What Have I Done? cover art

What Have I Done?

My Autobiography

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What Have I Done?

By: Ben Elton
Narrated by: Ben Elton
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Summary

What Has Ben Elton Done?

For the first - and only - time, Ben tackles this question head on in his frank, forthright and entertaining autobiography. Taking a deep dive into his life and times, both private and public, to reveal the true stories behind iconic hits such as The Young Ones, Blackadder and We Will Rock You, his pioneering routines hosting Saturday Live, which birthed a revolution in stand-up comedy, and so much more. Ben recounts his life and uniquely varied career from his Catford childhood and being the BBC's youngest ever sit com writer at 21 right up to the present day, with yet another hit sit com, Upstart Crow; a surprise late-life BAFTA; and his most critically acclaimed stand-up comedy show to date.

Alongside unique insights into his ground-breaking work, Ben talks honestly and hilariously about his personal and professional relationships with two generations of brilliant friends, inspiring contemporaries, occasional foes, and the times in which they all lived. And Ben's life has been just as challenging, rewarding and funny off screen as it has been on. He unpacks it all with wit, insight and complete honesty. And of course, there's a 'little bit of politics'.

After living sixty five years on the planet, forty-five of them in public, tickling many funny bones and getting on a respectable number of wicks, Ben has a lot of stories to tell, and he tells them unvarnished and uncensored - because that's who he is.

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Thankyou Ben for being wonderful company throughout this narration. I was with you in imagination. It’s no wonder your friends and family love you so much. You didn’t have a bad word for anyone, just surprise at the behaviour of one or two but always leaving it open for their defence and without rancour.
Please keep writing books.
Much love, Sue

His loving, warm hearted centre

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Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish . Now to revisit his back catalogue Thank you Ben

What a legend

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This is a terrific book. After a break I'm gonna listen again.
If you're thinking you might like to read this, I recommend you do. Stop dithering. Read it.
Cheers from Victoria, Australia.

Ben Elton bio

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Ben Elton has always been an excellent writer and his memoir is no exception. Honest, humorous, poignant, and sometimes ranty, the memoir is full of anecdotes and memories across his many years of being a writer and comedian. The amount of “firsts” he attributes to himself seem a little self-aggrandising, but he really was at the forefront of comedy in the 80s.
He’s never been afraid to call a spade a spade, and he owns his wins as much as his failures in this book.

Turns out, he’s done a lot

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Ther is something very re-assuring about learning that someone as talented, productive and, indeed, famous, as Ben Ellton not only retains a generous dollop of self-doubt, but also becomes startstruck at the recollection of encounters with childhood heroes like the Beatles!

I must admit to being particularly drawn to Ben's semi-migration to Western Australia, Having myself spent 55 years in Perth after growing up in England. For all his wit and artistry, it is revealing to learn that Ben's achievements have not stopped him from reaching the realisation that his most important role has been as a husband and father.

It's a great adventure, funny, revealing, moving, and full of love!

Insightful and intimate, and highly amusing!

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