Elis James and John Robins

After a tense start to proceedings because John couldn't successfully login to the BBC text system, things improved as the afternoon progressed with a fantastic 'funny voice' from Elis, a superb modern day Shame Well, and some startling health-based revelations from the company heart rate machine on the third floor of New Broadcasting House.

For the first time since 2020, James and Robins were back together in the studio, bringing relevant #content to the masses while looking each other square in the eye. The nod and winks were back, the spark of creativity was alive and well, and the sexual tension was once again through the roof. Although for balance, it must be reported that social distancing was observed at all times (ie. no snogging).

After more than 12 months of lockdown #content it's finally the big day (not Elis's sister's birthday). The boys bid farewell to The Isolation Tapes in the only way they know how: by heading to the pub. And despite not having a drink together for over a year, it's only fitting that the conversation leads to hot topics such as life insurance policies and the weather.

Something a bit different today due to a change to the 5 Live schedule. John reveals his PRAM problems, Elis dreams about having a single idea, and Producer Dave finds out his twins share a birthday with one of the greatest left-backs of all time (spoiler: it’s not Neil Ashton).

In what will hopefully be the last episode from true isolation (they’ll be making the most of the pub garden for next week’s final Isolation Tape) the guys discuss the Papa Doble, John/Elis turning 40/41, and Producer Dave's over-indulgent Easter break.

Aside from one slip of the tongue that is barely noticeable and a few messy interruptions here and there (proof if proof be need be that no one listens to Producer Dave), in and amongst the rough were some dazzling diamonds - namely a superb Unsung Hero, a top drawer Shame Well and a guest appearance from John’s best friend Brian May.

John & Elis keep getting told by friends' wives that they all fancy Producer Dave. However, John (38) has now seen Old Man Robins staring back in the mirror. But as a 21st century, boundary breaking man he's here to fight age and stereotypes with the power of tinted moisturiser and concealer.

Today, we're joined by a surprise Ask John contributor, John is required to offer up a number of corrections and clarifications, and we're reminded why it's never wise to enter a new room naked.

This week the guys ponder “how far do you need to run before it stops getting sexy?”, and are lucky enough to once again be joined by the world record holder of the 8 mile run (Producer Dave).

Blink and you'll miss today's show, as the horses running around in circles meant the content juggernaut of Elis James and John Robins was reduced to just a one hour offering. But fear not! We make up the time by reading out a list of the many World Championship successes of the Soviet Union's Men's Ice Hockey team, chronologically and in full. Public Service Broadcasting is alive and well.

Vintage stuff from Elis, John and Producer Dave today with all frequencies of the electromagnetic #content spectrum touched upon; namely John’s "bag of death", Elis’s aversion to improv warm-up games, and Dave’s upcoming jury duty.

Today's Made Up Game features a heady and nostalgic mix of Mark Goodier, Ultra Naté and Dina Carroll, we're interrupted with pleasant award-winning news, and there's some dubious advice offered up around the use of WD40 on your car windscreen, which should act as a timely reminder to never ever take what's said on this show as gospel. EVER. Enjoy.

Set a reminder for April 12th. Not because pub gardens reopen, but because it’s Elis’s sister's birthday and he’s on a one man mission to make sure the whole world knows about it. Also, if anyone from the team at Desert Island Discs is listening then do get in touch; John has all his songs chosen, he’s just finalising his luxury item (is a full sized pub allowed?).

After John finished a pen (a feat Elis claimed could never be achieved), graphologist Tracey took it upon herself to analyse the lads' handwriting. Her findings were eerily accurate. Elsewhere, we chat to the textbook definition of an Unsung Hero, Elis decides he doesn't need his microphone anymore, and John cries at his car's mileage again.

Hypothetically, if you were dared to eat a deathly chilli pickle would you continue to eat the whole jar at your own behest? No? Well John did, and the words 'reaping' and 'sowing' now spring to mind.

As Elis and John continue to bring A-grade content to the masses from their respective homes, it's now widely accepted that the internet issues that plague Elis's connectivity are actually providing him with a fraught edge that you just can't replicate in the safe and secure surroundings of New Broadcasting House. So, although we lose our Welsh counterpart every once in a while, when we ARE hearing him loud and clear, well, what an incredible talent we have on our hands.

The lads discuss if Elis has what it takes to play League 1 football, if John could scale El Capitan (after six cans and with no extra training), and if Dave should do his gardening topless or bottomless.

Today, discussion turns to Elis becoming a hypothetical Hollywood superstar, John's professional diligence, and the pitfalls of the phonetic alphabet.

Love is well and truly in the air this week as Elis flirts with the idea of becoming an archaeologist, and the boys discuss Dave’s “blue” Valentine's Day card (it has nothing to do with Manchester City).

This week, we find out whether Elis's snoring is crippling his love life, we have a strong contender for the best Made Up Game of the year so far, and much to the dismay of his Celtic co-host, John questions the integrity of BBC Wales.

Dismantling a buggy. An emergency phone call. A 20kg low-alcohol lager delivery. Just three of the high-octane interruptions that threatened to derail this week's episode. Naked numismatists also make an appearance. Which is nice.

On today's show, Elis really gets behind his lifelong love of diesel, John bores a coin expert to death by talking about coins, and we all enjoy a Made Up Game called 'Things In Things'.

Elis and John discuss selling out (their stance is far less militant than Fugazi's). Also, are you struggling to get rid of your Christmas tree? Just wait for someone "knocking about" to come and collect it.

A semblance of order was thankfully restored to on air proceedings as Producer Dave's hand remained firm and steady on the 5 Live tiller. If anything, this week's gaffs came courtesy of Messrs James and Robins as their musical credentials were thrown into disrepute during a brilliant Made Up Game. Elsewhere, John flexes his tax muscles with the HMRC and Elis astounds us with some top notch equine improv. Giddy up.

There's an awful lot of love for the past today. Specifically for the decade when music finished (the 90s), student gigs and the days of misspent youth, as both Elis and John dream of returning to university.

As slick, competent broadcasts go, today's show won't be bothering any end-of-year award ceremonies. With cut audio and overlooked emails just two lowlights of the programme, it's fair to say Producer Dave will have his head in his hands for some time. Still, good news about the fantastic Made Up Game.

A busy hunk of pure intense chat this week, with seamless traversing of the timeless topics of the CIA, smells and getting kicked in the knackers. Also expect sweet tales of fatherhood and Elis laying into John for frankly little discernible reason.

Week two under the new tri-simulcast regime, and the boys are flying as they broadcast from their respective lounges and open wardrobes. Ulcer obliteration, homeschooling hacks and the plight of the education system all get a run out in what will certainly go down as a 'top-50' level show. Enjoy!

The boys are encapsulating two different aspects of the UK population's gamut of lockdown problems.In Casa del James the issues are of the practical home-schooling variety.In Robins towers the river to navigate is far more existential. So expect childcare stress chat from Elis, and from John rumination on what gives him purpose in life.

The lads return to keep you company throughout Lockdown 3. It's non-stop non-action in the Robins and James households, but they're full of public service advice on quitting booze and going to bed at 7pm.

In what was most certainly a radio first (it probably wasn't), Elis, John and Producer tri-simulcast from Bucks, South London and Salford as the chaps went LIVE for the first time from their respective homes.Was it a looser show than usual? Sure. Did the unpredictable performance of Elis's WIFI network create an air of edgy tension for the entire 90 minute broadcast? Maybe. Was it still top quallo #content. You betcha! After all, who doesn't want to hear a professional broadcaster blow their nose over the intro of David Bowie's 'Let's Dance'? Enjoy the chaos.

Elis and John look back over their favourite show moments from 2020. Including a day that John describes as 'the great betrayal,' a tense Made Up Game and a toe curling Shame Well. Happy New Year!

Hitting digital terrestrial airwaves on Christmas Morning, Elis and John bring you a very special show jam-packed with Christmas Content. Expect present swapping, an Unsung Hero from the North Pole, a festive and calorific Made Up Game, and Producer Dave's 'Big Christmas Poem'. Merry Christmas one and all!

Elis and John chat to Queen legend, Brian May! Or, to rephrase, John chats to Brian May while Elis patiently listens. Elsewhere, some secondary school pupils have a poetic surprise for Producer Dave, and today’s Made Up Game comes with an accompanying spreadsheet that will win awards. Enjoy!

A show derailed by backsides, Elis and John try to keep up with a flurry of correspondence focused solely on celebrity derrières and how many we’ve 'collected'. There’s some normal show stuff, too.

After arriving 12 minutes late for today’s show preparation, this may well be Elis’s final show on 5 Live, as John makes it his number one priority to get him disciplined/fired. Elsewhere, a man talks about inventing ATMs. It’s all go.

As we bid adieu to the current series of Isolation Tapes, the team enjoy a couple of looseners as Elis and John partake in a very tense game of 'Flagulate'.

Once again proving why this show isn't part of the BBC's news quota, Elis and John discuss what modern petrol gauges represent, how you practised kissing when you were younger and why the TV programme Catchphrase isn't edgier. It's the kind of high-brow content Emma Barnett WISHES she'd thought up.

Elis and John return for another instalment of The Isolation Tapes as John takes on the greatest challenge of his life - naming every country in the world from memory. Can he do it? Does Producer Dave have a robust marking system in place? Will it make good radio? And more importantly, what will Elis do during this 15 minute challenge? Listen to find out.

Elis and John return with more accessible anecdotal content, intricately designed to actively engage with the BBC's much-sought-after under-35 demographic whilst successfully retaining 5 Live's older more traditional listenership. It's a podcast description as old as time.

The chaps return for more isolated 'waffle' (John's words) as Dave delivers a blow-by-blow account of his recent vasectomy, John weighs up his career options and Elis boasts about his incredible post-ride recovery time.

This week, it’s the build up to 'the snip' for Producer Dave, John demonstrates just how blummin' easy the rules of golf are to follow, and Elis offers a ‘come get me’ plea to the producers of 'I'm A Celeb...'

With tighter restrictions in place across parts of the UK, Elis, John & Producer Dave once again come together from their respective abodes to offer some company and conversation.

On today’s show, John is keen to remind everyone that Elis is much older than he is, our Unsung Hero is a bike-riding bread-wielding icon, and despite many warnings to steer clear, the chaps give a surprising amount of air time to the US election.

A busy show with surprises around every corner, Elis and John are joined by a somewhat morbid Unsung Hero, worldwide geography proves vital for today’s Made Up Game, and we talk massive food.

It was a jam packed show with Elis and John! We spoke to the inventor of the Rubik's Cube, discussed the times you met a celebrity and were oblivious to them and played a competitive Made Up Game. Enjoy!

Join Elis and John for an Unsung Hero living life in the fast lane, a very sexy anecdote around Elis's discovery of the magnificent BBC Sounds, and a few timely appearances from your friend and mine, Billy Balance. Enjoy!

John talks us through his wine Hall of Fame, Elis takes full advantage of his 'home advantage' in Made up Games, and the wonderful Kerry Godliman pops by for a chat about the 'billion projects' she's working on.

In a rare reversal of moods, John was the one with the pep in his step today, whereas Elis was stressed through having 'a lot on'. Nevertheless, it was another belter of a show with Marie Rose sauce garnering an unusual amount of on air coverage and a Made Up Game based on HMRC coming under close scrutiny.

The chaps are joined by an Unsung Hero that Elis falls in love with, John offers more wayward opinions disguised loosely as facts (this time around the size of Canada), and friend and comedian Rob Rouse talks high vehicle mileage which is sure to get the Under 35s flocking to the podcast in their droves. If you miss the show, don't forget to download the Elis James and John Robins Show podcast from BBC Sounds.