The News Quiz: Ep5. The Prince of Darkness

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

BBC

Comedy

4.1 • 13.5K Ratings

🗓️ 13 February 2026

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Is there a way out for Keir Starmer after the Peter Mandelson scandal? Who fled ‘under the cover of darkness’ from their royal lodgings? What exactly is a humble address? And why are iguanas falling out of trees? Helping Andy answer some of the big questions of the week are Desiree Burch, Pierre Novellie, Daniel Finkelstein and Catherine Bohart.

Written by Andy Zaltzman.

With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and Sarah Mills Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producers: Richard Morris and James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc Willcox

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, Music, Radio Podcasts.
0:05.6	Oh, hello. You have chosen a BBC podcast, but before you listen to it, we thought you might like our podcast too.
0:12.1	You might. You might. It is called Sightraught with me, Nick Grimshaw.
0:15.2	And me, Annie Mack. And we talk about the week in music.
0:18.2	All the news, all the cultural happenings in the UK and beyond.
0:22.2	And great guests. And it's on BBC Sounds. Yes, where you can also enjoy lots of playlists,
0:27.7	music mixes and live radio. Everything from my six music breakfast show to Radio 3 Unwind.
0:34.5	But obviously start with our podcast, sidetrack. Obviously. Obviously.
0:40.1	So if you like music, listen on BBC Sans.
0:41.7	Hello, I am Andy Zaltman.
0:43.9	After this week's difficulties for the Prime Minister regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelton,
0:46.2	I'm being trained in how to tell if someone is lying to me.
0:50.0	I'm about to interview Leslie.
0:54.1	Leslie is a leopard. Likewise. Likewise. I'm about to interview Leslie.
0:55.4	Leslie is a leopard.
0:57.9	Likewise.
1:01.3	So, Leslie, we'll go with one rule for yes, two raws for no.
1:03.8	Have you changed your spots?
1:05.9	You have changed your spots.
1:06.5	Are you sure?
1:09.4	Well, that's good enough for me.
1:11.8	Ah, damn it, you've done me.
	...

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