The Other Side of the Microphone

Barry Johnston

Barry Johnston is the eldest son of the late BBC cricket commentator Brian Johnston. After leaving Eton College, he formed the vocal harmony group Design who appeared on more than fifty TV shows in the 1970s with stars such as Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies and Tommy Cooper.

In 1981 he moved to Hollywood where he worked as a waiter and played the piano for Zsa Zsa Gabor before enrolling at the Los Angeles Broadcasting School. He was signed up by KLOA Radio, where he presented the breakfast show for two years.

In 1985 Barry returned to England and became a presenter on BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton.  Later he was invited to join the new BBC Radio 5 and presented the Sunday breakfast show Sunday Edition.

Barry now runs Barn Productions and has produced more than 100 audio books including the number one bestseller The Wit of Cricket.  He has also edited and written several books, including the critically acclaimed Johnners: The Life of Brian, the definitive biography of his father.  His latest book The Wit of Golf, a collection of funny golf stories, was published last year by Hodder & Stoughton.

Barry will entertain us with funny stories from behind the scenes in radio and television – including famous gaffes and giggles by his father, Brian Johnston.