Alistair McGowan on HE Bates

In this episode of Great Lives, actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan champions the overlooked literary genius H.E. Bates, best known for The Darling Buds of May but far more renowned in McGowan’s eyes as a master of the short story. McGowan passionately argues that Bates was the greatest short story writer in any language, praising his lyrical prose, deep sensuality, and profound empathy for nature and human connection. He recounts Bates’ transformative life in Kent, his wartime service with the RAF through commissioned storytelling that boosted morale, and the personal inspiration behind his most famous works. Family members Richard and Vicky Bates offer intimate insights into his joyful, family-centered life, his sensitivity to women’s inner lives, and his quiet heroism during WWII. The episode reveals how Bates’ wartime stories—written under pressure and secrecy—offered emotional truth and humanity during dark times, and how his legacy endures through timeless themes of love, resilience, and the beauty of ordinary life.