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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2004/03_march/kenneth_williams.shtml