Breaking The News BBC Radio Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 13th August, 2026

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:

Chris Thorburn

Jay Lafferty

Alana Jackson

Ray Bradshaw

Topics: Andy Burnham's cost-of-living tour; the solar eclipse; Annas Sarwar's hypocritical view of the House of Lords; Anne Hathaway's bump.

Memories:
Alana admitted she was barred from ASOS because she returned too many garments

Jay Lafferty sang a parody of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis.

Alana and Chris got the answers early on in the buzzer round. The panel had to keep going with wrong answers to provide content for the edit.  

Chatted in the queue with an English couple, who hadn't been to a recording before. Then, in the room, with a man from Renfrew, who had been at every recording for the last four weeks. He was alone, as his wife wasn't happy about having to leave so early to secure a space in the car park (he had accessibility needs).  

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Shows and Tours

Breaking The News - Commonwealth Games Special, BBC Radio Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 30th July, 2026.

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:

Mark Nelson

Krystal Evans

Ria Lina

Liam Withnail

Audience Question:

Q: It's the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this week. What would you win a gold medal for and why?

Producer Chris stepped in while Dave was on holiday.

Of all the panellists, Mark was the funniest, with most of his jokes landing. Liam came second, Ria third and way behind Krystal. As an American with no interest in sport, her biggest contribution was to suggest she would win a gold medal for shagging. Ria joked that for anyone affected by any of these issues, there would be a phone number at the end of the show. Krystal jumped in with, "yeah, my phone number". 

Ria had a facial twitch (obviously, not important for a radio show).

The buzzers didn't work for the buzzer round, so the comedians had to raise a hand to make their suggestions.

This episode turned quite dark. It'll be interesting to hear what they could salvage. Des was in top quip form.

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows

Breaking The News, BBC Scotland Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 25th June, 2026.

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:

Elaine Malcolmson

Scott Agnew

Sam Lake

Jo Caulfield 

Scorching day, so for only the second time in the show's history, Des has his 'jaiket aff'. 

Round One: The Broken News Round.
Sir Keir Starmer's resignation & Scotland's World Cup situation.

Round Two:
Only 5% of Highland communities support a cashless society, due to internet connectivity issues and poor mobile phone signals.

Nicola Benedetti has decided that the Edinburgh International Festival will be a phone-free zone.

Round Three: Who is this in the news?
Answer - Peter Murrell, who this week was handed a sentence of 5 years and 3 months for embezzling £400k from the SNP.

Answer - Serena Williams, who is going to be "doing the Wimbledon".

Final Round: 56% of us say what makes someone more attractive?

Answer: being a good cook.

Klaxon voice: Phil Goodlad

 

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows.

BBC Scotland's Breaking The News Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 9th April, 2026.

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:

Jamie MacDonald, 

Kim Blythe,

Stephen Buchanan

Amanda Dwyer

Audience Question:

Paranormal podcaster Danny Robins is in the news, so we want to know... Tell us your most paranormal experience?

Mashed-up Headlines:
1. Trump announces two-week ceasefire in the Middle East - Goosebumps or Goosetrumps?
2. Artemis II travelling further from Earth than any other human being.

Stories People are talking about:

1. Evelyn Hollow - Saunas are the new pub 

2. Grant Stott - Change in subscription laws

Mystery voice:

1. Curler Bruce Mouat 

2. Danny Robins

Quickfire round:

"40% of young people in Scotland are not what?"

Best answer: Are not sure if a Mazda is a car or their maternal grandfather.

Klaxon "Send your poo to Dundee" - Martin Geissler

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows.

GICF Comedy Gala 2026, King's Theatre, Glasgow. Sunday 29th March, 2026

This was my third consecutive GICF Gala in a row, and it had probably the strongest line-up so far. 

As we were also seeing Alan Davies later on, we decided to make a day of it. We put the dogs into the kennels and arranged to have lunch with Colette and her hubby at The Griffen before the show. Graeme brought the car, not realising that on-street parking is no longer free on a Sunday, and ended up parking quite a distance away, on the other side of Charing Cross. He'll not do that again (they got soaked in the rain on the walk back after the show).

The lunch was good. We pencilled in doing it again next year.

The view from our seats.

The Gala opened with Almost Angelic, the musical double act of Karen Dunbar and Tom Urie, kicking the show off in absurd style. Afterwards, a stagehand pushed the platform, upon which Tom sat with his keyboard, across the stage the long way, much to Karen's mock despair. They'll be supporting Marti Pellow at the Bandstand in August.

Susie McCabe, as MC, wasted no time bringing on the first act, Des Clarke. My wife and I had heard his jokes just a few days ago, including one which I repeated at lunch, but they were still funny. 

Next up was Susan Riddell, using PowerPoint to illustrate the material relating to her arrest for (alleged) "Terrorism and Malicious Mischief". She's barred from Edinburgh because of this as part of her bail conditions and has to accept a 7 pm curfew. I'd love to hear the full story sometime.

Fred MacAulay referenced one of Susan's jokes at the start of his five minutes. A veteran of the circuit, Fred gave a quality set. I'm looking forward to seeing him on tour later in the year (though I'll probably skip his show with Ally McCoist at the Armadillo at those ticket prices).

Amanda Dwyer gave a funny but low-energy set, winning over the audience.

Likewise, the relatively unknown Ifrah Qureshi gave a fine set, demonstrating a good eye for comedy, especially at her family's expense.

Connor Burns closed the first half, giving a performance that ably demonstrated why he sold out five shows at the King's this festival. He is a comedy superstar in the making.

After the break, Susie gave us five minutes on why her life has been a struggle of late, with a heart attack being the least of her worries.  

Then, Karen Dunbar returned for a routine about when she and her sister (God rest her soul) went to the social club and got hammered on the new beverage, White Lightning.            

Another newcomer, Jack Brookmyre, looked uncomfortable in his sleeveless denim jacket patched with heavy metal band logos, but gave a confident performance. His voice work is great, especially his Gollum. One to look out for.

Stuart Mitchell's star is in the ascendant. He's always reliable for a laugh and today was no exception.

Mhairi Black was a more left-field choice, but she showed that her transition from politics to stand-up has gone well. She has always been a great speaker and knows how to be funny.

Rosco McClelland closed the stand-up element of the Gala, confident enough to throw in some new material which didn't hit the mark. 

After this, the Festival Director, Krista MacDonald, gave an impassioned speech about celebrating Scottish comedy, a flourishing circuit despite the lack of financial support it receives as an art form. She introduced a video highlighting each nominee for the Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award. They were:

Top Row:

Amanda Dwyer (Comedian) 
Chris Conway (Comedy promoter/owner of Blackfriars of Bell Street)
Kate Hammer (Comedian)

Second Row:

Kim Blythe (Comedian)
Susan Riddell (Comedian)
Zara Gladman (Writer, performer, and producer)

The winner was: Amanda Dwyer.

Accepting the award, she was speechless, never believing she would win, already assuming that her Material Girl partner, Susan Riddell, would take it.  The short video they showed of Billy Connolly praising Amanda was quite emotional. He looked unwell, with the moonface of a man possibly on long-term steroids. Lovely to hear his voice, though.

As we departed the room, the audience was treated to an airing of his 1974 song, "If It Wasnae for Your Wellies". Lovely to hear that again.

All the nominees were present, even those not performing (Chris Conway isn't a comedian). I know this because an old friend of mine managed to snatch selfies with each individual at the stage door. It's his thing.

Outside, we spotted Dave Flynn, producer of Breaking the News. My wife wouldn't let me take his picture. She didn't need to say it. She just gave me a look.

Ticket Price: £24.10 x2 + Transaction Fee £3.95 = £52.15 from ATG Tickets.

GICF: Des Clarke "Life After Des", Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. Thursday 26th March, 2026

The cynic in me might think this show was an excuse for Des to dredge up his old bangers from ten years ago, the last time he did regular standup. When your set includes references to the attempted terrorist bombing at Glasgow airport (2007), jokes about Scottish contestants on Family Fortunes ("Name a kind of bean", buzz, "A lesbian") and Wheel of Fortune (Can I have a G for Jumper please),  and carrying the Olympic torch through Glasgow (2012), you realise he's replaying his greatest hits.

But that would be unkind. He is, but he knows it. And he does it very well.

Advert inside the unisex toilet door

Des grew up in the Gorbals in the high flats ("My nickname was Lemonade because I lived 7 up"), so this show, at the Citizens, is a homecoming for him. He's proud that he's been able to fill this theatre, the audience full of friends, family and fans (the front row is full of his aunts and cousins). He admits at the start that he's shitting himself, hoping it goes well, which it does. His natural charm and loquacity keep us engaged, even on the rare occasion when he fluffs a routine (he kept mixing up the accents about a conversation with an American tourist in Edinburgh. His material is well-constructed, rich in humour, and delivered with perfect timing.  

We feel warmth towards him because he presents as a local, working-class boy who done good. He often makes himself the butt of his jokes, such as when he accidentally did a Prince Charles impression in front of the man, or when he got flustered and forgot the Olympic torch-carrying information, then messed up his section of the run. He's not cocky about his success. He can't believe he's got as far as he has. 

I would say, though, if he decides to do another show, he'll need to come up with some fresh material.

The support act was Scottish comedian Robin Grainger. Robin opened with a routine harking back to 2022 when he performed a show at the Edinburgh Fringe to an audience of one, also known as an audient. The story snowballed when it was reported in The Scotsman, with Robin ending up giving press interviews to news organisations across the globe, becoming an overnight media sensation. He also commented on being single and dressing like a teen. His bath routine finale was hilarious. He's an engaging, funny and confident performer, but I don't know if I'd pay to see his show. He's still more of a mid-level performer.

A view of Grado and Adele  

On the Heart Radio Breakfast show, which Des co-hosts with Grado and Adele, listeners were asked which walk-on music Des should use, with the EastEnders theme and The One and Only by Chesney Hawkes mooted. In the end, he went with Back in Black by AC/DC, matching his stage apparel. 

The preshow music was suitably mainstream and of broad appeal to his radio audience.

House of Fun - Madness

Give a Little Bit - Supertramp

Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Once In a Lifetime - Talking Heads

Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard - Paul Simon

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

At the interval, the woman on my left jiggled her bum so much to Jump In the Line by Harry Belafonte, I thought I was getting a lap dance. I enjoyed watching the ushers tell off the other patrons in the front row of the Circle for placing their drinks on the balcony shelf. I'd either be sending the ushers telepathic signals, urging them to pounce, or trying to muster telekinesis to knock the drink over the side.   

My eye was drawn to one of the statues within the room. I suspect she may be a distant relative of the Weeping Angels, known as a Saucy Angel, intended to make their victims look away. 

Don't blush!

Before you know it, you'd be living in the Noughties with a family of four and another on the way, thinking to yourself, "Where is that large automobile? This is not my beautiful house! This is not my beautiful wife! Well... how did I get here?" 

At least, Des's material would be new.

Ticket Price: £27 x2 + Booking Fee £1.50 = £55.50 from the Citizens Theatre website.

GICF: BBC "Breaking The News" Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 19th March, 2026

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:
Raymond Mearns

Alexandra Haddow

Madeleine Brettingham
Ignacio Lopez

Audience Question: 

What is the biggest lie you've ever told, and why?

Topics:

Trump is demanding support from the Allies to protect the Strait of Hormuz

Inverness has been nominated for City of Culture 2029

Friends of the show: 

Phil Goodlad - Weather apps ruin attendance at Edinburgh Zoo - "just wear a jaiket". 

Nicola Meighan - Babies have learned deception before their first birthday. "Babies are liars".

Mystery Persons

Angela Rayner - warning that Labour is running out of time to make significant change.

Barbie - about the exhibition coming to Glasgow in the summer.

Final Quickfire round - 48% of workers say they want what?"

Klaxon - Martin Guissler "Shepherds Pie, cottage pie, what's the difference?"

On the way in, on the train, the youth sitting opposite snorted so often, as soon as the approaching platform message was announced, my wife made for the door, not even waiting for the train to stop. His disgusting behaviour was making her feel sick.

Ignacio's Spanish accent is so smooth.

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows. 

BBC "Breaking The News" Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 5th March 2026

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:

Mark Nelson

Felicity Ward

Kathleen Hughes

James Gardner (first time appearing)

The writers' table, inc producer, Dave Flynn

We had arrived slightly later than usual, just before midday, when the ticket validation began, so the queue was out almost onto the street. This meant when we got inside, there was no seating left, and our allocated entry number was quite high. Still, we ended up in the queue in the bar for twenty minutes and found a space beside a table at the back of the hall, so the wait wasn't too bad. 

When we did get into the venue, the first thing I noticed was the absence of TV cameras. We sat in the back row, pleased there was no cameraman blocking the view.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience, once again.

Subjects:

US and Israel at war with Iran;

The Scottish Government has awarded a contract to Fergusson Marine to build four boats;

The nationalisation of Ardrossan Harbour;

Damien Barr: Burger King trialling AI headsets to monitor customer service

Judith Ralston: Pregnancy causes physical changes in the mother's brain (Baby brain is real).

Mystery person 1: Hannah Spencer, newly elected MP, for the Green Party.   

Mystery Person 2: Jonathan Ross (promoting his new show, Handcuffed: Last Pair Standing)

Quickfire question: "16% of the over 45's are what?" - answer: are flatsharing.

 

"When Trump referred to Starmer as not being like Churchill, do you think he meant the dog?" Mark Nelson.

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows

Breaking The News, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 4th December, 2025

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:
Elaine Malcolmson

Susie Mccabe

Ahir Shah

Chris Thorburn

This week's audience question: "What is your favourite Scottish Word and why?" Examples: stooshie, eejit, blootered, stramash.

Mashed-up question: Fallout from the Budget: Scots and Gaelic become recognised official languages.

Also discussed: Your Party, Scottish words, Kiefer Sutherland bringing panto to the US, and the entire village of Dull being offered a publicity stunt holiday to Vienna. 

Ahir's English accent is so plummy; his attempts at speaking Scottish words sounded so wrong. Elaine Malcomson often killed with her deadpan responses. Susie is, nowadays, ostensibly a national comic treasure. 

We were guided to seats near the front and had a camera pointed at us regularly, so there's every chance we'll make it onto the TV recording at some point. 

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Shows and Tours  

Addendum:

Looks like we made the cut.

BreakingThe News BBC Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 30th October, 2025

Host: Des Clarke 

Panellists:
Mark Nelson

Kemah Bob

Amy Matthews

Robin Ince  

Dry when we arrived, wet when we left. This recording was actually for TV as well as radio, the broadcast due to go out on Friday night on BBC Scotland. The seating layout had been altered to accommodate the cameras: three pointed at the stage and one was carried to show audience reactions. One of the sound guys wore what looked like a proton pack, with a microphone on a looping pole pointed at us.  

I learned that I'm so fat now that I've lost the ability to pull in my stomach. As I tried to squeeze past the gentleman sitting on the bench next to me, my tummy inadvertently gave him a back rub. 

A rather large gentleman sat on my left during the recording. His upper half invaded my space so much that I had to lean over on my wife's side. After the two-hour recording, when I stood up, I keeled over and had to grab the chair to stop me falling. My balance was totally messed up. I did admire how he timed his pint so he finished it just at the end of the final round. 

This was my first time seeing Kemah Bob in action. Her voice is strange, but she acknowledged that, blaming the years she smoked weed. Her hair looked fantastic, like a black Sideshow Bob, only with red highlights.

One joke about Prince Andrew might not make the cut, not because it was slanderous, but because it's already out of date. By the time the show goes out, Andrew is no longer a Prince, the Royal having subsequently relinquished his title and royal home after the recording finished.

I learned that Amy Matthews is a people pleaser, and that Robin Ince is a lot funnier than he appears.  The football round discussing the resignation of Celtic Manager, Brendan Rodgers, left most of the panellists floundering, with only Mark Nelson and Des Clarke knowledgeable on the subject.

A good show this week.

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows

Breaking the News Turns 10, BBC Radio Recording, The Stand, Glasgow. Tuesday 23rd September, 2025

 

Host: Des Clarke.

Panellists: 

Stuart Mitchell 

Elaine Malcolmson

Mark Nelson

Jay Lafferty

My second visit to the new Stand in Glasgow, and this time there were surprises. 

The first surprise was that the BBC didn't know ticket validation had been advertised as starting at 11.30 am. They were not ready until their usual time, midday, by which time the queue was massive, stretching way along past the Kelvin Bridge. I leaned against the bridge wall, unaware of the writing on the brickwork, until my wife pointed out that I had chalk all over my jacket. The sun was unseasonably warm and bright. I was pleased when the BBC staffer moved us down the side street, though even that was too short to accommodate us.

In the end, over forty people were turned away, the event way oversubscribed. I suspect the BBC's ticketing department didn't realise The Stand has a lower seating capacity than Drygate. They certainly didn't comprehend that the Stand has a tiny footprint for waiting. We squeezed into a corner near the door so we could hear when they called out the numbers for going in. Only that didn't happen. They called Accessibility forward first, and then Purple stickers. We had purple stickers for numbers 175 and 176, so by the time we got in, most of the seats in the centre were already filled. We ended up on a hard pew at the side, near the entrance. 

I then realised two things:

1. The programme was being recorded for TV, not Radio, to be shown over the festive period, with multiple cameras set up to face the stage.

2. The room was far deeper than we'd experienced at Josie Long, double the depth of that event. 

The recording was brilliant. The comedians had a blast, providing hilarious answers that wouldn't make the edit. Des showed off his talent for mimicry, showcasing his impressions of The Donald, George Galloway, and Raymond Mearns. Mark Nelson cracked some hilarious jokes, such as "I've been inside a voting booth more often in the last ten years than I've been inside my wife." Stuart Mitchell had some dark humour lines, too. This is in relation to DJT's second state visit: "Usually, the only time Americans return to Scotland a second time is to get scattered."

The only downside to the recording was that it ran over by fifty minutes. By the time Des was recording his pick-ups at the end, many in the audience had decided to slip away, causing a noise problem as chairs scraped and footfalls echoed on the steps. 

At the very end, the producer presented a candlelit caterpillar cake to Des, and we sang "Happy Birthday" to the show. 

On the journey home, intending to collect the dogs first from doggy daycare, I entered our destination incorrectly into the sat nav. Fortunately, as I crossed the Squinty Bridge, I saw the journey time was 2 hours and 45 minutes, and I realised my mistake. I'd hit the Favourite button 12. Cruden Bay, instead of 13. Pawz & Co. The joys of a touchscreen. 

I'm pleased future recordings of the show are returning to Drygate. Fingers crossed my ticket application is accepted.

Our view of the stage

Ticket Price: Free from BBC Tours and Shows

Screenshots from the broadcast show:

Breaking The News Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 31st July, 2025

Host: 

Des Clarke

Panellists:

Athena Kugblenu (the g is silent), 

Chris Thorburn (he's not gay, despite the moustache), 

Alasdair Beckett-King (he's not Scottish, despite being ginger)  

Kathleen Hughes (her nan thinks she has a lovely face, despite being registered blind)

It was a warm day. I'd been writing late. That's my excuse for twitching awake twice during the recording. I couldn't get away with pretending it was a back spasm, because I didn't yelp in pain.

Best thing about the day: a free lunch from Greggs as two of my app freebies kicked in at the same time. Result!

Ticket Price: Free

Breaking The News Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 3rd July 2025

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:

Daliso Chaponda

Jay Lafferty

Tiff Stevenson

Stuart Mitchell

When your wife asks, before you leave, "Are you wearing that jacket?" it's essential to listen to the subtext. She's not disparaging the garment; she's questioning its appropriateness. I didn't listen, though. Even when she recommended an alternative. I thought, 'this one's smart; it'll do.'

I arrived at Drygate ten minutes before the doors opened. The queue was already beyond the gates, though not quite as far as the street. I didn't have a long wait, but my assigned number to get into the show was 096, so I couldn't secure a seat inside while we waited (they allocate the ticket numbers an hour before letting us into the show recording). It was dry but windy, so I sat outside at one of the benches and ate my roll and bacon with potato scone, and drank a can of Irn Bru. It was a table for one as my wife had called off with a respiratory infection.

This week's audience question was inspired by the film 'Jaws' turning fifty. It asked, "What was the movie that changed your life and why?" 

One response: 'After watching the film Trainspotting, I now avoid public toilets in Edinburgh.' I can't remember the others.

 

I didn't find this week's show hilarious. Although it wasn't as warm as last time, I found myself closing my eyes and not listening intently. This was partly due to my poor view, as I was unable to see Daliso on the far left unless I leaned forward. With topics such as the Labour Welfare bill and DJT's Big Beautiful Bill, many of the comedians' replies were serious about the potential damage these bills could cause. Several of the jokes fell flat, and others were groan-worthy. One interesting fact: Daliso's dad might end up as the next President of Malawi. 

Jay unintentionally managed to get a question right. When asked, "What do 43% of Americans think bacon is...",  she replied vegan. The correct answer was "a plant". She confessed she'd only been joking. Stuart chipped in, "Isn't that what you're supposed to do on a comedy panel show?" Big laugh from the audience.

Stuart Mitchell came up with the best line of the day in response to Tiff Stevenson discussing her haunted boobs. She claimed she had big supernaturals. Stuart quipped, "See if your breasts were haunted, would they be called 'BOO-bs'? 

After the show, I made a quick exit, only to find it was raining. That's what my wife had been inferring when she mentioned my jacket. She knew rain was coming. Anyway, the shower turned into a 'shower of bastards' as I walked along Duke Street. The fenced-off bus shelter felt like a personal attack. 

Only for wheelbarrows and cement.

By the time I reached George Square, my waterproof jacket was more a "proof of water jacket", with rain sliding down inside my sleeves and rising through the pockets. My Gore-Tex trainers couldn't cope either. I was soaked through as I reached home. I pity the fool who used my train seat next. They might have thought I'd pissed myself. 

Not sweaty feet

It's July. The schools are off. Of course, it's going to rain. Welcome back. We didn't miss you. 

Ticket price: Free. 

UPDATE:

The programme broadcast was a triumph of editing, giving each panellist a chance to shine, leaving out all the guff and fluffs.   

Breaking The News Radio Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 19th June, 2025

Host: Des Clarke

Panellists:
Mark Nelson
Ria Lina
Elaine Malcolmson
Stuart McPherson

The audience question for today's show was: "What is the biggest mistake you've ever made in  your life?" 

This isn't my biggest, but it's certainly my most recent.

Let me explain...

I received two texts congratulating me on my successful application to this show, along with another date, advising me to look out for emails with the tickets attached. 

Time passes. 

Then, yesterday, I realised those emails never arrived. 

No problem. I'll contact them. 

Searches for email application confirmation to find the contact info. I can't find that email either.  

I check the BBC Tours and Shows website for advice. "Contact us via our X account or the BBC Questions webpage."

I no longer have X, having deactivated my account after old Elon's Nazi salute. 

I follow the link to the BBC Questions page. How can I ask a question about a BBC programme or service? 

Try checking to see if it is answered on a dedicated programme page BBC - Programmes - A to Z.

I check. There is no contact tab on the Breaking the News webpage. What to do now?  

I stress out. I message comedian Ria Lina, hoping she can put me in touch with someone on the production team. She doesn't reply, not surprisingly, so I message her again, apologising for messaging her in the first place.

I jump through hoops to open a new X account, only to discover that there is no direct messaging service available on any of the BBC's X accounts, at least not for my new, unverified profile. I post a polite comment on their page asking for advice about my situation.

Eventually, after spending an eternity reading various FAQ posts on the BBC Website, I find the direct phone number for BBC Tours and Shows. 

The first call tells me to try again later. 

The second call tells me to try again later. 

The third asks me if I want to participate in a short survey to provide feedback about the service. I resist the urge to press 1 and opt for 'no'. Then, I'm put through to an Irish lassie. She was brilliant and didn't make me feel stupid at all. I did that all by myself.

It turned out that I had mistyped my email address; hence, no email response and no tickets. She assures me that the production team will resend the ticket emails, but also provides me with my ticket numbers, just in case. 

A few hours later, I receive the ticket emails. Sorted.

I messaged Ria again to let her know. She might have been worried. 

No reply. 

I don't think she's blocked me yet.

Despite all of this, I really enjoyed the recording. It was a lovely day, the hottest of the year so far (how many more times will we repeat that phrase this year?). As usual, the funniest bits won't make it air.

Ticket Price: Free, but the stress probably cost me a few months of my life. 

Before the show

After the show - Stuart's already away

Breaking The News BBC Recording, Drygate, Glasgow. Thursday 17th April, 2025

Another visit to Drygate for the recording of Breaking The News, the last in the current series.

We arrived earlier than last time at 11.30 am, way earlier than we needed to, ending up sixth in the queue on a wet and dismal Glasgow morning. At least we were under cover while we waited.  

At noon, the production team let us in, issuing us numbered stickers that dictated the sequence in which the audience was allowed into the recording.  

This time we noticed, thanks to this blackboard, that the coffee wasn't actually free. Whoops! We snagged a cushioned booth and ate our lunch, watching sports on the big screens and reading on our Kindle apps. With no telephone reception and only weak WiFi internet, we had no contact with the outside world for a whole hour, so I couldn't look up who the fourth, unadvertised panellist was going to be. It turned out to be Welshman Robin Morgan.

The show was slicker than last time, with fewer tangents and digressions that were unusable for broadcast. It was still incredibly funny. Raymond and Felicity tussled even though they were on the same team. Des held it all together marvellously, not needing as many pickups this time. Best joke: "Amazon boss, Jeff Bezos, insisted on taking a photograph of the six beautiful ladies on his Blue Origin spaceflight upon their safe return to earth... as proof of delivery." 

Or that's how I remembered it.

The actual joke went: "When the crew landed, Amazon boss Jeff Bezos took a photograph of them partly to commemorate the occasion, but mainly as proof of delivery." 

On the way back to the station, this mural caught my eye. Does anyone else think this mural resembles comedian Bill Maher? I have no idea who it is supposed to be.

.

Ticket Price: Free