Seasons: Riding the torpedo to the end of the tube

'Ride the torpedo to the end of the tube. You might not know where it’s going. You might not be in total control. There’ll probably be explosions along the way. But what a ride it’ll be....'

Ian Botham, a truly iconic figure in English sport, is in reflective mood as he reaches the milestone of 70. He's a different man to the one who charged all over the world, taking everybody on. He suspects he might have been the worst father he could have been, but hopes he’s now the best grandfather.

Other things haven’t changed. The strength of friendships throughout his life: the times spent in a cheap Taunton house with Viv Richards, in the passenger seat of Brian Close’s Ford Capri while he steered with his knees and read Sporting Life, on the riverbank with fellow anglers who never knew him as a cricketer. He's typically frank about the explosive rivalries, too.

He compares his experiences of following and leading, at pivotal moments in sporting history. He opens up about pain and glory, belief and doubt, fame and infamy.

Beefy’s life has not been a quiet one and, through adventure and misadventure, he remains as forthright, honest and entertaining as ever. But now, as he considers his legacy, he is ready to reveal more of himself, more of who he is, than he ever has before.

© Ian Botham 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026