

What? Seriously??
BBC Radio 4
Dara O Briain and Isy Suttie discover strange-but-true tales as they’re drip-fed nuggets of narrative by a special guest expert with an often surprising link to the story.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 22, 2025 • 28min
8. Spies, Lies and a Political Prize
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the star of Slow Horses, Chris Chung, to learn about the magic of Monopoly - with some diverting conversations about secret smuggling, what it takes to join MI5, and what exactly do MI1, 2, 3 and 4 do? What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Christopher Chung.
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Feb 15, 2025 • 27min
7. When Yoghurt Met Strippers
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the comedian and podcaster Richard Herring, to learn about the surprising connection between yoghurt and strippers - with some diverting conversations about bad reviews, bad TV shows and bad milkmen.What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Richard Herring.
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Feb 8, 2025 • 28min
6. Votes, Greed, and Cheese
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the star of Great British Menu Louisa Ellis, to learn about the the power of cheese - with some diverting conversations about goose trading, feasting, and weaponised dairy.What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Louisa Ellis
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Feb 1, 2025 • 28min
5. Duels, Feuds and Stolen Solos
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the broadcaster Stuart Maconie to learn about inventive instruments - with some diverting conversations about jazz, quiz shows, egos, and intellectual property.What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Stuart Maconie
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Jan 25, 2025 • 28min
4. Opera, Romance, and Nazis
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the former Queen of the Jungle Georgia Toffolo to learn about the power of the written word - with some diverting conversations about the Taylor Swift of the 1920s, naughty novels, and drinking a bit too much at Glyndebourne.What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Georgia Toffolo.
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Jan 18, 2025 • 28min
3. Guinea Pigs and the Mafia
Miles Asteri, star of The Traitors in 2024, joins Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie in this episode. They learn about the surprising connection between guinea pigs and the mafia - with some diverting conversations about seafaring science experiments, citrus fruits, and small furry animals.What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Miles Asteri
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Jan 11, 2025 • 28min
2. Beaks and Bloody Battles
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson to learn about a humbling event in Australia's military history - with some diverting conversations about foxes, films, and flightless birds.What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Rhys Nicholson
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

10 snips
Jan 4, 2025 • 28min
1. Suits, Shells, and Survival
Helen Sharman, Britain's first astronaut and a chemist, shares her cosmic journey and quirky experiences. She discusses the hilarious nostalgia of 90s shell suits while intertwining personal anecdotes with her astronaut training. The conversation hilariously leaps into how animals like tortoises contributed to space survival, the crucial role of seamstresses during Apollo missions, and even the challenges of sending ice cream to the International Space Station. A delightful mix of history and humor that’s out of this world!

Dec 17, 2024 • 4min
Welcome to What? Seriously??
Dara O Briain and Isy Suttie meet special guest experts to help them unravel some seriously surprising tales.