Listen free for 30 days
-
The Sound of Laughter
- Narrated by: Peter Kay
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £14.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
My Lifey
- By: Paddy McGuinness
- Narrated by: Paddy McGuinness
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paddy McGuinness is a much-loved presence on British TV. His stand-up tours sell out across the country. His acting roles are legendary, from Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy to The Keith and Paddy Picture Show. How did all start? Let Paddy take you back to a two-up, two-down terrace in 1970's Bolton, where his lifey began. He grew up alone with his beloved mum, neighbourhood matriarch Pat, who worked two jobs, as a barmaid and a cleaner, always keeping food on the table at home and almost always keeping her tearaway teen out of trouble.
-
-
Amazing book, made me think about my life too
- By Beth on 22-11-21
-
Windswept & Interesting
- My Autobiography
- By: Billy Connolly
- Narrated by: Billy Connolly
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life. Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of fourth and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
-
-
Marvellous
- By john donoghue on 14-10-21
-
A Funny Life
- By: Michael McIntyre
- Narrated by: Michael McIntyre
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael’s first book ended with his big break at the 2006 Royal Variety Performance. Waking up the next morning in the tiny rented flat he shared with his wife, Kitty, and their one-year-old son, he was beyond excited about the new glamorous world of show business. Unfortunately, he was also clueless. In A Funny Life, Michael honestly and hilariously shares the highs and the lows of his rise to the top and desperate attempts to stay there.
-
-
Fantastic!!
- By James Deans on 14-10-21
-
And Away...
- By: Bob Mortimer
- Narrated by: Bob Mortimer
- Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bob Mortimer’s life was trundling along happily until suddenly in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery and forced him to cancel an upcoming tour. The episode unnerved him but forced him to reflect on his life so far. This is the framework for his hilarious and moving memoir, And Away....
-
-
A wonderful book
- By Lauren on 17-09-21
-
Before & Laughter
- By: Jimmy Carr
- Narrated by: Jimmy Carr
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary. Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him.
-
-
borrows quotes, No original ideas of his own
- By mr c j skirving on 05-10-21
-
The Life of Lee
- By: Lee Evans
- Narrated by: Lee Evans
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lee Evans is one of the best-loved comedians in the country; a Hollywood star able to sell out arenas in the blink of eye. But he was not always such a roaring success. Read unabridged by the man himself, the audiobook edition of The Life of Lee is an utterly hilarious and very moving autobiography, charting his ups and downs on the way to the top.
-
-
Excellent
- By AandL272 on 05-06-13
-
My Lifey
- By: Paddy McGuinness
- Narrated by: Paddy McGuinness
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paddy McGuinness is a much-loved presence on British TV. His stand-up tours sell out across the country. His acting roles are legendary, from Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy to The Keith and Paddy Picture Show. How did all start? Let Paddy take you back to a two-up, two-down terrace in 1970's Bolton, where his lifey began. He grew up alone with his beloved mum, neighbourhood matriarch Pat, who worked two jobs, as a barmaid and a cleaner, always keeping food on the table at home and almost always keeping her tearaway teen out of trouble.
-
-
Amazing book, made me think about my life too
- By Beth on 22-11-21
-
Windswept & Interesting
- My Autobiography
- By: Billy Connolly
- Narrated by: Billy Connolly
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life. Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of fourth and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
-
-
Marvellous
- By john donoghue on 14-10-21
-
A Funny Life
- By: Michael McIntyre
- Narrated by: Michael McIntyre
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael’s first book ended with his big break at the 2006 Royal Variety Performance. Waking up the next morning in the tiny rented flat he shared with his wife, Kitty, and their one-year-old son, he was beyond excited about the new glamorous world of show business. Unfortunately, he was also clueless. In A Funny Life, Michael honestly and hilariously shares the highs and the lows of his rise to the top and desperate attempts to stay there.
-
-
Fantastic!!
- By James Deans on 14-10-21
-
And Away...
- By: Bob Mortimer
- Narrated by: Bob Mortimer
- Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bob Mortimer’s life was trundling along happily until suddenly in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery and forced him to cancel an upcoming tour. The episode unnerved him but forced him to reflect on his life so far. This is the framework for his hilarious and moving memoir, And Away....
-
-
A wonderful book
- By Lauren on 17-09-21
-
Before & Laughter
- By: Jimmy Carr
- Narrated by: Jimmy Carr
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary. Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him.
-
-
borrows quotes, No original ideas of his own
- By mr c j skirving on 05-10-21
-
The Life of Lee
- By: Lee Evans
- Narrated by: Lee Evans
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lee Evans is one of the best-loved comedians in the country; a Hollywood star able to sell out arenas in the blink of eye. But he was not always such a roaring success. Read unabridged by the man himself, the audiobook edition of The Life of Lee is an utterly hilarious and very moving autobiography, charting his ups and downs on the way to the top.
-
-
Excellent
- By AandL272 on 05-06-13
-
Brung Up Proper
- My Autobiography
- By: Jason Manford
- Narrated by: Jason Manford
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Manford is firmly established as one of the country's favourite stand-ups and is up there with the best northern comedy legends. His career began one night in a pub in Chorlton when a comedian didn't arrive for his set and Jason, the 17-year-old glass collector stepped in to fill the gap. From that point on he's never looked back, until now that is.... This is the story in his own words of everything that lead up to that fateful moment – a colourful tale of growing up with lots of family and not enough money, of getting by and sticking together.
-
-
Interesting but now outdated
- By MR J. on 20-09-18
-
Becoming Johnny Vegas
- By: Johnny Vegas
- Narrated by: Johnny Vegas
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
‘My name is Michael Pennington, and I am not a comic character. I'm often mistaken for one though. You might know him by another name. Johnny Vegas.’ From BBC Dickens adaptations to Benidorm and Ideal to the PG Tips ads, Johnny Vegas has become one of Britain's best-loved comic actors.
-
-
Loved this book touching, honest and funny
- By K. Bailey on 01-11-13
-
We Need to Talk About Kevin Bridges
- By: Kevin Bridges
- Narrated by: Kevin Bridges
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of We Need to Talk About... Kevin Bridges.Aged 17, Kevin Bridges walked on stage for the first time and brought the house down. He only had a five-minute set but he discovered he really could earn a living from making people laugh.Kevin began life as a shy, nerve-ridden school-boy. Reaching his teens, he followed his true calling as the class clown.
-
-
New standard for comedians biography.
- By alexander on 11-10-14
-
Diddly Squat
- A Year on the Farm
- By: Jeremy Clarkson
- Narrated by: Jeremy Clarkson
- Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to Jeremy's farm. It's an idyllic spot, offering picturesque views across the Cotswolds, bustling hedgerows, woodlands and natural springs. Jeremy always liked the idea being a farmer. But, while he was barrelling around the world having more fun with cars than was entirely reasonable, it seemed obvious that the actual, you know, farming was much better left to someone else. Then one day he decided he would do the farming himself. After all, how hard could it be?
-
-
Disappointing. Nothing new and short. Very short.
- By Mark67 on 12-11-21
-
This Much Is True
- By: Miriam Margolyes
- Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Award-winning actor, creator of a myriad of memorable characters from Lady Whiteadder to Professor Sprout, Miriam Margolyes is a national treasure. Now, at last, at the age of 80, she has finally decided to tell her extraordinary life story. And it's far richer and stranger than any part she's played.
-
-
Frank & Funny
- By John C. Patterson on 23-09-21
-
Don't Laugh, It Will Only Encourage Her
- By: Daisy May Cooper
- Narrated by: Daisy May Cooper, Paul Cooper
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Life hasn't always been straightforward for Daisy May Cooper: growing up in rural poverty in Gloucestershire with her brother, Chaz, she had to work a myriad of low-paid and unrewarding jobs just to make ends meet. Don't Laugh, It Will Only Encourage Her is the endearingly honest and hilarious memoir from the creator and star of award-winning BBC comedy This Country.
-
-
Daisy May Cooper is a breath of fresh audio air!
- By Amazon Customer on 07-11-21
-
The Storyteller
- Tales of Life and Music
- By: Dave Grohl
- Narrated by: Dave Grohl
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
So, I’ve written a book. This certainly doesn’t mean that I’m quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it’s like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall....
-
-
You Are Not Dave
- By VW on 07-10-21
-
James Acaster's Classic Scrapes
- By: James Acaster
- Narrated by: James Acaster
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
James Acaster has been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award five times and has appeared on prime-time TV shows like Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Russell Howard's Stand Up Central. But behind the fame and critical acclaim is a man perpetually getting into trouble. Whether it's disappointing a skydiving instructor midflight or hiding from thugs in a bush wearing a bright red dress, James is always finding new ways to embarrass himself.
-
-
series of witty anecdotes
- By Mr. Edwards on 17-01-19
-
A Class Act
- Life as a working-class man in a middle-class world
- By: Rob Beckett
- Narrated by: Rob Beckett
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rob Beckett never seems to fit in. At work, in the middle-class world of television and comedy, he’s the laddie, cockney geezer, but to his mates down the pub in south-east London, he’s the theatrical one, a media luvvie. Even at home, his wife and kids are posher than him. In this hilarious exploration of class, Rob compares his life growing up as a working-class kid to the life he lives now, trying to understand where he truly belongs.
-
-
A fantastic read
- By LettyBIRD on 14-10-21
-
David Mitchell: Back Story
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.
-
-
Really enjoyable
- By Amazon Customer on 14-11-12
-
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
- By: Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse
- Narrated by: Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse have been friends for 30 years, but when life intervened, what was once a joyous and spontaneous friendship dwindled to the odd phone call or occasional catch up. Then, Glory Be! They were both diagnosed with heart disease and realised that time is short. They'd better spend it fishing...So they dusted off their kits, chucked on their waders and ventured into the achingly beautiful British countryside to fish, rediscover the joys of their friendship and ruminate on some of life's most profound questions....
-
-
If you buy one book, buy this! It's perfect x
- By Mell on 24-06-19
-
Straight Outta Crawley
- Memoirs of a Distinctly Average Human Being
- By: Romesh Ranganathan
- Narrated by: Romesh Ranganathan
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the age of 9, Romesh Ranganathan delivered his first ever stand-up set at a Pontin's Holiday Camp talent competition, smashing the only other competitor, a young girl playing the kazoo. The gig went so well that Romesh retired his comic genius for 22 years, hiding behind the guise of a maths teacher, before finally revealing himself again (no, not like that) at the tender age of 31. In 2010, Ranganathan staged his epic comeback gig to an almost silent room, and has since gone on to earn his place as the most in-demand overweight vegan Sri Lankan comedian in Britain.
-
-
If you like Romesh's work then listen to this
- By Gervaise Miller on 05-10-18
Summary
The long-awaited audio edition of Peter Kay’s best-selling autobiography, The Sound of Laughter, including two completely new and exclusive bonus chapters.
Grab a brew and some good-for-dipping biscuits and listen to Peter take a trip down memory lane, including his first-ever driving lesson, his Bolton childhood, the numerous jobs he held, right up until he found fame in the world of comedy.
The Sound of Laughter observes the absurdities and eccentricities of family life: elderly relatives, garlic bread, cheesecake, weddings, funerals and your mum’s HRT...hear all about it from Peter, read live and direct from his own front room.
Peter Kay is one of Bolton’s funniest comedians. His first autobiography The Sound of Laughter still holds the record for biggest selling British hardback autobiography of all time. He’s won numerous BAFTA’s, National Television Awards for his TV work including Car Share and Phoenix Nights. As well as three number chart singles - and he holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest selling stand-up comedian of all time.
What listeners say about The Sound of Laughter
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Susan.
- 17-09-21
Genius….. simple as that
I have severely missed this guy in recent times and the world is a much better place for having some new media from him, I have only purchased today and have completed the book in one sitting,I loved every single minute of it and would give my right arm to meet him, he’s genuinely my hero, I have read the paper edition of the book but this is so much better having it put across in his own voice, he constantly breaks off and chats away from the book which is very very heartwarming indeed….. long live Peter Kay, I love you mate x
35 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aiysha Shah
- 16-09-21
FINALLY
SO happy this is now on Audible!
Read the book when it was first released but listening to the man himself read it is even better!
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David Greenly
- 16-09-21
It’s him - it is Peter Kay
Only listened to intro but just know this is going to be a hoot.
Thanks Peter. Really wanted this to be made.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CURLY GATES
- 03-10-21
So disappointing
PK reads this book as though he is bored and embarrassed. He is the funniest man in the world when he’s on stage but he is terrible at reading his own book. It could have been so good. Pity. I lasted 3 chapters and I couldn’t bear any more, even in the car.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sam
- 16-09-21
what we've been waiting for....
so far so genius.... did we expect anything less from the great man. perfect to while away a dull shift at work
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 04-10-21
exceptionally disappointed.
Peter Kaye (Man of the People) narrator of the tedious. I was really looking forward to this, but it very disappointed.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- WarrenBevan
- 16-09-21
A must!
So so good.
Unlike your usual autobiography read by the author.
Funny, light, joyful and entertaining.
Really enjoyed spending the time.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- glewis
- 24-10-21
I like Peter Kay!
I love Peters sense of past, mancunianism and down to earth sense of irony and humour. I struggle, as a 64 Yr old Mancunian with an Irish father and mum from Edgbaston, with the use of the word shit in every other sentence. He is a funny man, expletives don't enhance is humour. He reminds me so much of the Morecombe and wise or Ant and Dec (two opposite sides of the age gap) whose comedy is full of life experience, one liners and innuendo without a single profanity and people laugh... the word doesn't sound genuine coming out of his mouth... it spoilt it for me, but I am old school and times have become harsher, less respectful and gentile...
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CATHERINE
- 17-11-21
Big Peter Kay fan, but slow boring read.
I have been a big fan of Peter for years. Loved all his work, my fav being car share. I was very disappointed in this book, he was still going on about school after 9 chapters, then the part-time tedious jobs, first show biz break & book finished. It was a slow tedious journey. Sorry but this is a miss for me. 🙁
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Thomas Baines-Sizeland
- 26-11-21
Disappointed
I love PK and have sincerely missed his presence on tv, however I found this book disappointing.
It seemed like a bit of a ramble, with too much emphasis on trying to sound funny, rather than being effortlessly funny in the way we know he is.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- I AM MICK
- 27-09-21
Top bombin'
This doesn't feel like Peter is reading his book, it feels more like he's just telling everything off the top of his head. This is a hilarious listen, stuff that wouldn't come across in the book as well
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Amazon Customer
- 16-09-21
Brilliant
I have loved Peter Kay's comedy for years and this reading has had me laughing out loud
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kristy LeClair
- 15-06-22
Far beyond any expectations
Couldn't stop listening until the book was finished. Thank you, Peter Kay for some MUCH needed laughs and giggles. so grateful to you. Kristy - Norton, Kansas
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nils
- 06-05-22
Very enjoyable
Not only do you get Mr Kay reading the book, but you also get him commenting on and adding to it. Great format. My only wish was that is was longer. Hope for a sequel.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sir Thicket
- 02-04-22
Surprisingly disappointing
Probably because Peter Kay has done so much since 2006 and I’m reading this in 2022, it seemed focused on the wrong stuff.
Peter Kay is successful and funny so this book was a bit of a disappointment. I wanted to know where he got his spark from, where does his comedic manner come from and so on. It wasn’t until 30 mins left that we really start seeing progress towards what he’s known for. A large majority of the book is a recount of the numerous crumby jobs he’s had and how he was fired from them. The early stuff was good but I guess I was hoping for more around his stuff after 2006 with Standup tours and tv shows.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rick Stutzel
- 31-03-22
A matter of personal taste
I usually love British humor. From Steven Fry to Benny Hill.
But I missed the boat on Peter Kay. Didn't enjoy at all.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dean
- 20-02-22
funny yoooth
a funny book. I laughed until I stopped laughing.
what do you want from me.
lend me $20 I'm good for it.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 02-01-22
English: a Foreign Language
The British accent was so difficult to interpret that it was unintelligible. I'm not from the UK, but my closeest guess would be a strong Scouse accent & dialect from Liverpool or Merseyside, England.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Paul S Mason
- 15-12-21
Its O' Kay!
its better than O' Kay! its actually a lot of fun and its cheered me up no end as I recover from my recent cancer operation, Laughter really is the best medicine, Nicely done Peter ...
stop reading your own reviews! 😁
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Beezies Island
- 08-12-21
He reads, he riffs
In this memoir, Peter Kay takes the reader on his road to comedy fame. The strength of his writing is found in the ability to find humor in the mundane moments in life. It’s a lesson in not taking yourself too seriously. Great read!