Highlights from the Topical Radio 4 Panel Show

The News Quiz: Gems from the Archive

A brand-new collection of previously unpublished episodes taken from the programme’s first four decades 
 
The News Quiz made its debut on Radio 4 in 1977, and decades later it's still playfully making and breaking the headlines of our daily news. If you enjoy your news humorously grilled, with a side order of biting wit, these 14 gems of vintage episodes will be exactly to your taste.

The BBC Radio 4 Impressions Show

Dead Ringers: Series 20-23 Plus Specials

A collection of four series of the award-winning satirical show – plus 12 Christmas SpecialsWith its wickedly funny mimicry and on-point parodies, Dead Ringers became an instant classic when it hit the airwaves in January 2000. In these four series, first broadcast between 2020 and 2023, the team give us their inimitable impersonations of the famous and infamous: from Donald Trump and Joe Biden to Liz Truss, Professor Chris Whitty and Holly Willoughby.Finding the comedy in Covid, they take on social distancing, the test and trace system, masks and R numbers. There’s a special maths lesson from Matt Hancock, a fight between Good Boris and Bad Boris about when lockdown should start, and a covert recording of Dominic Cummings – as well as tips from Dr Michael Mosley on how to stay healthy in post-pandemic Britain.Plus, Keir Starmer shows the nation his Ramsay MacDonald in Naked Attraction, Rishi Sunak contracts a nasty dose of the 1970s, we learn the explicit secrets of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s OnlyFans account and we’re introduced to some surprising new contestants in Love Island. Angela Rayner has some unusual items for The Repair Shop, The Archers is revamped for Gen Z, the cost of living crisis hits Ready Steady Cook – and there’s a treat for anyone who’s ever watched a Wes Anderson film and wondered why.Also featured are twelve fantastic festive specials, including a compilation episode in which Jon Culshaw and Jan Ravens join Dead Ringers creator and producer Bill Dare to present a selection of the funniest Party Leader sketches since 2014, when David Cameron vs Ed Miliband was the only show in town.Cast and creditsStarring Jon Culshaw, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey, Naomi McDonald, Anil Desai and Jason ForbesProduced and created by Bill DareProduction Co-ordinators: Sarah Sharpe, Caroline Barlow, Katie Baum and Dan MarchiniSound Designer: Rich EvansWritten by Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Jeffrey Aidoo, Simon Alcock, Daniel Audritt, Rebecca Bain, Davina Bentley, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes, James Bugg, Kat Butterfield, Sarah Campbell, Gareth Ceredig, Lewis Cook, Cody Dahler, Robert Darke, Tasha Dhanraj, Sophie Dickson, Charlie Dinkin, Chris Donovan, Toussaint Douglass, Aidan Fitzmaurice, Jade Gebbie, Alex Hardy, Rajiv Karia, Athena Kugblenu, Kate Lipson, Cameron Loxdale, Jane McCutcheon, Vivienne Riddoch, Christina Riggs, Nicky Roberts, Katie Sayer, Cassie Smyth, Peter Tellouche, Edward Tew, Rachel E. Thorn, Joe Topping, Paige Wilson, Duncan WisbeyFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 12 June-17 July 2020 (Series 20), 11-25 December 2020 (Christmas Specials), 11 June-16 July 2021 (Series 21), 10-24 December 2021 (Christmas Specials), 17 June-22 July 2022 (Series 22), 9-23 December 2022 (Christmas Specials), 16 June-21 July 2023 (Series 23), 15-29 December 2023 (Christmas Specials)© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

A collection of four series of the award-winning satirical show – plus 12 Christmas SpecialsWith its wickedly funny mimicry and on-point parodies, Dead Ringers became an instant classic when it hit the airwaves in January 2000. In these four series, first broadcast between 2020 and 2023, the team give us their inimitable impersonations of the famous and infamous: from Donald Trump and Joe Biden to Liz Truss, Professor Chris Whitty and Holly Willoughby.Finding the comedy in Covid, they take on social distancing, the test and trace system, masks and R numbers. There’s a special maths lesson from Matt Hancock, a fight between Good Boris and Bad Boris about when lockdown should start, and a covert recording of Dominic Cummings – as well as tips from Dr Michael Mosley on how to stay healthy in post-pandemic Britain.Plus, Keir Starmer shows the nation his Ramsay MacDonald in Naked Attraction, Rishi Sunak contracts a nasty dose of the 1970s, we learn the explicit secrets of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s OnlyFans account and we’re introduced to some surprising new contestants in Love Island. Angela Rayner has some unusual items for The Repair Shop, The Archers is revamped for Gen Z, the cost of living crisis hits Ready Steady Cook – and there’s a treat for anyone who’s ever watched a Wes Anderson film and wondered why.Also featured are twelve fantastic festive specials, including a compilation episode in which Jon Culshaw and Jan Ravens join Dead Ringers creator and producer Bill Dare to present a selection of the funniest Party Leader sketches since 2014, when David Cameron vs Ed Miliband was the only show in town.Cast and creditsStarring Jon Culshaw, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey, Naomi McDonald, Anil Desai and Jason ForbesProduced and created by Bill DareProduction Co-ordinators: Sarah Sharpe, Caroline Barlow, Katie Baum and Dan MarchiniSound Designer: Rich EvansWritten by Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Jeffrey Aidoo, Simon Alcock, Daniel Audritt, Rebecca Bain, Davina Bentley, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes, James Bugg, Kat Butterfield, Sarah Campbell, Gareth Ceredig, Lewis Cook, Cody Dahler, Robert Darke, Tasha Dhanraj, Sophie Dickson, Charlie Dinkin, Chris Donovan, Toussaint Douglass, Aidan Fitzmaurice, Jade Gebbie, Alex Hardy, Rajiv Karia, Athena Kugblenu, Kate Lipson, Cameron Loxdale, Jane McCutcheon, Vivienne Riddoch, Christina Riggs, Nicky Roberts, Katie Sayer, Cassie Smyth, Peter Tellouche, Edward Tew, Rachel E. Thorn, Joe Topping, Paige Wilson, Duncan WisbeyFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 12 June-17 July 2020 (Series 20), 11-25 December 2020 (Christmas Specials), 11 June-16 July 2021 (Series 21), 10-24 December 2021 (Christmas Specials), 17 June-22 July 2022 (Series 22), 9-23 December 2022 (Christmas Specials), 16 June-21 July 2023 (Series 23), 15-29 December 2023 (Christmas Specials)© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Topical BBC Radio 4 Panel Show

The News Quiz 2024: The Complete Series 113, 114 and 115

All 25 episodes of the award-winning satirical news show from 2024 
 
One of BBC Radio 4’s flagship topical comedies, The News Quiz has been satirising the living daylights out of current events for 47 years. These three series see host Andy Zaltzman skewering the news and passing it to the panellists to be grilled and served up with comic seasoning. 
 
Opening with a ‘Best of 2023’ compilation episode, looking back on some of the best (and worst) bits of the previous 365 days, the show goes on to tackle the big topics at home and abroad in 2024. The subjects explored include broken geopolitical New Year’s resolutions, BBC bias, the battle for the White House, Labour’s ‘Brat Summer’, King Charles’ wild adventures in the South Pacific, the coming of Earth’s new moon (‘All hail Moon 2!) plus a post-General Election special; and two shows in which Lucy Portman and Ian Smith step in as guest hosts in Andy Zaltzman’s absence. 
 
Diving headlong into the headlines are comedians and commentators from across the political spectrum, among them Marie Le Conte, Alasdair Beckett-King, Shaparak Khorsandi, Hugo Rifkind, Athena Kugblenu, Stuart Mitchell, Robin Morgan, Cindy Yu, Andrew Maxwell, Tadiwa Mahlunge and Aditi Mittal. 
 
 
Production credits 
Written and hosted by Andy Zaltzman, Lucy Porter (115:7) and Ian Smith (115:8) 
With additional material by Dee Allum, Rebecca Bain, Teresa Burns, Sarah Campbell, Angela Channell, Ben Clover, Stu Cooper, Cody Dahler, Laura Davis, Sarah Dempster, Tasha Dhanraj, Toussaint Douglass, Krystal Evans, James Farmer, Alice Fraser, Alex Garrick-Wright, Jade Gebbie, Mark Granger, Adam Greene, Callum Jones, Alex Kealy, Cameron Loxdale, Sam Lyden, Lizzy Mansfield, Stephen Mawhinney, Viv May, Tom Mayhew, Molly McGuinness, John Meagher, Meryl O’Rourke, Alfie Packham, Owen Pullar, Christina Riggs, Katie Sayer, Mike Shephard, Alison Spittle, Claire Sullivan, Dan Sweryt, Peter Tellouche and Sharon Wanjohi 
 
Produced by Sam Holmes, Georgia Keating, Gwyn Rhys Davies and Rajiv Karia 
Executive Producers: James Robinson, Richard Morris and Pete Strauss 
Production Co-ordinators: Dan Marchini, Sarah Nicholls and Jodie Charman 
Sound Editors: Mark Willcox, Chris Maclean, Rich Evans, Jerry Peal and Giles Aspen 
Recorded by Sean Kerwin, Marc Willcox and Neva Missirian 
 
Series 113 featuring: Anushka Asthana, Alasdair Beckett-King, Neil Delamere, Diona Doherty, Andrew Doyle, Simon Evans, Danny Finkelstein, Ayesha Hazarika, Alex Kane, Marie Le Conte, Ria Lina, Zoe Lyons, Shaparak Khorsandi, Tadiwa Mahlunge, Andrew Maxwell, Susie McCabe, Stuart Mitchell, Robin Morgan, Geoff Norcott, Rachel Parris, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind, Ian Smith, Mark Steel, Ashley Storrie, Cindy Yu 
 
Series 114 featuring: Anushka Asthana, Katy Balls, Angela Barnes, Alasdair Beckett-King, Scott Bennett, Daliso Chaponda, Simon Evans, Shaparak Khorsandi, Athena Kugblenu, Marie Le Conte, Ria Lina, Zoe Lyons, Susie McCabe, Stuart Mitchell, Geoff Norcott, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind, Ian Smith, Laura Smyth, Cindy Yu 
 
Series 115 featuring: Anushka Asthana, Alasdair Beckett-King, Scott Bennett, Daliso Chaponda, Neil Delamere, Simon Evans, Alice Fraser, Amy Hoggart, Coco Khan, Athena Kugblenu, Marie Le Conte, Ria Lina, Zoe Lyons, Andrew Maxwell, Susie McCabe, Aditi Mittal, Glenn Moore, Robin Morgan, Geoff Norcott, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind, Ash Sarkar, Ahir Shah, Ian Smith, Mark Steel, Cindy Yu 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 5 Jan-8 Mar 2024 (Series 113), 7 Jun-19 Jul 2024 (Series 114), 6 Sep-25 Oct 2024 (Series 115) 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Panel Game

Just a Minute 2024: The Complete Series 92 & 93

Two sparkling series of the BBC’s long-running comedy panel game from 2024The fast-talking, quick-thinking Radio 4 parlour game returns with twelve more episodes, in which host Sue Perkins is joined by a wealth of talented and illustrious panellists including Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Lucy Porter, Tony Hawks, Eshaan Akbar, Eleanor Tiernan, Stephen Fry, Katherine Parkinson and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.In time-honoured tradition, each player endeavours to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation on a given subject. Among the topics in these two series are Skimming Stones, Apostrophes and Catastrophes, Doppelgängers, Doomsday Bunkers, The Perfect Outfit, Small-Town Secrets, Making Friends On The Internet and Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag.Will they fall at the first hurdle, or fend off all comers to win the points? As the ‘Minute Waltz’ fades away, it’s time to find out...Production creditsDevised by Ian MessiterChaired by Sue PerkinsProduced by Rajiv KariaProduction Co-ordinator: Sarah NichollsSound Editor: Marc WillcoxSound Manager: Jerry PealSeries 92 featuring: Paul Merton, Daliso Chapondo, Kerry Godliman, Zoe Lyons, Lucy Porter, Angela Barnes, Eshaan Akbar, Eleanor Tiernan, Heidi Regan, Tony HawksSeries 93 featuring: Stephen Fry, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks, Katherine Parkinson, Lucy Porter, Gyles Brandreth, Desiree Burch, Glenn Moore, Julian Clary, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Josie LawrenceFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 8 Jan-12 Feb 2024 (Series 92), 16 Sep-21 Oct 2024 (Series 93)© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 Topical Comedy

The Now Show: Series 62-64

The final three scurrilous series of the award-winning comedy showFor over 25 years, The Now Show amused the nation with topical stand-up, sketches and songs, before bringing the comedy to a close at the end of Series 64. But now, you can re-live the final three sparkling series, as Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis and special guests take aim at the headlines for the final time.Bringing their quips, quick wit and a quiver full of satirical arrows are comedians including Laura Lexx, Ian Smith, Sarah Keyworth, Olga Koch, Janine Harouni, Ahir Shah, Alex Kealy and Helen Bauer. Rhys James presents his foolproof guide to surviving the cost-of-living crisis; Daliso Chaponda discusses the big problem of small boat crossings; Laura Smyth navigates her way through all the strikes and Ken Cheng uses air fryers to help explain his frustration with the housing market.There’s also music from Beardyman, who sings about the upcoming robot apocalypse; Jess Robinson, with a song inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow's 'slalom witch trial'; Jazz Emu, who’s auditioning to be the in-flight entertainment on Elon Musk's 'SpaceX and Rachel Parris, who gives us her musical take on what’s truly scary at Halloween.So sit back and enjoy the freewheeling fun, as the team give us their sensational swansong in these 18 hilarious episodes.NB: Contains humour and language that some listeners may find offensiveCast and creditsPresented by Steve Punt and Hugh DennisWritten by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis with the castAdditional material by Luke Beddows, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Campbell, Carl Carzana, Cody Dahler, Tasha Dhanraj, Kate Dehnert, Hugh Dennis, Chris Douch, David Duncan, Aidan Fitzmaurice, Jules Garnett, Alex Garrick-Wright, Jade Gebbie, Cameron Loxdale, Laura Major, Pravanya Pillay, Christina Riggs, Mike Shephard, Katie Storey, Zoe TomalinProduced by Pete Strauss and Sasha BobakExecutive Producers: James Robinson, Pete Strauss and Richard MorrisProduction Co-ordinators: Sarah Nicholls and Katie BaumSound: Marc Willcox, John Hemingway, Gary Newman and John BolandFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 March-21 April 2023 (Series 62), 3 November-8 December 2023 (Series 63), 15 March-19 April 2024 (Series 64)© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The News Quiz: A Heritage Collection

A brand-new collection of previously unpublished episodes taken from the programme's first four decades. 
 
As highly prized as a Ming vase or a Regency sideboard, this fine collection of 14 vintage episodes of BBC Radio 4&rsquo;s long-running panel show - chaired by Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Bill Tidy and Sandi Toksvig - is at last available for all to hear. Those in the know will discern a clear patina of sensible, silly and salacious news items from Britain, America and all around the world.Joining regular panellists Alan Coren, Richard Ingrams, Jeremy Hardy and Andy Hamilton to examine the silverware are guest players including Clive Anderson, Mark Steel, Jo Brand, Ian Hislop, Phill Jupitus, and John Sergeant. Included among the programmes is a duo of two-part News Quiz of the Year editions from 1981/82 and 1983. 
 First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 26/12/1981, 02/01/1982, 24/12/1983, 25/12/1983, 05/10/1985, 22/09/1990, 22/03/1997, 04/10/1997, 05/01/2001, 01/03/2002, 29/02/2008, 09/01/2009, 04/02/2011, 06/04/2012.Cast and creditsWritten by Stephen Carlin, Carl Carter, Dave Cohen, Lucy Clarke, Rhodri Crooks, Nev Fountain, Gareth Gwynn, Jon Hunter, John Langdon, Simon Littlefield, Paul McKenzie, Gráinne Maguire, Benjamin Partridge, Suk Pannu, Iain Pattinson, George Poles, John-Luke Roberts, Hugh Ryecroft, Jane Sherwood, David SpicerChaired by Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Bill Tidy &amp; Sandi ToksvigWith Clive Anderson, Joan Bakewell, Alistair Beaton, Jo Brand, Susan Calman, Alan Coren, Kevin Day, Justin Edwards, Andy Hamilton, Phil Hammond, Jeremy Hardy, Ian Hislop, Peter Hobday, Simon Hoggart, Laurence Howarth, Richard Ingrams, Phill Jupitus, Miles Kington, Andrew Lawrence, Ann Leslie, Stan McMurtrie, Edward Pearce, Gay Search, John Sergeant, Linda Smith, Mark Steel, David Taylor, Laurie Taylor, Sandi Toksvig, John Wells, Francis Wheen, Michael White.Newsreaders: Harriet Cass, Corrie Corfield, Peter Donaldson, Charlotte Green, John Marsh, Brian Perkins, Simon VanceProduced by Lucy Armitage, Sam Bryant, Aled Evans, Danny Greenstone, Victoria Lloyd, Diane Messias, Ed Morrish, Alan Nixon, and Jon RolphEpisode selection by Michael Stevens&copy;2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

BBC Radio Comedy

Nicholas Parsons

Kenneth Williams

Peter Jones

Derek Nimmo

Paul Merton

Various

A Heritage Collection

24 more archive editions of the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons 
 
This new collection of previously unpublished editions, first broadcast between 1979 and 2009, comes brimming with Just a Minute’s unique blend of wit, wordplay and one-upmanship beloved by listeners all around the world. Hilarity is guaranteed whenever the intrepid players attempt to speak without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the given subject, all whilst under the scrutiny of their fellow players and the stopwatch. Nicholas Parsons is once more in the chair to introduce proceedings and adjudicate on challenges. 
 
Long-time players Kenneth Williams, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo and Paul Merton compete alongside guests including Joan Bakewell, Wendy Richard, Richard Stilgoe, Tim Rice, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton, Neil Mullarkey, Greg Proops, Blythe Duff, Maria McErlane, Stephen Frost, Stephen Fry, Jenny Eclair, Sue Perkins, Ross Noble, Fred MacAulay, Nick Revell, Gyles Brandreth, Charles Collingwood, Liza Tarbuck, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Chris Neill, Alun Cochrane, Chris Addison, Julian Clary, Ian McMillan, Shappi Khorsandi, the sadly missed Janey Godley and Richard Herring. 
 
 
Please note: Contains mild innuendo. The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Due to the archive nature of some of the episodes, sound quality may vary. 
 
 
Cast and credits 
 
Devised by Ian Messiter 
Chaired by Nicholas Parsons 
Episode selection by Michael Stevens 
Music: The Minute Waltz (Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64) by Chopin 
 
All episodes first broadcast on BBC Radio 4: 
 
Episode Guide 
1 6 February 1979 
Feat. Joan Bakewell, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 
2 12 January 1991 
Feat. Peter Jones, Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Richard Stilgoe 
3 2 March 1996 
Feat. Tony Hawks, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo, Graham Norton 
4 15 February 1997 
Feat. Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Neil Mullarkey, Derek Nimmo 
5 31 January 1998 
Feat. Paul Merton, Derek Nimmo, Graham Norton, Greg Proops 
6 6 July 1998 
Feat. Blythe Duff, Tony Hawks, Paul Merton, Derek Nimmo 
7 13 July 1998 
Feat. Stephen Frost,Peter Jones, Maria McErlane, Paul Merton 
8 17 January 2000 
Feat. Peter Jones, Stephen Fry, Maria McErlane, Paul Merton 
9 26 February 2001 
Feat. Jenny Eclair, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton, Tim Rice 
10 16 July 2001 
Feat. Tony Hawks, Ross Noble, Sue Perkins, Tim Rice 
11 2 February 2004 
Feat. Gyles Brandreth, Fred MacAulay, Maria McErlane, Nick Revell 
12 9 February 2004 
Feat. Charles Collingwood, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Paul Merton, Liza Tarbuck 
13 2 January 2006 
Feat. Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins 
14 6 February 2006 
Feat. Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins 
15 6 March 2006 
Feat. Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Paul Merton, Chris Neill, Liza Tarbuck 
16 22 January 2007 
Feat. Alun Cochrane, Paul Merton, Chris Neill, Tim Rice 
17 29 January 2007 
Feat. Tony Hawks, Paul Merton, Neil Mullarkey, Sue Perkins 
18 5 March 2007 
Feat. Tony Hawks, Paul Merton, Neil Mullarkey, Sue Perkins 
19 13 August 2007 
Feat. Alun Cochrane, Paul Merton, Chris Neill, Tim Rice 
20 1 September 2008 
Feat. Chris Addison, Julian Clary, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins 
21 22 September 2008 
Feat. Tony Hawks, Shappi Khorsandi, Ian McMillan, Paul Merton 
22 17 August 2009 
Feat. Gyles Brandreth, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Shappi Khorsandi, Paul Merton 
23 31 August 2009 
Feat. Janey Godley, Richard Herring, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins 
24 7 September 2009 
Feat. Charles Collingwood, Jenny Eclair, Stephen Fry, Paul Merton 
 
 
©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

BBC Radio Comedy

Books by BBC Radio Comedy

Series by BBC Radio Comedy

Dead Ringers9 Books

I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again6 Books

Just a Minute15 Books

The Infinite Monkey Cage8 Books

The News Quiz27 Books

The Now Show7 Books

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