British Culture: Albion Never Dies

REISSUE: The Fourth of July - The British Perspective Jul 4, 2026 1776 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the British perspective on 4th July – American Independence Day. This episode is perfect to listen to as you drive to a family barbeque on the day, giving you fun facts, and a unique perspective you can share!Why is there a triumphal arch close to where this episode was recorded in England, celebrating the American victory? Was

The Britishess of 007 First Light [Episode 214] May 5, 2026 2227 Don't be shy, send me a message!The new James Bond video game releases at the end of this month, but how 'British' will this latest iteration of 007 really be?This is a no spoilers look at everything we've seen so far, as I ask first 'What is Britishness?' (as always), ponder the relevance of medium (games in particular), before picking out a few things I noticed in th

Between Two Worlds - A Slice of UK and China Life [Episode 213] Apr 21, 2026 1940 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the issues that really matter, getting a (slightly) nicer coffee and a gluten-free muffin in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. He compares this to doing much the same in Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK. He also compares a range of more important stories, from therapy dogs and robots to a very familiar fake doctor at a hospital. The

Work Culture Around the World [Episode 212] Apr 7, 2026 2308 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton has worked in Turkish Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UK, and China. Here, he sets out three models for understanding the different working cultures in different countries, and illustrates them with some of his own experiences. First, Derek Silvers’ 2 minute 38 second TED Talk, drawing particularly on his experience in Japan. A quick and v

From China With Love - A Brit in Chengdu [Episode 211] Mar 24, 2026 2432 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton shares his experiences from a month in Chengdu (Sichuan Province, China). He previously lived in Shenzhen (Guangdong Province) 2015-2021 and Turkish Cyprus 2001-2008 – he draws on both these experiences as he discusses how experience, language ability, and the company we keep can shape our perceptions of culture. Naturally, he talks about

James Bond and China [Episode 210] Mar 10, 2026 2895 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton draws upon six years in China and knowledge of Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 to give an insight into how the series has merged fact and fiction, for the most part without friction. Books, websites, and movies mentioned:The World of Suzie Wong by Richard MasonThrilling Cities by Ian FlemingDr No by Ian FlemingTong Wars: The Untold Story

The Britishness of Cozy Crime [Episode 209] Feb 24, 2026 2482 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the 'cozy crime' genre, drawing on a range of suggestions from TV and film critics, academics, and his own friends. Thomas even has a special guest contribution from Jon Auty, host of 'Behind the Stunts' and 'The Bond Buzz', do check those out. Suggested reading:'Identity and nostalgia in a gl

Pith Helmet Adventures - Interview with Alex Lamas (Youtube: Always Say Yes To Adventures) Feb 10, 2026 2399 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks to Alex Lamas ( Instagram @sifu_lamas / Youtube @ @yestoadventure007 ) about his love of movies set in the British Empire.This includes Zulu (1964), Zulu Dawn (1979), Breaker Morant (1980), Four Feathers (1939), Gunga Din (1939), The Wind and the Lion (1975), and two we focus on particularly; The Man Who Would Be King (1979) with Sea

Murder on the Orient Express ~ No Spoilers! [Episode 207] Jan 20, 2026 1950 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about 'the Britishness' of one of the most famous murder mysteries in the world... with no spoilers! He talks about the themes, characters, places, and ideas that shape this remarkable story from Agatha Christie. He also gives a guide to the key adaptations in film, TV, and audio.Support the showhttps://www.albionneverdies.

An Insight into Irish Culture - Interview with Garvan Rushe (DublinTourGuide.ie) Dec 30, 2025 3525 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton interview Garvan Rushe about Irish culture, gaining an insight into the British-Irish connection. Garvan runs Dublin Tour Guide, a boutique tour company known for its personalised, privately guided walks through Dublin. With more than fifteen years of guiding experience, he specialises in creating made-to-measure tours for small groups, sh

The Britishness of On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) - with David Zaritsky (The Bond Experience) Dec 16, 2025 1783 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks to David Zaritsky of 'The Bond Experience' about the Britishness of 1969's James Bond 007 adventure, 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'.The movie has an Australian star, an American and a Canadian producer, and was certainly made for export... so why does this film feel so extremely 'British'?Li

Calvin Dyson Interview - Which is the 'Most British' James Bond Film? Dec 2, 2025 2642 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton interviews Calvin Dyson, one of the first people to set up a 007-themed Youtube channel, and asks 'Which is the 'most British' James Bond film?'. Don't worry, we *do* talk about the TV animated series 'James Bond Jr.'! https://www.youtube.com/calvindysonThomas adds a fun fact about the ending For Your Eye

'V' is for... Victoria [Episode 203] Nov 18, 2025 2247 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton continues The Alphabet of Britishness, looking especially at Queen Victoria.The first ten minutes covers:Thomas’ top three cinematic and TV depictions of Queen VictoriaMrs. Brown (1997)The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970)Doctor Who “Tooth and Claw” (modern season 2, episode 2)...and also in brief some other 'V' topics such

Interview with Jonathan Sothcott - CEO of Shogun Films [Episode 202] Nov 4, 2025 1808 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton interviews the CEO of Shogun Films, Jonathan Sothcott.https://www.shogunfilms.com/Jonathan Sothcott is one of the UK's most experienced and successful independent producers with a track record of success with high concept, low budget genre films. Described by GQ Magazine as "a film producer behind a whole new generation of on-scr

A Slice of Yorkshire (and London) Life [Episode 201] Oct 21, 2025 1880 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about life in the UK, examining local news in a little town in West Yorkshire and a visit to London. Whilst the national media is very London-centric, most Brits only see the capital on occasional visits - Thomas has only visited London once in 2025. So, that 'internal tourist' view is given for 10 minutes, with the majorit

In Praise of... James Bond: Die Another Day [Episode 200] Sep 30, 2025 2773 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton celebrates his 200th podcast episode by setting out his most controversial opinion on the James Bond franchise: that 2002's Pierce Brosnan adventure, 'Die Another Day', is a great film. Not one that starts decent and then goes off the rails, not one that is good in concept and but fails in execution - it is an out and out fu

The Britishness of The Living Daylights - 1987's James Bond 007 Adventure [Episode 199] Sep 16, 2025 2535 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton examines the Britishness of Timothy Dalton's first outing as Ian Fleming's creation, James Bond, 007.Part One: Brits in AfghanistanThomas touches on iconic imagery, such as the infamous painting, “The remnants of an army, Jellalabad [sic], January 13, 1842”, which is better known as just "Remnants of an Army". It was pa

Listener Request: If you could live in any fantasy universe... [Episode 198] Sep 2, 2025 1830 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton was asked by his friend, and listener to this podcast, David Webber, ‘If you could live in any fantasy universe, which one would it be?’ – this podcast first looks at the concept of 'escapism' and then answers that question in detail!Thomas considers:The world of James Bond, 007A galaxy far, far away...The world of Harry PotterJ.

James Bond in the USA - with British author Roland Hulme [Episode 197] Aug 19, 2025 1722 Don't be shy, send me a message!Host Thomas Felix Creighton and British novelist Roland Hulme talk about James Bond in the USA, particularly the three movies set there directed by Guy Hamilton; Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Live and Let Die (1973). Their talk ranges from Ian Fleming's original 007 novels to contemporary perspectives on American culture. Roland Hulme

Brits in the Desert – My Family in Kuwait, 1978 [Episode 196] Aug 5, 2025 1585 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton shares his parents’ letters, written from Kuwait in 1978, and reflects on their first experience as Brits in a non-Western country.A huge part of this channel is drawing on Thomas' international experience, so he regularly gets messages asking, ‘why did you live abroad?’ – The usual reply is, ‘My parents started it!’. So, not unreason

The Britishness of Live and Let Die: A DEEP DIVE: Fleming, Film, and Fans [Episode 195] Jul 22, 2025 3290 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton examines the Britishness of ‘Live and Let Die’, both the 1954 novel by Ian Fleming, and the 1973 movie starring Roger Moore. Contributors include British author in the USA, Roland Hulme, New York based Youtuber Alex Lamas (Always say YES to Adventure), and blogger and writer Matt Spaiser (Bondsuits.com). The main interview at the end is wi

007 First Light: A Gamer and a Non-Gamer Perspective: Interview with Alex (Sifu) Lamas Jul 8, 2025 2173 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks to Alex (Sifu) Lamas about the trailer for the forthcoming James Bond video game, First Light.Currently a martial arts instructor, Alex Lamas was in the film business for 25 years, working as storyboard artist, assistant art director, and weapons specialist. He’s not a gamer, he played Goldeneye N64 only *twice* in the 1990s. He give

The Fourth of July - The British Perspective Jul 1, 2025 1776 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the British perspective on 4th July – American Independence Day. This episode is perfect to listen to as you drive to a family barbeque on the day, giving you fun facts, and a unique perspective you can share!Why is there a triumphal arch close to where this episode was recorded in England, celebrating the American victory? Was

NEW BOOK: 'Another Round – A Post-War History of Britain in 12 Strong Drinks', interview with author Dr. Steven Parissien [Episode 192] Jun 24, 2025 2073 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks to Oxford historian Dr. Steven Parissien about his forthcoming book, ‘Another Round – A Post-War History of Britain in 12 Strong Drinks’ from publisher August Books.We talk about class, age, gender, as factors in British ‘drinking culture’, as well as the UK’s ever changing international outlook, and the effect of marketing, in shapi

The Transatlantic Bond Film: 1985's A View to a Kill - Interview with Chris Morales (@ThatOneBondGuy) in California [Episode 191] Jun 10, 2025 1791 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton interviews Christopher Morales, also known as @ThatOneBondGuy on Instagram and Youtube, to get a Californian's perspective on 1985's James Bond film A View to a Kill. https://www.instagram.com/thatonebondguyhttps://www.youtube.com/thatonebondguyThis final Roger Moore 007 film takes place in San Francisco, for the final hour, clos

Britain in the 1950s | Post-War, Cold War, and Family [Episode 190] May 27, 2025 2493 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about Britishness in the 1950s, drawing on both academic sources, and family diaries, letters, and recollections. This episode covers family experiences of the Second World War, births in the baby boom, and life in Britain and the Empire in the new Elizabethan Age.Books recommended include:Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945, by

Interview with John Glen - Director of Five James Bond Films [Episode 189] May 13, 2025 1926 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton interviews John Glen, who directed five James Bond 007 films, three with Sir Roger Moore KBE in the lead and two with Timothy Dalton:For Your Eyes Only (1981)Octopussy (1983)A View to a Kill (1985)The Living Daylights (1987)License to Kill (1989)He also directed Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), and worked on The Italian Job (196

The Britishness of Octopussy: The lucky 13th James Bond film, discussed by authors and fans. Apr 29, 2025 2752 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the 1981 James Bond movie Octopussy starring Roger Moore as British secret agent 007. His special guests for this episode include:Daniel Gaster, Instagrammer, blogger, and Youtuber, 'The Field Office'.Marc Henandez, author of “On the Train Tracks: Filming Octopussy & GoldenEye at Nene Valley Railway” – presented b

What is an Anglican Easter? [Episode 187] Apr 15, 2025 2254 Don't be shy, send me a message!I am delighted to be joined by Canon Ned Lunn at Bradford Cathedral for this special Easter episode! I ask him:What is a Canon?What is a Cathedral?What is Easter, for Anglicans?Anglicans are, of course, members of the the Church of England or members of any Church in communion with it.You can find Bradford Cathedral on Youtube: @bfdCathedral Message me anytime o

BONUS: Happy Birthday James Bond, 007! [Episode 186] Apr 13, 2025 1195 Don't be shy, send me a message!April 13th! It's James Bond's birthday today... (oh, and mine!)Check out my SmörgåsBond playlist on Youtube:www.youtube.com/britishculture...or indeed any of my previous Bond-themed podcast episodes. I always talk about the importance of Ian Fleming, and today marks the publication of his very first James Bond novel, 'Casino Royale'.I recomme

The CHINESE Culture Podcast: 中国 Never Dies Apr 1, 2025 4101 Don't be shy, send me a message!A real change for the podcast: After 5 years of talking about British culture, it's time to move on and talk about 'The Middle Kingdom', China. I lived in China from 2015-2021, and regularly wrote e-mails to my parents detailing my time there. The first half of the podcast is me reading from these and adding in my reflections almost a decade on. I

British Manners [Episode 184] Mar 25, 2025 1746 Don't be shy, send me a message!The UK is famously polite, but is the reputation well-deserved? I check out the Hugh Dennis book, ‘Britty Britty Bang Bang’, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Micheal Portillo’s Great British Railway Journeys, and a range of other sources. I also draw on my own experience in the US, China, Turkish Cyprus, and elsewhere. Most of all, I ask you for your experience, so do

British Culture Q&A [Episode 183] Mar 11, 2025 2087 Don't be shy, send me a message!Your questions answered, whether sent via Instagram, Chinese social media, or in a comment on Youtube! The questions were:How do you feel being in the UK after 2 years? - Instagram: @BondUpNorth (Sam)How is your Bond fitness challenge going? - Instagram: LicensetoliftWhat is your favourite British sitcom from the 1980s? – [an old friend who will remain anonymo

Amazon Buys 007 & British Family Businesses [Episode 182] Feb 25, 2025 1799 Don't be shy, send me a message!"Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise. Under the terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing o

Are the Harry Potter books worth reading? ...as an adult [Episode 181] Feb 11, 2025 2014 Don't be shy, send me a message!I’ve just read all 7 Harry Potter books, plus the three supplementary books, for the first time. I’ve also visited some of the movie locations in the UK (including Durham Cathedral and King’s Cross Station), tried Butterbeer and Fizzing Wizzbees (plus Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs), worn my house colours (having been sorted by the officia

The Britishness of Quantum of Solace [Episode 180] Jan 28, 2025 1920 Don't be shy, send me a message!5 very special guests join me for this episode from 4 continents:David Zaritsky @TheBondExperienceDonnie Waldron @Quantum of HistoryPete Brooker @LondonBondMapGabriel Rabenales @TheStyleisNotEnoughLincoln McConnell-Brown @DressingLikeMcQueenWe talk about places, themes, and values shown in this film from our vantage points in London, the USA, Chile, and Australi

Interview with Raymond Benson - James Bond continuation author and more! [Episode 179] Dec 24, 2024 1924 Don't be shy, send me a message!Raymond Benson is the author of over forty published titles. He is most well-known as being the first American to write continuation James Bond novels (six original titles and three film novelizations, between 1996-2002), and for the best-selling and acclaimed five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO (2011-2014). I also mention in the episode that he wrote, JETHRO T

The Britishness of James Bond: For Your Eyes Only (1981) starring Roger Moore Dec 17, 2024 1981 Don't be shy, send me a message!Introduced by Joe Darlington (Being James Bond), I investigate the uniquely British aspects of this 007 film, with 6 special interviews from China thanks to my previous guest Max James Joy (A Brit Abroad... in China - Celebrating a 'British Day' in Guangzhou). We talk about:What makes this film so special?British submarinesBritish-Greek RelationsThe

DEEP DIVE: The Britishness of Skyfall - My Favourite Daniel Craig 007 Film Nov 19, 2024 3558 Don't be shy, send me a message!What makes the 007 films so uniquely British? In this episode, I take a deep (1-hour) dive into 2012's 'Skyfall' starring Daniel Craig. If you haven’t seen the film ‘Skyfall’ since it came out in 2012, don’t worry, there is plenty for you. In fact, if you’ve never seen this film, I hope you’ll still enjoy this podcast, and indeed can still enjoy w

REISSUE: Celebrating Trafalgar Night (21st October) Oct 21, 2024 1626 Don't be shy, send me a message!Every year, on October 21st, the Royal Navy celebrates Admiral Nelson’s most famous victory, near Trafalgar in 1805 when 27 British Royal Naval ships defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 warships. But, what if Nelson had lost? And how can we celebrate this night?I draw upon three books:‘The Rise and Fall of the British Empire’ by Lawrence James ‘Em

A Brit Abroad... in China - Celebrating a 'British Day' in Guangzhou Oct 15, 2024 2085 Don't be shy, send me a message!What is it like to be a Brit in China, before, during, and after the pandemic? Today's special guest, Max James Joy, shed some light on how being a Brit in China has changed over the last few years (since I left). He also talks about the different cultures found *within* China, and even within the same city.Max is a UOI (Unit of Inquiry) teacher, helping st

BONUS: My First Time Living Overseas - A Brit in Turkish Cyprus (2001-2008) Oct 1, 2024 2086 Don't be shy, send me a message!Have you ever wondered what it's like to live overseas? In this episode, I share a selection of clips from my audio diary, recorded on cassette tape in 2006. At that time, I had been living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for 5 years, the first experience of 'expat living' that I remember. I had lived in West Berlin in the 1980s, but my

Meeting the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak Jun 27, 2024 422 Don't be shy, send me a message!Today, I met the Prime Minister of the UK. I give my very quick impressions of the event, from out in a fieldSupport the showhttps://www.albionneverdies.com/

NEW BOOK: Boy Wanted on Savile Row - An Interview with Pete Brooker (From Tailors With Love) [Episode 172] Mar 19, 2024 1591 Don't be shy, send me a message!In this episode, I am delighted to interview Pete Brooker (From Tailors With Love) about his work about the forthcoming memoir of Timothy Everest MBE.Boy Wanted on Savile Row is a revealing memoir that charts the evolution of British tailoring over the past four decades, starting in the 1980s, when Timothy Everest MBE studied under the rebel of Savile Row, Tommy

British Science Fiction [Episode 169] Feb 27, 2024 1762 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to Instagram's @Izi_Ready_GoesBond for suggesting this topic! In this episode, I cover:H.G. WellsThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeAldous Huxley Arthur C Clarke Gerry Anderson Dr WhoStar WarsThe Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Dirk GentlyThe Quatermass Experiment The Tomorrow People Blake's 7I also read from 'The Fixed Period&ap

Instagram's @ThatOneBondGuy talks, 'On HIS Majesty's Secret Service - A James Bond Continuation Novel by Charlie Higson [Episode 168] Feb 20, 2024 1873 Don't be shy, send me a message!Chris Morales, @thatonebondguy on Instagram and Youtube gives me his unique take on the James Bond continuation novel, ‘On HIS Majesty’s Secret Service’ by Charlie Higson - who previously wrote the ‘Young Bond’ book series which are a prequel to the original Ian Fleming series.We also talk about Chris’ Anglophilia: The Stormbreaker Alex Rider series by Anthony H

The British-Chinese Connection [Episode 167] Feb 13, 2024 2014 Don't be shy, send me a message!Happy Year of the Dragon, which in Mandarin is 'long' so it's going to be a looong year as a Chinese friend pointed out to me this week.In this episode, I (briefly) talk about my grandfather's time in Hong Kong as child, and the First Chinese Man in Britain (longer ago than I thought). I talk about the Opium Wars, drawing on two books I recom

'U' is for... 'Underground', 'Umbrella', and 'Upper-Class' [Episode 166] Feb 6, 2024 1772 Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you very much to Kyle Barbeau (Instagram's Easy Smiles and Expensive Watches) and David Nix (via e-mail) for suggesting these three topics! I spend 10 minutes on each one, roughly.1-10: UndergroundLondon has the oldest underground train system in the world, but how does it compare to modern Chinese cities such as Shenzhen? I share my experiences.10-20

The British Empire: My Five Favourite Factual Books [Episode 165] Jan 30, 2024 2059 Don't be shy, send me a message!The British Empire is scarcely taught in schools in modern Britain, yet many of us Brits have personal connections to it. Learning about our individual heritage can connect us to a wider national and global story. Here, I talk about my own interest, my travels to places once ruled by the UK, and the five books that helped inform me on the reality of Empire. I gi

My 5 Favourite Shakespeare Plays [Episode 164] Jan 23, 2024 1818 Don't be shy, send me a message!What is Britishness? Well, there's no doubt Shakespeare is a British institution, and much of the UK's theater industry seems to rest heavily on these 500 year old plays. Never mind the tourist industry in Stratford-upon-Avon! Actors from Timothy Dalton (007) to Patrick Stuart (Jean-Luc Picard), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Diana Rigg (Mrs. James Bond) and

An Ambulance Came For Me (but don't panic) [Episode 163] Jan 16, 2024 621 Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, just a 10-minute update explaining what's transpired with me over the last week. In short, expect more next week; especially as I've been longing to cover Shakespeare for a while now. I may also get moving again with the Alphabet of Britishness, but that depends on you all really. Anyone up for 'V is for Victoria'?Message me anytim

My Favourite James Bond Locations ~ by listener request! [Episode 162] Jan 9, 2024 1874 Don't be shy, send me a message!007 visits many beautiful locations as part of his service to Queen (now King) and country, but which are the best? I talk about my own experiences in Hong Kong, Istanbul, and London, with an additional special mention for San Francisco.Thank you to Sam the Instagram @britishbondfan for suggesting this topic, and for all those who joined the discussion on my Ins

Romans, Pagans, and Christians in Britain ~ by listener request! [Episode 161] Jan 2, 2024 1635 Don't be shy, send me a message!Friends, Romans, and podcast listeners! Lend me your ears for about 27 and a bit minutes! Listener Sam (https://www.instagram.com/britishbondfan), asked me to look into Pre-Roman and Pre-Christian Britain, and I kind of allowed this little rabbit hole to go wherever. I am very keen on written texts when it comes to history, archeology, less so (sorry Indiana Jon

British Comedy & Expat Life: An Interview With Jorma Kirkko (The Blackmilkshake Comedy Pubcast) [Episode 160] Dec 26, 2023 1660 Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, I interview a seasoned expat and comedy podcaster 'Jorma Kirkko', well known from his 'Blackmilkshake Comedy Pubcast'. He is based in Istanbul! It is always a joy for me to talk to a British expat in Turkey. We talk about the highs and lows of being a British culture 'insider' whilst outside the UK. I mainly leave the jok

BONUS Episode: The King James Bible, The Gospel According to St. Luke; The Coming of Jesus (Reading) Dec 22, 2023 1030 Don't be shy, send me a message!The King James Bible is one of the most influential works in English. As we approach Christmas, Thomas reads from perhaps the best known chapters telling of the nativity. Support the showhttps://www.albionneverdies.com/

The BEST THREE British TV Comedies According to UK Writer Roland Hulme: Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, and Red Dwarf [Episode 159] Dec 19, 2023 1901 Don't be shy, send me a message!Humour (with a 'u') is one of the most defining characteristics of a culture, so what are the top three comedy TV shows from the United Kingdom and what can they tell us about British Culture? Here, writer Roland Hulme tells us about Blackadder (starring Rowan Atkinson), Fawlty Towers (starring John Cleese), Red Dwarf (we had to Google the main actor).

BONUS Episode: The King James Bible, The Gospel According to St. Matthew; The Coming of Jesus (Reading) Dec 15, 2023 624 Don't be shy, send me a message!The King James Bible is one of the most influential works in English. As we approach Christmas, Thomas reads from the first chapter, the coming of Jesus. Support the showhttps://www.albionneverdies.com/

Casino Royale: Interview with Superfan Kyle Barbeau (Instagram's @EasySmilesAndExpensiveWatches) [Episode 158] Dec 12, 2023 1669 Don't be shy, send me a message!Finally! I have Kyle on the podcast, who contributed enormously to the 'Alphabet of Britishness' series (which *will* return). I interview him about his love of the 2006 movie Casino Royale, which inspired his choice on Instagram handle:https://www.instagram.com/easysmilesandexpensivewatches/We talk about the joys of the James Bond fan community, about

Listener Request: The British Countryside | With a Special Look at 'The Archers' [Episode 157] Dec 5, 2023 1872 Don't be shy, send me a message!This podcast episode has a whole 5 minutes on Bingley, the little town in the UK where I live. I then talk about the longest running soap opera in the world; The Archers, an everyday story of country folk. Broadcast since 1951, episodes are broadcast on BBC Radio Four every day, Sunday to Friday at seven p.m., and they're repeated the next day at two p.m. (

Topics From Listeners | Your Questions Answered! [Episode 156] Nov 28, 2023 1905 Don't be shy, send me a message!In this episode, I respond to questions from my Instagram friends over at @flemingneverdiesThe Spice Girls!Are we getting any Christmas specials?Vodka Martini StoriesBritish Science FictionBritain Pre-Roman and Christianity Who should be the next M, Q, and Moneypenny for James Bond?Hannah Waddingham Energy!Top Places to go to enjoy England’s countrysideFleming’s

Interview with Mark Edlitz, author of 'The Many Lives of James Bond' [Episode 155] Nov 21, 2023 2095 Don't be shy, send me a message!Mark Edlitz is the author of works such as 'How to be a Superhero', 'The Many Lives of James Bond: How the Creators of 007 Have Decoded the Superspy', 'The Lost Adventures of James Bond' and most recently, 'Movies Go Fourth: 4th Films in Fantastic Franchises'. We talk about all of these, plus have a trip down memory lane a

60 Years of Dr. Who | 3/3 | The Modern Whoniverse... and is James Bond a Time Lord? | With Instagram's @DanielGaster [Episode 154] Nov 14, 2023 1807 Don't be shy, send me a message!Dr. Who's 60th anniversary is drawing closer and closer... At least, according to our perception of time, limited as it is by being only human. The eponymous Doctor is a Time Lord from Gallifrey, so he (or she) is not limited by the limiting limits of such limitations. He's not (or she's not) the only Time Lord out there, so Thomas Felix Creighton

Remember, Remember... and Remembrance | Two Pillars of Community Life in the UK [Episode 153] Nov 7, 2023 1315 Don't be shy, send me a message!Two important community events, Guy Fawkes / Bonfire Night, and Remembrance Sunday. One to celebrate, one to commemorate. Both draw people together from all backgrounds around the United Kingdom. Thank you to Bradford Cathedral for allowing me to use some of their sound recording of the 77th Bradford Festival of Remembrance. You can find their Youtube channel at

60 Years of Dr. Who | 2/3 | From '70s ICON Tom Baker to 2000s ICON David Tennant | With Instagram's @DanielGaster [Episode 152] Oct 31, 2023 1584 Don't be shy, send me a message!Doctor Who reached some incredible heights in the '70s and 2000s, and indeed, ever since it started gracing our screens since 23 November 1963. But with such a long history, how can a new entrant to the series possibly catch up? What's happened so far? Who are the *most* iconic characters? How often do they return? How best to bridge the 'classic

BONUS Episode: Who was 'Boudica: Queen of War'? Oct 27, 2023 1088 Don't be shy, send me a message!The new Netflix movie 'Boudica: Queen of War' starring former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko (Camille, 'Quantum of Solace') premiers today. But, who was Boudica? Was she really the Warrior Queen she is said to be? What is her significance in history? Check out this podcast episode to find out. Fact is often stranger - and more interesting - than fi

The Silly Season - A Slice of UK Life [Episode 150] Oct 24, 2023 1787 Don't be shy, send me a message!Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting 3 local Members of Parliament, and Michael Gove, who has been a member of cabinet for 12 of the last 13 years. He has served 4 of the last 5 Prime Ministers (not Liz Truss). I was able to meet them all at a dinner thanks to parliament being in recess, when politicians return in Autumn to their shires and connect with their

REISSUE: Celebrating Trafalgar Night (21st October) Oct 21, 2023 1626 Don't be shy, send me a message!Every year, on October 21st, the Royal Navy celebrates Admiral Nelson’s most famous victory, near Trafalgar in 1805 when 27 British Royal Naval ships defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 warships. But, what if Nelson had lost? And how can we celebrate this night?I draw upon three books:‘The Rise and Fall of the British Empire’ by Lawrence James ‘Em

60 Years of Dr. Who | 1/3 | The beginning and the BEST entry point to 'Classic Who' | With Instagram's @DanielGaster [Episode 148] Oct 16, 2023 1914 Don't be shy, send me a message!Doctor Who has graced our screens since 23 November 1963. But with such a long history, how can a new entrant to the series possibly catch up? What's happened so far? What's the basic premise? Who are the iconic characters? What's the best 'classic' episode? And who is 'Who'? This episode reveals all. Well, much. Let's not

Albion Is Not Enough | London as seen in 1999's 'James Bond: The World Is Not Enough' [Episode 147] Oct 10, 2023 1625 Don't be shy, send me a message!In 1999's 'The World Is Not Enough' starring Pierce Brosnan as 007, we see a stunning boat chase down the Thames in the opening minutes of the movie. This was the first time we really see London used in a major action piece in a James Bond movie. In this episode, I talk to a number of fellow Bond fans about their favourite moments of this chase, g

No Time To Die (2021) - Movie Review [Episode 146] Oct 3, 2023 1926 Don't be shy, send me a message!My first ever movie review on this channel, 2 years on, time to share my first impressions of the 25th James Bond film from EON Productions. I give my views, and wander down a few little rabbit holes, as is my style. I talk about my personal journey with this film, three of the major talking points (full spoilers, so only listen if you've seen the film), an

Ranking the 007 films with Donnie Waldron (@Quantum_of_History): Which James Bond Movie has "NO GOOD BITS"? [Episode 145] Sep 26, 2023 2180 Don't be shy, send me a message!In every Bond film there’s a real-life historical event that goes with it. Donnie's podcast researches and presents the history that inspired the stories. Here, he sets out the best *and worst* of the James Bond franchise. One of the 007 films is absolutely (in his view) beyond redemption. Yet there are several others that are "perfect tens". We f

Gertrude Bell - Queen of the Desert [Episode 144] Sep 19, 2023 1827 Don't be shy, send me a message!She spoke better Arabic than Lawrence of Arabia, helped draw the borders of modern-day Iraq, and founded the National Museum arguing that historic relics should be kept in the country of origin. Yet Gertrude Bell is a relatively little-known British Imperialist. Perhaps as she was so ‘of her era’, as opposed to the more self-questioning heroes we might focus on

What is... Yorkshire? [Episode 143] Sep 12, 2023 1899 Don't be shy, send me a message!I have mentioned Yorkshire many times, but rarely focused on it. Time to rectify that. Yorkshire is a historic county of England, between the Pennies and the North Sea. It is England’s largest historical county with a history shaped by the Vikings (Danelaw), the War of the Roses (1455 – 1487), and the Industrial Revolution.Famous Yorkshire folk include:Sean Bean

The Controversies of Ranking the 007 films with Chris Hunt (@BritishBondAddict): Why 'Diamonds Are Forever' is BETTER than You Think [Episode 142] Sep 5, 2023 1409 Don't be shy, send me a message!All rankings of the 25 007 films are purely personal preference, yet there are some listings that attract more controversy than others. Here, Chris Hunt (aka 'British Bond Addict') and I talk through our most unusual choices, including our views on; 'Thunderball' and 'Diamonds Are Forever' with Sean Connery, 'The Man With the

Ranking the 007 films with Chris Hunt (@BritishBondAddict): Why 'Tomorrow Never Dies' is THE BEST Bond Film [Episode 141] Aug 29, 2023 1667 Don't be shy, send me a message!In his 007th appearance on this podcast, Chris Hunt (aka 'British Bond Addict') talks me through his top 6 James Bond films, his bottom 3, and we talk about how our rankings of all 25 differ. Chris is a Brit currently based in the USA, so naturally we find much to talk about in differences between the British and American fandoms, and how experiences i

President of the 007GB Club, Philip Dewhurst: An Interview [Episode 140] Aug 22, 2023 1692 Don't be shy, send me a message!President of the British James Bond Fan Club www.007gb.co.uk gives me an insight into why he set up the club, what it involved, and why he has such a love of the long-running franchise. We naturally talk about the joys of 1974's 'The Man With the Golden Gun' starring Roger Moore, as we both have a love for that film and have visited key locations.

Ranking the 007 films with Joe Darlington (@BeingJamesBond): Why 'The Man With The Golden Gun' is THE BEST Bond Film [Episode 139] Aug 15, 2023 1879 Don't be shy, send me a message!I am delighted to be joined this episode by a *far* more experienced podcaster! Joe Darlington has run 'Being James Bond' since November 2006. He has done detailed rankings on the 007 films on a range of media, most notably, his Youtube channel. Recently, however, he shared a ranking that caused controversy, so I talk to him all about that, about his f

The Prime Minister's Trousers - Why Are Sunak's Socks On Show? - with Caine [Episode 138] Aug 8, 2023 2003 Don't be shy, send me a message!This hard-hitting episode looks into the Daily Mail allegations that the Prime Minister of the UK is wearing suits "too small". Rory Tingle wrote:"Why doesn't Rishi Sunak buy suits that fit? Men's fashion expert is 'baffled' by the 5ft6in Prime Minister's attempt to look trendy with his ankle-skimming tailoring (and says t

I'm being Evicted (Don't Panic) + A Slice of Life from Gibraltar, East, and North Yorkshire [Episode 137] Aug 1, 2023 1786 Don't be shy, send me a message!9 months after moving into an unfurnished flat, and slowly furnishing it, and I've been served my 'no fault' eviction notice. It has been sold, and the new owner wants to move in, so I'm out. However, I may be in with a chance of another little flat close by, so fingers crossed that all can work out. Life's full of little challenges. Thi

British Motor Racing with Instagram's 'British Bond Addict' [Episode 136] Jul 25, 2023 1726 Don't be shy, send me a message!From Donald Campbell's 1960s land and water speed records ~ referenced in 2002's 'Die Another Day' ~ to how you could get involved with high speed racing, Instagram's 'British Bond Addict' gives us his unique perspective on motorsport. Why him? Because he's a no stranger to a racing podium himself, that's why!Chris la

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