- HISTORIES OF BRITAIN 2!
- MACBETH*: Something wicked for Hallowe’en/Samhain!
- TALES OF BRITAIN: Summer 2025
- HISTORIES OF BRITAIN is here!
- TALES OF BRITAIN: Spring 2025
Jem Roberts is a series of nouns. Here are some of the less offensive ones:
Dad, Author, Storyteller, Editor, Comedy Historian, Folklorist, Performer, Songwriter, Veteran Games Journalist, Frank Welker Impersonator, Humanist, Voice Artist, Baritone, Pseudo Comedian, Pseudo Actor, Production Editor, Reliable Compére, Ukulele Player, Kazoo Virtuoso, Recording Artist, Mythology Obsessive, Reviewer, Squash Connoisseur, Non-Ginger, Beardy Folkie, Frustrated Swimmer, Native Ludlovian, Adopted Bathonian, Large Fellow.
My work has appeared in publications as diverse as The Guardian, Rolling Stone, BBC History, The Independent, Geeky Monkey, History Revealed, GamesMaster, The Telegraph, SFX, Xbox World, Guitar World, Disney & Me, Total Film, BBC News online, ImagineFX, Woman’s Weekly and many more, and I’ve even appeared on BBC Radio 4 as a recognised expert on innuendo (which made me proud), as one of whole heaps of radio and podcast appearances discussing everything from Douglas Adams and Blackadder to British Folklore…
That first Radio 4 gig came courtesy of being the official chronicler of the nation’s favourite radio comedy, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – and also, the nation’s favourite sitcom, with The True History of the Blackadder. My third book, Douglas Adams: The Frood – the Very Official Story of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – was released in 2014 and my fourth – the authorised Fry & Laurie biography, SOUPY TWISTS! in 2018, published just in time for the colleagues’ 30th. And then re-released in paperback and audio in 2025 – my first fully self-publishing venture, named in honour of The Master, Plummie Books.
In between, 2021 belatedly became the year of @FABFOOLS – the last untold Beatles story! After ten years in the making, Fab Fools: the Beatles and Rutles history, was finally released by Candy Jar Books.
Parallel to all this lies the land of TALES OF BRITAIN – believe it or not, the first full British folktale collection to be published in over 30 years! 77 stories from Scotland, Wales, Kernow, England and the Isles, each refreshed for the 21st century, with tourist guides to every last one. Further volumes are planned to follow, special editions, an audiobook/podcast, and above all, we have live shows all over the UK, if not the world, all year long! Just get in touch to book your own TALES OF BRITAIN show today!
Most of the above are now available on Audible, and further audio versions are in the works…
For any other exciting author possibilities, comedy events and expert blah, editorial whatnots (in print or online) and indeed performances of family folktales or filthy comedy songs… just email away on jem@jemroberts.com if I can ever be of any help.
Jem Roberts 
Some of those reek of verbs… Surely there must be some verbs involved, otherwise you wouldn’t get very far as an author.
There’s an adjective or two to spice things up, but that’s all… for now.
Loved reading THE FROOD, excellently written. Thanks!!! If you write a biography of Kenny Everett I will be the first in line to read it!!
Ditto, a great read. One wee irritant tho. The kakapo is the world’s heaviest parrot & very far from small!
Finally got round to reading it STOP Most enjoyable STOP Well done Jemble STOP
Cheers, love from Memebridge Towers x
Dear Jem
On the 29th May you are involved with the an audience without Victoria Woods… Is this event first come first seated or can seats be booked?
Regards Elizabeth
Hello Elizabeth!
It’s actually on Saturday 28th, and we’ve decided to make it free entry, but donations to get out.
We’re hoping to set up some kind of ticket system though, keep an eye out on the Bath Fringe and Widcombe Social Club sites, or search for An Audience Without Victoria Wood on Facebook, where we’ll set up an Event page.
Hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Jem
Hi Jem,
I pledged money on Unbound for the Soupy Twists book and haven’t received anything. Can you please update the status.
Thank you,
Hello Sherri!
Soupy Twists is actually being written right now – Unbound is a crowdfunded publisher, the book was green-lit when it hit 100%! My hope is that it will be available long before the 30th anniversary of ABOF&L on Boxing Day this year, but you can follow the book’s progress on unbound.co.uk/books/soupy-twists
All the best!
Hello Jem,
I want to thank you profusely for writing “Soupy Twists” and I have been a fan of Fry & Laurie for many years and when I do a re-watch of their series, I have a yearning for more info. I have the script books like everyone else but your book is the cherry on the cake. Thank you.
Keep up the good work.
Hi Jen,
Just heard about your Tales of Britain book on Radio6, but it’s sold out! Could you let me know if you have a re-print please.
Hi Chris – I don’t really know anything about that side of publishing TBH, but I’m pretty sure they’re fresh off the print, so ‘sold out’ may be a website error. I should hope an order from the usual online places should result in a copy turning up before too long. Also, if you’re passing any bookshops, please do ask for them if you have a moment, and they may order in plenty for others to buy too. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Jem
I’ve started clearing a spare room and discovered boxes full of Minidiscs, many of them with ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’ episodes recorded from the radio at the end of the 90’s and first part of the 2000’s which I started listening to while I sorted boxes. This helped cheer me up as I recently lost MY favourite Uncle.
I then saw your book ‘The Clue Bible’ on Audible – bought it – and listened to it in two sittings. Yes, TWO.
I absolutely loved it Jem.
At the end of it, I had two thoughts.
Oh ! I wish that had never ended but also – I feel so much happier now.
Thank you Jem 😊
So very glad someone’s getting a kick out of any of these audiobooks, cheers Philip! That’s an astonishing marathon by any chalk…!