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Fighting Talk

BBC

A hilarious look at the volatile world of sport where guests compete for points with their sporting punditry. Informed comments are rewarded but witless outbursts are penalised.

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Networks:

BBC

Description:

A hilarious look at the volatile world of sport where guests compete for points with their sporting punditry. Informed comments are rewarded but witless outbursts are penalised.

Twitter:

@bbc5live

Language:

English


Episodes
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Danny Mcloughlin, Felix White, Holly Hamilton, Joe McGrath

4/18/2026
Musician Felix White, presenter Holly Hamilton, BBC Radio Manchester host Joe McGrath, and comedian Danny Mcloughlin join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:01:08

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Eleanor Oldroyd, Gavin Ramjaun, Max Whitlock, Tez Ilyas

4/11/2026
Broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd, journalist and broadcaster Gavin Ramjaun, Olympic and world champion gymnast Max Whitlock, and comedian Tez Ilyas join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:04:04

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Alfie Brown, Jeanette Kwakye, Luke Moore, Mark Watson

4/4/2026
Presenter and former GB athlete Jeanette Kwakye, journalist Luke Moore and comedians Alfie Brown and Mark Watson join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:06:45

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Anita Nneka Jones, Bob Mills, Kai Widdrington, Martin Kelner

3/28/2026
Sports reporter Anita Nneka Jones, Strictly professional dancer and choreographer Kai Widdrington, journalist and presenter Martin Kelner, and comedian Bob Mills join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:00:24

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Dougie Anderson, Gbemi Oladipo, Sam Dalling, Susie McCabe

3/21/2026
Broadcaster Dougie Anderson, journalist Sam Dalling, and comedians Gbemi Oladipo and Susie McCabe join guest host Gordon Smart for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:05:48

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Faraaz Noor, Ian Moore, Kae Kurd, Katie Smith

3/14/2026
Series 4 Traitors finalist Faraaz Noor, comedian and author Ian Moore, sports reporter Katie Smith, and comedian Kae Kurd join guest host Gordon Smart for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:05:54

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Caroline Barker, Jim White, Paul McNamee, Vittorio Angelone

3/7/2026
Sports broadcaster Caroline Barker, sports reporter Jim White, The Big Issue editor Paul McNamee, and comedian Vittorio Angelone join guest host Gordon Smart for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:05:12

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Apollo, Guvna B, Jo Caulfield, Thom Gibbs

2/28/2026
BBC Gladiator Apollo, rapper and author Guvna B, sports journalist Thom Gibbs and comedian Jo Caulfield join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:03:13

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Adam Hurrey, Ian Moore, Lynsey Hooper, Thomas Green

2/21/2026
Journalist, author and podcaster Adam Hurrey, comedian and author Ian Moore, sports broadcaster Lynsey Hooper, and comedian Thomas Green join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:00:00

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Gail Emms, Henning Wehn, Holly Hamilton, Jake Wood

2/14/2026
Former GB badminton player Gail Emms, presenter Holly Hamilton, EastEnders actor Jake Wood, and comedian Henning Wehn join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:04:28

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David Alorka, Efe Obada, Kath Merry, Ray Bradshaw

2/7/2026
Sports presenter David Alorka, American Football defensive Efe Obada, former GB athlete Kath Merry and comedian Ray Bradshaw join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:03:10

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Fighting Talk Favourites 2025

1/31/2026
Fighting Talk is off this week for the Australian Open tennis finals, and we didn’t want to leave you without your weekly dose of FT. Here’s some of our favourite moments from last year as Rick Edwards presents highlights of our sporting punditry and pundits from Fighting Talk across 2025. We’ll be back next Saturday with our next live show and podcast.

Duration:00:57:57

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Dougie Anderson, Josh James, Natalie Pike, Phil Brown

1/24/2026
Broadcaster Dougie Anderson, football presenter Natalie Pike, football manager Phil Brown, and comedian Josh James join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:04:03

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James Haskell, Kath Merry, Martin Kelner, Susie McCabe

1/17/2026
Former Rugby union player James Haskell, former GB athlete Kath Merry, journalist and presenter Martin Kelner, and comedian Susie McCabe join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:04:12

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Chloe Petts, Felix White, Guvna B, Steffan Powell

1/10/2026
The Maccabees guitarist Felix White, rapper and author Guvna B, presenter Steffan Powell and comedian Chloe Petts join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:00:59:49

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Ben Bailey Smith, Katie Smith, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Tom Rosenthal

1/3/2026
Actor and comedian Ben Bailey Smith, sports reporter Katie Smith, GB sprinter and Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, and comedian Tom Rosenthal join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:07:15

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Bob Mills, Jake Brown, Richard Osman, Susie McCabe

12/27/2025
English association football player and Traitors winner Jake Brown, television presenter, producer and novelist Richard Osman, and comedians Bob Mills and Susie McCabe join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:09:55

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Alfie Brown, Charles Dagnall, Gail Emms, Jim White

12/20/2025
Former cricketer and BBC commentator Charles Dagnall, former GB badminton player Gail Emms, journalist Jim White, and comedian Alfie Brown join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:00:50

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Natalie Pike, Ned Boulting, Rachel Burden, Joe McGrath

12/13/2025
Football presenter Natalie Pike, sports journalist Ned Boulting, 5 Live breakfast host Rachel Burden and presenter Joe McGrath join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds.

Duration:00:56:09

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Emma Paton, Luke Moore, Martin Kelner, Neil Delamere

12/6/2025
Presenter and former athlete Emma Paton, journalist Luke Moore, journalist and presenter Martin Kelner, and comedian Neil Delamere join Rick Edwards for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction. In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner! Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Duration:01:03:43