What Have I Done?: My Autobiography [Hardcover]

The instantSunday Timesbestseller andcritics' pick of the best biographies and memoirs published in 2025

What Have I Done?snaps, crackles and pops with wit, bravado and glorious Ben-ness. A triumph  Stephen Fry

A big life chronicled by truly the Upstart Crow of our generation  Dawn French

Ben Elton has done everything and worked with everybody. Now, in this frank, forthright, and hugely entertaining book, he tells the whole story.

Discover the truth behind iconic hits likeThe Young Ones,Blackadder, andWe Will Rock You. Relive the pioneering stand-up ofSaturday Livethat birthed a comedy revolution. From being the BBCs youngest-ever sitcom writer to his most recent, critically acclaimed stand-up tour, Ben reveals unique insights into his groundbreaking work.

He talks honestly about his relationships with brilliant friends, inspiring contemporaries, and occasional foes. His life off-screen has been just as challenging and funny as it has been on, and he unpacks it all with wit, insight, and of course, a little bit of politics.

For decades, Bens been making people laugh, think, and getting on plenty of wicks - these are the uncensored stories.

Funny and fascinating, its a story of triumph and disaster and is the closest youll get to understanding where great comedy comes from  David Mitchell

'Bloody marvellous'  Jo Brand

* The instantSunday Timesbestseller, as of the week ending 11/10/2025.

Ben Eltonis a multi-award-winning novelist, playwright, television writer, screenwriter and lyricist. He is also a theatre, screen and TV director, a stand-up comedian and a very occasional actor. Born in Catford, south-east London, in 1959, Ben was state-educated and studied drama at Manchester University, where he now holds an honorl³X