The Amateur Gentleman

Synopsis

A vintage 13-part dramatisation of Jeffery Farnol’s historical romanceWhen 22-year-old Barnabas Barty, the son of a landlord and ex-prize fighter, unexpectedly inherits £700,000 from his uncle in Jamaica, he decides to fulfil his dream of becoming a gentleman. Leaving his father’s country inn in Kent, he sets off to London determined to enter the beau monde.En route, he meets and falls in love with a beautiful woman, and engages in fisticuffs with an arrogant aristocrat in a green coat. Though the lady vanishes before Barnabas can ask for her name, he later learns that she is Lady Cleone Meredith… and that he has several rivals for her affections. He also learns that he has made a powerful enemy – for the man he knocked down was Sir Mortimer Carnaby, a member of the Ton and a close friend of the Prince Regent…Has Barnabas blighted his chances of becoming a person of quality? Can he ever win the heart of the fair Cleone? And what will fashionable London make of this amateur gentleman?Alongside Georgette Heyer, Jeffery Farnol largely originated the ‘Regency romance’ genre, and in his 50-year career he wrote over 40 bestselling tales of love and adventure. The Amateur Gentleman was among his most popular novels, and was adapted as a film three times in the 1920s and 1930s. First broadcast in 1966, this classic BBC Radio dramatisation stars Brian Hewlett as Barnabas, with Anthony Jackson as the Storyteller and Eva Haddon as Cleone.CastBarnabas Barty – Brian HewlettStoryteller – Anthony JacksonJohn Barty/Captain Slingsby – John DearthMr Crabtree – Stephen JackNathaniel Bell/Jack Truelove/Jaspar Gaunt – Wilfred BabbageA Chapman/Pufton, a Gentleman-in-Powder/Quinly – Michael McClainSir Mortimer Carnaby/Jerry Tucker, the Bosun/Coachman/Waiter//Mr Tressider/Bow Street Runner – Ronald HerdmanCleone – Eva HaddonJohn Chumley/Gamekeeper/Jaspar Shrig – Basil JonesViscount Devenham – Henry StamperMilo – Nigel AnthonyMr Chichester/Guard – Anthony HallJohn Peterby/A landlord – Kevin McHughClemency Dare – Carol MarshBilly Button/Corporal Richard Roe/Nick, the Cobbler – Michael KilgarriffA Fussy Gentleman/Sir George Annersley/Mr Bimby – Walter FitzgeraldGabriel Martin/Major Piper – Alan DudleyDigby Smivvle – Harold KasketThe Marquis of Jerningham – John JustinRonald Barrymaine – Allan McClellandA woman debtor/Mrs Smummitt – Anna BurdenDuchess of Camberhurst – Noel HoodCountess of Orme – Joan MathesonMarquis of Jerningham – John JustinRalph Darville – Noel HowlettAdapted by Felix Felton and Susan AshmanProduced by John PowellFirst broadcast BBC Home Service, 29 July-21 October 1966Episode list1. The Road to London2. The Lace Handkerchief3. At Oakshott’s Barn4. The Duties of a Valet5. The Misfortunes of Ronald Barrymaine6. Annersley Revisited7. Barnaby Bright8. Wagers and Warnings9. The Great Steeplechase10. The Gathering Shadows11. Account Settled12. The Harder Way13. The Duchess Decides© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd