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What Elis James and John Robins got up to in 2024

It’s nearly been a year since the Great Reset, a rebirth of the Elis James and John Robins show into a podcast first, digital double bill of weekly antics from the youngest broadcasters around.

The word “great” truly falls short of describing the many hilarious moments Elis, John and Producer Dave have shared in the shiny new studio. Their #content has been #topquality this year but before we recap on some of their best Banter-cast moments of 2024, here are a few words from one of our brave little soldiers, Elis James.

Subscribe here to listen to the Elis James and John Robins podcast, with exclusive content only available on the free Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sounds app.

A note from Elis

I had been presenting on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 5 Live with John Robins for five years, when we got asked to go into Â鶹ԼÅÄ Director General Tim Davie’s office to talk about creating a broadcasting first.

As Tim took a plaintive suck on his Calippo, initially it felt like we were being told off. ‘Hang on’ I said. ‘You want us to leave the cut and thrust of live radio behind, to create a podcast that will then be played on live radio?’ Tim nodded with his eyes shut tight, because he’d sucked too hard on his lolly and given himself brain freeze. ‘Ok…’ John muttered. ‘We’re going to give you the best podcast first content that’s then played in our old slot on live radio you’ve ever heard.’ And that’s what we’ve done.

There have been new features such as the Cymru Connection, where I try to find a link with a random Welsh person in 60 seconds where failure leads to me becoming very distressed, and revitalised old features such as Made Up Games, where we play games that have been invented by our listeners and my mindset for playing depends on whether I’ve succeeded in the Cymru Connection or not.

‘We’re going to give you the best podcast first content that’s then played in our old slot on live radio you’ve ever heard.’ And that’s what we’ve done.
Elis James and John Robins

John is still trying to absolve the nation of its shame in John’s Shame Well, and the hundreds of incredible emails we have received over the past few months have shone a much needed spotlight onto the world’s mad dads.

To our old listeners, thank you for your continued support. To our new listeners, we cherish every one of you. To the listeners who have just discovered us through the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sounds only spin off podcast Elis and John’s Bureau de Change of the Mind (aka Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sounds Bites) – you are the listeners who intrigue us the most and fear not – our capacity to find new accents for those characters is limitless.

Thank you very much for listening.

Elis James

It's a small... Wales?

Elis James continues his quest to connect with every Welsh person

Elis James makes his latest attempt to make a connection with a random caller from Wales.

One of the best things to come out of the Elis and John’s Great Reset is the introduction of the high stakes, intense and pressure fuelled Cymru Connection, where Elis is given one minute to find a link with a Welsh caller.

There have been great highs and great lows with some clean connections and some catastrophic fails, which translate directly to Elis’ self-esteem… but every week, he goes again, with the hope of finding that connection that he claims he can always find on a sun lounger in the Algarve. Here’s to another year of Cymru Connecting!

The John Robins Era

The unofficial Taylor Swift and John Robins break up song

American comic sings a parody Taylor Swift break up song for John Robins.

Fellow comedian and musician Charlene Kaye creates a John Robins breakup song in the style of Taylor Swift and the comparison is uncanny. “And he’s price comparing white goods again, gaslighting me with his vaping pen…”

Maybe Swift could take inspiration on her next album from this imagined relationship with a 42-year-old comic from Bristol?

Dave's Ted Lasso claim to fame

Ted Lasso actor drops a huge bombshell

Actor Phil Dunster drops a massive surprise aboout his Ted Lasso character.

Elis, John and Producer Dave were shocked to find out that Ted Lasso star, Phil Dunster, modelled his accent in the show on Elis’ impression of Dave.

Unfortunately, the line “€5 for a toastie?!” didn’t make the edit.

Did we reach peak Shame Well?

A toe(nail) curling story of shame

A horrifying entry into John Robin's Shame Well.

Could this possibly be the worst Shame Well in the Shame Well Hall Of Fame?

John and Elis attempt to console a wrongly accused victim of office nail clipping claims who finds themselves in a prickly situation.

Elis and John's quotes to live by

Elis and John serve up ultimate ‘live, laugh, love’ quotes

Elis and John come up with the live, laugh, loveist of inspirational quotes.

Elis and John “live, laugh, loved" their way through Made Up Games this year, with this quote creation game being a highlight.

Who knew the boys held such wise words, fit for any coffee mug or coaster?!

A special surprise for Elis and John's 10-year anniversary

Elis and John surprised by radio royalty

A very special guest comes into the studio to surprise Elis James and John Robins.

Radio royalty Tony Blackburn comes to surprise Elis and John in celebration of their “Digital Decade”.

Could Elis and John's legacy be as long as this national treasure?

Subscribe here to listen to the Elis James and John Robins podcast, with exclusive content only available on the free Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sounds app.

  • Shame Well

    Venture down Elis and John's Shame Well to hear some of the most toe curling stories ever told.