© Trevor Leighton
Ben Elton writes his memoirs
What Have I Done? out in October
Ben Elton has written his autobiography, entitled What Have I Done?
Out in October, the title covers his full 65 years, from his childhood in Catford, South London, becoming the BBC’s youngest ever sitcom writer at 21, and going to write Blackadder, The Young Ones and Upstart Crow.
Publishers Macmillan describe it as ‘a frank, forthright and entertaining autobiography’, adding: ‘ Alongside unique insights into his ground-breaking work, Ben talks honestly and hilariously about his personal and professional relationships with two generations of brilliant friends, inspiring contemporaries, occasional foes, and the times in which they all lived.
‘And Ben’s life has been just as challenging, rewarding and funny off screen as it has been on. He unpacks it all with wit, insight and complete honesty. And of course, there’s a "little bit of politics".’
Elton has written 16 novels to date, from Stark in 1989 to Identity Crisis in 2019, five West End plays and the Queen musical We Will Rock You.
He recently completed the UK leg of his latest stand-up show Authentic Stupidity and is currently performing it around Australia, where he lives.
• Lenny Henry has written another book with journalist Marcus Ryder, this one making the case for the West paying reparations for the slave trade. The Big Payback is also out in October and follows their previous collaborations Access All Areas: The Diversity Manifesto for TV and Beyond and Black British Lives Matter: A Clarion Call for Equality.
Published: 18 Mar 2025
Ben Elton has called for hard drugs like heroin and…
23/07/2002
The biography of Billy Connolly by wife Pamela Stephenson…
19/07/2002
Ben Elton is to host the jubilee concert in Buckingham…
19/05/2002
Books by Ben Elton, Alexei Sayle and Dave Gorman are…
16/05/2002
Ben Elton is to return to the stage at a comedy fundraiser…
4/05/2002
The BBC is to release the entire first series of Two…
15/04/2002
The Comedy Store has recently revived its gong show,…
17/03/2002
Rowan Atkinson is to create a new reincarnation of…
12/02/2002
A 1991 benefit featuring the likes of Rowan Atkinson,…
22/11/2001
Ben Elton is to rewrite a spoof spy film starring…
28/09/2001
The Young Ones actor Nigel Planer reckons his character…
27/08/2001
Victoria Wood has been named as the best stand-up…
21/08/2001
Products
Book (2025)
What Have I Done by Ben Elton
DVD (2009)
Alfresco
DVD (2007)
Ben Elton Live: The Get A Grip Tour
DVD (2007)
The Best of Saturday Live Series 1
Past Shows
Agent
We do not currently hold contact details for Ben Elton's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.