Elis James and John Robins

Never has a text topic involved Producer Dave scrambling for so many disclaimers as Mancunian cries of "Don't eat off food" fall on partially receptive ears with SS Safety being saved by a knowledgeable hygiene voice.Elsewhere John 'Dunning-Kruger' Robins explains the Dunning-Kruger effect and Elis is stunningly followed online by one of the biggest wigs in [Welsh] football.

After last week's slight change to proceedings, Elis and John returned to their regular live show today, albeit in a slightly shorter slot. But don't worry, there wasn't any less fun; they adjusted their FPM (fun per minute) monitors accordingly. Alongside all the usual content Elis shares a tractor tale, John reveals that he has VERY strong opinions on canned tuna and Producer Dave is forced to do a Cockney accent (surprisingly inaccurately, despite the fact he lived in London for over a decade). Plus, the guys speak to a very special Unsung Hero who is doing an incredibly important job out in Ukraine.

Due to factors, Elis and John weren't able to present their regular show today but don't worry - they're still here to provide you with some top quality direct-to-podcast content, and hopefully share a little bit of light during a pretty difficult time.The guys speak to someone who played a MASSIVE role in making the 90s so cool, Elis realises he just isn't built for certain colours, John shares his (imaginary) weightlifting technique and Producer Dave claims to be 6 foot.

A slightly shorter show today due to Storm Eunice, but that doesn’t mean there was any less badinage than you'd come to expect from 'The Unproducibles'. John was flying high after changing the lives of a group of students at his old university, however Elis saw it as just another example of John not being able to let go of the past. As well as all the regular fun the guys spoke to an Unsung Hero with one of the most stressful jobs on earth, John answers a golf related Ask John, Elis switches up the light boards and Producer Dave battles his way through a Made Up Game.

Another week, another text topic that captures the hearts of a nation. Elis and John seem to have an instinctive knowledge on what the listeners of 5 Live want to get off their chests, and this week they were inundated with stories of famous people doing normal things. Who would have thought that celebrities take part in activities such as buying rotisserie chickens, perusing the sandwich aisles of supermarkets and spending money on arcade machines?! Plus, John has a bit of a stinker in Ask John, Elis gives up on a Made Up Game before it’s even started, and Producer Dave gets sacked: AGAIN.

As they have proven time and time again Elis and John know instinctively what the nation wants to talk about; and this week the people of this country wanted to talk about the names of text groups they’re in. By the end of the show the switchboards had transformed into Blackpool Illuminations, and lit up brighter than Producer Dave’s face on the morning of a City game. Also, the guys speak to an Unsung Hero who is helping the people of London with their tardiness, Elis buckles under the pressure of a word based Made Up Game and John (for the first time in his life) misquotes Alan Partridge.

Life couldn’t get more exciting for John at the moment. Not only has he got a country walk this weekend it’s also his favourite time of the year: self assessment tax season! To reflect the excitement gripping the nation, the guys have decided to front a campaign to get as many people to submit their tax returns during the show as possible: yes, it’s LIVE TAXING. Why has this never been done on air before? We don’t know, but Chris Evans and his team will be kicking themselves for having not thought up such a thrilling idea. Also, Elis tells us about his experience DJing (following in the footsteps of David Guetta, Fatboy Slim and Producer Dave), there’s another incredible Voice Note of the UK and John offers some sage driving advice. Tax on!

John’s back is hurting. No, not because he’s been “carrying this show for nearly 3 years” as he so often claims, but because he’s been pumping iron at the gym again! Thankfully his trusty spotter Elis James is here to share the sheer amount of #content weighing down on them both, and hopefully help them record a PB in 'chat'. The guys hear from one of the most fearless Unsung Heroes of all time, John gets angry during a Made Up Game, Elis channels his inner preacher and Producer Dave rolls out his ballboy anecdote once again (in case you missed it the first six times).

In radio, every once in a while you’ll spend hours coming up with a good idea only for a different idea to come out of nowhere that just captures the minds of the nation. That’s exactly what happened in today’s show, as Elis James once again demonstrated that he knows EXACTLY what the people of the UK want to talk about. Two texters at once?! What a treat! Thankfully Elis and John can handle multiple areas of discussion at once, and today they proved that they can play text topic tiki-taka with the best of them. Also, the guys speak to a very secretive Unsung Hero, Elis tells a tale of a crisp conundrum and Producer Dave shares a clip of him singing… against his will.

‘New year new me’ is ringing out across the land, but that sort of statement just doesn’t apply to Elis and John. They’re the exact same capable broadcasters that took us through 2021 and they marked the start of 2022 the only way they know how: by providing you with lightning fast wit and chat so sharp you could set your watch to it. John teaches Producer Dave a brand new word (how useful it will be remains to be seen), Elis seeks advice on how he can save face in front of his 4 year old daughter and The Voice Note of the UK really kicks up a gear. Plus, there’s a Made Up Game that focuses on one of the best up and coming radio shows around.

As we wave goodbye to 2021 it’s time for us to once again look back at some of Elis and John’s highlights from the past 12 months. It might not have been the year we all expected but that hasn’t stopped the guys from producing so many good moments that you couldn’t count them on one hand. We’ve whittled down the best bits from over 100 hours of audio for you to enjoy; so grab a Bucks Fizz and join us as we look back at some of the guys’ finest moments.From John bidding a fond farewell to his beloved Skoda Fabia, to Elis peddling the phrase 'pressure is a privilege' all summer long (with impressive results), every highlight will be unearthed and scritinised with punishing detail, as the BBC's youngest broadcasters prepare for another year of top quality #content in 2022.And from everyone at Elis and John HQ - Happy New Year!

It’s Christmas Day, and after spending Christmas Eve together at John’s house Elis and Producer Dave are woken on Christmas morning by the most magical to the sounds; John having a night terror. But that’s not going to put a dampener on things, because the guys have a HUGE Christmas Day ahead of them.John will be cooking a special Christmas vindaloo, Producer Dave will be sharing another Christmas poem and the guys will be joined by a VERY special guest. So whether you’re opening your presents, nursing a hangover or sitting in a separate room to avoid talking to your family, let Elis and John keep you company this Christmas. Salutations!

Clement Clarke Moore famously wrote "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." However, he couldn’t have been more wrong this year - because Elis and Producer Dave have ventured over to John’s house for the festive season and they’re stirring up a big old pot of Christmas #content.Yes, Elis and Dave become the 3rd and 4th people to enter John’s house this year and have brought with them all the things needed for a perfect Christmas: festive cheer, good tidings and 3 jumpers each as John refused to turn the heating on. To help you get into the spirit of Christmas we’ve dusted all the usual features with a bit of snow, we’ll be hearing about your last minute present ideas and the guys will be tickling their taste buds with some hot sauces. What more could you want on Christmas Eve?!

Today marked Elis and John’s final live show of 2021, and despite Producer Dave’s absence (he was at a flower arranging retreat in Suffolk) they were still able to hold it together to produce some vintage #content. John’s been having a real battle with his bad tooth and presented the show fresh from a tough root canal procedure, Elis told us about a massive business investment that he’s made and the guys discuss their plans for New Years Eve. Spoiler alert: everyone will be in bed before 2021 finishes. Plus, we finally reach the climax of the #SaveJohn campaign.

Elis and John, worried about meeting Dave's 'bigger boy' mates, were on top form as some of the world's hottest celebs (review the definition) get involved in the show. Someone drops in for a fiery Made Up Game and the quest to #savejohn is cranked up a notch as JR ropes in some of the biggest Js in the biz to correct Britain's moral decline.

Which of the following would you say are acceptable reasons to not travel down to London for a radio show? a) the birth of a child, b) every train from Manchester to London gets cancelled, c) to allow you to go on the mega lash? If you answered all of the above then you'd be correct - and that final reason is precisely why Producer Dave was up in Salford for today's show whilst Elis and John did all the heavy lifting in London. But despite being hundreds of miles apart they somehow felt closer than ever! In a jam-packed show there's a HUGE #SaveJohn update, a very intense Made Up Game and a lovely chat with someone... in AMERICA.

‘Love Actually’, ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, ‘Boogie Nights’, ‘Pulp Fiction’. These are considered to be some of the best ensembles of all time, but did any of them win ‘Best Ensemble’ at the Audio Production Awards? Answer: no. But this week Elis James and John Robins certainly did, which you could argue ranks them higher than any other ensemble that came before them. And how does an award winning ensemble celebrate such a victory? By bringing you top quality #content that money just can’t buy. There’s a shocking update on Producer Dave’s Coronation Street saga, a groundbreaking new feature is launched that gives YOU the chance to share your opinions with the nation and Elis discusses the new Beatles documentary in great length (much to John’s delight).

It may be over a month until Christmas Day but Elis and John are more than happy to provide crackers - namely in the form of today’s show. Is that just a roundabout way of saying the guys were on top form? Yes. Will you be left disappointed? Absolutely not. Sporting their favourite band t-shirts because of 6 Music's #tshirtday (Beach Boys and Trevor Sensor respectively) the guys were joined by the person behind one of the most famous band logos of all time, there was a very nostalgic Made Up Game and John revealed that he’s going to be fulfilling a lifelong dream; fever dreams included.

As many of you will know Elis and John live their lives marching to the beat of their own drums, and in solidarity with Owain Wyn Evans during his 24 hour Drumathon the guys ventured up to Salford for their own drumming challenge. With the help of Joe Donovan from Blossoms they were put through their drumming paces, and were tasked with wielding their drum sticks LIVE on air. There were fills, there with trills, and there was even some untapped talent to be found. They also spoke to Owain as he entered his 6th hour of drumming, Elis channelled his inner Cornishman and John’s tachograph knowledge was validated.

With John being absent from the show this week the venerable Lou Sanders joined Elis and Producer Dave in the studio to steady the ‘Good Ship 5 Live’; and there was so much fun to be had! In what was her hat-trick appearance on the show Lou revealed that she once invited Rick Edwards (the new co-host of 5 Live Breakfast) to a barn dance, Elis spoke on national radio for the first time since turning 41 years old, and to celebrate Bonfire Night an explosive Unsung Hero dropped by to tell us about her job - and it sounds like an absolute blast.

In what was a very wet and windy day in London today two broadcasters arrived at Broadcasting House soaked in not just rain; but badinage too. Yes, the guys returned to present live radio to the nation once more, and there was a sense of spookiness in the air (much to Elis’s annoyance). They looked ahead to Halloween by speaking to a pumpkin farmer, there's a Made Up Game featuring some familiar voices and we have an update on the #SaveJohn campaign. Plus, Producer Dave gives us a recap of his recent pub crawl… Music to John’s ears? Not quite!

It might be hard to believe but Elis and John don’t spend every waking moment of their life creating cutting edge #content; sometimes they have other commitments to attend to, which is why this week’s show was pre-recorded so YOU don’t miss out on your EJJR fix. The guys are joined by James from the Office of National Statistics (easy for you to say) to talk about the sad decline in Johns, there’s an Unsung Hero familiar to millions of commuters, Dave details an upcoming pub crawl and a future voiceover superstar lends his voice to Ask John.

“Anything is possible if you wish hard enough”, and it appears that John has been wishing his evenings away. Because today the guys were joined on the show by one of John’s dream dinner guests (the others being Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor and Brian May): none other than cricketing legend Jimmy Anderson. Though Jimmy said he was unavailable to go for a pint after the show he did promise John that he’d try and work something out. Aside from John’s on-air gush-fest there was a very surprising result in today’s Made Up Game, Elis shared more Beatles excitement and Producer Dave detailed his reading difficulties.

The boys are back in town; and by town we mean Broadcasting House, as this week the guys returned to their spiritual home after a short sabbatical at Maida Vale. Despite having to get up extra early for the show (Elis at 6am, Producer Dave at 5am and John at 8am) they were full of beans that were ready to be cooked and put onto #content toast. Elis crumbles during a Made Up Game, there’s an acapella jingle due to some technical difficulties and John gives us an insight into some of the more bizarre dreams that have been keeping him awake at night.

If you wander the fabled corridors of Maida Vale Studios you will walk past MV4: the studio where John Peel recorded his famous ‘Peel Sessions’, which is marked with a picture of the great presenter to celebrate his legacy. Just a few metres away is the now famous MV7, home to Elis and John’s Maida Vale Sessions. Though it is marked with a sign saying “Please wear ear protection during live sessions” and a portrait of James and Robins is absent it surely won’t be long until it is nicknamed “The Elis and John (and Producer Dave) Studio”.To celebrate their final show at Maida Vale Self Esteem stopped by to talk about her new album and perform a song live in the studio, Dave dropped his hosting duties to take part in a Made Up Game for the first time EVER, the guys share one of the all-time great emails and Elis gets upset by a Beatles revelation.

Today marked the start of the Ryder Cup, and with his golf cap turned backwards and a livestream of the tournament in his eye line John really demonstrated his love for golf throughout the show whilst Elis and Producer Dave scrambled to keep things on track. Aside from that, the guys chat to Greg James (the most handsome man on Earth), there’s an Unsung Hero who saves lives on the seven seas, Elis crumbles during a Made Up Game and John shows his age by helping some Radio 1 listeners in a youth-orientated Ask John.

Poor old Robins. Not only did a misunderstanding lead to him having to broadcast from home, he also had to battle his way through a show whilst everything seemed hellbent on bringing him down. Thankfully Elis and Dave were on hand to keep him going which led to a (Mayor) humdinger of a show. Highlights include Paul McCartney texting into the show and a special trip to New York being planned by the guys. Low-lights include a caller telling John she knows he “does comedy” and Elis insulting everyone who has a tattoo.

Today, Elis and John made history: they became the first Anglo-Welsh double header radio show to broadcast LIVE from the legendary Maida Vale*. Presenting from a studio which had once been occupied by music legends such as Queen, The Beatles, Joy Division and JLS, the guys kicked off their 4 week residency with an absolute corker of a show.There’s an Unsung Hero (who incidentally is one of Elis’s actual heroes), tales of wasted time and a Made Up Game that goes right down to the wire.*We can’t confirm whether they’re the first ever 5 Live show to broadcast from Maida Vale, so this is the best we can do.

It’s been one hell of a week for Elis and John. Elis spent his time rediscovering his youth at a holiday park that’s definitely designed for young people, and John appeared on the pitch of a Test match. These experiences filled them vigour, and led to some of their most fluid broadcasting to date. John admits he respects some dogs, Producer Dave drops a hint that he’s in love with Elis, and one of the great thespians makes an appearance (via the medium of the man of 18 voices).

With Elis sunning himself in tropical Bedfordshire, John was joined by friend of the show Lou Sanders! Amongst the fun, they played a fantastic grape-based Made Up Game suggested by 9-year-old Rosa, the tables turned on a regular feature as Ask John became Ask Lou, and we learned that John isn't the only sex symbol to enjoy two curries in one sitting. Enjoy...

Amongst today's massive show revelations, we discovered that in some very specific circumstances, there are a number of non-domestic animals that Producer Dave can't touch, we found out that Elis doesn't know how to tell a story in the right order, and John bids farewell to his crusty armpits.

Today saw the return of Elis and John to their regular two hour slot - meaning you get an extra half hour of #content from the UK’s youngest broadcasters. It's the first time they've broadcast for two hours in 17 months, and waving goodbye to the 90 minute slot means Elis can no longer refer to the show exclusively using football analogies. There’s the return of two fan-favourite features, a musical-memory based Made Up Game, Elis makes an enemy out of Roy Keane and John offers advice on his favourite topic: service stations.

The fastest people on Earth have been appearing at Tokyo 2020 over the past 2 weeks, so in celebration Elis and John decided to demonstrate their speed by flying through their usual amount of #content in 33% less time than they usually would. Yes, this is just a very roundabout way of telling you the guys were only on for an hour this week but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of fun to be had. They spoke to an explosive Unsung Hero, played a very feisty Made Up Game, and John’s best friend Brian May dropped by to talk about his exciting new project.

Despite the universe seemingly doing everything it could to keep Elis and John off-air today the guys powered through the pain and strife to bring #content to the masses (which is ironic given the power cut John experienced halfway through the show). Whilst broadcasting from their respective houses they waved goodbye to John’s beloved Skoda Fabia, spoke to a VERY important Olympic Unsung Hero and helped a listener with a passport problem.

Back in their usual slot of Friday afternoons on 5 Live like a comfy pair of slippers - but slippers capable of dishing out witty repartee and young, hip content - the chaps chatted to a fascinating Unsung Hero about new-build housing, Elis attempted to boycott today’s linguistic Made Up Game due to his poor attitude, and John talked listeners through how to cool your house in almost too much detail.

It was an emotional show today; not just because it was the final edition of Elis and John’s European Sundays, but also because John has found out he might have to bid farewell to his beloved 2004 Skoda Fabia. But in amongst the weeping there’s an Unsung Sporting Hero, a chat with an ACTUAL Team GB Olympian who’s about to make sporting history and a very special Sporting Shame Well. Auf wiedersehen!

Being tasked with representing the ‘voice of the fans” on the morning of England’s first appearance in a major men’s final is akin to being awarded an OBE for ‘Services To Chat’, and the recipients of that honour are none other than Elis James and John Robins. On the morning of the big game they speak to comedian Matt Forde and former Football Italia host James Richardson, there’s the final edition of George Egg’s Half Time Snack Hacks, and Producer Dave performs his latest piece of poetreh to commemorate the big day (as commissioned by himself).

If you thought the Euros was tense then just wait until you wrap your ears around this week’s podcast. The show could easily have been derailed but in a reversal of roles this time it was Elis and John holding things together. There’s the usual sporting #content, an improbable Vaseline claim and a chat with double Paralympic champion Libby Clegg and her running guide Chris Clarke.

After what can only be described as a 'difficult' 24 hours for the Welsh there were worries that Elis would be sighing his way through the show, but thankfully his ever dependent strike partner J. Robins picked him up and got him playing at his best. Steve 'The Crossman' Crossman drops by for a Made Up Game, there's an avian Unsung Sporting Hero and the guys hear from the 1980 North West Regional Angling Champion.

With football off the menu for one day Elis and John returned to their regular Friday slot, and what a return it was. John watched in dismay as Elis took steps to appear younger than he actually is (40) live on air, a former Unsung Hero gave an update on a mammoth challenge he's undertaking and Elis explained what he’d do if he ever got caught by the tabloids snogging another woman.

The dust seems to be settling after the England vs Scotland game… But wait: Elis and John are here to kick up that dust into a tornado of top quality sporting #content. Elis attempts to name his all-time Wales XI, John tries to contain his anger after falling victim to fence vandalism, and there’s an unbelievable revelation from this week’s Sporting Unsung Hero.

In a change to regular programming the guys sat in for Nihal on his Tuesday afternoon show. It's a coveted slot, covering some of the hardest-hitting topics and news stories in the world today. So, naturally, Elis and John jumped head first into some serious radio journalism by talking about non-alcoholic beer, Wales at the Euros (2016 AND 2021) and post-rock music. Is there anything they can't do?

Euros fever has hit the 5 Live schedule, and today marked the first edition of Elis and John's European Sundays. Despite early signs that Elis might broadcast with his head in his hands the guys pulled out a show for the history books. Fern Brady brought some much needed home nations balance, George Egg combined Ukrainian and Dutch food, and there was a Sporting Unsung Hero very much in John's wheelhouse.

An absolute triumph of a show today, with potentially the best text topic of all time. Elis practised having a producer talk into his ear whilst broadcasting LIVE (he needs to work on it), John was blown away by a Brian Blessed anecdote, and Producer Dave declared his love for 'meaningless drivel quotes'.

Today marked Elis and John's 100th live show on 5 Live - despite many thinking they might not even make it into double figures - and to celebrate the occasion a celebratory 'beep' started going off in the studio during the show. Amongst the celebrations there was also an Unsung Hero for the history books, a Made-Up Game that went down to the wire and two special surprise guests.

John is starting to become 'The Boy Who Cried Sacked', because in today’s show he once again fired and rehired Producer Dave; except this time he did it TWICE. Also, Elis was on a high because he managed another plug for his BBC documentary on the history of Welsh football, but was quickly brought back down to Earth when he tried to give this week’s Petty Parliament caller a nickname.

In today’s show John revealed his intercostal golfing injury, Elis discussed his upcoming BBC television project (which he’s allowed to talk about on air, much to John’s behest) and a lovely lollipop lady dropped by for this week’s Unsung Hero. And before you ask: yes, Dave really did know the number of Weatherspoon's in Greater Manchester.

This week's show was one for the purists as it had a little bit of everything. There was some classic Elis (another one of his six funny voices), some classic John (tales of multiple anxiety dreams) and some classic Producer Dave (mentioning a Manchester club night ran by Clint Boon).

This week, John raises the roof with some remarkable rhymes, Elis continues to live without a fridge, and the chaps launch a brand new feature because they simply can't stop bleeding fresh, relevant #content.

Today's Made Up Game has actual real-life props, Elis's 'funny voices' feature gets creepy, and John excuses himself from a Zoom call to go and have a cry on his bathroom floor. All the usual stuff, really. Enjoy!