June 2022

Beena And Amrit - After last year's pilot, a full series of Beena and Amrit has just begun on BBC Radio Wales. I worked as script editor on the series, which has been brilliantly written by Priya Hall, Sarah Breese and Pravanya Pillay and stars Priya and Shobna Gulati. I'm typing this just as episode 1 appears on BBC Sounds, and it'll be joined by four more over the next month.

Only Seeing Is Believing - It is 30 years since The Garden Festival of Wales took place in Ebbw Vale. Being nine years old at the time, I was quite keen on the toboggan ride, sky shuttle and robotic dragons but didn't quite grasp the socio-economic conditions which brought the final UK garden festival to Blaenau Gwent in the first place - or what it was there to do. This show is a belated attempt to work all that out as I speak to historians, politicians and those who worked on the site itself - as well as accidentally uncovering a Blue Peter competition scandal along the way. The show is still available on the BBC Radio Wales bit of BBC Sounds - but be quick - there's only about a week left!

May 2022 - Only Seeing Is Believing

Only Seeing Is Believing - It is 30 years since The Garden Festival of Wales took place in Ebbw Vale. Being nine years old at the time, I was quite keen on the toboggan ride, sky shuttle and robotic dragons but didn't quite grasp the socio-economic conditions which brought the final UK garden festival to Blaenau Gwent in the first place - or what it was there to do. This show is a belated attempt to work all that out as I speak to historians, politicians and those who worked on the site itself - as well as accidentally uncovering a Blue Peter competition scandal along the way. The show is currently available on the BBC Radio Wales bit of BBC Sounds.

Clonc is a brand new, 6-part sketch show for BBC Radio Cymru written by Sian Harries, Tudur Owen and I and is the best-bits podcast for the fictional Radio Clonc. BBC Radio Cymru (and, by extention, Radio Clonc) is a Welsh language radio station so, as I type this in English, I realise I'm on a hiding to nothing really. Dw i'n dysgu cymraeg felly fi angen mae Sian a Tudur i gyfieithu i fi. Nes i meddwl gallwn ysgrifennu hwn paragraff yn cymraeg ond nes i "bottled it". Maybe next time!  

The Ministry Of Fun - I was lucky enough to work behind the scenes on this absolutely fascinating edition of Archive On Four all about the ministers and ministry of culture and/or the arts (or whatever they want to call the department at the time!) Presented by conductor Ben Gernon and produced by Rosemary Baker, the show covers everything from Jennie Lee to the present day, and features the National Lottery, Britpop and Virginia Bottomley introducing Gina Gee at Eurovision. I was quite heavily involved in sourcing the archive clips for the show - So when you get to the bit featuring Edward Heath enthusastically singing the Twelve Days Of Christmas to a baffled choir, you'll have me to thank.

Panic Room is a podcast, exclusively on Audible, in which Eshaan Akbar and Olga Koch attempt to find solutions to some of John Robins' biggest concerns. From running out of grave space to lowering the divorce rate, the team speak to experts and conduct their own experiments in an attempt to put John's mind at rest. I worked behind the scenes on the show but, most importantly, I was not the person who made the experimental mashed potato in the diet episode - so that bit isn't my fault.

January 2022 - United Nations Of Anglesey

Tudur Owen: United Nations Of Anglesey is a brand new series on BBC Radio 4 and the sequel to 2020's Zoo. Once again, it's based on a true story from Tudur's childhood - this time covering how he became a star on Japanese TV when he was selected as the welsh representative in the documentary programme Children Of The World. I worked as script editor on the two part show which also manages to cover cottage burning, agricultural show skulduggery and the career of Patagonian singer-songwriter Rene Griffiths. 

And, if you're quick, you can also catch Tudur together with Sian Harries and (briefly) myself in the the latest edition of our annual sketch show O'r Diwedd which is on S4C Clic/BBC iPlayer till the end of the month and available with English subtitles.

Panic Room is a podcast, exclusively on Audible, in which Eshaan Akbar and Olga Koch attempt to find solutions to some of John Robins' biggest concerns. From running out of grave space to lowering the divorce rate, the team speak to experts and conduct their own experiments in an attempt to put John's mind at rest. I worked behind the scenes on the show but, most importantly, I was not the person who made the experimental mashed potato in the diet episode - so that bit isn't my fault.

January 2022 - Panic Room

Panic Room is a brand new podcast, exclusively on Audible, in which Eshaan Akbar and Olga Koch attempt to find solutions to some of John Robins' biggest concerns. From running out of grave space to lowering the divorce rate, the team speak to experts and conduct their own experiments in an attempt to put John's mind at rest. I worked behind the scenes on the show but, most importantly, I was not the person who made the experimental mashed potato in the diet episode - so that bit isn't my fault.

O'r Diwedd 2021 - Our almost* annual sketch show which looks back at the year is now available on S4C Clic/BBC iPlayer till the end of the month. It's in Welsh, but both services provide English subtitles if you need them. I do and I'm in it.

(*We skipped 2020. Can you blame us?)

Harry Secombe: Unsung Comedian - Also available until the end of January is this documentary, first broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in September, to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Harry Secombe. Controversially, we ignore Sir Harry's not-insignificant singing career and instead concentrate solely on his comedic legacy - So give it a listen and decide if his legendary shaving act works on the radio. 

The Xennial Dome - Esyllt Sears and I released two special editions of the podcast over the Christmas break which, like all our episodes, will be of interest to anyone born between 1977 and 1985. First-up was a format-busting interview with the non-Xennial stars of 1990s kids television, Trevor and Simon - And we followed that up with our Christmas Leftovers podcast, containing bits and bobs we could find a home for in series 1. The whole run is currently available online wherever you get your podcasts and you can get in touch with the show on Twitter, Instagram and MySpace.

December 2021 - Xennial Xmas Xpecial!

The Xennial Dome - The podcast of interest to anyone born between 1977 and 1985 is back for a Christmas special (or a Xennial Xmas Xpecial as I insist on calling it).

Esyllt and I decided to break the format for Christmas and speak to some people who aren't Xennials but certainly understand them better than most - Stars of 1990s kids television, Trevor and Simon.

Needless to say, I was (and still am) a huge fan of the pair of them - as my signed and battered copy of the Trevor And Simon Stupid Book will attest. The episode is available now in the playlist below as well as wherever you get your podcasts. And don't forget, you can get in touch with the show on Twitter, Instagram and MySpace.

O'r Diwedd 2021 - The sketch show which looks back at the year returns for 2021. Technically, we've got two years to cover, having been put on furlough for 2020, but 2021 has given us more than enough to deal with. The show will be broadcast on New Years Eve at 9pm and will then be available on S4C Clic/BBC iPlayer afterwards (and all with English subtitles if you need them. I do and I'm in it). 

Harry Secombe: Unsung Comedian - Also on New Years Eve, BBC Radio Wales are repeating my documentary, first broadcast in September, to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Harry Secombe. Ignoring his not-insignificant singing career, this concentrates solely on his comedic legacy. You can catch it on-air at 6.30pm on the 31st December or on BBC Sounds afterwards.

November 2021 - Updated Update

I will be appearing on this week's episode of The Now Show talking about the UK's relationship with France and finding out how 1980s kids TV covered the building of the channel tunnel (the answer, it turns out, is "extensively"). The show will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 6.30pm on Friday 12th November and will also be available as a podcast and on BBC Sounds.

Beena And Amrit is a sitcom pilot starring Meera Syal and Priya Hall, released as part of BBC Wales' Festival Of Funny. It is written by Priya Hall and Sarah Breese, I acted as script editor and it's available now on BBC iPlayer. It's only 10 minutes long too, so you may as well give it a go. You'll spend more time than that choosing what to watch next on Netflix.

And The Xennial Dome podcast (of interest to anyone born between 1977 and 1985) is still available. It's presented by Esyllt Sears and I with new episodes released every Tuesday - all of which are available in the playlist below as well as wherever you get your podcasts. 

Look at that list of people. Honestly, what a bunch of bloody legends. And don't forget, you can get in touch on Twitter, Instagram and, bafflingly, MySpace.

November 2021 - Update

As part of their Festival Of Funny, BBC One Wales will be broadcasting Beena And Amrit - a sitcom pilot written by Priya Hall and Sarah Breese. I script edited the pilot, starring Meera Syal and Priya Hall, which will be broadcast on BBC One Wales at 11.05pm on Monday 8th November and will then be available on iPlayer after that.

And The Xennial Dome podcast (of interest to anyone born between 1977 and 1985) is still available. It's presented by Esyllt Sears and I with new episodes released every Tuesday - all of which are available in the playlist below as well as wherever you get your podcasts. 

Look at that list of people. Honestly, what a bunch of bloody legends. And don't forget, you can get in touch on Twitter, Instagram and, bafflingly, MySpace.

October 2021 - The Xennial Dome

The Xennial Dome is a brand new podcast presented by Esyllt Sears and I. Xennials are those born between 1977 and 1985 and everything else you need to know is covered in the trail featured in the ever-growing playlist below.

You should be able to listen wherever you get your podcasts - and if you can't, let us know. If you want to get in touch, we're on Twitter, Instagram and MySpace (the temptation to only do MySpace was enormous).

And if you like that, then here's a bunch of other stuff I've written or presented which is absolutely nothing like it... 

 

September 2021 - Coming Soon: The Xennial Dome

The Xennial Dome is a brand new podcast presented by Esyllt Sears and I - and to be honest everything you need to know is covered in the trail above. You should be able to listen wherever you get your podcasts - and if you can't, let us know. We're on Twitter, Instagram and MySpace (the temptation to only do MySpace was enormous).

But if conversations about FunFaxes and Encarta encyclopedia all feel just a bit too modern, don't worry - My documentary Harry Secombe - Unsung Comedian, all about Sir Harry's comedy career, is still available on BBC Sounds. 

 

This month marks 100 years since the birth of Welsh legend
Sir Harry Secombe.

This is a tribute to his vital role in the creation and success of
The Goon Show.

Including some fantastic images from @BBCArchive...

🔸 Harry Secombe: Unsung Comedian
🎧 Available now @BBCSounds pic.twitter.com/KdWhzDKjg6

— BBC Radio Wales (@BBCRadioWales) September 9, 2021

September 2021 - Harry Secombe: Unsung Comedian (Now With Pictures!)

September 2021 marks 100 years since the birth of Sir Harry Secombe. I'm well aware that to people of my generation, he is probably best known as the host of Highway or Songs Of Praise - which is precisely why I've made a documentary which ignores all of that and concentrates solely on Sir Harry's comedy career. The show is currently available on BBC Sounds, and in the tweet below you'll find a trimmed-down version of the show in video form - The most enjoyable radio show starring Harry Secombe with pictures added afterwards since The Telegoons...

 

This month marks 100 years since the birth of Welsh legend
Sir Harry Secombe.

This is a tribute to his vital role in the creation and success of
The Goon Show.

Including some fantastic images from @BBCArchive...

🔸 Harry Secombe: Unsung Comedian
🎧 Available now @BBCSounds pic.twitter.com/KdWhzDKjg6

— BBC Radio Wales (@BBCRadioWales) September 9, 2021

September 2021 - Harry Secombe: Unsung Comedian

Harry Secombe - Unsung Comedian. September 2021 marks 100 years since the birth of Sir Harry Secombe. I'm well aware that to people of my generation, he is probably best known as the host of Highway or Songs Of Praise - which is precisely why I've made a documentary which ignores all of that and concentrates solely on Sir Harry's comedy career. The show will be broadcast at 6.30pm on Friday 3rd September on BBC Radio Wales and will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds. 

 
Gareth Gwynn Declares Independence From Wales is also available on BBC Sounds and follows my attempt to convince the people of Brecon to break-away from Wales and the United Kingdom and go it alone. It resulted in me speaking to the Honorary Counsul for Kiribati, leaving an answerphone message with the UN and accidentally becoming an international ambassador for Uzupis in the process. The whole adventure, split into two parts, is on the BBC Radio Wales/BBC Sounds website now - accompanied by a very swish show picture drawn by the producer, Rosemary Baker.

Soundheap. Series one of John-Luke Roberts' podcast about podcasts has come to an end - so all 12 episodes are now online. JLR roped 35 comedians into improvising podcasts such as Golf Cartoons Described and Remember Cleggmania? and I pop up on a couple of episodes as a contributor on shows such as Bigfoot Keeps Seeing Me Do Embarrassing Things and Crab Praise. Details on how the show was written and recorded are available on producer Ed Morrish's blog and the show itself is now available wherever you get your podcasts.

June 2021 - Soundheap

Soundheap is a brand new podcast by John-Luke Roberts and produced by Ed Morrish, showcasing the very best moments from the most eclectic podcast network in world.

John-Luke and Ed have roped 35 comedians into improvising podcasts such as How To Put Out A Raging Fire (Mainly Guesses) and How Wide Is Your Coinage? and I've been lucky enough to record various bits and bobs for the show, which will be peppered throughout the run. Details on how the show was written and recorded are available on Ed Morrish's blog and the show itself is now available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Welcome Strangers Series 3 is now all available on BBC Sounds, although you'll have to be quick as I think the episodes start dropping-off today! I wrote some sketches and also acted as script editor for the series, which stars Mali Ann Rees, Laura Dalgleish, Beth Granville, Eleri Morgan, Sian Harries and Ruth Madoc.

Gareth Gwynn Declares Independence From Wales is back on BBC Sounds. Inspired by Richard Booth and his ambitions for Hay-On-Wye, I spent a good portion of last year trying to work out what it would take for a town like Brecon to break-away from Wales and the United Kingdom and go it alone. It resulted in me speaking to the Honorary Counsul for Kiribati, leaving an answerphone message with the UN and accidentally becoming an international ambassador for Uzupis in the process. The whole adventure, split into two parts, is on the BBC Radio Wales/BBC Sounds website now, with a very swish show picture, drawn by the producer, Rosemary Baker.

May 2021 - Welcome Strangers Series 3

 

Welcome Strangers Series 3 starts this Monday (24th May) at 6.30pm on BBC Radio Wales and will be on BBC Sounds immediately afterwards - and if you're thinking "hang on, didn't Series 2 only finish 8 weeks ago?", yep, you're right. In fact, once I've finished typing this, I'm going to go to BBC Genome and try and work out if this is some sort of record. 

Just like the show from way back in March 2021, I wrote some sketches and also acted as script editor for the series, which stars Mali Ann Rees, Laura Dalgleish, Beth Granville, Eleri Morgan, Sian Harries and Ruth Madoc who are all superb. Once it's all edited down and we know which-sketch-goes-where, the writers' details for the individual episodes should be available on the show's British Comedy Guide page - Which is probably another place I should look to see if we've broken any scheduling records.