Not many books make a big fanfare about their 42nd anniversary but fans will know why this year is important for Douglas Adams's comic masterpiece. To celebrate its enduring legacy we speak with long-time friends, colleagues, collaborators and fans to try and put our finger on why the universe he created remains so popular today. From his famed struggles with deadlines to the legendary tales that surround his ideas we take a look at what made him so funny and still so very much missed by all. Featuring: John Lloyd, Jacqueline Graham, Chris Riddell, Peter Whitehead, David Haddock, Yvette Keller, Mayara Santos, Nemo Thorx

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.