Tim Benson

”He was a clever man; a pleasant companion; a careless student; with a great propensity for running into debt, and a partiality for the tavern.” #Thackeray #18thcenturylanguage #vanityfayre

Remembering comedy legend Tony Hancock, born #OTD 12 May 1924. With writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Hancock's Half Hour changed British comedy and influenced all the best sitcoms since. Even now, mention Magna Carta and we are transported back to a TV courtroom 66 years ago!

@wmarybeard @NewStatesman Always a total babe Mary! 1955 such a good year me 71 next Friday x

Haters out in force in response to clip from interview I did with @NewStatesman podcast. It's fine to disagree on Roman history (that's partly the point), but do they need to say that I'm "vile", a "hag" & they "hate" me. You dont have to hate those with different views, folks.

Spring is here. Born this week.

@wmarybeard @ProfileBooks Oh Mary I have just been overtaken by a wonderful vision. Truly I can say no more!

My wonderful publishers ⁦@ProfileBooks⁩ have just sent me this cut out Venus … advertising my new book, Talking Classics, out in a couple of weeks). Here she is in front of the grandkids’ toy basket!

I've just signed this petition. Will you add your name and share too? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/call… via @38degrees

So handy when Sunday dinner delivers itself.

Sunrise 6.00 this morning.

I wonder what's on the headphones. Oh, #WomansHour! How madly interesting! Lady Pamela Pilkington is going to tell all us ladies how to organise an embassy ball. Swipe me how glittering! Must be 5 million housewives around Stoke on Trent who wanna know how to throw embassy balls!

@bellsandbikes @Hudsonweather Midday and almost hot in Birchover!

@Amelia558rs Kitten

My dog needs a name I am completely stumped as I feel like nothing fits him.please help.

@GreenJennyJones @PrivateEyeNews My life over the last 70 years has been greatly brightened by Private Eye especially the covers. Not always kind to the greens but this was very gentle fun.

Good joke in @PrivateEyeNews

Trump's senior counterterrorism official quits over Iran war - and blames 'pressure from Israel' #liveblog-body" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">news.sky.com/story/iran-war…

Tony: Did I ever tell you about the time we got drunk in Naples? Sid: Everybody got drunk in Naples! Tony: Not like we got drunk, roaring stiff, couldn't stand up. Up to here in Chianti, we were, standing on top of Vesuvius pouring in bottles of vino reddo. Nearly put it out!

@PaulEmbery A truly good man. Astonishing intellect and a wry sense of humour. Met him once made my decade.

We lost him 12 years ago today. One of Britain's finest parliamentarians. And a man of deep principle.

Hello, what's this one? Local taxation department, road traffic section. This is to remind you that your car licence expired last Thursday and should be renewed within 14 days. The tax is £12 10s. Well, they can whistle for it. £12 10s? It's 35 bob more than I paid for the car!

@wmarybeard A babe then a babe now. 1955 such a great year. X

I do hope people appreciate the joke! For my new book (partly reflecting on a career in Classics, partly asking 'WHY study the deep past?', 'What do we get out of it?'), I chose an 'author photo' taken by my friend Di, 50+ years ago. Book details: tinyurl.com/5d3yx3bh

Flora at Crufts 2026.

Crufts 2026 whatever happens tomorrow is fake news. Flora is our champion.