“Very spherical – that’s a good one. I like the ones that are already opening.” – Conker unboxing video
“It was the swirling vortex in Doctor Who that put the jebeepers on me.” – Robert Webb
“Barry, Barry! Fans get panicky when he doesn’t stop for a picture – what if it’s the last time?” – Scott Mills
Conker crisis (and unboxing videos)
Scott opened Tuesday with a nostalgic plea: “Has anyone seen any conkers of late?” A flood of texts and voice notes followed, with listeners reporting conker mountains across the Isle of Wight, Cheshire, Yorkshire and even the Isle of Man. Some had so many they were rolling ankles on dog walks; others swore by placing them on windowsills to ward off spiders.
The chat spiralled into the World Conker Championships, which are under threat due to shortages after a hot summer. Scott declared the faithful could solve it: “If the bosses are listening, just contact my producers – our listeners have the lot!” The show even featured a surreal “conker unboxing video” clip, complete with commentary on their “spherical” quality.
The Good Morning Minute
Listeners checking in included:
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Carla, 37, near Leicester, carrying a pocketful of conkers.
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Lisa, 53, in Pontefract, still in bed with a cuppa.
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Adrian in London, battling to get Annie and Eloise out of bed.
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Karen in Jersey, cooking for the senior citizens’ lunch.
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Ben in Wigan, self-diagnosed with man flu.
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Five-year-old Robin in Oxon, munching a crumpet before school.
Scott reassured those who hadn’t made it on air yet: “Please never give up on the Good Morning Minute. You will get on eventually!”
Pause for Thought – Ray Duke
Ray shared a moving reflection on parenthood and resilience. After his daughter injured herself on a new trampoline, she spent the summer clomping around in an NHS support boot. Instead of frustration, she embraced it as part of the adventure. Ray’s takeaway: “Pain doesn’t have to be the end of the story. It can shape character, strengthen spirits, and open the door to new moments of wonder.” Scott: “Love that positivity!”
Birthday Game brilliance
A standout player was Sarah from Harwich, celebrating her 60th. Her family had given her 60 small presents in the run-up, from cider and solar flowers to chocolate, notepads, and even incontinence pads “for when I need them.” She rattled off the list live on air, delighting Scott: “Paracetamol! I was not expecting that at all.”
Barry Manilow & the Fanilows
Scott issued a “mascara warning” before playing Barry Manilow’s emotional new track Once Before I Go. He imagined lorry drivers pulling over in tears, while listeners proudly identified as Fanilows. One admitted to 270 Manilow concerts; another confessed to panicking if he didn’t stop for a photo: “What if I never see him again?” Scott laughed: “Barry, Barry!”
Elder vs Millennial
Ellie Brennan refereed as Scott and Emilio clashed over cultural references:
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Darling Buds of May – Emilio guessed “old English Shakespeare,” while Scott insisted David Jason’s “Perfick!” was once a national catchphrase.
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EastEnders’ 1993 saxophone theme – Emilio was baffled; Scott called it “jazzy nonsense.”
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BBC closedown – Scott explained how TV used to literally end for the night, replaced by the terrifying test card girl with the clown.
Emilio summed up modern youth with slang like “slay bro” and “no cap.” Scott sighed: “Eventually we’ll all be speaking like Emilio does off air.”
Mitchell & Webb are back
It’s been 15 years since their last TV outing together, but David Mitchell and Robert Webb were back on the airwaves with Scott Mills, bringing wit, nostalgia and a lot of silliness to Tuesday’s show. Promoting their brand-new Channel 4 sketch series Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, the pair reminded listeners why their comedy partnership remains so loved.
The conversation was peppered with deadpan observations. Mitchell confessed to his unusual record collection: “I’ve bought two albums in my life – Phil Collins and Susan Boyle.” When Scott let him pick a track, he naturally went for In the Air Tonight. Webb, meanwhile, reminisced about his childhood fear of the swirling vortex in Doctor Who: “It put the jebeepers on me.” Scott laughed: “Forget Daleks – it’s the credits that got you!”
They talked about the strange state of sketch comedy in 2025, joking that the format had to be “dug up and jolted with electricity” to make a return. Mitchell namechecked Fry & Laurie, Victoria Wood and Monty Python as inspirations, while Webb pointed out the challenges of staging sketches in a world dominated by streaming and short clips: “You don’t always get that room full of laughter anymore – but you do get gifs.”
Scott also quizzed them on Peep Show, which continues to attract younger fans online. Mitchell deadpanned: “The increasing hopelessness of society has really helped Peep Show.” Webb added that people still shout “El Dude Brothers!” at him in the street, even though the show ended nearly a decade ago.
By the end of the interview, it was clear the old chemistry remains. Scott summed it up: “So good to have you both back – and you’ve still got it. Everyone’s going to be quoting these sketches in a few weeks’ time.” For fans of sharp, surreal comedy, Mitchell & Webb’s return is big news – and their stop-off with Scott Mills proved they’re not just back, they’re still brilliant.
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