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‘Enthusiasm, Experiment and Gallantry in Action’: Developing Light Entertainment on the Fledgling BBC, 1922–1932

ABSTRACT This article explores the working culture of early BBC radio, programming decisions and the challenges faced in recruiting professional stage and music hall entertainers. These challenges led to the BBC’s reliance on amateur acts during the first decade of its existence. Early acts developed successful microphone techniques and content that appealed particularly to the domestic listening audience, and thus influenced radio and television entertainment for the rest of the century. Several of these early acts are discussed, with a primary focus on the works of two early pioneers of radio comedy, Norman Clapham (aka John Henry) and Mabel Constanduros.