The Unbelievable Truth. David Mitchell. Copyright: BBC / Random Entertainment
The Unbelievable Truth

The Unbelievable Truth

  • Radio panel show
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2006 - 2024
  • 177 episodes (29 series)

David Mitchell hosts this Radio 4 panel game built on truth and lies. Contestants must try and smuggle truths into lie-filled speeches.

  • Due to return for Series 30

Episode menu

Series 10, Episode 2

Recorded at the 2012 Fringe Festival, David Mitchell is joined semi-regular panellist Henning Wehn as well as Lloyd Langford, Celia Pacquola and Rhod Gilbert as they lie about wine, the Queen, baths and wind.

The Truths

Lloyd Langford - Wine

- "Liebfraumilch" means "Milk of the Virgin Mary" in German. Found by Henning.

- There is a Japanese wine made from snakes. Found by Rhod.

- The indentation at the bottom of some wine bottles is called a "punt". Found by Celia.

- According the Bible, Noah invented wine. Successfully smuggled.

- All 50 American states have a winery, including Alaska. Successfully smuggled.

Henning Wehn - Queen Elizabeth II

- When the Queen slides her handbag over her right arm it is a signal that she is bored with the person she is talking to. Found by Lloyd.

- The Queen sent an email as far back as 1976. She was the first monarch. Found by Lloyd.

- Despite sending the above email, she told Bill Gates that she never touched a computer when she gave him an honouree knighthood in 2005. Found by Rhod.

- The Queen has a special traffic light system in Buckingham Palace's ballroom. At State Banquets the steward behind her operates the lights to let staff known when to serve the next course and clean the previous one. Successfully smuggled.

- The Queen and Princess Margaret never went to school. She was tutored at home under the supervision of the Queen Mother and their governess. Successfully smuggled.

Celia Pacquola - Baths

- In 1999 there were around 30,000 bathtub related injuries in the UK. Found by Lloyd.

- There is a patent on a latex ladder invention that allows spiders to climb out of the bath. Found by Lloyd.

- The Queen has a rubber duck with a crown on it. Found by Henning.

- In Arizona it is not permitted for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. Successfully smuggled.

- The optimum depth for a birdbath is 2.5 inches. Successfully smuggled.

Rhod Gilbert - Wind

- In 1988 a gust of wind blew off the last "T" from an advertised film at the Golders Green area so it read Who Framed Roger Rabbi. Successfully smuggled.

- It is illegal to flick snot into the wind in Alabama. Successfully smuggled.

- "Willy-Willies" is a type of short-lived columns of dusty wind in the Australian Bush. Successfully smuggled.

- Dr. Paul Egginton of London's Natural History Museum regularly makes trips to Africa to capture termite farts. 20% of methane production comes from termites. Successfully smuggled.

- If you ask for a "nun's fart" in a Belgian bakery you will get a cinnamon Danish. Successfully smuggled.

Scores

- Rhod Gilbert: 0 points
- Lloyd Langford: -1 point
- Henning Wehn and Celia Pacquola: -2 points

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 7th January 2013
Time
6:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Sunday 13th January 2013 12:00pm Radio 4
Monday 14th January 2013 7:30am Radio 4 Extra
Monday 14th January 2013 10:00pm Radio 4 Extra

Cast & crew

Cast
David Mitchell Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Rhod Gilbert Guest
Henning Wehn Guest
Lloyd Langford Guest
Celia Pacquola Guest
Writing team
Dan Gaster Writer
Colin Swash Writer
Production team
Jon Naismith Producer

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