Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

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John Inverdale presents another hilarious selection of sporting clangers from the BBC archives. Here are some more wonderful giggles, goofs and gaffes that can turn an innocent sports report into a commentator’s nightmare – and a listener’s dream. Live on air, commentators and sports personalities can say the silliest things.Among those caught out this time are John Humphrys, Garry Richardson, Jonathan Agnew, Alan Green, Mike Ingham, Cornelius Lysaght, Simon Brotherton, Peter Baxter and Colin Murray. This compilation also includes Nigel Mansell trying out a new exercise, misbehaving microphones, ‘muppet’ impressions, party tricks, accidental innuendo, and some special off-air bloopers featuring Glenn Hoddle, Gary Lineker, Ray Illingworth and Peter Baxter. More classic moments, together with some surprises, in this quick-fire collection which is a must for every sports fan.

Sporting Gaffes Volume 2

Barry Johnston

Brian Johnston, known to everyone as Johnners, was as well known for his on-air gaffes as for his Test Match Special commentaries. Here are his most famous and funniest cricketing mishaps, which have been chosen by his son, Barry. Among Johnners’ laugh-out-loud clangers are ‘joined by the Balls’, ‘sitting on a shooting stick’ and a streaker’s ‘cheeky performance... waving her flag and other things’. There’s also Mr Titt’s letter... More giggles from the archives include Johnners’ notorious Ashes comedy song, his appearances on Quote, Unquote and Trivia Test Match, plus Fawlty Towers insights from John Cleese. From leg-pulling to leg-overs, inflatable parrots to chocolate cake, this special recording is not just for cricket lovers, it’s for anyone who loves a laugh!

Johnners Cricketing Gaffes, Giggles And Cakes

Henry Cooper

A fascinating chance to hear legendary boxer Henry Cooper talk about his life and career, in a selection of interviews taken from the BBC radio and TV archive. 
 
 The interviews are: Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 16 May 1966, featuring Roy Plomley); Parkinson , BBC One (first broadcast 19 October 1974, featuring Michael Parkinson); Parkinson, BBC One (first broadcast 24 October 1979, featuring Michael Parkinson, Benny Green); Maestro, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 11 June 1984, featuring Frank Keating, Jim Wicks) and Myself When Young, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 3 April 1991, featuring Claire Rayner). 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Henry Cooper In His Own Words

Stirling Moss

Sir Stirling Moss, OBE, was a legendary British racing driver. In this collection we hear - in his own words - about his family and upbringing, on starting out and his early career choices, and why he became a racing driver. 
 
 He discusses being a businessman, his relationships and the bittersweet feelings that occur with racing. He also touches on the many dangers involved with the sport, including the loss of friends. Stirling talks about his crash in 1962 - including his injuries and recuperation - as well as his celebrity lifestyle, his continuing popularity and reaching 70. 
 
 The clips included are taken from: Face to Face, BBC TV (first broadcast 12 June 1960); Panorama, BBC TV (first broadcast 16 July 1962); Outlook, BBC Radio (first broadcast 21 May 1974); Profile, first broadcast BBC Radio 4 (21 October 1979) The Colin Berry Programme, BBC Radio 1 (first broadcast 24 March 1980); Stirling at 70, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 17 September 1999); A Stirling Effort, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 5 November 2004). 
 
 Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Stirling Moss In His Own Words

Helen Mort

Award-winning poet, writer and runner Helen Mort looks at stories of running through the ages, asking why humans run and what it tells us about ourselvesFor millions of people worldwide, running is an essential part of life. It is seen as a path to health, longevity and mental wellbeing – but what is at the root of this international obsession? Where did our desire and ability to run come from, and what role has running played in communities through the ages? Talking to scientists, historians, athletes and authors, Helen Mort follows a trail leading from neolithic times to now, to find out why we run, how our relationship to running has changed and how running has been depicted in our culture across the ages.Beginning 6000 years ago in the Northern Sahara, she explores what running meant to early humans. Was it merely a way of hunting long-distance, or did it also have ritualistic and spiritual aspects? She hears how indigenous peoples have a long tradition of running to honour their ancestors and worship the gods, and traces the practice of competitive running back to Ancient Greece and the first Olympiad. Recounting the myths of Atalanta and Achilles, Helen goes on to unveil the truth behind the famous legend of Pheidippides, whose feat – and feet – gave us the marathon.From the iconic rock painting ‘The Running Horned Woman’ to ancient Irish artefacts, Renaissance sculpture, Japanese cinema and American subway ads, she examines running’s enduring relationship with creativity. And, further down the track, she examines the part running has played in societies from Europe's Dark Ages to the modern era: uncovering the surprising religious origins of Britain's present-day position in global athletics, charting the ups and downs of the participation and perception of women runners, and pondering what running’s explosion in popularity in the 20th century means for us today.Presented by Helen MortProduced by Sam Peach and Becca BryersReadings by Andi Bickers and Nuhazet Diaz CanoThanks to Dr Judith Swaddling and Thor GotaasInterviewees: Dr Nathalie Hager, Prof Dan Lieberman, Dustin Martin, Christopher McDougall, Andrea Marcolongo, Roger Robinson, Neil Baxter, Sam Edwards, Bill Hillman, Katie Holmes, Peter Radford 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 23 September-7 October 2024© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

On the Run

A BBC History of Humanity’s Relationship to Running, From Prehistory to the Present Day

Jacob Hawley

Stand-up comedian Jacob Hawley explores every corner of the UK drugs scene, from nightclubs to prisons 
 
In his first BBC radio series, New Comedy Award finalist Jacob Hawley examines one of the most important issues affecting young people today, looking into every aspect of British drug culture to discover its scope and effects. As a recreational drugs user for almost a decade, Jacob thought he knew more than most about the topic - but was shocked by how much he still had to learn. 
 
Beginning with a debate about legalisation, these 16 episodes examine the highs and lows of drug use and abuse, from psychedelics, ayahuasca and chemsex to addiction, County Lines gangs and drugs behind bars and on the streets. Jacob visits a rehab clinic to talk to recovering addicts, meets families who have lost loved ones to drugs and speaks with dealers and policemen to canvass opinions from both sides of the law. In addition, he probes the murky world of doping and performance-enhancing drugs, investigates prescription drug abuse and antidepressants, and looks at the damaging effects of one of the most widely-used drugs in the world: alcohol. 
 
His guests include controversial scientist Professor David Nutt; 'Acid Countess' Amanda Feilding, grime artist and DJ Faze Miyake and Olympic gold medal winner Luke Campbell - and, in a special episode live from the BBC 6Music Festival, Jacob catches up with actor and presenter Tyger Drew-Honey, who discusses his struggle with drink and drugs. 
 
This acclaimed series earned Jacob a Radio Academy Silver Award for Best New Presenter. Enlightening, informative and insightful, it will expand your mind and make you rethink the way you look at drugs. 
 
Created and presented by Jacob Hawley 
Produced by Nick Coupe 
Music by Buddy Peace 
Art by Charles Williams at Made Up 
Jacob Hawley: On Drugs is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds 
 
With guests including: Professor David Nutt, Dr Kevin Sabet, Lizzie McCulloch, Jack Barry, Adam Deacon, Sabina Osbourne Gray, Tom Huggins, Carl Donnelly, Amanda Feilding, Harry Shapiro, Joshua Levitas, Elizabeth Burton-Phillips MBE, James Wharton, Denholm Spurr, Monty Moncrieff MBE, Luke Laws, Faze Miyake, Ryan Walker-Edwards, Fiona Measham, Bradley Laurencin, Shaun Attwood, Lawrence Gibbons, Paul Sharky, Joseph Kaz, Dr Michael Shiner, Chloe Petts, Laura Pilcher, Nathan Harmer, Ed Warner, Emily Robinson, Luke Campbell, Thomas Maw, Tyger Drew-Honey, Dr Tom Yerburgh, Michael Ritchie, Nikki Holland, Sonya Jones, Tanayah Sam, Ahir Shah, Angela Barnes, Emma Carrington, Dr David Healy, Lou Sanders, Jon Long, Tom Blackwood, Dr Richard Piper 
 
 
If you've been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find help and support here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1kS7QTDB16PWkywhsXJLzxz/information-and-support-addiction-alcohol-drugs-and-gambling

Jacob Hawley: On Drugs

Exploring the UK drug scene

Matt Majendie

Bloodsport is the story of the systematic doping of the 2012 and 2014 Olympics by the Russian state, its subsequent unmasking and the ongoing fall out amidst the power play of nation against nation. 
 
Journalist Matt Majendie brings listeners the whole story from 2012 to 2020, told by the people who were there. You'll hear from Paula Radcliffe and Sebastian Coe on London 2012, the expert German investigator who cracked the case wide open, and the athletes who doped. The programme also gained access to the elite Swiss lab racing to finish testing London 2012 samples, and spoke to the man who masterminded doping control at the London games. 
 
You'll also hear first-hand testimony from people who blew the whistle inside Russia (at the risk of their own lives) and from seasoned journalists who watched open mouthed as the whole thing unfolded. And the programme delves into the ongoing arms race between doper and tester, to see how the science of testing plays out in the analysis of blood and urine samples. 
 
The story isn't over. 2020 trials in French Courts found IAAF President Lamine Diack and several other defendants guilty of corruption, and there are ongoing allegations of flagrant Russian cheating (even as the Russian government denies all the evidence). Against all this is the soon to be pressing question of whether Russia will participate in the now postponed Tokyo Olympics. The credibility of the Olympic movement might hang on the decision. The clock is ticking. 
 
Produced by James Cook

Bloodsport

The inside story of doping at the 2012 and 2014 Olympics

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