Sandi Toksvig’s first four series as host of the popular satirical comedy show

Taking over the News Quiz chair from Simon Hoggart, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig steps up to the plate to lead the intrepid panellists in a round-up of the biggest (and smallest) news stories of 2006 and 2007. With the exception of one show, hosted by Clive Anderson when Sandi had the flu, she chairs each of these 33 episodes with her characteristic wit, charm and erudition.

Squaring up to the headlines are a panel of regulars and new recruits, including Clive Anderson, Jo Brand, Fred Macaulay, Andy Zaltzman, Simon Evans, Nick Revell, Phil Hammond, Stewart Lee, Caitlin Moran and the late, great Alan Coren. Between rounds, newsreaders Charlotte Green, Carolyn Brown, Peter Donaldson, Harriet Cass, Corrie Corfield, Rory Morrison and Chris Aldridge read a selection of funny cuttings sent in by listeners.

Among the topics covered in these four series are Gordon Brown succeeding Tony Blair as PM; the death of Boris Yeltsin; the Iraq war; immigration and the NHS – plus telephone telepathy, cheating cheetahs, Prozac for dogs and the startling discovery that mice are actually completely uninterested in cheese. Series 63 also includes a special Alan Coren tribute show following his death in 2007, dedicated to his many contributions to The News Quiz and presented by Sandi Toksvig, Jeremy Hardy and Andy Hamilton.

Production credits

Chaired by Sandi Toksvig

Chair’s script written by Lucy Clarke, Rhodri Crooks, Paul Kerensa, Simon Littlefield, George Poles, John Finnemore and Danielle Ward

With additional material by James Allnutt, Madeleine Brettingham, Stephen Carlin, Lloyd Langford, Matthew Morton, Kieron Quirke, John-Luke Roberts, James Sherwood and Danielle Ward

Produced by Katie Tyrrell and Ed Morrish

A BBC Studios Production

Series 60 featuring: Clive Anderson, Jo Brand, Jo Caulfield, Jackie Clune, Alan Coren, Simon Evans, Andy Hamilton, Phil Hammond, Jeremy Hardy, Stanley Johnson, Phill Jupitus, Sarah Kendall, Stewart Lee, Fred MacAulay, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen, Andy Zaltzman

Series 61 featuring: Clive Anderson, Jo Brand, Clive Coleman, Alan Coren, Dave Gorman, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Armando Iannucci, Phill Jupitus, Shappi Khorsandi, Fred MacAulay, Caitlin Moran, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen

Series 62 featuring: Alan Coren, Simon Evans, Andy Hamilton, Phil Hammond, Jeremy Hardy, Armando Iannucci, Phill Jupitus, Fred MacAulay, Sue Perkins, Carrie Quinlan, Mark Steel, Nick Revell, Francis Wheen, Andy Zaltzman

Series 63 featuring: Jo Brand, Justin Edwards, Simon Evans, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Phill Jupitus, Fred MacAulay, Sue Perkins, Greg Proops, Carrie Quinlan, Nick Revell, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen

News items read by Charlotte Green, Carolyn Brown, Peter Donaldson, Harriet Cass, Corrie Corfield, Rory Morrison and Chris Aldridge

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 8 September-27 October 2006 (Series 60), 5 January-23 February 2007 (Series 61), 27 April-15 June 2007 (Series 62), 28 September-23 November 2007 (Series 63)

© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.