

Fighting Talk
BBC Radio 5 Live
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
Alfie Brown, Charles Dagnall, Gail Emms, Jim White
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

Dec 13, 2025 • 56min
Joe McGrath, Natalie Pike, Ned Boulting, Rachel Burden
Football presenter Natalie Pike, sports journalist Ned Boulting, 5 Live breakfast host Rachel Burden, and BBC Radio Manchester 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

Dec 6, 2025 • 1h 4min
Emma Paton, Luke Moore, Martin Kelner, Neil Delamere
Join Emma Paton, a charming presenter and former athlete, alongside Luke Moore, a witty sports journalist; Martin Kelner, a veteran broadcaster with a treasure trove of anecdotes; and Neil Delamere, an Irish comedian who infuses humor into sports discussions. The panel dives into the World Cup draw, debates the luckiest and unluckiest teams in sports, and brainstorms on what sporting items should change color. In a fun segment, they defend outlandish statements in a showdown while reminiscing about sports icons who pulled viewers into the game.

Nov 29, 2025 • 1h 8min
Charles Dagnall, Ian Smith, Kath Merry, Paul McNamee
Former cricketer and BBC commentator Charles Dagnall, former GB athlete Kath Merry, The Big Issue editor Paul McNamee and comedian Ian Smith 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

Nov 22, 2025 • 1h 4min
Kae Kurd, Kate Mason, Katie Owen, Tez Ilyas
Broadcaster Kate Mason, DJ and presenter Katie Owen, and comedians Kae Kurd and Tez Ilyas join guest host Martin Bayfield 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

Apr 27, 2025 • 60min
Adam Hurrey, Elliot Steel, Gail Emms, Ivo Graham
Journalist, author and podcaster Adam Hurrey, former GB badminton player Gail Emms, and comedians Elliot Steel and Ivo Graham join 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

Nov 2, 2024 • 1h 4min
Felicity Ward, Guvna B, Nethanell Mitchell-Blake, Reece Parkinson
Felicity Ward, Guvna B, Nethanell Mitchell-Blake and Reece Parkinson fight for punditry points whilst discussing the world of sport with Rick Edwards.

Mar 30, 2024 • 1h 6min
David James, Natalie Pike, Paul McNamee, Tez Ilyas
Former England and Liverpool footballer David James, presenter Natalie Pike, The Big Issue editor Paul McNamee 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

Mar 2, 2024 • 1h 2min
Kate Mason, Flex, Jim White, Bob Mills
Join Kate Mason, a dynamic sports broadcaster, alongside journalist Jim White and comedian Bob Mills for lively banter and sharp analysis. They dive into the biggest sporting flops, share humorous takes on which athletes they'd marry, and debate Wales' greatest sports figures. The panel reflects on missed events, assigns ice cream flavors to players, and explores rags-to-riches tales in sports. In a dramatic finale, Jim and Bob hilariously defend absurd statements about Paul Pogba and the F1 season. Get ready for a mix of sports insight and laughs!

Aug 27, 2022 • 1h 5min
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Kate Mason, Thom Gibbs, Charles Dagnall
GB sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, sports broadcaster Kate Mason, journalist Thom Gibbs and former cricketer Charles Dagnall join Colin Murray 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!


