Episode description

Stephen Fry nominates his hero PG Wodehouse, a writer who he says simply cheers him up like no one else.

Fry wrote to his hero when he was a schoolboy and his most treasured possession is a signed photograph which reads:

"To Stephen Fry, All the best, PG Wodehouse."

PG Wodehouse was a self-made man, he began as a bank clerk, married a chorus girl and was interned by the Nazis.

He wrote some of the most entertaining novels, stories, plays and lyrics of the 20th century and created enduring characters; the most popular being Reginald Jeeves and Bertie Wooster.

Stephen makes the case for why PG Wodehouse is a great life.

To help him he is joined by Dr Sophie Ratcliffe Associate Professor in English, University of Oxford and author of 'PG Wodehouse - A life in Letters'.

Presented by Matthew Parris.

Producer: Perminder Khatkar

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.