STARKEY FOR THE NEWS QUIZ!

Is the staid cosy world of Radio 4 topical comedy really being forced into a tokenistic gesture to fend off criticism of its blatant political bias?

I don’t know how truthful that tweet is but it would be amusing to think that, after all these years, Hardy and pals suddenly found that even their smug little lefty enclave was not beyond the reach of the BBC’s Diversity Strategy with its commitment “to reflect the diversity of the nation accurately and authentically”.

If the “decree” is genuine, it will no doubt be good news for a handful of moderate centre-ground media types who are deemed acceptable enough to fill the role of “right-wing guest” each week (keep your Thursday evenings free, Hugo).

How much more fun to have somebody who really would shake things up. David Starkey, for example. I wonder what Jeremy would have to say about that?

Like most of Hardy’s material – not very original:

From fine upstanding citizen Piers Morgan to lefty R4 Front Row presenter John Wilson, people are queuing up to declare Starkey’s TV career over. A return to radio could be just the thing. The News Quiz should snap him up now. What’s more, Jeremy Hardy would probably boycott the programme. I believe that’s known as win-win.

Let the campaign begin – Starkey for the News Quiz!

THE HARDY BOY…..


The BBC love him – just can’t get enough of him, in fact. I refer to the loathsome Jeremy Hardy. I was listening to “I’m Sorry I haven’t a clue” on the BBC earlier today (Still missing Humph) but it was spoilt by Hardy’s malign presence. Were that not bad enough, it was announced that fun-loving Jeremy has a new series starting later this week on Radio 4. Hardy is distinguished, if that is the right word, for his hard left political views. He suggested the Royal Family were parasites; he suggested that anyone voting for the BNP should be “shot in the head”; he supported alleged Irish terrorists – very much a thoroughly modern man. Laugh? I nearly paid my license fee.