Ned Sherrin

Behind the Curtain of Satire

In this uproarious autobiography, Ned Sherrin invites readers to step into the smoky green rooms and glittering studios of post–war Britain, where laughter was both a weapon and a balm. From his early days as a budding writer at the fledgling That Was the Week That Was to the glittering heights of West End theatre and radio’s golden era, Sherrin’s razor-sharp wit cuts through the pomp and pretension of showbusiness. With frank recollections of cross-channel TV lunches, backstage pranks, and the endless pursuit of the perfect punch-line, he reveals how satire reshaped a nation—and how, in turn, the nation reshaped him.

The Maestro of Mischief

Sherrin’s career reads like a whirlwind tour of 20th-century entertainment: scripting boundary-pushing TV specials with David Frost, directing award-winning stage revues, and producing landmark radio documentaries that captured the heartbeats of cultural icons. Along the way, he shares unforgettable encounters with legends—Lenny Bruce’s lightning-fast riffs, Judi Dench’s mischievous stage whispers, and the day Noël Coward taught him that timing is everything. Through laugh-out-loud anecdotes and moments of unexpected poignancy, Sherrin lays bare the joys and travails of a life spent balancing satire’s sharp edge with the warmth of human connection.

Encore of a Life Lived Large

As he reflects on fame’s fleeting spotlight, the rise of new media, and the irrepressible spirit of the performers who shaped his world, Sherrin offers a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. Whether you’re a devoted fan of British comedy or simply a lover of quicksilver storytelling, Ned Sherrin delivers a witty, wise, and warmly candid testament to the power of laughter—and the extraordinary life of the man who chased it from the wings to center stage.

. Ned Sherrin was a pioneering English broadcaster, director, and satirist, celebrated for his trailblazing work on television, radio, and the stage, whose irreverent charm and incisive humor made him one of the most influential figures in British entertainment.