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

The Unbelievable Truth

  • Radio panel show
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2006 - 2024
  • 183 episodes (30 series)

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

F
X
R
W
E

Episode menu

Series 30, Episode 5

David Mitchell is joined by Angela Barnes, Glenn Moore, Shaparak Khorsandi and Neil Delamere, who are obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as websites, cartoons, Prince Harry and teeth.

The Truths

Angela Barnes - Websites

- Gmail was originally the name of the Garfield comic messaging service. Found by Shaparak.

- The entire internet weighs as much as a fat strawberry, which is about 50g. Successfully smuggled.

- Google was originally called Backrub. The founders chose that name because their programme analysed the web's back-links to ascertain how important a website was, and what other sites it related to. Successfully smuggled.

- You can meet your zombie "no soulmate" on dating website Zombie Passions. Successfully smuggled.

- Among the names least likely to be clicked by women on internet dating websites is Kevin. Also unpopular are Dennis, Justin and Marvin. Successfully smuggled.

Glenn Moore - Cartoons

- When Popeye debuted there was a 33% increase in people eating spinach. Found by Angela.

- God and Jesus are the only characters in The Simpsons to have five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. Found by Angela.

- Early in his career, Walt Disney drew cartoons in exchange for free haircuts. Found by Angela.

- Walt Disney used to pack his testicles in ice to improve his sperm count. Found by Shaparak.

- In 2018, the Beano sent a cease-and-desist letter to Jacob Rees-Mogg, ordering him to stop impersonating Walter the Softy. They said it was: "a clear breach of our copyright", and that Rees-Mogg had stolen several of Walter's characteristics including: "his snootiness, his choice of spotted ties and vintage apparel, his bullish behaviour with peers and stopping others from having fun." Successfully smuggled.

Shaparak Khorsandi - Prince Harry

- Prince Harry claimed that Charles III and Queen Camilla wanted Princess Catherine to change the spelling of her name so it would begin with a "K", as both of their names began with "C" and to have a third on royal crests would lead to confusion. Found by Neil.

- Elizabeth II had to grant permission for Harry to keep his beard during his wedding ceremony. Found by Angela.

- Harry claims that Charles has an incredible sense of smell. Found by Glenn.

- Camilla turned Harry's bedroom in Clarence House into her dressing room. Successfully smuggled.

- Princess Margaret once gave Harry a cheap biro as a Christmas present. Successfully smuggled.

Neil Delamere - Teeth

- Chimpanzees practice dentistry, cleaning their own and each other's teeth, and even performing extractions. Found by Angela.

- The Sami people of Norway perform castrations on reindeer using their teeth. Found by Angela.

- Everyone is born with a sweet tooth, with children being able to tolerate much higher sweetness levels than adults. Found by Angela.

- There are enough chemicals in a medium-sized tube of toothpaste to kill 13 dogs. Successfully smuggled.

- Sex researcher Alfred Kinsey could insert a toothbrush into his penis and had a collection of 5 million wasps. Successfully smuggled.

Scores

- Angela Barnes: 7 points
- Shaparak Khorsandi: 4 points
- Neil Delamere: -2 points
- Glenn Moore: -5 points

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 2nd September 2024
Time
6:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Catch-up

Cast & crew

Cast
David Mitchell Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Neil Delamere Guest
Angela Barnes Guest
Glenn Moore Guest
Shaparak Khorsandi Guest
Writing team
Dan Gaster Writer
Colin Swash Writer
Production team
Jon Naismith Producer
Graeme Garden Creator
Jon Naismith Creator

Share this page