Episodes
The week on The Sports Agents... Gabby and Mark Pougatch play darts with the world's best, teenage superstar Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries (3:49). Do they act like rivals or friends? How's it been for Littler becoming famous so young and so quickly? And what darts tips can they give us? Lawyer to the likes of David Beckham and Alex Ferguson, Nick Freeman, aka 'Mr Loophole', joined us (11:01) to tell some entertaining stories from court and discuss whether high-profile stars have it easier than others. Liverpool could lose their star player Mo Salah in the summer, as well ...
When the vote in the Commons came back, you could have heard a pin drop. In the end, after hours of often compelling, personal and emotional debate the result was conclusive. 330 MPs voted to pass the assisted dying bill on to the next stage. 275 voted against. But there was no whooping or cheering when the result came through - just a defeating silence as the chamber grapples with what a huge social shift this could now mean to the country. Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo...
Net migration figures hit more than 900,000 in the year up to June 2023. And fell by 20 percent this year, down to 730,000. It was only a decade ago that Prime Minister David Cameron was talking about bringing immigration into the "tens of thousands". So, where did things go so badly wrong? And why after the Brexit referendum and the pledge to 'Take Back Control' did Boris Johnson's administration see immigration rise to a million people? Today we ask new Labour MP, Jake Richardson - who has Reform snapping at his heels - what the Labour plan is? And if the government is prepared to issue ...
The assisted dying bill goes before MPs on Friday. If it goes through it will mark one on the biggest social changes in legislation the country has seen, and Britain will join around a dozen other countries who have decided to allow the state to step in at end of life. The tight parameters around the legislation mean only those who are terminally ill and facing six months or less to live would be given the choice of ending their lives on their terms. And they have to be residents of England or Wales. Today, the News Agents discuss, with honesty and a little confusion, how we are each feelin...
Later in the show we’ll be speaking to Department for Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall straight from the Commons, after she delivers her plans to cut the welfare bill. But we start with the economic story you might be missing, and one that could dwarf everything else. It begins in France where Marine Le Pen is currently threatening to bring down the Michel Barnier government by voting against his budget with the help of the far left parties. She says the budget is out of touch with the needs of ordinary working people and their electricity bills, but her moves and the ripples of unce...
The newly released Jaguar advert displays an array of brightly coloured models cat-walking around a large rock with no car. It has sent Jaguar traditionalists into a tailspin. The company's CEO is unrepentant, and moreover says he's quite enjoying the attention/backlash. Today, we speak to the masters of the advertising world, Saatchi & Saatchi. So, is the advert any good? Is the backlash about something more profound than cars? Is 'woke capitalism' on the way out? Later, Romania's first round Presidential elections produced a shock winner overnight - the ultranationalist right winger Calin...
The week on The Sports Agents... Gabby travels to Newcastle United to speak to players Dan Burn and Amber-Keegan Stobbs, and club icon Shola Ameobi about using the power of the Premier League to help the local community (02:40). Burn chats about his work with the Foundation, the pressure of 'local hero' status and Eddie Howe's England snub.Plus... this stadium ain't big enough for the both of us: we look at lots of sports to see if women's football will actually get more fans by sharing the men's stadiums. Is it even feasible long-term? And if not, what's the new plan? That's with ex-Englan...
Next week, MPs will get their first opportunity in almost a decade to vote on extending the choices available to terminally ill people at the end of their lives. A contentious subject, The Assisted Dying bill is being championed by MP Kim Leadbeater, sister of the murdered MP Jo Cox. Lewis joined Kim in her parliamentary office to talk about the bill, her optimism for the future, and the legacy of her sister.Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fen...
The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Israel’s Prime Minister, a former defence minister, and separately for the Hamas commander - saying it has dismissed Israel’s appeal. What will be the repercussions of this around the world? Will the court's findings be rejected by the US? And how will the UK government respond if Benjamin Netanyahu sets foot in Britain? Later, John 'Prezza' Prescott has died. Deputy Labour leader and master of the (centre) left hook after famously punching a protester. Plain speaking, funny, at times cantankerous. Was he a politician...
Whatever happens on the streets of Britain, there's always an Elon Musk tweet. Often misinformed. Now parliament wants to take Musk on - or "invite him to explain" what's going on. The protests in the summer following the Southport stabbings were a critical example of how fast and how dangerously lies can spread online. Today, in her first broadcast interview, we hear from the chair of the Science and Technology Committee, Chi Onwurah, on her proposals to stop the spread of disinformation on the various media platforms. And we ask if it's still true that 'no one is above the law'? Later, w...
Later in this episode we talk to Patrick Radden Keefe, author of global bestseller 'Empire of Pain'. His new Disney+ drama 'Say Nothing' tells the story of murder and memory during The Troubles in 1970's Northern Ireland, and solves one of that time's most egregious crimes. But we start on the streets of Whitehall with the farmers storming Westminster, and their rallying cry - "Starmer Farmer Harmer". How has the new government got on their wrong side so quickly? How damaging will the policies in the budget REALLY be for farmers? And will the Chancellor back down?Editor: Tom HughesExecutiv...
On Remembrance Sunday the Telegraph columnist, Allison Pearson, had a visit from Essex police. Her report sparked a media frenzy, talk of a witch hunt, and an interjection from Elon Musk. What really went on? Why is everyone talking about free speech? And how might this play into the whole MAGA playbook? We take a proper look. Later, this should be the lame duck period of the US administration. So why has Joe Biden now handed Volodymyr Zelenskyy the long range missiles he’s desperate for? We talk to Mark Urban on Ukraine, and Britain's response.Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis De...
This week on The Sports Agents, Donald Trump will be the President when the U.S. host the World Cup and the Olympics - what will that mean for global sport? We speak to The Telegraph’s Sport Investigations Reporter, Ben Rumsby, and Amnesty International’s Head of Sport and Labour Rights, Steve Cockburn. With Mike Tyson back in the ring 19 years later facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul - are influencers killing boxing or throwing it a lifeline? We debate it out with Kalle Sauerland, Co-President of Misfits Boxing and Head of Boxing at Wasserman and The Guardian’s Chief Sports Reporter, S...
An ever present figure in British politics since the 1980s, Lord Peter Mandelson isn't done yet. He's hoping to become the next chancellor of Oxford University, but his name's also been brought up in the conversation about who should become Britain's ambassador to the US under Donald Trump. Lewis spent the morning with him in Oxford, for a conversation about higher education, culture wars, how Labour should engage with the new American administration - and why Elon Musk is too big for Keir Starmer to ignore.Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digita...
Donald Trump’s latest cabinet picks are actually laugh out loud hilarious. Unless, of course, you are American. In which case they are a signal that he doesn’t give two hoots about the rule of law or US security. Today we talk through the ethics of appointing Matt Gaetz and the persuasions of Tulsi Gabbard. And, we speak exclusively to Steve Hilton, former Downing Street advisor to David Cameron who is now behind Donald Trump and seriously considering a run for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s old job - Governor of California.Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie In...
Elon Musk is the world's richest man, owner of the biggest media platform and the new President's latest bed fellow. Is X now an arm of the US government? And what’s happening to the podcast space in America? Why can’t centrists find the influence that the Right wields there? Later, Estonia's Foreign Minister tells us that British NATO troops in his country can be deployed within days to fight Putin. They’re both dreading and expecting an invasion. Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia Foxwe...
When the COP29 host country opens its own conference by extolling the virtues of fossil fuels, you know you’re off to a good start. Keir Starmer didn’t let that put him off. He announced ambitious new targets for Britain’s carbon reductions - almost as if the world’s most famous climate denier hadn’t just won the US election. Is it all pie in the sky? Or does Starmer reckon his targets can outlast Donald Trump? Later, Justin Welby has resigned as the Archbishop of Canterbury - the first time that’s ever happened - after acknowledging a conspiracy of cover up over child abuse within the chur...
What does the MAGA movement sound like second time around? Dan Cox is a Republican legislator, heavily backed by Donald Trump for Maryland governor last time around. On today’s episode he tells us he believes in Stop the Steal, the deportation of migrants, the freeing of January 6th insurrectionists, and is anti-vax. He’s waiting by the phone to see if he’s getting a job in the next administration. Later More in Common's Luke Tryl on where the Democrats went wrong. Was it message or messaging? And will the party now recoil from social issues they think put many voters off?Lastly, a mystery ...
This week on The Sports Agents, Do winning teams need to be a bit "toxic"? England rugby centurion Danny Care, who has won three Six Nations and two Premiership titles, joins us on the podcast to discuss the "dictatorship ruled by fear" at England under Eddie Jones. Plus, Care spills some of his party stories - can you guess what tattoo he got in Vegas with his England team mates? Later, we chat about the 'haves' and the 'have nots' in tennis. We're joined by former professional tennis player Conor Niland - if you haven't heard of him, that's kind of the point! The man who beat Roger Federe...
Emily, Jon and Lewis bid farewell to the United States by answering your questions on the US election.So what next for Kamala Harris? Why didn't the celebrity endorsements work for the Democrats? And is there any way Donald Trump could stand for a third term?Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou can watch Lewis's special report on the abortion crisis in Florida here: https:/...
The Democrats are only just beginning to digest what went wrong and what a Trump presidency might mean for America for the second time around. But in Britain and Europe alarm bells are already off the charts. What does Trump mean for Starmer, for populism and for national security? Do we have to start doing more without Americas help?Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou can...
Donald Trump’s result last night was astounding. He reached corners of America few republicans had reached, both geographically and demographically. The Democrat post-mortem will begin before she’s even conceded. What went wrong? What did they misunderstand? And what happens now that Donald Trump's power is unchecked and complete?Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulDon’t forge...
It's still early in Washington DC but in a remarkable and unprecedented night Donald Trump is on the verge of the greatest comeback in political history. He's on course to pick up the key swing states he needs to secure a return to the White House. How has he managed it? And what does it mean for America and the world?Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulDon’t forget you can al...
The stakes could hardly be higher as US voters turn out to vote for the next President. Is it the White House or the jailhouse for Donald Trump? Could America be on the cusp of its first female POTUS? The country is on a knife edge, security barricades are going up, and once again Donald Trump is slinging sexist insults. The next 24 hours could be fraught, unpredictable and historic. And, your questions answered on the US election. The surprises to watch out for, why Americans have to queue so long to vote, and what happens if it’s a tie?You can watch Lewis's special report on the abortion ...
We’re high on the rooftops overlooking the White House for our last full day of this election. How has each candidate closed the campaign? What should we be looking out for on election night itself as early results come in? And what has Jon learned from the Kamala Harris campaign team about how they're planning the last 24 hours?Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulDon’t forget...
The News Agents are in Washington. And we’re asking one big question - will this be the election that brings women out for Kamala Harris in such numbers that she can seal the deal? That in essence is where we start the final lap of the campaign. What is the 'secret voter' really doing? And does anyone trust the shift in the polls? Later, we’re door knocking in a ruby red county of Pennsylvania. Why do the Democrats think they stand a chance here when they know it’s a deeply religious conservative community? Is there such thing as a 'moral Republican' voter demographic?Editor: Tom HughesExec...
This week on The Sports Agents, Imagine being stranded on an icy ledge 6,000m high in the Himalayas for three days with no food or water - that's what happened to British mountaineer Fay Manners who joined Gabby and Mark to tell her story.Former England rugby captain Dylan Hartley opened up about getting a traumatic brain injury from playing the sport he loves. He called out rugby for having its 'head in the sand' on brain injuries and revealed he got no help with his aftercare post-retirement.Plus, we had an emergency episode after Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag was sacked and loo...
It isn’t just Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on the ballot in the US general election on Tuesday. Across the United States abortion rights are being voted on too, in a string of referendums across different states. The biggest and most fiercely contested of all is in Florida, which in May enacted a six week abortion ban. In a special report, Lewis tells a disturbing tale of fire and fury in the Sunshine state, of women’s health being put in jeopardy and of a growing theocratic strain at the heart of American politics.Editor: Tom HughesLead Producer: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Sym...
The membership voting has now closed on the Tory leadership race. By Saturday we will have a new leader of the opposition. What flavour will that conservatism be? Robert Jenrick released a video this week warning of conspiracy and cover up over the Southport killings. Does he no longer believe in the rule of law? And is this a winning strategy for his party?Later Elon musk is having his (literal) day in court over his big cash give aways. And Donald Trump is pretending to be a garbage collector. Meanwhile, Lewis has started hosting his own radio phone in show in Florida. Just another crazy ...
If there’s one thing Rachel Reeves drilled into us in the months before delivering her first budget, it’s that none of her tax rises would target working people. So how have we ended up with a £40 billion tax raid which WILL almost certainly hit working people? The NI increase to employers will make it harder for them to hire, raise wages or expand businesses. So how does that add up? And why were there no new measures today to offset the cuts to winter fuel allowance for the elderly? We popped down to the Treasury to ask Reeves in person. Later, Steve Bannon is out of prison, Joe Biden is ...