His Master's Voice

Rob Brydon is ventriloquist Peter Brough, and his doll Archie Andrews, in a new drama that tells the true story behind one of the most successful radio shows of all time.

The 1950s BBC Radio show Educating Archie - with 16 million listeners - catapulted the ventriloquist Peter Brough from suburban obscurity to the heights of high society. The Royal Family were fans. His show introduced the world to Eric Sykes (writer), Tony Hancock (Archie's Tutor), Max Bygraves (another tutor) and Julie Andrews (Archie's girlfriend).

After eight years on radio, Educating Archie transferred to television. And yet, one day in 1961, Peter Brough locked the dummy in a suitcase and left him on the top of a wardrobe for 40 years until, six years after the ventriloquist's death, Archie Andrews was put up for auction.

His Master's Voice tells the true story of what went wrong in the world of Archie Andrews and Peter Brough.

With Rob Brydon as Peter Brough/Archie Andrews, Fenella Woolgar as Peggy Brough, Michael Bertenshaw as Arthur Brough, Thomas Williams-Boyle as Christopher Brough, Eliza Harrison-Dine as Romey Brough, Stephanie Racine as Liz/Hattie Jacques, James Lailey as William Haley, Ewan Bailey as Max Bygraves and Harriet Collings as Edith/Cloakroom Girl. Written by James Maw and Tim Sullivan.

Producer/ Jeremy Mortimer for A Cast Iron Radio Production.

Publicity contact: BBC Radio 4 Publicity