1970s

Cockney geezer Micky Flanagan regales us with the story of his journey from tabloid to broadsheet; from the street party to the dinner party; from apples and pears to stocks and shares...

Well, you've got the idea.

Each episode focuses on a different decade of Micky's life. Micky regales us with stories from his life told through stand-up comedy.

In between, the programmes goes 'behind the scenes' with short interviews that give an insight into the stand-up.

For starters, Micky talks about growing up in the East End in the 1970s.

He chats to his school friends about their shared experiences of leaving with no qualifications to work at Billingsgate Fish Market. He also interviews Sociology Professor Paul Willis about his research on working class boys in a 1970s school.

Micky's transition from the mean streets of the East End, working as a Billingsgate Fish Porter to an entertainer living in the leafy lanes of Dulwich is a fascinating story, all the better for being told through jokes.

The issue of class is a crucial theme in Micky's stand-up. However it is framed less as "Do we now have a classless society?" and more as "Is it ok to ask for Tomato sauce in a fancy French restaurant?"

Written and performed by Micky Flanagan.

Producer: Tilusha Ghelani.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.

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