22 Facts About Pete Atkin

Pete Atkin was born on 22 August 1945 and is a British singer-songwriter and radio producer, notable for his 1970s musical collaborations with Clive James and for producing the BBC Radio 4 series, This Sceptred Isle.

Pete Atkin studied Classics and English at Cambridge University, where he was a member of St John's College.

Pete Atkin released a second privately pressed album, consisting of 99 copies, in 1969.

Pete Atkin did, and still does, write his own lyrics, but it was the collaboration with Clive James that produced his most famous songs.

For Pete Atkin, touring provided a respectable but not luxurious income.

James read from his epic poetic satire, The Fate of Felicity Fark in the Land of the Media while Pete Atkin sang songs from the latest release and previous favourites.

Clive James returned to his blossoming career in television, while Pete Atkin, after trying to make a living as a carpenter, responded to a 'Situation Vacant' notice from the BBC, and thus embarked on the next phase of his career.

In 1976, Pete Atkin's recording contract with RCA expired and he concentrated on renovating his house and building furniture for other people.

Pete Atkin wrote columns on DIY for the UK environmentalist magazine Vole.

Chris Parr of the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh commissioned Pete Atkin to write a musical play for their Festival season in 1977.

In 1981, Pete Atkin succeeded Griff Rhys Jones as BBC Radio Light Entertainment Producer.

Pete Atkin subsequently became a Script Editor in 1983 and Chief Producer, Radio 4 in 1986.

Pete Atkin moved to Bristol in 1989 to be Head of BBC Network Radio there.

Pete Atkin worked as script editor for Hat Trick Productions, as part of their sitcom and drama development team.

Pete Atkin received a "special consultant" credit for the movie Chicken Run, which was created and produced by the same studios, Aardman Animations.

Pete Atkin provided some additional voices in the 2009 film, Planet 51.

Pete Atkin has even worked on The Gruffalo films as a voice direction consultant.

Pete Atkin has performed from time to time in folk clubs solo and, more recently, with the pianist and arranger Simon Wallace.

Pete Atkin provided background information for this, and it was supported by a mailing list.

At the 2000 show, Pete Atkin announced that the music conglomerate BMG, which had acquired the RCA catalogue and rights, had finally released the master recordings for the final four of his albums.

On 7 January 2016, Pete Atkin was crossing the road in Bristol when he was hit in the face by a bus, suffering multiple injuries and subsequently losing the sight of one eye.

In September 2023, Pete Atkin released a second collaboration with Simon Wallace, The Luck of the Draw.