: The Archers Live at 75 with comedian and broadcaster Angela Barnes. Then we're back in our timeline in Nov 1923 for the first BBC relay station, Sheffield 6FL.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

"Thank you very much..."

Ask Elvis was one of the most popular features on one of the most popular radio shows - Steve Wright in the Afternoon on BBC Radio 2.

Running from about 2005-14, a mystery voice brought back the omniscient Elvis to solve listeners' ailments, questions on quantum physics, advanced cookery, language issues... It was Encyclopaedia Brittanica meets the King.

Well, mystery no longer, as comedian and musician Mitch Benn lifts the quiff and the sunglasses to reveal the true identity behind Ask Elvis, readying for an Edinburgh Fringe show (and previews across the country through June and July) called Asking Elvis, with tales, revelations and re-enactments of those halcyon days when Elvis knew all.

In this extensive chat, we also look at Mitch's time on The Now Show and his involvement with The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

And your host Paul on his medical ups and downs - a stroke - that's delayed some of the research, but not for long. We're back in our 1920s timeline soon, or perhaps next time there'll be other events you can go to this year, from The Archers Live at 75 with Angela Barnes, to Prof John Wyver's early television conference in July, to Paul Kerensa's An Evening of (Very) Old Radio hitting Weston-super-Mare and other places. Links in the shownotes to these and more - do browse,

Now is a better time than usual to join our Patreon page. Why better? Well better for this podcast! Post-stroke, Paul's had to cancel  a lot of live events - the bread-and-butter of his work. One thing he can switch to is this podcast. So if you're on the fence about joining for £5/month, you'll help fund future episodes and keep Paul from having to retrain as a stick insect keeper (or something). Link in notes below - do consider joining us, and writings/videos/warmy fuzzy feeling of supporting this podcast and its research will all be yours!

And go and see Mitch this June-August 2026...

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 122: We MIGHT be back in our chronological retelling in Nov 1923, launching the BBC's first relay station, Sheffield 6FL. Pending stroke recovery. Doing ok. But let's see. Or hear, next time on the podcast.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

And did the Beeb, in ancient times,

...Till Reith has built Jerusalem,

*and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland's

===

In the third and final part of our General Strike special, 100 years on, we look at 10-12 May 1926, in a week that changed the BBC forever - as John Reith walked a tightrope of independence and impartiality.

Plus the legacy of the strike, how it changed the BBC, and of course we couldn't resist bringing you the iconic moment of Reith announcing the strike's end, by reading Jerusalem with accompanying orchestra and choir. While there was no recording at the time, Reith re-enacted it in 1932.

The newspapers, the bulletins, the occasional later reminiscence (Peter Eckersley, Stuart Hibberd...), this aims to be the most thorough - and yet I hope entertaining - retelling of the BBC and the General Strike. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did putting it together.

With thanks to these excellent resources...

Radicalstroud.co.uk

Warwick Digital Collections at the University of Warwick

The Trades Union Congress

The BBC Written Archive Centre

1926 The General Strike edited by Jeffrey Skelley

Into the Wind by John Reith

Asa Briggs’ The Birth of Broadcasting

Ian McIntyre’s Expense of Glory

Peter Eckersley’s The Power Behind the Microphone

The BBC A People’s History by David Hendy

Our Newspaper Detective Andrew Barker - and the various newspaper articles

Trevor Howard and his article Immovable object, irresistible force: Reith, Churchill and BBC ‘impartiality’

Nine Days in May – radio drama by Robin Glendinning

Churchill vs Reith – radio drama by Mike Harris

Random Radio Jottings: https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2025/01/churchill-and-bbc.html

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 121: Ask Elvis, The Archers, The Cultures of Early Television conference, and An Evening of (Very) Old Radio - all live events you come to this summer. We'll chat to those behind these do-please-come-along happenings.

Then on Episode 122, we're back in our chronological retelling in Nov 1923, for the launch of the first relay station, Sheffield 6FL.

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio

6-9 May 1926, in a week that changed the BBC forever... this is part 2 of our 3-part special on the BBC and the General Strike

100 years ago this week (at time of podcast release), two million strikers were out in solidarity with the miners. It brought unique challenges to the BBC - with Winston Churchill trying to take it over, a tightrope of independence and impartiality, and broadcast requests from the Archbishop of Canterbury (no), the Leader of the Opposition (no), the TUC (no) and the Prime Minister (come on in sir!).

John Reith welcomes the PM to his own home, even rewriting his speech for him while he's on air. It's all part of what we're calling The BBC and the General Strike in 5 (Over-)Steps.

This episode, we'll discover over-reaching editorialising of the news, Reith the rewriter and those notably absent voices of opposition. Hmm. But then again, what would you do differently... and would that hand to Churchill the BBC on a plate?

All will become clear, in our day-to-day guide through the middle of the General Strike during those nine days in May 1926.

This episode looks at 6-9 May. Last episode we looked at 3-5 May. Next episode we'll look at 10-14 May plus the General Strike's legacy (and Reith's apologies).

I hope you'll agree it's a fascinating tale, worth us taking the long way round. The details - from the role played by Reith's creaky office chair to his mum listening to the PM through the study door, and from Earl Grey's doorstep duel to Peter Eckersley's shock when he discovers imbalanced news - are deserving of retelling. So thanks for listening, if you do. And you should. Join us! 

Part 3 follows on 10 May 2026 - 100 years on from the moments featured. Be subscribed to get the episodes when they land.

With thanks to these excellent resources...

Radicalstroud.co.uk

Warwick Digital Collections at the University of Warwick

The Trades Union Congress

The BBC Written Archive Centre

1926 The General Strike edited by Jeffrey Skelley

Into the Wind by John Reith

Asa Briggs’ The Birth of Broadcasting

Ian McIntyre’s Expense of Glory

Peter Eckersley’s The Power Behind the Microphone

The BBC A People’s History by David Hendy

Our Newspaper Detective Andrew Barker - and the various newspaper articles

Trevor Howard and his article Immovable object, irresistible force: Reith, Churchill and BBC ‘impartiality’

Nine Days in May – radio drama by Robin Glendinning

Churchill vs Reith – radio drama by Mike Harris

Random Radio Jottings: https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2025/01/churchill-and-bbc.html

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 120: The General Strike at 100, part 3: Reith wins?

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio