Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘Our church friends there have offered human, heartfelt care’

23/07/2025 | Reform

Paul Kerensa reflects on fake grief and appreciates heartfelt, human care

I’m writing this two days before my dad’s funeral. That’s the downer. Let’s build back from there.

It’s been a rough season of Dad’s ‘dementia adventure’, as one well-meaning … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘No one has ever written about this extraordinary event’

25/04/2025 | Reform

Paul Kerensa tells the story of Britain’s most-heard prayer

It’s been a year since the centenary of the first appearance by a monarch on radio, in the earliest BBC recording.This’ll be the 101st anniversary then. It’s not exactly a round … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘No one likes virtue signalling, but are we starting to see vice signalling?’

11/03/2025 | Reform

I can’t imagine anyone likes the idea of ‘virtue signalling’. Whether you’re the accuser or the accused, you’re likely either fed up of spotting self-righteousness, or fed up that your virtuous intent isn’t being taken seriously.

I see both sides. … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘The messages could have been medical, monetary or, er, marital.’

29/01/2025 | Reform

Paul Kerensa learns from a technology fail of excruciating proportions

Enjoy, at my expense, my most embarrassing moment of recent times.

I was booked to perform a comedy show in a church – surely a scene ripe for embarrassment. Due … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘It’s language and ingredients are shrunk and packaged in a bit of cardboard’

27/11/2024 | Reform

Seven years ago I wrote a festive history book, Hark! The biography of Christmas. But festive celebrations have moved on in seven years. What traditions have evolved since? Here are 12 (the Christmassiest number) surprisingly modern customs that feel rather … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘At a Not Going Out recording, Miranda asked if I’d write for her radio sitcom’

25/10/2024 | Reform

Paul Kerensa on writing Miranda

Watching Sarah Hadland on Strictly Come Dancing lately has brought back what-I-call ‘such fun’ memories of working on Miranda.

The BBC sitcom was part of my life for a decade, from its Radio 2 origins … Read More