Ed Jones, Elliot Steel, Jess Thirlby, Kath Merry
Fighting Talk
BBC
4.7 • 3K Ratings
🗓️ 16 May 2026
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Actor and writer Ed Jones, former England netball head coach Jess Thirlby, former GB athlete and Olympic bronze-medalist Kath Merry, and comedian Elliot Steel 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
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:07.3 | Experience football like never before on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:11.0 | Live commentary from the biggest names and the biggest matches in the Premier League, |
| 0:14.8 | Champions League and internationals. |
| 0:19.7 | Expert Insights on the Wayne Rooney show |
| 0:22.4 | I know what it's like, obviously scored two goals in the final |
| 0:25.0 | and that was an amazing feeling |
| 0:27.0 | and stay on top of everything football every day |
| 0:30.4 | with the Football Daily podcast |
| 0:32.1 | Football from Five Live, listen only on BBC Sound. |
| 0:36.2 | So with our darkest days behind, |
| 0:37.7 | our ship of hope will steer. |
| 0:39.2 | And if in doubt, just keep in mind our motto, persevere. |
| 0:42.3 | I'm Gordon Smart, and this is Fighting Talk. |
| 0:58.3 | Good morning, patrons. |
| 1:01.3 | Gordon Smart here hosting for the fourth time this season. |
| 1:04.8 | FT regulars might have sensed a little bit of Fergay Wenger, |
| 1:07.9 | tip for a tap between me and Rick Edwards with these intros. |
| 1:11.7 | Rick last week changed my name officially to guest host by Deed Paul. Sadly though, for the BBC's Golden Boy, a wee word with my Scottish friends in baggage |
| 1:17.2 | handling at Heathrow and it seems as holidays off to a stinker with some mysterious lost luggage. Happy holidays, |
| 1:24.0 | Rick. It is Effie Cup final day today. I'm the second host after Terry Wogan |
| 1:29.1 | to wear a suit in the studio. |
... |
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