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England are used to a winning start in tournaments... but are we used to it being this... FUN?The 3 Lions beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener and Thomas Tuchel's 'entertainers' have seemingly already captured the nation.A now famous half-time team talk is said to have inspired the players. Is Tuchel's emotional and tactical management style what England need to get over the line?And on the players themselves, are we going to witness a tournament where Harry Kane has his name up with Messi, Mbappe and Haaland?Journalist and co-host of The Football Boardroom Henry Winter joins Gabby and Mark for all that and more.

England are used to a winning start in tournaments... but are we used to it being this... FUN?The 3 Lions beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener and Thomas Tuchel's 'entertainers' have seemingly already captured the nation.A now famous half-time team talk is said to have inspired the players. Is Tuchel's emotional and tactical management style what England need to get over the line?And on the players themselves, are we going to witness a tournament where Harry Kane has his name up with Messi, Mbappe and Haaland?Journalist and co-host of The Football Boardroom Henry Winter joins Gabby and Mark for all that and more.

"Highway To Heavenly" The Oxford indie-pop outfit Heavenly formed out of the ashes of another Oxford outfit, the beloved indiepop band Talulah Gosh. With the addition of singer/keyboardist Cathy Rogers, by the time the band's second album Le Jardin De Heavenly hit shelves, their low-fi jangle became augmented by lush and spellbinding harmonies. Throughout the '90s put out a handful of winning albums including Heavenly vs. Satan and The Decline And Fall of Heavenly but they called it a day in 1996 after the death of their drummer Matthew Fletcher. The core unit of Heavenly resumed under the moniker Marine Research and they put out one lone marvelous album and that was that for a while. Did the members of Heavenly stay busy in the interim? That would be a resounding yes but let's also add accomplished. These are the broadstrokes, but you'll get the idea: Singer Amelia Fletcher, who, by the way, has been in The Wedding Present and the Pooh Sticks and guested on tracks by the Candyskins and the 6ths, is a Professor of Competition Policy at the University of East Anglia and in addition to being a Non-Executive Director on the boards of the Financial Conduct Authority, Fletcher was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire and Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the economy. As for bassist Rob Pursey, who, by the way, is married to Fletcher, he's a screenwriter and he ran the Touchpaper TV production company. He now co-runs the awesome indie label Skep Wax with Fletcher. An educational neuroscientist, Cathy Rogers was the presenter of the British reality competition series Scrapheap Challenge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapheap_Challenge) and Junkyard Wars, and she has worked as a producer for the BBC, ran an olive farm in Italy and worked as Creative Director for RDF Media. Meanwhile, guitarist Peter Monchiloff played in the Would Be Goods, Scarlet's Well (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet%27s_Well), Les Clochards, and Hot Hooves and he was Commissioning Editor for Philosophy at Oxford University Press and is currently Associate Publication Consultant at Lex Academic. As for drummer Ian Button, the former member of The Thrashing Doves has been a university lecturer in music production, he worked with everyone from Robert Forster to Dot Allison, was a member of Death In Vegas and is an in-demand mixer and masterer. Again, this is an abbreviated list, but you can see the members of Heavenly have been busy. But somehow, between all that busy-ness and other bands like Tender Trap and Swansea Sound, Heavenly are back. Not sounding diminished by time, the band's first long player in 30 years Highway to Heavenly is a spry collection of janglepop that's effortlessly melodic and unreasonably catchy. It's lovely work that ranks among the years best. And this is a great chat with three members, then five members, then two members. And we pulled it off without any dropping of the baton--this is a great chat with the charming, gregarious and lovely personnel of Heavenly. www.heavenlyindie.bandcamp.com www.skepwax.com www.stereoembersmagazine.com (http://www.stereoembersmagazine.com) www.bombshellradio.com (http://www.bombshellradio.com) www.alexgreenbooks.com Stereo Embers: BLUESKY + THREADS + IG: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine.com

England's World Cup opener against Croatia is just a matter of hours away but it's all quiet in the England camp... calm before the storm or a very good sign for Thomas Tuchel?Bellingham v Rogers has dominated the pre-match line-up debates but why not both?Gabby, Mark & Nedum Onuoha also reflect on Scottish pride, an electric performance from hosts USA & how Team Australia are fighting back against anti-immigration sentiment back home.Plus, is it really hot enough for these 'hydration breaks' or are they a FIFA cash-grab in disguise? Chappers is fed up with celebs in stadiums and Gabby manages to get in a fight with Michael Bublé - this World Cup really has it all.

Nedum touches down in USA and joins Gabby & Mark to discuss the opening game of the World Cup 2026; How excited are the locals, dark horses for the tournament & more...But with such a constant stream of controversy in the days leading up to the first match - fans fleeced for tickets, a Somali referee banned from entering US, national teams greeted by ICE on arrival and FIFA President Gianni Infantino's call for everyone to just "chill out" - has a World Cup ever been harder to love?The Athletic's Adam Crafton also joins to debate whether the questions will actually stop, once the football starts?

Nedum touches down in USA and joins Gabby & Mark to discuss the opening game of the World Cup 2026; How excited are the locals, dark horses for the tournament & more...But with such a constant stream of controversy in the days leading up to the first match - fans fleeced for tickets, a Somali referee banned from entering US, national teams greeted by ICE on arrival and FIFA President Gianni Infantino's call for everyone to just "chill out" - has a World Cup ever been harder to love?The Athletic's Adam Crafton also joins to debate whether the questions will actually stop, once the football starts?

After a second terrifying on-field collapse, should Christian Eriksen continue playing football and whose responsibility is it to make that decision now? Gabby & Mark are once again joined by Nedum Onuoha to discuss. Plus, did we learn anything new about Thomas Tuchel's England in their 1-0 World Cup warm-up win over New Zealand and which global superstars will be forced to wear a 'learner's badge' at this summer's tournament?Meanwhile over in Stockholm this weekend, the Diamond League gave us new finishers and potentially new rivals... has Brit Keely Hodgkinson's met her match in Switzerland's Audrey Werro? Could this emerging rivalry actually be just what she needs?

On Sunday the first contested Presidential elections at Real Madrid for 20 years will take place, so Gabby, Mark & Nedum are joined by Spanish football writer Guillem Balague to discuss some of the false promises being made on the campaign trail...Will any of Erling Haaland, Rodri, Jose Mourinho or Jurgen Klopp head to the Bernabeu this summer?And as Liverpool edge closer to appointing Andoni Iraola - four of the biggest clubs in the Premier League will be managed by coaches from the Basque country - what's so unique about football culture there and how did such a tiny region of Northern Spain produce so many top coaches?Plus, the guys answer some of your World Cup questions - including which presenter is most likely to get arrested in US?

On Sunday the first contested Presidential elections at Real Madrid for 20 years will take place, so Gabby, Mark & Nedum are joined by Spanish football writer Guillem Balague to discuss some of the false promises being made on the campaign trail...Will any of Erling Haaland, Rodri, Jose Mourinho or Jurgen Klopp head to the Bernabeu this summer?And as Liverpool edge closer to appointing Andoni Iraola - four of the biggest clubs in the Premier League will be managed by coaches from the Basque country - what's so unique about football culture there and how did such a tiny region of Northern Spain produce so many top coaches?Plus, the guys answer some of your World Cup questions - including which presenter is most likely to get arrested in US?

Gabby & Mark are alongside former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson in the wake of Arsenal's Champions League heartbreak to talk penalties, summer transfer plans and the wild scenes of celebration from the Premier League trophy parade on Sunday.Merse turns his attention to Tuchel's World Cup plans, gives his opinions on the squad and England's chances of success in USA.Plus, reaction to Arne Slot's sacking at Liverpool, whether Andoni Iraola will replace him and Mark's tribute to the late Rugby League legend John Kear.

Mark & Nedum are joined by West Ham's all-time Premier League goalscorer Michail Antonio, days after the club's relegation - ending a 14-year stay in the top flight.Michail lifts the lid on major decisions which he feels contributed to the club's decline in recent years; the controversial move to the London stadium, club training facilities, the appointment of Graham Potter as manager and how the club handled his exit last year following a very public car accident.Plus, Jarrod Bowen's West Ham future & World Cup squad omission, Declan Rice's Champions League chance and more.Michail Antonio's new book, ‘Humans not Robots: when elite sport and real life collide' is out on June 4th.

Mark & Nedum are joined by West Ham's all-time Premier League goalscorer Michail Antonio, days after the club's relegation - ending a 14-year stay in the top flight.Michail lifts the lid on major decisions which he feels contributed to the club's decline in recent years; the controversial move to the London stadium, club training facilities, the appointment of Graham Potter as manager and how the club handled his exit last year following a very public car accident.Plus, Jarrod Bowen's West Ham future & World Cup squad omission, Declan Rice's Champions League chance and more.Michail Antonio's new book, ‘Humans not Robots: when elite sport and real life collide' is out on June 4th.

Gabby & Mark are joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton as the curtain comes down on another gripping Premier League season. More tears "than a wedding cake" on Sunday but as Pep Guardiola officially abdicates his throne - following a decade of domination for Man City - who is ready to claim it?Plus, Arsenal's trophy lift as seen around the world, if Andoni Iraola was the ideal candidate to replace Guardiola, Sunderland's blueprint for newly-promoted teams, Spurs' cautionary tale & what it's like to film a Xmas celebrity special in the middle of an English heatwave!Oh, and after all that worrying... Were the 'Enhanced Games' any good? (SPOILER: No)

A special episode recorded live from the Barclays Clubhouse inside Stamford Bridge, as Gabby Logan is joined by Chelsea icon Millie Bright on the final day of WSL season... as Millie calls time on her illustrious playing career.Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward also joins the pair to reflect on 25 years of support for the women's game - progress, memories and transfer rumours too!AD @Barclays‬ | Barclays is Backing your Future, Search Barclays Football to find out more! #BWSL

Southampton's failed attempt to appeal their expulsion from the final for spying means that it will be Middlesbrough heading to Wembley to take on Hull in football's richest game.Espionage that could ‘cost' upwards of £200 million… normally a story for Ian Fleming but in an end of the season that keeps on giving, this is the tale of the Championship play offs.But what is the legality surrounding the decision? Is Tonda Eckart's sacking inevitable? and is there a case for the final to be voided and Hull to go up automatically?Gabby is joined by Former Saints midfielder & EFL TV presenter David Prutton and top sports lawyer Tom Murray to debate the ramifications.

Southampton's failed attempt to appeal their expulsion from the final for spying means that it will be Middlesbrough heading to Wembley to take on Hull in football's richest game.Espionage that could ‘cost' upwards of £200 million… normally a story for Ian Fleming but in an end of the season that keeps on giving, this is the tale of the Championship play offs.But what is the legality surrounding the decision? Is Tonda Eckart's sacking inevitable? and is there a case for the final to be voided and Hull to go up automatically?Gabby is joined by Former Saints midfielder & EFL TV presenter David Prutton and top sports lawyer Tom Murray to debate the ramifications.

Back in 2004, no Arsenal fan would have believed that after going an entire Premier League season unbeaten, they'd have to wait 22 YEARS to be crowned Champions again… then on Tuesday night, all the waiting and wishing and fear and lost hope finally came to an end - and North London was brought to a standstill. Fireworks, fans and Arsenal players still celebrating outside the Emirates at 5am.Mikel Arteta's side have overcome the memes and online jibes of 'bottlers' to mark an end to Pep Guardiola's reign over English football.Do the endless conversations over their 'style' still matter? Does this change the complexion of their Champions League final against PSG? And with the pressure to deliver a major title lifted, how will Arteta's team evolve?Former Man City defender Nedum Onouha and the Athletic's Arsenal correspondent Amy Lawrence joins Gabby and Mark to explain.

Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha joins Gabby & Mark on the show following one of the most chaotic weekends of the year so far...How big a coup is Chelsea's capture of Xabi Alonso and why was he confirmed as a manager not head coach? Is Jose Mourinho still the man to reunite Real Madrid's fractured dressing room and will Vini Jr forgive him for his comments in the wake of the 'Prestianni incident'?And as we await the outcome of tomorrow's Spygate 2.0 hearing - Will Southampton really be kicked out of the Play-Off Final and would that be a fair punishment?Plus, Mark pays tribute to Aaron Rai after he became the first English golfer to win the US PGA Championship in over a century - with iron covers on his clubs and wearing two gloves.

Gabby is joined by rugby legends Ugo Monye and Katy Daley-McLean ahead of Red Roses' Grand Slam decider this weekend - 37 games unbeaten, on the cusp of their 8th Six Nations in a row - does the sport actually need England to lose?The trio also react to a fascinating developing football story - dubbed 'Spygate 2.0' - with Southampton's Championship Play-Off final place in doubt after an analyst was spotted recording opposition training sessions!And they go head to head over World Rugby's decision to trial smaller balls in the women's game.France v England - Sunday 4:45pm (BBC)

Gabby is joined by rugby legends Ugo Monye and Katy Daley-McLean ahead of Red Roses' Grand Slam decider this weekend - 37 games unbeaten, on the cusp of their 8th Six Nations in a row - does the sport actually need England to lose?The trio also react to a fascinating developing football story - dubbed 'Spygate 2.0' - with Southampton's Championship Play-Off final place in doubt after an analyst was spotted recording opposition training sessions!And they go head to head over World Rugby's decision to trial smaller balls in the women's game.France v England - Sunday 4:45pm (BBC)

On the 10th anniversary of becoming 5000/1 Premier League winners, Leicester City will start next season in England's third division after relegation to League One.From Madrid to Mansfield... is this really how their 'fairytale' ends?2016 league winner Danny Simpson and the Athletics Rob Tanner both join to reflect on one of sports greatest stories and decipher how the club fell so far.And we've all heard of being powered by 'skittles vodka' but could the secret of that famous title win have actually been port? Untold UK: Jamie Vardy is about to hit your Netflix screens and Danny gives us insight into one of English football's most mythical characters.

Brighton are known as one of football's best run clubs with a seemingly constant yearly profit margin above £100 million... and today they have officially announced that their 33 year old manager Fabian Hürzeler has signed a new contract.A club on the verge of a second season playing European football and that has recently announced they are the first club the world to have a purpose built women's football stadium.Their CEO Paul Barber joins Gabby and Mark to give us insight on what really happens behind the scenes to keep it so successful.Paul also tells all about his relationship with former managers Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi - followed by his history with Spurs, working under Daniel Levy.

Brighton are known as one of football's best run clubs with a seemingly constant yearly profit margin above £100 million... and today they have officially announced that their 33 year old manager Fabian Hürzeler has signed a new contract.A club on the verge of a second season playing European football and that has recently announced they are the first club the world to have a purpose built women's football stadium.Their CEO Paul Barber joins Gabby and Mark to give us insight on what really happens behind the scenes to keep it so successful.Paul also tells all about his relationship with former managers Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi - followed by his history with Spurs, working under Daniel Levy.

Saudi Arabia's PIF spent around £6 billion reshaping world sport in the last four years — buying golf tours, funding billion-dollar boxing purses, and turning an obscure football league into a global talking point.Now the money is running out. LIV Golf loses its funding after 2026. Saudi football clubs are being sold off. Oil prices are falling, cash reserves are at a decade low, and sport has been quietly dropped from the PIF's priority list entirely.How much has the war in the Middle East shaped their decision? Yasir Al-Rumayyan was seen at St James's Park at the weekend... but will they keep their interest in Newcastle? And what does the future for Saudi's involvment in sport look like? The Athletic's chief sport correspondent Matt Slater joins Gabby & Mark.Plus, the guys debate whether England or Scotland has the most enthralling title run-in and Mark is moved by a particularly heartwarming moment at the World Snooker Championship.

PSG and Bayern Munich put on one the greatest displays of football in the history of the game on Tuesday night and Vincent Kompany has coached his side of start to break records this season.But does a man who shared the pitch with him 231 times and lifted 5 trophies alongside him, even recognise his old teammate? Joe Hart joins to tell us if he could see Vincent succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad when the time eventually comes.But back to the hear and now - just how has he managed to navigate and improve one of the biggest clubs in world football? The Athletic's German football correspondent Sebastien Stafford-Bloor gives us the insight into his success.

PSG and Bayern Munich put on one the greatest displays of football in the history of the game on Tuesday night and Vincent Kompany has coached his side of start to break records this season.But does a man who shared the pitch with him 231 times and lifted 5 trophies alongside him, even recognise his old teammate? Joe Hart joins to tell us if he could see Vincent succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad when the time eventually comes.But back to the hear and now - just how has he managed to navigate and improve one of the biggest clubs in world football? The Athletic's German football correspondent Sebastien Stafford-Bloor gives us the insight into his success.

A sub-two hour marathon! Gabby & Mark are joined by the beloved former 1500m World Champion Steve Cram, to explain how Sebastian Sawe smashed the 'unbreakable' marathon barrier in London on Sunday.How did Adidas win the war for the sub-2 'supershoe' and the lengths they've gone to, to prove he's not doping. If it stands, does the record eclipse Sir Roger Bannister's 4-minute mile, Usain Bolt's 9.58?Plus, is Mark finally onboard with Joshua v Fury now it's been announced by Eddie Hearn and can Hearts really can hold on to win the Scottish Premiership?

After Liam Rosenior was sacked just 106 days into his 6-year-deal, life-long Chelsea fan & President of World Athletics, Lord Seb Coe joins Gabby and Mark to talk about Russia's return to the Olympics, his views on The 'Enhanced Games' and why the world is running out of host cities for major tournaments?Will British athletics be able to capitalise on their new 'golden generation' and when will Manchester United's new stadium be ready?Plus Gabby & Mark reflect on the prospect of a classic Premier League title run-in after Man City leapfrogged Arsenal last night - with the top two now only separated by goals scored...Timestamps: 00:05 Trailer 00:41 Intro 6:52 Liam Rosenior sacked from Chelsea 14:54 Lord Seb Coe 25:14 Climate change affects World Championships 26:04 The Ultimate Championship 30:12 Keely Hodgkinson on West Ham 35:45 Russia in the Olympics 2029? 43:26 Manchester United's new stadium

After Liam Rosenior was sacked just 106 days into his 6-year-deal, life-long Chelsea fan & President of World Athletics, Lord Seb Coe joins Gabby and Mark to talk about Russia's return to the Olympics, his views on The 'Enhanced Games' and why the world is running out of host cities for major tournaments?Will British athletics be able to capitalise on their new 'golden generation' and when will Manchester United's new stadium be ready?Plus Gabby & Mark reflect on the prospect of a classic Premier League title run-in after Man City leapfrogged Arsenal last night - with the top two now only separated by goals scored...Timestamps: 00:05 Trailer 00:41 Intro 6:52 Liam Rosenior sacked from Chelsea 14:54 Lord Seb Coe 25:14 Climate change affects World Championships 26:04 The Ultimate Championship 30:12 Keely Hodgkinson on West Ham 35:45 Russia in the Olympics 2029? 43:26 Manchester United's new stadium

Football royalty on today's show as Gabby & Mark are joined by 4x Champions League-winner Clarence Seedorf, to talk about the pressure of a title run in as Arsenal's season hangs in the balance after defeat against Manchester City on the weekend.Clarence reflects on breaking major trophy droughts with his famous Ajax and Real Madrid teams and discusses the differences in how Mikel Arteta's Gunners are viewed by fans in Europe.Plus, the guys reflect on Karen Brady's West Ham departure and talk about 'humanoid' marathon runners - it's London Marathon week after all!

After Liverpool became the SIXTH English club to fall victim to Luis Enrique's all-conquering PSG in the Champions League - does their unique blend of intensity & swagger feel more and more like an indictment of Premier League pragmatism.So how do they keep peaking at just the right time in the season, why wasn't there more of a battle to sign the likes of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and which PSG star was deemed 'not ready' for England's top-flight!Plus, on the news Andoni Iraola will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season - would Gabby & Mark swap Eddie Howe or Michael Carrick for him now?

Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta looking to be the 4th man in history to retain the green jacket. His Masters dinner was reportedly the 'most expensive' ever but it was without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson... will he be able to join them both as back-to-back winners instead?Bryson De Chambeau is making his own clubs, Scottie Scheffler has arrived with a newborn son and Justin Rose is hoping to win and readdress 'cosmic justice'.Netflix's Full Swing's Dan Rapaport joins Mark in Augusta and Gabby in London as we look at golf's most prestigious weekend.

Aden Durde became the first British-born coach to win a Super Bowl when the Seattle Seahawks masterminded a dominant display in California in February.His story is almost unheard of in sport - from coaching grassroots level here in UK - to the very top of the NFL.But what has made him so successful? How did a chance advert in a North London shop spark his career? And as the Premier League's managerial 'merry-go-round' starts to feel more like a circus - does our beautiful game still have a lot to learn?Gabby and Mark are joined by Aden for all that and more.

The fan phenomenon of ‘Ultras' has taken Scotland by storm… TIFO's, flares and drums - like we're used to seeing in Europe - popping up everywhere from the Old Firm right down to the 4th division. So can this sub-culture be a force for good in an online sphere dominated by the ‘manosphere' or is it actually just another mask for something more sinister?Gabby & Mark are joined by Andy Hughes, host of The Crime Agents - who has spent time undercover reporting on football hooliganism in England, and Blair McNally - who has amassed millions of views online documenting Scottish ultras.

It has been like the longest VAR ruling in history… the match finished two months ago, the Africa Cup of Nations trophy was presented, the considerable celebrations and recriminations were complete.And then, just as some last-16 Champions League fixtures were finishing on Tuesday night, a communication dropped from CAF.Senegal had actually forfeited the match by staging their now infamous walk-off and Morocco are AFCON champions via a technicality.But why has this taken so long? Can you really strip a country of a title? And what happens next?Former Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker and Co Host of the ‘On The Whistle' podcast, Zayn Naabi both join Gabby and Mark.

Playing in front of a record 80,000 fans at Twickenham, captaining your country in a World Cup final and winning World Rugby's Player of the Year… all in a day's work for Sophie De Goede. All that despite returning from a huge ACL injury just one month before the World Cup, Canada crowdfunding to get there, and training against teammates' partners to make up the numbers. Sophie joins Gabby and Mark to talk about where women's rugby goes next. Plus we look back at the best bits from The Sports Agents this week - was it right for Tottenham to sub their goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after a 17-minute nightmare? And how can Welsh rugby build back to its former glory?

When the Winter Paralympics get underway this weekend in Italy history will be made. Davy Zyw was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 30 and given 18 months to live… but he's now 38 and he's going to be the first person to compete at a Winter Paralympics with MND.Defying his degenerating body, Davy will compete on the board for ParalympicsGB, with his five-year-old son watching on. He joins Gabby to tell his inspiring story.Plus, we look back at the best bits from The Sports Agents this week - will the US-Iran conflict derail President Trump's World Cup? Have England pushed the Six Nations panic button and will it pay off? And what's it like to start a new football team from scratch in America's top league?

The recent killing of Mexican drug lord ‘El Mencho' has caused unrest and cartel violence across the country. Guadalajara - one of Mexico's host cities in this summer's World Cup - was one of the worst affected. So what state are we left in, just months away from the tournament? Should fans be worried about the threat of cartel violence? And with ICE and President Trump ever present in the U.S. - should more questions be asked of their hosting? Gabby and Mark are joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton.Plus, we look back at the best bits from The Sports Agents this week - do England need a makeover after their Six Nations collapse? And how did Netflix's Drive To Survive grow Formula One's fan base by hundreds of millions, where three in four new fans are female?

The countdown to Formula 1's new era has begun in earnest. There are now just days to go until the teams unleash the new-look cars that will carry their fortunes in the landmark 2026 season. Concepts crafted inside the team's fiercely-protected factories are about to spring into life on the track.It's mid-January, and the Cadillac Formula 1 team are preparing for a huge milestone on their journey to the grid. At Silverstone's famous circuit, the race crew has assembled for a shakedown, a chance to run the 2026 F1 car for the very first time. Sergio Perez, making his F1 return for the American marque, is the first driver to put some miles on the clock for the team. The Mexican fan favourite is confident that Cadillac is “here to do great things” when it joins the F1 grid in 2026. It's been nearly half a decade since America toasted its last F1 World Champion, 1978 winner Mario Andretti, who has also been offering his words of wisdom to the Cadillac F1 team.The Haas team are also ticking off the milestones signposting the way to F1's new era. Team principal Ayao Komatsu reveals how Ollie Bearman's positive attitude is a real asset to the team's ambitions. The British racer, about to enter his second full season in F1, has goals of his own, winning races and future World Championships.Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff paused his birthday celebrations to outline how he is also developing the team's next generation, Kimi Antonelli, into a future race-winner. As the sport enters a new era, Wolff is as curious as anybody about how the pecking order is going to shake out when racing resumes in 2026. The first questions were about to be answered when the new Mercedes F1 car took to the track for the very first time - and our intrepid guides Sarah Holt and Holly Samos were there to witness the all-important car shakedown on a rainy day at the Silverstone circuit. After completing the first flying laps, George Russell gave his verdict on the car that carries his hopes for the 2026 season. Mercedes Technical Director James Allison and the Head of Mercedes High Performance Power Trains, Hywel Thomas, were also on hand to give feedback on the fruits of their labours.As Kimi Antonelli prepared to climb into the cockpit for the first time, he spoke of his gratitude to everyone back at base who had got him this far. The Italian has already been on an incredible journey with the Mercedes team but 2026 is just the beginning of what lies ahead in Formula 1's new era.F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos The Producers are Alasdair Cresswell, Joe Aldridge, Jack Winstanley and Mitchell Marshall Production Management from Abbie Collingwood, Katie Killeen and Giulia Duggan The Senior Producer is Ollie Kneen The Executive Producer for IMG is Steve Tebb The Story Editor and Scriptwriter is Sarah Holt The Showrunner is Holly Samos And the Commissioning Editor at the BBC is Stevie Middleton

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to represent their countries at the upcoming Winter Paralympics. For the first time since 2014, since Russia's state-sponsored doping programme and the war with Ukraine, we will see the Russian flag and potentially hear the anthem.Ukrainian officials are boycotting, but FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has also recently said he wants to lift football's ban on Russia.This all comes after Ukrainian skeleton athlete, Vladyslav Heraskevych, was disqualified from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet showing Ukrainians killed in the war.So, is this the beginning of something? Could we see Russia compete at the LA Summer Olympics in 2028? Or even the World Cup? Mark and Gabby speak to The Athletic's Matt Slater. Plus, we look back at the best bits on The Sports Agents this week, from welcoming double Winter Olympic gold medallist Matt Weston, to discussing abuse in football with former England striker Emile Heskey.

What a week we've had here on The Sports Agents, from penis-gate, to Winter Olympics heartbreak and Premier League managers getting sacked.This weekend sees Scotland host the Auld enemy at Murrayfield as they take on England for the Calcutta Cup.Love might not be in the air north of the border, but there were remnants in the studio - as Gabby welcomed her husband and former Scottish winger Kenny Logan onto the show.England's Six Nations title charge, mounting pressure on Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, and what does Valentine's Day look like in the Logan household?

The Winter Olympics are here! What sport are we all going to pretend to be an expert at? Curling maybe? Today Gabby and Mark are joined by one of Great Britain's biggest medal hopes, freestyle skier Kirsty Muir.She started skiing at 3 years old on the dry slopes of Scotland - imagine the carpet burn doing flips on that surface! Her nan can't even watch when she does the huge tricks. This year she's already won gold at the X Games and her third World Cup title. So can she win gold in Italy?Plus, we catch you up on the best bits from The Sports Agents this week, from Carlos Alcaraz's historic victory in Australia, to Gabby being pranked by Roger Federer at Wimbledon, and a big look at the Super Bowl this weekend.

You've likely seen the viral video of Coco Gauff smashing her racket in a corridor at the Australian Open. She tried to go somewhere without cameras and failed. Now she's complaining the only private place is the locker room, Novak Djokovic says it's like "big brother", Iga Swiatek thinks they're "animals in a zoo". Content is king but at what cost to player privacy? Isn't this the kind of access we all wanted to drive sports broadcasting forward and grow the sport? The bigger the sport - the more financial reward for players, so why complain? Or are we in danger of forgetting they're only human? Jamie Murray, former world number one doubles player, and Molly McElwee, tennis journalist and author of "Building Champions", join Gabby and Mark. Plus, we look back at the best bits of The Sports Agents from Manchester United to a very English embarrassment at Champions League success to two-time World Cup winner Tobin Heath.

We're on a high-speed taxi ride with teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli as he takes series co-host Holly Samos on a thrilling hot lap around Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix. The 18-year-old's career is also hitting the gas, after Mercedes chose him to replace seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and handed the Italian his F1 debut in 2025.Already a social media sensation, Britain's Ollie Bearman is also finding his feet in F1 and co-host Sarah Holt joins him in the passenger seat at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a summer highlight on the British motorsport calendar. When it comes to life as an F1 driver, the 20-year-old Haas driver is still adapting to being in the spotlight during his rookie season.It's not only fresh, young drivers who are driving F1 into the future, the Cadillac Formula 1 team are also preparing to join the grid in 2026, when major new technical rules are set to shake-up the sport. On a sprawling industrial estate - just metres from the Silverstone circuit - Sarah and Holly are taking an exclusive first look at the team's F1 factory.But founding an F1 team - even with backing from U.S. car giant General Motors - is a huge undertaking, as Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon reveals in this episode.- F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike - Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos - The Producers are Alasdair Cresswell, Joe Aldridge, Jack Winstanley and Mitchell Marshall - Production Management from Abbie Collingwood, Katie Killeen and Giulia Duggan - The Senior Producer is Ollie Kneen - The Executive Producer for IMG is Steve Tebb - The Story Editor and Scriptwriter is Sarah Holt - The Showrunner is Holly Samos - And the Commissioning Editor at the BBC is Stevie Middleton

In this eight-part series, hosted by actress Rosamund Pike, we're going behind-the-scenes with next generation stars, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and British Haas hotshot Ollie Bearman, during their rookie Formula 1 seasons in the 2025 World Championship.We are in the passenger seat with the drivers - and we do mean that literally - following the final races of their maiden campaigns and lifting the lid on driver life away from the track with F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos as our guides.Former teammates in junior categories, Antonelli and Bearman, are now simultaneously finding their feet on motorsport's toughest grid. In this series we hear from the two drivers, and those closest to them, as their journey to the top continues.From inside the Mercedes team, experienced race engineer Pete Bonnington, aka Bono, reveals how he is guiding Antonelli to follow in the footsteps of his former driver, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton while Driver Development Advisor Gwen Lagrue explains how he spotted the natural talent that convinced Mercedes to sign Italian teenager Antonelli at a young age.Haas rookie Ollie Bearman already has a huge social media following but the attention directed at an F1 driver is next level. The British racer, who made his F1 debut with Ferrari in 2024 as a stand-in for a sick Carlos Sainz, is feeling a lot of love from the fans as we join him at a special appearance with Haas at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.The 20-year-old can also count on family support and we hear from his younger brother Thomas, also a promising racer, and how they are deciding just who gets to go on Ollie's race simulator.As Bearman continues to bring home the points for Haas in 2025, Haas Head of Strategy and Driver Development Ed Brand and his race engineer Ronan O'Hara explain how Bearman is growing as one of F1's next generation stars.But it's not only the drivers who are driving forward F1's future - there is also a new team about to enter the top tier of motorsport. The series is also following the start-up Cadillac Formula 1 team as they race to join the grid for the very first time. Their uncharted journey is fraught with jeopardy, but they have unlocked their doors and let us inside. Fan favourites and former F1 race-winners Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are making their comebacks with Cadillac - and we hear from both of them throughout the series.Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon and Executive Engineering Consultant Pat Symonds explain how the team have had a mountain to climb to make it to the grid in 2026, when major technical regulations, governing how the cars are designed and powered, are also set to shake up the sport.Hollywood legend Keanu Reeves is following in our tyre tracks as he documents Cadillac's journey to the grid. The actor is also predicting drama as F1 enters a new era in 2026. We hear from him in an exclusive interview as he anticipates that the “hopes and ambitions” of all the teams up-and-down the grid will be tested by the sport's new rules.As one season ends another, fraught with uncertainty like never before, lies just around the corner. In this series, we journey with the Cadillac F1 team and drivers Antonelli and Bearman over the winter as they prepare to go racing in F1's new era.- F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike - Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos - The Producers are Alasdair Cresswell, Joe Aldridge, Jack Winstanley and Mitchell Marshall - Production Management from Abbie Collingwood, Katie Killeen and Giulia Duggan - The Senior Producer is Ollie Kneen - The Executive Producer for IMG is Steve Tebb - The Story Editor and Scriptwriter is Sarah Holt - The Showrunner is Holly Samos - And the Commissioning Editor at the BBC is Stevie Middleton

Back in 2016, Netflix released a little show called Stranger Things, which went on to become the defining megahit for the streamer. But now, ahead of the finale on New Year's Day, the sheen appears to be wearing thin…Fans and critics alike have complained about overstuffed plots and too many characters - and more than 280,000 people have signed a petition, demanding to see alleged unseen footage from the latest volume. It's never simple to wrap up a hugely popular TV series, so we're joined by The Standard's Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer, Vicky Jessop, with the latest on the end of The Stranger Things era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As another year draws to a close, we're taking a look back at the past twelve months and what it's meant for the world of video games. It's been a stellar year for indie games, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 raking in heaps of plaudits (and a fair few award nominations) for its take on the JRPG genre — while smaller titles like Wanderstop and Blue Prince have proved that you can do an awful lot without the massive budgets that AAA studios command.The Standard's Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop is here to discuss the highlights of the year, plus what to look forward to in 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we settle into the festive season, it's time for a round-up of all the best TV from 2025.It's been a jam-packed one, as ever, serving up lashings of humour, tragedy and a whole lot of sequels. Severance has returned for the first time in years, as has Stranger Things, and the Alien franchise has gotten its own TV spinoff for the first time ever.The Standard's Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop is here to discuss the highlights - and lowlights - of the year, plus what to look forward to in 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we're revisiting some of our favourite episodes of 2025. This episode was first published in April.Recreational use of the Class B drug ketamine doubled in 2024. A Sunday Times investigation has looked into where it's coming from and why it's so hard to police.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Katie Gatens, Commissioning Editor, The Sunday Times News Review.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: One gram of ketamine and its 4,000-mile journey to the UK. Further listening: The truth behind the drama AdolescenceIf you or someone you know needs drugs help or advice, visit talktofrank.comPhoto: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 More than 17 million people arrive in the capital each year to celebrate one of London's most beloved cultural gemstones - theatre. But seeing a central London play can set you back hundreds of pounds, and the costs are only going up. Audiences are now being priced out with the average price of a top ticket rising by 50% between 2023 and 2024 to 146 pounds and 61 pence a seat.So who or what is to blame for the situation? Is this just a callous cash grab, and what does it all mean for the future of London's West End? We're joined by The Standard's Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop, who has been investigating the issue for the latest special report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.