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British comedy panel game (2007–)
Radio show
The Unbelievable Truth is a BBC Radio 4 comedy panel game devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith .[ 4] The game is chaired by David Mitchell and is described in the programme's introduction as "the panel game built on truth and lies." The object of the game is for each panellist to deliver a short lecture about a given subject, which should be completely false save for five true statements which they must attempt to smuggle past the other players. The first series began broadcasting in 2007,[ 3] and the 30th series began airing in August 2024.
The Guardian 's Elisabeth Mahoney reviewed the programme positively: "From the first moments of its plinky plonky theme tune, The Unbelievable Truth is a delight".[ n 1] The Guardian's Zoe Williams , however, was critical of the programme, writing: "The Unbelievable Truth , for instance, should never have been recommissioned. It's only funny when Clive Anderson is speaking."[ 7]
The BBC received "almost 50" complaints about insensitivity after David Mitchell opened a fourth series episode with the joke: "There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that the last line in Anne Frank 's diary reads: 'Today is my birthday; dad bought me a drum kit'."[ 8]
It won the "Best Radio Panel Show" award at the British Comedy Guide 's 2011 and 2016 awards.[ 9] [ 10]
Winners are highlighted in bold .[ 11]
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
Pilot
19 October 2006
Jeremy Hardy , Andy Hamilton , Neil Mullarkey , Graeme Garden
Hair , Football , Cats , Bees
01x01
23 April 2007[ 3]
Tony Hawks , Frankie Boyle , Neil Mullarkey, Marcus Brigstocke
Cats, Michael Jackson , Beards , Coffee
01x02
30 April 2007[ 12]
Jeremy Hardy , Alan Davies , Jo Brand , Clive Anderson
The Human Body , Coca-Cola , Morris Dancing , Carrots
01x03
7 May 2007[ 13]
Jeremy Hardy , Alan Davies, Jo Brand, Clive Anderson
Chickens , London Underground , Queen Elizabeth I , Ancient Egyptians
01x04
14 May 2007[ 14]
Sandi Toksvig , Dara Ó Briain , Jo Caulfield , Graeme Garden
George W Bush , Women , Ants , Olympic Games
01x05
21 May 2007[ 15]
Tony Hawks, Frankie Boyle, Neil Mullarkey , Marcus Brigstocke
Bras , Hemp , Barcodes , Queen Elizabeth II
01x06
28 May 2007[ 16]
Sandi Toksvig , Dara Ó Briain, Jo Caulfield, Graeme Garden
Denmark , Rats , Duke of Edinburgh , Trousers
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
02x01
5 May 2008[ 17]
Phill Jupitus , Alan Davies, Simon Evans , Tony Hawks
Bears, Beards , Queen Victoria , Tennis
02x02
12 May 2008[ 18]
Michael McIntyre , Fred MacAulay , Graeme Garden, Lucy Porter
The Toilet , Cows, Sandwiches , Giraffes
02x03
19 May 2008[ 19]
Tim Vine , Adam Buxton , Ed Byrne , Lee Mack
Hedgehogs , Hair, Kissing , Potatoes
02x04
26 May 2008[ 20]
Tony Hawks, Simon Evans , Alan Davies, Phill Jupitus
Skateboards , William Shakespeare , Frogs, Bananas
02x05
2 June 2008[ 21]
Fred MacAulay, Graeme Garden, Lucy Porter , Michael McIntyre
The Bed , Sweden , Leonardo da Vinci , Pigs
02x06
9 June 2008[ 22]
Lee Mack, Tim Vine , Ed Byrne , Adam Buxton
Fleas , Napoleon Bonaparte, Left-Handedness , Marriage
2008 Christmas Special [ edit ]
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
03x01
23 March 2009
Graeme Garden, Chris Addison , Clive Anderson, Lucy Porter
Bicycles , Albert Einstein , Money, Penguins
03x02
30 March 2009
Tony Hawks, Simon Evans , Johnny Vaughan , Milton Jones
Dogs, Iceland , Football , Prince Charles
03x03
6 April 2009
Graeme Garden, Chris Addison , Lucy Porter, Clive Anderson
China, The Postal Service , Moustaches , The Moon
03x04
13 April 2009
Jack Dee, Fred MacAulay, Will Self , Jeremy Hardy
Smiling , Charles Darwin , Cucumbers , Dolphins
03x05
20 April 2009
Sue Perkins , Arthur Smith , Sean Lock, Miranda Hart
Henry VIII , Cockroaches , Dancing, Cricket
03x06
27 April 2009
Fred MacAulay, Jack Dee, Will Self , Jeremy Hardy
The Brain , Umbrellas , Alcohol , Cheese
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
04x01
5 October 2009
Rhod Gilbert , Reginald D. Hunter , Shappi Khorsandi , Adam Hills
Golf , Cats, Tea, Adolf Hitler
04x02
12 October 2009
Clive Anderson , Henning Wehn , Fi Glover , Dom Joly
Baldness , Winston Churchill , Urine , Dwarves
04x03
19 October 2009
Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus , Graeme Garden
Teeth , Underpants , The Vikings , Birmingham
04x04
26 October 2009
Rhod Gilbert , Reginald D. Hunter, Shappi Khorsandi, Adam Hills
Milk, Julius Caesar , Kissing , Kangaroos
04x05
2 November 2009
Clive Anderson, Henning Wehn, Fi Glover, Dom Joly
Tobacco, Sausages , Frogs, Elvis Presley
04x06
9 November 2009
Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus , Graeme Garden
Ludwig van Beethoven , Wigs , Honey , The Telephone
2009 New Year's / QI Special[ edit ]
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
05x01
29 March 2010
Marcus Brigstocke, Henning Wehn, Lucy Porter , Graeme Garden
Childbirth, Beer, Sleep , Sir Isaac Newton
05x02
5 April 2010
Tony Hawks , Arthur Smith, Catherine Tate , Phill Jupitus
Hats, Pigeons, Hairdressers , Admiral Horatio Nelson
05x03
12 April 2010
Fred MacAulay, Susan Calman , Liza Tarbuck , Charlie Brooker
Skiing , Cleopatra , Elephants, Chocolate
05x04
19 April 2010
Marcus Brigstocke , Henning Wehn, Lucy Porter, Graeme Garden
Soap, Pudding , Rabbits, Taxis
05x05
26 April 2010
Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Catherine Tate , Phill Jupitus
Ostriches , Toast , Red, Spectacles
05x06
3 May 2010
Fred MacAulay, Liza Tarbuck, Susan Calman, Charlie Brooker
Ducks, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Make-up, Thomas Edison
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
06x01
27 September 2010
Chris Addison, Susan Calman, Rufus Hound , Armando Iannucci
Henry Ford , Biscuits , Rain, Squirrels
06x02
4 October 2010
Tony Hawks , Henning Wehn, Graeme Garden, Arthur Smith
Nudity, Shoes , Walt Disney , Cakes
06x03
11 October 2010
Rhod Gilbert, Tom Wrigglesworth , Lucy Porter, Kevin Bridges
Spiders, Mushrooms , Eggs , Edinburgh
06x04
18 October 2010
Chris Addison , Susan Calman, Rufus Hound, Armando Iannucci
Clocks & Watches , Funerals , Goldfish, Joseph Stalin
06x05
25 October 2010
Tony Hawks, Henning Wehn, Arthur Smith, Graeme Garden
Noses , Apples , Lord Byron , Fishing
06x06
1 November 2010
Rhod Gilbert, Tom Wrigglesworth , Kevin Bridges , Lucy Porter
Bells , Mrs. Beeton , Donkeys, The Police
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
07x01
4 April 2011
Marcus Brigstocke, Lucy Porter, Alan Davies , Jack Dee
Flies , Breasts , Enid Blyton , Curry
07x02
11 April 2011
Henning Wehn, Sue Perkins, Clive Anderson, Graeme Garden
Dogs, The Sun , Lewis Carroll , Lobsters
07x03
18 April 2011
Tony Hawks , Charlie Brooker, Arthur Smith, Rhod Gilbert
Mice, television, Sir Walter Raleigh , Soup
07x04
25 April 2011
Marcus Brigstocke, Lucy Porter , Alan Davies, Jack Dee
Dieting , Snakes, Eyes , Cutlery
07x05
2 May 2011
Clive Anderson, Henning Wehn, Sue Perkins, Graeme Garden
Sheep, Furniture, Ancient Greeks , Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
07x06
9 May 2011
Rhod Gilbert, Arthur Smith , Tony Hawks, Charlie Brooker
Badgers , Ears , Divorce, Ice Cream
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
08x01
26 December 2011
Lee Mack, Graeme Garden , Jack Dee , Rufus Hound
Reindeer , Pantomime , Christmas decorations , Boxes
08x02
2 January 2012
Mark Watson , Henning Wehn, Ed Byrne, Phill Jupitus
The Olympics , Blood, Bees , Butter
08x03
9 January 2012
Tony Hawks , Tom Wrigglesworth, John Finnemore , Alan Davies
Hamburgers , Snoring , Crocodiles, Pens
08x04
16 January 2012
Jack Dee, Lee Mack, Graeme Garden , Rufus Hound
Boy Scouts , Nuts , Florence Nightingale , Circuses
08x05
23 January 2012
Alex Horne , Henning Wehn, Roisin Conaty , Mark Watson
The Romans , Chickens, Sweets & Confectionery , Competitions
08x06
30 January 2012
Tom Wrigglesworth, John Finnemore , Alan Davies, Tony Hawks
The Radio , Pasta, Flowers, Wool
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
09x01
2 April 2012
Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter , Graeme Garden, Arthur Smith
Parrots, Breakfast, Insurance, Oliver Cromwell
09x02
9 April 2012
Tom Wrigglesworth, Henning Wehn, Danielle Ward , John Finnemore
Smoking, Football , China, Pandas
09x03
16 April 2012
Marcus Brigstocke, Miles Jupp , Susan Calman , Alan Davies
Swimming, Bread, Hotels , Foxes
09x04
23 April 2012
Arthur Smith, Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter , Graeme Garden
Barbie , Restaurants , Feet, Garlic
09x05
30 April 2012
Danielle Ward, Henning Wehn, John Finnemore, Tom Wrigglesworth
Bats, Cars , Dr. Johnson , Oranges
09x06
7 May 2012
Miles Jupp, Susan Calman , Marcus Brigstocke, Alan Davies
Goats, Singing, Glue , Painting
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
10x01
31 December 2012
Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter , Ed Byrne, Charlie Higson
Pies , Dancing, Worms, James Bond
10x02
7 January 2013
Lloyd Langford , Henning Wehn, Celia Pacquola , Rhod Gilbert
Wine, Queen Elizabeth II , Bathtubs , Wind
10x03
14 January 2013
John Finnemore , Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh , Arthur Smith
Boris Johnson , Computers , Oscar Wilde , Wasps
10x04
21 January 2013
Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter, Ed Byrne, Charlie Higson
Gambling, Teeth , Tortoises & Turtles , Lemons
10x05
28 January 2013
Lloyd Langford, Celia Pacquola, Phill Jupitus, Marcus Brigstocke
Tomatoes , Koalas , Boats , Cheese
10x06
4 February 2013
Arthur Smith, Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh , John Finnemore
Simon Cowell , Beards , Camels, Germany
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
11x01
8 April 2013
Lloyd Langford , Henning Wehn, Katherine Ryan , Graeme Garden
Sharks, Photography, Sugar, Jeremy Clarkson
11x02
15 April 2013
Rhod Gilbert, Richard Osman , Lucy Beaumont , John Finnemore
Moles , Cabbages , Trains , BBC
11x03
22 April 2013
Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter , Mark Watson , Ed Byrne
Monkeys, Fingers, Windows , Horns
11x04
29 April 2013
Henning Wehn, Katherine Ryan , Graeme Garden, Lloyd Langford
Geese , Horses, Advertising, Madonna
11x05
6 May 2013
Richard Osman, John Finnemore , Lucy Beaumont, Rhod Gilbert
Octopuses , Aeroplanes , Armadillos , Socks
11x06
13 May 2013
Ed Byrne, Mark Watson, Lucy Porter , Tony Hawks
The French , Lions, Grass, Pianos
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
12x01
30 December 2013
Arthur Smith , Henning Wehn, Bridget Christie , Ed Byrne
Poison , Etiquette , Jelly , David Mitchell
12x02
6 January 2014
Marcus Brigstocke, Holly Walsh, John Finnemore , Rufus Hound
Eton , Babies , Russia, Hats
12x03
13 January 2014
Henning Wehn , Victoria Coren Mitchell , Graeme Garden , Jeremy Hardy
Trees , Spain, Doctors, Newspapers
12x04
20 January 2014
Lloyd Langford, Lucy Porter , Tom Wrigglesworth, Fred MacAulay
Women, Japan, Owls, Potatoes
12x05
27 January 2014
Marcus Brigstocke, Holly Walsh , John Finnemore, Rufus Hound
Board games , Salt, Guinea pigs , Actors
12x06
3 February 2014
Jeremy Hardy , Graeme Garden, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Henning Wehn
The Clergy , Beetles , Novels, The British
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
13x01
7 April 2014
Alex Horne, Lucy Beaumont, John Finnemore, Jack Dee
Birds, Witches , Pubs , Shoes
13x02
14 April 2014
Lloyd Langford , Katherine Ryan, Jon Richardson , Graeme Garden
Whales, Canada, Pigs, Buses
13x03
21 April 2014
Alex Horne, Lucy Beaumont, John Finnemore , Jack Dee
Legs , The Internet , Dogs, The Middle Ages
13x04
28 April 2014
Lloyd Langford, Katherine Ryan, Jon Richardson, Graeme Garden
Wales , The Mouth , Fish, Perfume
13x05
5 May 2014
Tony Hawks, Susan Calman , Phill Jupitus, Miles Jupp
The Brain , The Victorians , Toads , Cooking
13x06
12 May 2014
Tony Hawks, Susan Calman, Phill Jupitus , Miles Jupp
School, Bears, Underwear , Bottles
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
14x01
29 December 2014
Lloyd Langford, David O'Doherty , Susan Calman, Josh Widdicombe
Penguins, Spoons , Dolls , Letters
14x02
5 January 2015
Ed Byrne , Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh, Richard Osman
Ireland, Rules , London, Beavers
14x03
12 January 2015
Arthur Smith, Sarah Millican , Sandi Toksvig, Graeme Garden
Death, Balloons , Farming, Jane Austen
14x04
19 January 2015
Ed Byrne, Holly Walsh , Richard Osman, Henning Wehn
Ancient Egypt , Ice, Rubbish , British food
14x05
26 January 2015
Lloyd Langford, Josh Widdicombe , Susan Calman, David O'Doherty
Fakes , Holes , Cats, Marie Antoinette
14x06
2 February 2015
Arthur Smith, Sarah Millican , Sandi Toksvig, Graeme Garden
Fat, Smells , Shopping , Gardens
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
15x01
24 August 2015
Lloyd Langford , Henning Wehn, Sara Pascoe , Miles Jupp
Magic , Austria , Swans , Onions
15x02
31 August 2015
Arthur Smith, Jon Richardson, Susan Calman , David O'Doherty
Pets, Bacteria, Zombies , Water
15x03
7 September 2015
Lloyd Langford , Henning Wehn, Sara Pascoe, Miles Jupp
Zoos , Theft, Phones, Hands
15x04
14 September 2015
Victoria Coren Mitchell , Holly Walsh, Katherine Ryan, Sarah Millican
Princesses , Diets , Sauces , Paper
15x05
21 September 2015
Arthur Smith, Jon Richardson , Susan Calman , David O'Doherty
Yorkshire , Soft drinks, Skin, Pirates
15x06
28 September 2015
Holly Walsh, Katherine Ryan, Victoria Coren Mitchell , Sarah Millican
IKEA , Marriage, Switzerland , Chewing gum
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
16x01
4 April 2016
Jon Richardson, Henning Wehn, Susan Calman , Jack Dee
Milk, Tattoos, Supermarkets, Vladimir Putin
16x02
11 April 2016
Joe Lycett , Sam Simmons , Aisling Bea , Richard Osman
Kitchens , Pigeons, Breakfast cereal , The Vatican
16x03
18 April 2016
Elis James , Maeve Higgins , Reginald D. Hunter, David O'Doherty
The 1970s, The Moon , Toys, Electricity
16x04
25 April 2016
Joe Lycett , Sam Simmons, Aisling Bea, Richard Osman
Jokes , Ghosts , Reality TV, Lego
16x05
2 May 2016
Jon Richardson, Henning Wehn, Susan Calman , Jack Dee
Funerals , British aristocracy , Nudity, Rubber
16x06
9 May 2016
Elis James, Maeve Higgins, Reginald D. Hunter , David O'Doherty
Gifts , Fashion, Women, Songs
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
17x01
3 October 2016
Holly Walsh, Lloyd Langford, Rich Hall , Henning Wehn
Mosquitoes , Flags , Roads , North Korea
17x02
10 October 2016
Holly Walsh , Henning Wehn, Rich Hall, Lloyd Langford
Tom Cruise , Basketball , Wood, McDonald's
17x03
17 October 2016
Tony Hawks, Vicki Pepperdine , Clive Anderson , Richard Osman
Chairs, Medicine, Prisons, Video games
17x04
24 October 2016
Tony Hawks, Vicki Pepperdine, Clive Anderson , Richard Osman
Australia, Leather, Oil, Crisps
17x05
31 October 2016
John Finnemore , Jeremy Hardy, Lucy Porter, Frankie Boyle
Donald Trump , Musicals, Weddings , Oxbridge
17x06
7 November 2016
John Finnemore , Jeremy Hardy, Lucy Porter, Frankie Boyle
Spies , Fire, Norfolk, The Beatles
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
18x01
3 April 2017
John Finnemore , Henning Wehn, Lou Sanders , Miles Jupp
Sheep, Islands , Steve Jobs , Beans
18x02
10 April 2017
John Finnemore , Henning Wehn, Lou Sanders, Miles Jupp
Names , Germany, Secrets , Nudity
18x03
17 April 2017
David O'Doherty, Marcus Brigstocke, Zoe Lyons , Richard Osman
Bicycles , Wine, Trees , Chocolate
18x04
24 April 2017
David O'Doherty, Marcus Brigstocke , Zoe Lyons, Richard Osman
Colour, Vegetables, Pizzas , Carpets
18x05
1 May 2017
Holly Walsh, Mark Steel , Elis James, Frankie Boyle
Ducks, Oliver Cromwell , Words , Astronauts
18x06
8 May 2017
Holly Walsh , Mark Steel, Elis James, Frankie Boyle
Delia Smith , Robots , Rain, Facebook
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
19x01
2 October 2017
Arthur Smith, Lou Sanders, Phil Wang , Richard Osman
Cows , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Students, Dolphins
19x02
9 October 2017
Arthur Smith, Lou Sanders, Phil Wang , Richard Osman
Sugar, Chickens, Aeroplanes , Kanye West
19x03
16 October 2017
Lloyd Langford, Henning Wehn, Ellie Taylor , John Finnemore
Dinosaurs, People's Republic of China , Cake, Bees
19x04
23 October 2017
Lloyd Langford, Henning Wehn, Ellie Taylor , John Finnemore
Boxing , Snails , Bras , Parents
19x05
30 October 2017
Tony Hawks, Holly Walsh, Mark Steel, Fred MacAulay
Twins, Sean Connery , Golf , Photography
19x06
6 November 2017
Tony Hawks, Holly Walsh , Mark Steel, Fred MacAulay
Doughnuts , Jellyfish, Twitter, Star Wars
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
20x01
2 April 2018
John Finnemore , Henning Wehn, Lou Sanders, Graeme Garden
The Police, Submarines , Books, Spiders
20x02
9 April 2018
Richard Osman , Elis James, Sindhu Vee , Alan Davies
Google, Rugby , Bananas , Crabs
20x03
16 April 2018
Arthur Smith, Jack Dee, Lucy Porter , Lloyd Langford
Rabbits, Inventions , Butterflies , Drugs
20x04
23 April 2018
John Finnemore , Henning Wehn, Lou Sanders, Graeme Garden
The Rolling Stones , Vegetarianism, Eggs , Harry Potter
20x05
30 April 2018
Richard Osman , Elis James, Sindhu Vee, Alan Davies
Buses, Dancing, Monkeys, Statues
20x06
7 May 2018
Arthur Smith, Jack Dee, Lucy Porter, Lloyd Langford
Walking , NASA , Soap operas, Poets
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
21x01
24 December 2018
Sandi Toksvig, Jon Richardson , Lucy Porter, Graeme Garden
Denmark , Hair, Smells , Fish
21x02
31 December 2018
Richard Osman, Holly Walsh, Susan Calman , David O'Doherty
Sleep , Mobile Phones , Stealing , Pets
21x03
7 January 2019
Sandi Toksvig, Jon Richardson, Lucy Porter , Graeme Garden
Drunkenness , Passports, Orange, The Weather
21x04
14 January 2019
Henning Wehn, Lou Sanders, Zoe Lyons, Lloyd Langford
Holidays, Queens , Teeth , Ants
21x05
21 January 2019
Richard Osman , Holly Walsh, Susan Calman, David O'Doherty
Nuts , Birds, Urine , Traditions
21x06
28 January 2019
Henning Wehn , Lou Sanders, Zoe Lyons, Lloyd Langford
Houses of Parliament , Wolves , Trains, Punishments
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
22x01
1 April 2019
Richard Osman , Holly Walsh, Luisa Omielan , Jack Dee
Mice , Las Vegas , Beyoncé , Rubbish
22x02
8 April 2019
Tony Hawks, Sindhu Vee, Susan Calman, Graeme Garden
Swimming, Mothers , Magazines, Clowns
22x03
15 April 2019
Henning Wehn, Lucy Porter , Lou Sanders , Frankie Boyle
Germany, Babies , Trousers , Beards
22x04
22 April 2019
Richard Osman , Holly Walsh, Luisa Omielan, Jack Dee
Names , Frogs, Paper, Parrots
22x05
29 April 2019
Tony Hawks, Sindhu Vee, Susan Calman , Graeme Garden
Kings, Snakes, Make Up, Hats
22x06
6 May 2019
Henning Wehn, Lucy Porter, Lou Sanders, Frankie Boyle
Time, Driving , The Spice Girls , Scotland
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
23x01
30 December 2019
Tony Hawks, Holly Walsh, Henning Wehn, Sally Phillips
Dogs, Actors, Rules , Finland
23x02
6 January 2020
Sindhu Vee, Lloyd Langford , Susan Calman, Graeme Garden
Flowers, Rappers , Cheese, Winston Churchill
23x03
13 January 2020[ 23]
Neil Delamere , Cally Beaton , Lou Sanders, Marcus Brigstocke
Rats, The Netherlands , Human body , Chocolate
23x04
20 January 2020[ 24]
Tony Hawks, Holly Walsh , Henning Wehn, Sally Phillips
Words , Elvis Presley , Education, Ferrets
23x05
27 January 2020[ 25]
Sindhu Vee , Lloyd Langford, Susan Calman, Graeme Garden
Names , Bob Dylan , Superheroes , Meat
23x06
3 February 2020[ 26]
Neil Delamere , Cally Beaton, Lou Sanders, Marcus Brigstocke
Vikings , Language , Kissing , Religion
Series 24 was recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown , with each panelist performing at home.[ 27]
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
24x01
15 June 2020
Holly Walsh , Miles Jupp , Sara Pascoe, Frankie Boyle
Musical Instruments , Recipes , Pets, Women
24x02
22 June 2020
Lucy Porter, Sean Lock, Zoe Lyons , Jack Dee
Country and Western Music , Jobs, Sharks, The 1970s
24x03
29 June 2020
Henning Wehn , Lou Sanders, Sindhu Vee, Neil Delamere
Furniture, Birthdays, Phobias , Rocks
24x04
6 July 2020
Holly Walsh, Miles Jupp , Sara Pascoe, Frankie Boyle
Bread, ABBA , Men, Experiments
24x05
13 July 2020
Henning Wehn, Lou Sanders, Sindhu Vee, Neil Delamere
Guns, Magic , Berries , Crocodiles
24x06
20 July 2020
Lucy Porter, Sean Lock , Zoe Lyons, Jack Dee
Poison , Heavy Metal , Painters, Winter Sports
Series 25 was also recorded with the panellists performing from home during lockdown. Two episodes featured three teams of two rather than four panellists playing individually (all three teams consisted of married couples).
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
25x01
11 January 2021[ 28]
Frankie Boyle, Miles Jupp, Sara Pascoe, Holly Walsh
London, Names, Divorce, Bats
25x02
18 January 2021[ 29]
Henning Wehn, Sindhu Vee, Zoe Lyons , Lloyd Langford
Eurovision , Vegetarians, Squid , Bananas
25x03
25 January 2021[ 30]
Marcus Brigstocke and Rachel Parris , Gary Delaney and Sarah Millican, Justin Edwards and Lucy Porter
Marriage, Rabbits, Crisps
25x04
1 February 2021
Holly Walsh , Miles Jupp , Sara Pascoe, Frankie Boyle
Puppets , Spying, Religion, Glasgow
25x05
8 February 2021
Henning Wehn, Sindhu Vee , Zoe Lyons, Lloyd Langford
Ghosts, Goats, Fighting, Sound
25x06
15 February 2021
Rachel Parris and Marcus Brigstocke, Sarah Millican and Gary Delaney, Lucy Porter and Justin Edwards
Horses, Valentine's Day, Nudity
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
26x01
26 July 2021
Holly Walsh, Henning Wehn , Zoe Lyons, Richard Osman
Ancient Romans, Tea, Crustaceans, Balls
26x02
2 August 2021
Tony Hawks , Fern Brady , Ria Lina , Rufus Hound
Snails, Wives, Germs, Biscuits
26x03
9 August 2021
Lucy Porter, Frankie Boyle , Sally Phillips, Neil Delamere
Dolls, Laughter, Tennis, Philosophers
26x04
16 August 2021
Holly Walsh, Henning Wehn, Zoe Lyons, Richard Osman
Insects, Words, Parties, Supermarkets
26x05
23 August 2021
Rufus Hound, Fern Brady, Ria Lina , Tony Hawks
Mushrooms, Milk, Monkeys, Children
26x06
30 August 2021
Lucy Porter, Neil Delamere , Sally Phillips, Frankie Boyle
Singing, Shopping, Moths, Football
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
27x01
10 January 2022
Alan Davies , Lucy Porter , Lou Sanders, Justin Edwards
Pigs, Underwear, Camels, Sausages
27x02
17 January 2022
Pippa Evans , Geoff Norcott , Fern Brady , Simon Evans
Shoes, Beer, Diets, Metal
27x03
24 January 2022
Alan Davies, Lucy Porter , Lou Sanders, Justin Edwards
Jackie Chan, Blood, Marsupials, Beds
27x04
31 January 2022
Richard Osman, Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh , Ria Lina
Mistakes, Bicycles, Dogs, Death
27x05
7 February 2022
Pippa Evans, Geoff Norcott, Fern Brady, Simon Evans
Cars, Coca-Cola, Donkeys, Tomatoes
27x06
14 February 2022
Richard Osman, Henning Wehn , Holly Walsh, Ria Lina
Glasses, Squirrels, Alexander the Great, China
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
28x01
4 April 2022[ 31]
Alan Davies , Lucy Porter, Holly Walsh, Tony Hawks
Advertising, Essex, Candles, Water
28x02
11 April 2022[ 32]
Henning Wehn , Zoe Lyons, Sindhu Vee, Marcus Brigstocke
Windows, Ants, Rice, Ancient Egyptians
28x03
18 April 2022[ 33]
Lou Sanders, Ria Lina, Milton Jones, Chris McCausland
Magazines, The Human Body, Golf, Computers
28x04
25 April 2022[ 34]
Lucy Porter, Holly Walsh , Tony Hawks, Alan Davies
Scouting, Hair, South Korea, Nicolas Cage
28x05
2 May 2022[ 35]
Henning Wehn, Zoe Lyons, Sindhu Vee, Marcus Brigstocke
Colours, Ice Cream, Apples, Alcoholic Spirits
28x06
9 May 2022[ 36]
Lou Sanders , Ria Lina, Milton Jones , Chris McCausland
Flowers, Wood, Underground, Goldfish
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
29x01
29 May 2023[ 37]
Alan Davies , Holly Walsh , Angela Barnes , Henning Wehn
Horses, Cleaning, Airports, New Zealand
29x02
5 June 2023[ 38]
Lou Sanders, Phil Wang, Neil Delamere, Kerry Godliman
Beauty, Tea, Giraffes, Dancing
29x03
12 June 2023[ 39]
Alan Davies, Holly Walsh, Angela Barnes , Henning Wehn
Pubs, The postal service, Maps, Languages
29x04
19 June 2023[ 40]
Lucy Porter, Marcus Brigstocke , Richard Osman, Ria Lina
French, Bans, Hippos, Superstition
29x05
26 June 2023[ 41]
Lou Sanders, Phil Wang, Neil Delamere , Kerry Godliman
Horror, Chefs, the Greeks, Pipes
29x06
3 July 2023[ 42]
Lucy Porter, Marcus Brigstocke, Richard Osman , Ria Lina
Popes, Insurance, Norway, Surgery
Episode
First broadcast
Guests
Subjects
30x01
05 August 2024[ 43]
Tony Hawks , Lucy Porter, Zoe Lyons, Justin Edwards
Divorce, Lying, Mexicans, Coffee.
30x02
12 August 2024[ 44]
Angela Barnes, Glenn Moore , Shaparak Khorsandi, Neil Delamere
Legs, Restaurants, Travel, Tigers.
30x03
19 August 2024[ 45]
Miles Jupp, Marcus Brigstocke, Holly Walsh, Lou Sanders
Milk, Sound, Italians, Parties.
30x04
26 August 2024[ 46]
Justin Edwards, Zoe Lyons, Lucy Porter , Tony Hawks
Stationery, Fast food, the Tudors, Swearing.
30x05
02 September 2024[ 47]
Angela Barnes , Glenn Moore, Shaparak Khorsandi, Neil Delamere
Websites, Cartoons, Prince Harry, Teeth
30x06
09 September 2024[ 48]
Miles Jupp, Marcus Brigstocke, Holly Walsh , Lou Sanders
Fungi, the Beckhams, Cushions, Puddings.
International versions [ edit ]
Members from the Australian comedy group The Chaser , including Craig Reucassel , Andrew Hansen and Julian Morrow , have produced a TV series based on the British series.[ 49]
General
Specific
^ a b c d "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth" . Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2019 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 24, Episode 6" . Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ a b c d "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 1" . Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ a b Guide, British Comedy. "About The Unbelievable Truth" . Comedy.co.uk . Retrieved 8 February 2021 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth" .
^ "My Patch (Radio Edit) - YouTube" . YouTube . Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021 .
^ Williams, Zoe (25 March 2009). "Radio head" . The Guardian . London. Retrieved 25 March 2009 .
^ Elgot, Jessica (4 November 2009). "Peep Show's David Mitchell in Anne Frank row" . The Jewish Chronicle . Retrieved 7 June 2023 .
^ "Comedy.co.uk Awards 2011 results" . British Comedy Guide.
^ "Comedy.co.uk Awards 2016 results" . British Comedy Guide.
^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Unbelievable Truth – Episode guide" . BBC . Retrieved 7 July 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 2" . Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 3" . Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007h3lk [dead link ]
^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jclz [dead link ]
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 6" . Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 1" . Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 2" . Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 3" . Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 4" . Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 5" . Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 6" . Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Unbelievable Truth, Series 23, Episode 3" . BBC . Retrieved 7 July 2020 .
^ "Anna Tomlinson on Instagram: "Thanks again to Mr Charnick for getting tickets for the recording of #TheUnbelievableTruth. #HenningWehn #HollyWalsh #SallyPhillips and…" " . Instagram . Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2020 .
^ "Super night recording The Unbelievable Truth with @RealDMitchell @sindhuvfunny @GraemeGarden1 and Lloyd Langford. An absolute treat" . Twitter . Retrieved 7 July 2020 .
^ "Spent nearly 3 hrs yesterday pretending to be as funny as these people. Thank god for edit suites @BBCRadio4 @RealDMitchell @LouSanders @neildelamere #unbelievabletruths #unbelievabletheyhadmeon #showbiz" . Twitter . Retrieved 7 July 2020 .
^ The Unbelievable Truth . 24. Vol. 1. BBC Radio 4. 15 June 2020.
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 25, Episode 1" . Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 25, Episode 2" . Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 25, Episode 3" . Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 28, Episode 1" .
^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 2 - BBC Sounds" .
^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 3 - BBC Sounds" .
^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 4 - BBC Sounds" .
^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 5 - BBC Sounds" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 28, Episode 6" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 1" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 2" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 3" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 4" . BBC . 19 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 5" . BBC . 26 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 6" . BBC . 3 July 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 1" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 2" .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 3" . BBC . 19 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 4" . BBC . 26 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 5" . BBC . 2 September 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024 .
^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 6" . BBC . 9 September 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024 .
^ "Comedians chase down Seven show" . Dailytelegraph.com.au . Retrieved 8 February 2021 .
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