If there was one programme that qualifies as quintessentially English it would have to be BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute.

Along with The Archers, Woman’s Hour and Gardeners Question Time it is one of those standout programmes that is instantly recognisable.

It dates back to the 1960s and its longevity is impressive with its host Nicholas Parsons, 90, chairing an astonishing 900 shows.

Now he has written a book about it entitled: Welcome To Just A Minute! which chronicles the involvement of some of this country’s biggest showbiz stars including the irrepressible Kenneth Williams, the curmudgeonly Clement Freud and, a not altogether obvious choice, Wendy Richard of EastEnders.

For anyone unfamiliar with the show the idea is to talk entertainingly for a minute on a given subject without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

The four-man panel, and it is mainly men though women have made inroads over the years, are encouraged to interrupt if they spot any of those failings.

Points are gained for a correct challenge though much of the hilarity emerges from the contestants trying to persuade Parsons of the justice of their cause.

In its heyday the programme was a must-listen to affair. Part of its compelling attraction was listening to Parsons trying to keep his combustible panel under some kind of rudimentary control.

Williams, who had an ego the size of several aircraft hangars, was unstoppable once he started and considered himself the star of the show with other members merely there to provide opportunities for him to show off his verbal dexterity.

Add to this a certain touchiness over his lack of formal education and the sparks were there for a major explosion.

But Freud, a highly intelligent and accomplished man, was not a man content to provide padding and he was certainly not short of self-belief.

So his growling, deadpan style provided the perfect counterpoint to Williams’ barely under control hysteria. He appeared in more than 500 shows too.

There was also a chap called Peter Jones but I can remember precisely nothing about him other than that he was one of the steadier members.

Derek Nimmo was an early regular too. I recall him saying once to some actress or other: “I’d much rather hear something nasty about you than something nice.” So a fairly waspish presence.

Even though it must be more than 20 years ago or so I can still hear Williams gabbling away in his own inimitable way and Freud making everyone laugh when he pressed the bell for a challenge.

Parsons asked why and Freud replied he hadn’t had much chance to say anything so was just reminding everyone he was there. You had to be there...

I only listen occasionally these days. Paul Merton used to provide surreal kaleidoscopes of fantasy in his own unique way and was moderately entertaining but a little went a very long way...

Interestingly, Parsons says Richard developed a huge antipathy to Merton, which led to him asking not to appear on the same show with her and then the show’s producers dispensing with her altogether.

The personality clashes were a key part though of the show’s appeal - all those gargantuan egos continually running into one another. Parsons says that although he had been very friendly with Freud – they ended up clashing mightily. The truth was that the two had differing visions of the show. Freud wanted it preserving in aspic while Parsons thought it had to adapt.