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Sardine Lie Detector

Greg James heads deep into the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archives to deliver a selection of prime audio, using stories of the week as his launch-pad, along with requests and challenges from listeners.

Greg James has renewed his access-all-areas pass to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archives and is ready to track down audio gems, using listener requests, overlooked anniversaries and current stories as a springboard into the vast vaults of past programmes.

Greg heads back 1982 when Eurovision came to Harrogate in North Yorkshire. With Norway reeling from a 'nil points' loss in 1981, they employ a secret weapon to guarantee a Eurobeating hit. Will it work?

At this year's Oscars ceremony, Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian woman to be named Best Actress. Greg finds a brilliant interview from 2004 where Michelle describes doing all her own stunts throughout her decades-long career - and the many injuries that she has sustained as a result.

An email from a listener recalls a cherished memory from her childhood with her late father, and sends Greg to 1954 to embark on a Journey Into Space. Another listener asks to revisit Blue Peter in 1972, where a smartly dressed Peter Purves hops down the Tube and shows viewers how to survive if they get stuck on the tracks.

Following on from last week's look at unexpected prizes, Greg finds a letter from 1923, just a few months after the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ began, with one of the first prizes it ever awarded. He also uncovers correspondence from the 1950s when Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ execs try to come up with exciting prize ideas. Did they really try to give away a house?

And it's 75 years since the first permanent self-service supermarket opened in the UK. Greg goes wild in the aisles, discovering strange lie detector experiments on unsuspecting customers in the 1960s, the first petrol station supermarket, and a surprise (surprise) appearance from Cilla Black.

Producer: Tim Bano

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Jul 2023 23:30

Broadcasts

  • Sat 18 Mar 2023 10:30
  • Fri 28 Jul 2023 23:30

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producers branded Elton John 'dreary' in 1968

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producers branded Elton John 'dreary' in 1968

Amazing archive reveals how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ misjudged the singer.