Podcast Episode

Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast

Piccadilly Radio Bonus 1: Comedy

Apr 15, 2026 Season 2

Manchester Libraries

This first episode of six explores the role of comedy in Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, focusing on Caroline Aherne, Chris Sievey and Buzz Hawkins to examine how radio functioned as a creative training ground for British comedy.

You can search the archive from home and listen to over 1,800 full shows on Manchester Central Library's Sound + Vision pods.

This podcast is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Manchester Libraries Trust.

Archive credits

Archive audio from the Piccadilly Radio Collection, full shows available at Manchester Central Library:

L.B.C. AM SPOOF, 1977 (DAVIES/43)
Cromwell Mansions episode 5, 1980 (PICC2/70)

Frank Sidebottom: Mrs Merton's Choice (PICC/1612)
Frank Sidebottom: Babysitting Reggie Merton (PICC/1593)
Frank Sidebottom: Cup of Tea (PICC/1592)
Frank Sidebottom: Blackpool - Train Journey (PICC/1582)
Frank Sidebottom: ‘Saturday Express’ Interview Chris Evans & Frank, 1987 (PICC/1591)
Frank Sidebottom: Removal Company (PICC-1626)

The Bradshaws Volume 10 - in Their Own Firelight: Itchy Bum (PICC/1570)

Licensed audio

Communications, Radio, Tuning Between Stations, Static 02 – Epidemic Sound (licensed via epidemicsound.com)
Drink & Drive – Raz Burg – Artlist (licensed via artlist.io)

Third-party material (UK fair dealing: criticism, review, education)

Third-party material above is used for the purposes of criticism, review, and education in accordance with UK fair dealing provisions.

Rights statement

All licensed material is used in accordance with the terms of the relevant subscription licences. All archive and third-party material remains the property of its respective rights holders.

Narration

Podcast narrative written, researched and read by Dr. Philip Johnstone: Creative Commons licence CC-BY-4.0 (Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 Licence).

Our next bonus episode on Piccadilly Radio DJs is out on 15 May!