As the Radio 2 legend announces he’s hanging up his BBC boots, Adam challenges Chris Mason to Newscast’s version of ‘Popmaster’. Chris discusses the ongoing row over Scotland's gender reforms. And, with China facing an historic population decline, the BBC’s Jeremy and Cindy Yu from the Spectator join Adam to analyse what this could mean for the world's most populous nation. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Josh Jenkins, George Dabby, and Rufus Gray. The...
Jan 17, 2023•34 min
What could the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents? Adam is joined by Mary Bousted from the National Education Union and the BBC’s Branwen Jeffreys to discuss the upcoming industrial action. Also, former police watchdog Zoë Billingham joins the BBC’s Helena Wilkinson to explore police reform after an officer pleaded guilty to 49 offences, including dozens of rapes. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, George Dabby, Miranda S...
Jan 16, 2023•33 min
Happy Valley star James Norton talks about the success of the show, helping Ukrainian friends caught up in the war, and how a health breakthrough could improve his life. Plus, the government’s net zero strategy is put under the spotlight by Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK's Climate Change Committee and Sophie Eastaugh from the BBC’s The Climate Question podcast. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and was made by Chris Flynn with Ivana Davidovic, Miranda Slade, Cecelia ...
Jan 13, 2023•33 min
The Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan tells Adam and Chris that she’s disappointed with Scotland’s Gender Recognition Bill. She also says she’s "not ruling out" the idea of sending social media bosses to prison if they fail to protect children from damaging content online. The head of the TUC Paul Nowak says the unions still have public support as we face more strikes. Plus, stick around for a taste of his musical talent. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason an...
Jan 12, 2023•33 min
Who is the self-proclaimed misogynist and why are people worried about his influence over young boys’ behaviour? Adam talks to the BBC’s Marianna Spring and Michael Conroy, founder of Men at Work, about the controversial British-American influencer who is in custody in Romania. And Josh Baker from the new podcast, The Shamima Begum Story, tells us about his interviews with Shamima Begum. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Madeleine Drury, Chris Flynn, Ver...
Jan 11, 2023•32 min
Talking strikes, pay negotiations and GPs with Labour’s Wes Streeting. Adam and Chris sit down with the shadow health secretary to discuss what Labour would be doing differently if they were in government. Plus, Tim Harford from More or Less brings his spreadsheet for some NHS number crunching. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Madeleine Drury, Danny Wittenberg and Ivana Davidovic. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor was Veri...
Jan 10, 2023•36 min
What did we learn from Prince Harry’s round of interviews? Before shoppers queue up to buy his new book, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond, and culture editor Katy Razzall join Adam to discuss the Duke’s relationship with his brother, allegations about the Queen Consort, and his facial hair. Also, 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell and Radio 4’s Alex Renton discuss their experiences of child abuse. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Verity Wilde, Chris Flynn, Mad...
Jan 09, 2023•35 min
How worried should we be about the spread of coronavirus abroad? Restrictions are about to ease in China and there’s a new strain of Coronavirus in the USA. James Gallagher, presenter of Radio 4’s Inside Health and Kerry Allen, the BBC’s China media analyst put Covid back on the agenda. How to Fail podcast presenter Elizabeth Day also joins Adam to talk about New Year’s resolutions, and Radio 4’s Just One Thing host Dr Michael Mosley shares his top tips for sticking with them. Today’s episode wa...
Jan 06, 2023•30 min
Duke of Sussex accuses his brother William of physically attacking him. Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond reveals details of a stream of sensational claims and accusations from Prince Harry's new memoir, Spare. And Lord Mandelson, Labour’s election campaign director under Tony Blair, joins Adam and Chris to give his assessment of Sir Keir Starmer’s speech today, and of the state of the party as a whole. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, Josh ...
Jan 05, 2023•31 min
The Prime Minister sets out plans in his first major speech of 2023. Former speech writer to David Cameron and Theresa May, Jessica Cunniffe, joins Adam and Chris to go through Rishi Sunak’s first speech of the year, in which he set out his five pledges for the public to judge him on. And with train services disrupted again this week due to ongoing strikes, the boss of Network Rail, Andrew Haines, tells us how close he thinks he is to a deal with the unions. Today’s episode was presented by Adam...
Jan 04, 2023•36 min
As the government admits the NHS is facing an “unprecedented challenge”, A&E consultant Dr Maya Naravi tells us that in 25 years of working in emergency medicine, this is “the worst I have ever seen it”. BBC health editor Hugh Pym joins us to explain what’s behind the problems and what’s being done to try to relieve them. And amid widespread walkouts, Alan Jones, the PA’s industrial correspondent, talks us through what disruption we should expect as a result of strike action this year. Today...
Jan 03, 2023•36 min
Reliving the first live Castfest from the BBC Radio Theatre. On 18th October 2022, Newscast and all of our sister podcasts came together in front of a studio audience to mark 100 years of the BBC. For the first time, and for our final episode of this year, here are some highlights from the event, which was hosted by Adam and Ukrainecast’s Victoria Derbyshire. As you’ll hear, it came at a key time in 2022: in the run-up to the US mid-term elections, at a potential turning point in the war in Ukra...
Dec 30, 2022•31 min
Never before heard conversations with Richard Osman, Hans Zimmer, and Hugh Bonneville. In this special edition of Newscast, we bring you the interviews that had to be left in storage when major news events took over. Adam talks to gameshow host and Thursday Murder Club author Richard Osman about how he writes the books, and why he chose detectives in their 70s as his main characters. We hear from the man who wrote the music for some of the biggest films ever, Hans Zimmer. He speaks about working...
Dec 29, 2022•27 min
After 12 months that saw war in Ukraine, three prime ministers in Number 10, the end of the second Elizabethan era and the Lionesses bringing football home, Radio 4 asked us to look back at some of the most memorable stories. And, of course, we thought we’d share that with you too. Adam and Chris are joined by Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief international correspondent, Newsnight’s economics editor Ben Chu and our technology editor Zoe Kleinman to look back on the events that shaped 2022. Today’s N...
Dec 28, 2022•40 min
Adam is joined by the UK's biggest breakfast show presenters: Radio 2’s Zoe Ball and Radio 1’s Greg James. Joe Lycett also joins to look back at the biggest broadcasting moments of 2022 including Sam Ryder's Eurovision triumph, the Lionesses' Euro 2022 win and the coverage of the Queen's death. And Grammy winning vocal group The King's Singers have a very special rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas, made with the help of you Newscasters. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Flemin...
Dec 23, 2022•46 min
As further strike action hits air, road, and rail over Christmas, we discuss the implications with the the country’s most recognised travel journalist Simon Calder, and Radio 2’s travel reporter Bobbie Pryor. Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge talks about how business is going as food prices rise, and gives his best Christmas recipes on a budget. And Scotland makes history in passing a bill that makes it easier to change your legal gender. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming. I...
Dec 22, 2022•32 min
As thousands of ambulance workers across England and Wales strike, we discuss how it’s impacting people at a local level. BBC Radio Sheffield’s Toby Foster, BBC Radio Cornwall’s Julie Skentelbery, and BBC Radio Kent’s Anna Cookson join Adam to discuss how listeners have reacted to the industrial action. Also, it’s been a busy week for former US president Donald Trump. Americast host Justin Webb fills us in on the news from across the pond. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming. I...
Dec 21, 2022•28 min
Health bosses have warned they cannot guarantee patient safety during strikes by thousands of ambulance workers in England and Wales on Wednesday. Adam is joined by Unison boss Christina McAnea and BBC health reporter Jim Reed to explore how the industrial action could impact the NHS. And the BBC’s Fergus Walsh celebrates some of the latest medical innovations, including a trial of a personalised cancer vaccine and how a baby's life was 'probably saved' by umbilical stem cells. This episode of N...
Dec 20, 2022•32 min
Where does Monday's High Court ruling leave the Rwanda migrant plan? The UK High Court has found that the government's plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda is lawful. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Dominic Casciani and Nick Eardley to discuss the political, legal and practical ramifications of the decision. Former White House adviser, and soon-to-be Chancellor of Durham University, Fiona Hill, talks about fears of nuclear war, the upcoming winter in Ukraine and how high fees may have kept her...
Dec 19, 2022•29 min
Does the public support the strikes? We speak to two Broadcasters who chat to the general public for a living. 5 Live Breakfast’s Nicky Campbell and presenter of Radio 4’s Any Questions, Alex Forsyth, are on to help us try to figure out what the mood of the country is. Marina Glasgow, the chief conciliator at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service - also known as ACAS - explains her role in finding a resolution to the disputes. And actor and director Mark Gatiss talks about his famou...
Dec 16, 2022•31 min
ITV’s Robert Peston and Sky’s Beth Rigby join Chris and Adam to look back on a tumultuous year in politics, recapping the biggest political moments of 2022 - as well as what happened behind the scenes. Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are on strike in the first of two days of industrial action this month. Sunday Times health editor Shaun Lintern explains what impact the strikes are having on the NHS. Today’s Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, Cordelia Hemming and Mi...
Dec 15, 2022•31 min
The UK rate of inflation is down, but will it continue to fall? Adam speaks to Richard Walker, the managing director of Iceland Foods, about the price of food this Christmas… as well as his ambitions to be prime minister. Who is Sam Bankman-Fried, the man behind the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX? Adam is joined by the BBC’s cyber reporter Joe Tidy and Jamie Bartlett, presenter of the BBC Sounds podcast series The Missing Cryptoqueen. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by...
Dec 14, 2022•33 min
Is today’s scientific breakthrough the “holy grail” of clean energy? Adam is joined by the BBC’s science editor, Becky Morelle, who explains what nuclear fusion is, and why today’s news is a big deal. Chris Mason talks us through Rishi Sunak’s immigration plans. And business editor, Simon Jack, joins Newscaster Chana Horn to discuss what impact the current strike action is having in her business and the wider economy. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Ru...
Dec 13, 2022•28 min
Bad weather adds to a week of significant strike disruption. Chris tells Adam why there’s no hope of the strikes being called off, despite talks, and crisis management expert Rob Doran explains what the government might be doing to soften the blow caused by the industrial action. And after Adam’s successful performance on Celebrity Mastermind at the weekend, presenter Clive Myrie gives his take on why he triumphed. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Madel...
Dec 12, 2022•32 min
Is it the biggest shake-up for 30 years? The government has announced banking reforms that it says will "cut red tape" and "turbocharge growth". The BBC's economic editor, Faisal Islam, and banking analyst, Frances Coppola, unpack the government's plans to ease regulation. And winner of this year’s Turner Prize, Veronica Ryan, discusses the artwork that got people’s attention, and whether the Elgin Marbles should be returned. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn ...
Dec 09, 2022•32 min
Royal correspondent Jonny Dymond and culture editor Katie Razzall reveal how the Palace is reacting to Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix programme. And as A&E waiting times hit their worst levels on record across the UK, emergency medicine consultant Dr Salwa Malik gives us an insight into what’s it’s really like in hospitals at the moment. Also, travel journalist Simon Calder advises on how to navigate travel disruption during strikes this Christmas. Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Flem...
Dec 08, 2022•32 min
Government faces backlash following controversial coal mine approval. Adam gets instant reaction from Chris Mason, following news that the Cumbria coal mine has been approved, despite concern from some about its climate impacts. Also, with all the cold weather warnings, the BBC’s James Gallagher tells us how the cold affects our bodies, and Scotland’s national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, gives his health advice on how to stay safe and warm in the coming days. This episode of Newsc...
Dec 07, 2022•35 min
Could the strikes this winter spell trouble for the government? Adam and Chris speak to Alan Jones, industrial correspondent for the Press Association about what's behind the industrial action that's taking place and what impact these strikes could have. Also, the BBC’s media editor Amol Rajan discusses what he’s found out about the role accents play in social mobility for his new documentary ‘How to Crack the Class Ceiling’. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim...
Dec 06, 2022•32 min
How worried should we be about strep A? Eight children have died from severe cases of the bacterial infection. Adam is joined by Fergus Walsh, the BBC’s medical editor and Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health and Security Agency to discuss the disease, and what symptoms to look out for. Also, as the RMT union says that extra rail strikes have been scheduled over the Christmas period, Chris dials in from a delayed train to give his instant analysis. This episode of Newscast wa...
Dec 05, 2022•33 min
Has the announcement of an upcoming Netflix documentary series, plus a racism row involving Prince William's godmother, blighted a royal trip to the US? Royal correspondent Jonny Dymond is on to discuss. Also, we check in with our World cup Sweepstake as BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay analyses Japan’s World Cup success, while the BBC’s Emma Vardy has high hopes for Senegal who face England on Sunday. And in our book review, Adam speaks to broadcaster Nick Grimshaw about his new memoir, ‘Soft Lad’. This...
Dec 02, 2022•28 min
