A consumer-rights movement that depends on going viral is no substitute for a broadcaster deciding, week after week, that sticking up for the little guy is worth the trouble

ALWYN TURNER on Britain’s first disco-king, with music from Carl Douglas and Geno Washington to the Playthings and the Electric Dolls.

Twice weekly reflections on British politics and pop culture. Click to read Notes from Behind the Sofa, by Finlay McLaren, a Substack publication. Launched a month ago.

As they have grown more successful, Nigel Farage and his men have lost sight of what it takes to succeed…

FINLAY McLAREN watches Kenneth Williams and Jimmy Reid going at it (ooh matron).

This week, the Times reported that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been upbraided by his social media team over fears that his comms have become too “blokeish”. The source of No. 10’s concerns seems t...

The Man Who Was Private Widdle by Roger Lewis tells the tragicomic tale of Charles Hawtrey, who starred in 23 Carry On films and died in gin-soaked misery

The Man Who Was Private Widdle by Roger Lewis tells the tragicomic tale of Charles Hawtrey, who starred in 23 Carry On films and died in gin-soaked misery

Bespoke wedding speeches from a professional comedy writer.

Fifty years on from its first broadcast, ‘I Claudius’ is still magnificent, says FINLAY McLAREN.

Fifty years on from its first broadcast, ‘I Claudius’ is still magnificent, says FINLAY McLAREN.

Fifty years on from its first broadcast, ‘I Claudius’ is still magnificent, says FINLAY McLAREN.

Deadline for initial submissions: 2 October

The glitzy pianist, who famously hid his sexuality, was dismissed as a "vulgar joke" in his lifetime. But a new play gets to the truth of who he was, in private as well as in public.

on bisexuality, botany and Bowie

on bisexuality, botany and Bowie

on cinema, criticism and cultural cringe