Part Three: The Private World of Kenneth Williams Read by David Benson

This is Part Three of the three-part radio version of The Private World of Kenneth Williams, which includes some material not released on the BBC CD in 2004, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 FM, 25 November 2003
Part Three finds Williams increasingly embattled by ill-health but still undertaking a busy performance schedule. Alongside the diary readings are extracts from Just A Minute, Round The Horne, The Kenneth Williams Show, his classic ‘French’ song Crepe Suzette, interviews with Russell Harty and Joan Rivers and a last hurrah for Julian and Sandy on Wogan, only six months before his death from an overdose of barbiturates at the age of 62. The Coroner recorded an 'open' verdict.
David Benson came to public attention in 1996 with his critically acclaimed solo show 'Think No Evil of Us: My Life With Kenneth Williams'.
His first association with Williams, however, was when, as a thirteen-year old schoolboy, his entry to the 1975 Jackanory Story-writing Competition, 'The Rag and Bone Man', was chosen by Williams as one of the five he read on the programme that week.
BBC press release for the CD version of the programme
www.bbc.co.uk/p...

[@jenniebugs1]

My heart wrenched with compassion as the lights dimmed in his soul.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Thank you so very much for these wonderful readings and excerpts from Ken's Diaries. The ending was so sudden and final... Truly touching. He was a wonderful, complicated and tragic man. But at times he transcends the mundane with his observations of the ordinary. Thanks again.

[@npc3po301]

That last entry breaks my heart every time

[@miriamwilson9542]

I so loved this man, from v early in my life...and still do. I KNOW that he s happy now.

[@Sameoldfitup]

'Suffering is one very long moment. We cannot divide it by seasons. We can only record its moods, and chronicle their return.'' --- Oscar Wilde.

[@nononame113]

Brilliant reading. Easy to forget it isn't KW himself.

[@michellemacquarrie9587]

An excellent series all round. Beautifully read diary entries.

[@ashandspirit9736]

Wonderful series , read so well

[@philipwilliams9060]

........ Thank You David - so Much to read 'between the lines' have sub., Phil Liverpool UK 🇬🇧 👍

[@markhayward7400]

I was fortunate enough to see your wonderful show, "Think No Evil Of Us," at the Vaudeville Theatre in 1998. I have never forgotten the skill with which you portrayed KW's complex personality. What you did was no mere impersonation. Nor, indeed, is your performance here which is compelling to listen to. Many thanks for the opportunity

[@thomasclark362]

Brilliant!!!

[@Sameoldfitup]

R. I. P 💙

[@mrjamescurry]

That end line always hurts.

[@dreadfulspiller8766]

I wonder why the audience laughed when he said he had never been in love?

[@alastairstaunton7081]

Possibly because of the tone used, and the self-preoccupation of the following remarks.

[@christinewilkinson1715]

Thank you for reading this and sharing it. You put his feelings across beautifully.

[@christophercrowley9873]

Really wonder tho was it an accidental death then again in the moment the mind can switch full force anyway even when I heard him mention how precious life was despite whatever it was going on.

[@tamesidefilming4650]

R.I.P.

[@christinahall2587]

He felt the presence of God sometimes. I think if he had known his Creator personally, and we all can by reading the Bible, then Kenneth would have known how much he was loved by God and he could have been much happier, understanding why things are the way they are in the world ( at the moment, until God’s name has been cleared of the lies told about Him ).

[@dreadfulspiller8766]

He would have been happier I think if he could have accepted that he was gay.

[@mortuaryartist]

Don’t mock this man

[@leytonjay]

Love Kenneth Williams, but his stories about farting on the Joan Rivers Show were somewhat pathetic. He seemed to resent the fact that people expected him to behave outrageously, but yet he lent into it and did little to avoid or counter that expectation.

[@DavidBensonActor]

I think he would agree, judging from his own comments about his appearances at this time.

[@harrymonk6]

The point of bloody what?

[@nattybateman2570]

Life

[@thomasclark362]

Brilliant!!!!