Richard is delighted to be back in bankrupt Birmingham and in front of the third biggest crowd to ever come to RHLSTP. His guest is a man who has succeeded at everything he’s attempted, the remarkable Adil Ray. They discuss what it was like growing up in an Asian family in Yardley in the 70s and 80s, how racists nearly killed Adil as a baby and starting school in Handsworth the day after the riots, how Citizen Khan came about, how does it feel sharing some of your heritage with Suella Braverman, which came first Lingo or Wordle and what it’s like working with Judy Dench.

Richard has some more incredible Birmingham facts to share with his Brummie audience. His guest is RHLSTP super fan and mischievous imp, Joe Lycett. They reveal how Richard was one of the few people who was in on the secret of his David Beckham money shredding, the surprising group of people who were offended by this stunt, whether accusations of Qatar-based hypocrisy hold any water (and was it RHLSTP that led to them?) why he wanted to make his new show in Birmingham and gave a leg up to local young people, why he still lives in Birmingham even though he doesn’t have to, putting on an art exhibition with his mum, why he might be taking Harry Styles to the small claims court and the importance of enjoying success whilst it’s happening and whether he fears the late middle-age breakdown that can afflict people in show business.

Richard finds himself in an unseasonably sweltering Liverpool, at the Playhouse and is joined the the city in human form, Peter Hooton from the Farm. They talk about stealing Joe Strummer’s bananas, tipping over Piers Morgan’s car, how “The End” fanzine came about, why getting a band’s name right might not be that important, Tony Wilson’s funeral and why Peter didn’t end up becoming a priest.

Richard liked Liverpool so much last week that he’s come back again and his guest is Neil Fitzmaurice, a man who defied his career’s advisor to become an actor, writer and stand up with an incredibly impressive CV including Phoenix Nights, The Office and Peep Show. They talk about being one of the first people to have to interact with David Brent, terrifying David Mitchell for real, being heckled by Samuel L Jackson, how Neil almost ended up with a major role in The Crown and why he was determined to have a career without leaving his family and city behind and an emotional and passionate explanation of why this city is so unique and the trauma of Hillsborough.

Richard has returned to Winchester to help the local people through their swimming pool disaster. His guest is the delightful Harriet Kemsley. They talk about the perils of combining dyspraxia with allergies, how unusually becoming a comedian was her parents’ idea, doing a roast battle with your partner, why she did a podcast about crying and Richard delves deeper into his theory that life is a simulation or possibly a dream in which none of you exist. He is not going mad though. What is about Winchester that makes Richard so skittish?

Richard is back in Winchester for another week and they are having so much trouble with their clocks (I said clocks). His guest is stand up and actor and internet sensation Matt Green. They chat about working with Idris Elba and Sacha Baron-Cohen, what it’s like sitting in a car for six hours with Harvey Keitel, playing a corpse in the Cambridge Footlights, the perils of being a boyish boy, a drive-by egging, how a tweet about Brexit led to a discussion about supermarkets and Rich had a few ideas on how to improve the Direct Line adverts. Plus the introduction of the tofu hand and Rich attempts some rapping to mixed results.

Richard has come to Exeter, where there is some very bad news about the bins. His guest is amazing actor and comedy genius Spencer Jones. They talk about how a last minute self-tape got him a recurring role in Ted Lasso, where Death in Paradise meets Milton, how his first double act led to him losing his virginity and then his bottle, the extraordinary sequence of events that led to his first TV show, whether finger-wagging admonishment might make the bad guys of history reconsider their actions, whether moving back to Devon was a good idea, the importance of how you look walking on to stage, the electric heat of creating comedy on stage and how he came up with the character of the Herbert and whether there has been any reaction to Upstart Crow from Ricky Gervais.

Richard is back in the witch-burning city of Exeter and this time his guest is Comic Strip Presents legend Peter Richardson. They talk about how Peter meet Nigel Planer and invented the character of Neil, the early days of the Comic Strip in Raymonds Revue Bar, why it was a good thing that he didn’t end up playing Mike in the Young Ones (though he might well be wrong about that), how he shocked Steve Martin, getting bottles of piss thrown at him by Heavy Metal fans at Donnington, his instrumental part in Stella Street and why the Comic Strip Presents about Boris Johnson never saw the light of day. Plus the lackadaisical attitudes to Health and Safety that saw him confronted by the police outside Buckingham Palace. An incredible delve into an amazing time for comedy! AND the Keith Allen question is posed.

Here’s a bonus remote podcast (because we’re not doing enough at the moment) with superstar actor and director and now podcast documentary (if you will pocumentary) maker, Rob Reiner. With limited time, they discuss which of his films is the greatest of all time, what you need to make a perfect improvised movie, the first toilet flush on US Prime Time TV and appearing in the Batman TV series. But mostly they talk about Rob’s fascinating new podcast series “Who Killed JFK?” and the flimsiness of the official account of the assassination, why it means so much to Rob and why it’s important to get to the truth. Plus what it was like sharing a duplex with Albert Brooks and the moving story of remaking the Princess Bride with his dad, Carl.

Richard is in Bath, but spent the night in Cheddar and is wondering about what the last few years of his life might hold for him. His guest is rival podcaster and stand-up, Stuart Goldsmith. They talk about Stuart’s brief acting career, whether Richard listens to The Comedians’ Comedian Podcast, why Stuart might need to go off for a wee at any moment (spoiler - he doesn’t), stand up tips, whether we’re all fucked because of climate change, how Stuart teaches business people resilience and a largely visual surprise for Richard to cap off a terrific chat about comedy and podcasting and how we’re all doomed.

Richard is still in Bath and still staying at his parents and has become an unpaid tech advisor (luckily successful). His guest this week is comedian, actor and panto star Jarred Christmas. They discuss how Jarred went from hero to zero on Hollyoaks Later, his foray into the world of advertising and why he nearly had to pay all the money back, what it was like working with Verne Troyer in panto, why he loves living in a West Country village and how the villagers celebrated the return of the bus and what it’s like to appear in a sitcom that you think might make you, but almost breaks you. An absolutely amazing comedian and guest - you’re going to love this one.

Richard is in Belfast and has some ideas on how to heal the divisions in this great city. His guest is writer and genius Lisa McGee. They chat about first dances at wedding, whether Jessica Fletcher is a typical writer, how Derry Girls is used in schools by lazy (but still correct) teachers, casting (some) comedians, whether a writer knows in advance if a show will be a hit, getting referenced on the Simpsons, the Derry Girls mural and why all nuns aren’t bad, how to catch one and whether you should always obey a ghost one.

Rich is back in Belfast and is wondering if they should be as proud as they are of the Titanic. His guest is stand-up Shane Todd. They talk about touring America, being circumcised as an adult, whether soup or yoghurt is harder to eat in public, unusual foods to sneak into a cinema, supporting Kevin Hart on tour and what you do if he doesn’t turn up, taking a charity boxing match a bit too seriously and trying to compete with the mysteriously dead Shane Todd.

It’s a very special and moving Christmas episode as Richard talks to Ukranian comedian Vasyl Baidak about performing comedy in a war zone, how comedy has differed before, after and during the conflict, performing in shelters and trenches, how comedy helps process the horror and how absurd comedy seems redundant in the more absurd state of war, converting Stewart Lee tickets into a car, being championed by Stephen Fry, the influence of Andy Kaufman, building the country back one house at a time and keeping the Ukraine in people’s minds and raising funds for the military. How do you tour and celebrate Christmas in a war? It’s an incredible story from a very eloquent man speaking in a second language (where school lessons did not prepare him for talking about war). Please listen and share this one. And tonight don’t thank God it’s them instead of you. Ask God why anyone has to be in this situation.

Richard is at the Stand in Newcastle with an enthusiastic Sunday afternoon crowd and he’s amazed by the number of ginger hues he can expect in the city. His guest is comedian Lauren Pattison. They talk about how low things had got for her during their last chat in lockdown, how the worst day to dump a comedian is April Fool’s Day, how working in Morrison’s during the pandemic was surprisingly creatively inspiring, coping with online criticism and how her last Edinburgh show was literally make or break for her and how, approaching thirty, she is overcoming anxiety and believing in herself.

Richard is back at the Stand in Newcastle and in the week that the Northumberland Sycamore was cruelly cuts down, dare he risk making an allusion? His guest is legendary stand-up and TV writer, Jason Cook. Rich might be getting a bit tired from touring, but it doesn’t really matter, as we have a story-teller topped only by Brian Blessed for loquaciousness. Jason talks about being a tiny chef in some biscuit ads and going through airport security covered in flour, working as a merchant seaman and the unlikely zoo based stories of one of his crewmates, representing Germany in the World Stands Up, inventing the dead dad stand up genre, getting Rich very drunk to do stand up, being a Celebrity Mastermind stand-in, Hebburn and the Murder, They Hope series and is this the week for him to dress up as a tree in his monthly comedy club?

Richard is in Norwich at Halloween and there’s been some terrible pumpkin news. His guest is veteran stand-up and surprise social media smash, Jeff Innocent. They chat about how audience preconceptions are subverted by his brilliant act, his shady family history and why his mum won’t let him talk about it, his choice to go in a different direction with some surprising jobs, how social media has given him fame in his sixties, how diversity doesn’t always include the working class and some discussion of the illegal activity of taking drugs. Plus a healthy mistrust of emergency questions.

Rich is in Tunbridge Wells and amazed at the 20th Century news coming from a seemingly 19th Century newspaper. His guest is the superb and charming actor Robert Bathurst. They chat about whether Robert can claim to have had a number one record, the enduring appeal of Joking Apart and how Robert might have screwed u the chance of a third series, the art school appeal of Toast of London, touring Australia with Emma Thompson, playing Jeffrey Barnard in the very pub where everything happened, how Cold Feet nearly didn’t get a series, a late conversion to musical theatre and the (many) ways Mrs Brown’s Boys is superior to RHLSTP.

Richard finally has a chance to prove whether his or a rival’s podcast is the most popular, but will he like the answers? His guest returns after 11 short years, it’s BAFTA award winning Steve Pemberton. They talk about that bus episode of Inside Number 9, the official ranking of all of the episodes, Mel Smith punks and non-existent dog poo chocolates, the other Steve Pemberton, surviving a heart attack (according to the Daily Mirror) and using a holiday snap as your acting headshot.

Richard is in the City Varieties Leeds, the scene of a traumatic RHLSTP that he and the audience are still processing. And he’s booked another rock star, will they be as much trouble? It’s the sublime Corinne Bailey Rae. They talk about the whirlwind of her early success, why on earth she’s choose to still live in Leeds, how a teacher crushed her dreams of playing classical violin, her forays into Christian Rock, why she called her first band Helen, exposing emotion to write music that even touches Richard’s dead heart, being expected to carry on producing happy music in the face of tragedy and the genius of her latest eclectic album Black Rainbows. It’s another absolute classic episode.

Richard has had a very difficult journey to the Leeds City Varieties and wouldn’t have made it without the genius of tour manager Bec, but thank God he did because this is a terrific podcast with broadcaster and former accountant Amar Latif. He talks about how he coped with losing 95% of his sight at 18, why he was still determined to become an accountant and why he refused to accept that unaccompanied blind people weren’t allowed to travel the world. Richard inevitably attempts to claim that mind blindness is as serious a disability and receives terrible prejudice in return. Also climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, risking a piss in the middle of the night on top of a volcano, sky diving and wanting to fly solo round the world, needing to look more blind for the BBC and a surprising mentor for Amar’s writing.

Richard is excited about recent developments in robotics, but he doesn’t have time for stand up (or any stand up). His guest is the remarkable comedian, singer and YouTube sensation Sooz Kempner (plus some interjections from her mum). They talk about personifying a times table, being snubbed by opera singers, how to satirise the almost unsatirisable Tory MPs, why Twitter has gone down the toilet, responding to trolls and reply-guys, the wonder that is the fans of Dr Who and what it’s like stepping into that Universe (and having your head crushed by a Cyberman) and why dressage trumps the Edinburgh Fringe (and will Rich ever return?)

RHLSTP comes to Aldershot, the scene of one of Richard’s most dangerous ever gigs. But we’re all safely off the mean streets to welcome the incredible Lee Mack to Aldershot! They talk about keeping the Inside Number 9 secret, why the woodworking answer to the Bake Off was axed, the manufactured controversy at the NTAs, 100 episodes of Not Going Out and whether Lee is going for the Last of the Summer Wine record, why Lee did not become a darts superstar, which serial killer he’d like to play and why Richard is (presumably) worshipped as a God within the Mack household.

Richard has been frightened by a weeing Samurai and an apparently dead audience member, but he’s back for more RHLSTP, back a the LST and with a guest who is too good for this rubbish, the glorious Davina McCall. They discuss how she (eventually) beat a comedian to host God’s Gift, Street Mate on skis, how Davina is ultimately to blame for the destruction of the world, why Richard was one of the first to know about an historic moment in Big Brother, why sitcom was not for McCall, overcoming addiction to chase her dream, beating Salman Rushdie to book of the year, the best professional to be in a relationship with and a never before revealed royal secret.

Richard’s kids are unimpressed by his appearance on Top of the Pops 95 and provide a scathing critique of his work. His guest is a man with 8 mind-blowing facts about himself, Ross Noble (though an audience member called Kirsty also stars). They talk mainly about frozen things, Ben or Jerry’s funeral, Rod Hull in a freezer and being buried in an ice rink, but also some fantastic stories about appearing on the Australian Apprentice, blowing up a woman, selling cursed sand and responding to Lord Sugartits in the board room. Also some amazing news about Brian Blessed and the birth of a brand new game show, that might not entirely work in audio format (or might be much much better).

Richard is at the Norwich Playhouse, but his microphone is working this time (cf RHLSTP Book Club). His guest is actor, character comedian and writer Emma Sidi. They talk about how she came up with the idea of a parody Mexican soap opera set in Woking, the thrill of getting to be a Ghost, finding your comedy gang, playing Emily Maitlis in Prince Andrew: The Musical, the inadequacies of Sale of the Century and Notting Hill, the brilliant Starstruck and what it’s like to do love scenes with your partner and the amazing and welcome changes in filming intimate scenes that have come about since Richard last got his arse out on TV, coming up with multiple characters and how a simple weird idea can often to be hilariously effective.

Richard is still in Norwich and has more local news and celebrates the city’s most famous son. His guest is the phenomenon that is Joe Pasquale. In the chat Joe reveals more than any guest has done before, literally and physically as he recounts many tales of clumsiness and accident, including how he nearly died the perfect comedy bath (again literally), the funniest telling of a having a badly broken leg after being run over, how a flight with the Red Arrows ended in excruciating pain and an upsetting encounter with some bum grapes. Plus how Ken Dodd helped the young Pasquale become a hit, the boredom of I’m a Celebrity, an amazing story about what happens if you piss off (or piss on) Christopher Dean, how a comic real life explosion led to Joe playing Frank Spencer, a legendary episode of Doctors and connecting with his son. It’s an amazing podcast from a terrifically funny man. Don’t miss it.

Richard has great news about his (pre-breakfast) weight (which may no longer be true by time of broadcast). And in another attempt to get some closure for his romantic past, his guest is fantastic actress and ex-partner, Julia Sawalha. They talk about the impact of Press Gang and the gruelling audition process, working with Rik Mayall and Michael Palin (not at the same time), the process by which Absolutely Fabulous developed and brilliant casting that led to its success and how Julia won Stars in Their Eyes after zero sleep thanks to a Coronation Street actress throwing chairs around. There may be some mention of the relationship, the embarrassment of watching Fist of Fun with Richard’s dad, Rich and Julia’s shared spirit guide, the extraordinary nicknames of her former partners (including Richard’s), some controversy and disagreement about how they broke up and the drunken fights and near death experiences of the Time Gentlemen Please cast. Plus an amazing ghost story and the surpris

Richard is in Northampton and astonished to hear the place once burnt down (as well as the stuff that makes the papers). HIs guest is actor and character comedian Jon Pointing. They chat about not sampling the thing you’re advertising, the tricky nature of the double act (especially with your brother-in-law), the surprising depths of his BAFTA nominated performance in Big Boys, playing out of character in the new series Smothered and his early foray into gangster films. He also brings Richard gifts (it’d be nice if all the guests did that) and has some pertinent questions about the suncream armpit.

Richard is back in Northampton where the people are named after Ancient Greeks. His guest is US stand up Abigoliah Schamaun (hard to say, hard to spell). They talk about her reluctance to embrace a showbiz friendly name, the indifference of long in the tooth stand ups, how she won a Grammy at school, why nodules ended her musical theatre career, working as a yoga teacher under a discredited guru, how she possibly caused immigration laws to be tightened and being unapologetic for who you are (and if you’re really daring, confident too).

Richard, it turns out, loves his AirTag more than his dog, but he’s back in London and eating tofu. His guest is journalist and lord of the podcasts jon Ronson. They talk about the worst decision made by an executive since turning down the Beatles, the brilliant series Things Fell Apart https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0011cpr detailing the unlikely genesis of anti-abortion become a big deal for US Christians and a moving story of other evangelicals learning to understand AIDS and homosexuality, a night amongst crack dealers with some self-declared superheroes, whether Jon will be moving back into writing books, his tour to celebrate the anniversary of the Psychopath Test (and why you can’t teach a psychopath empathy) and how Jon learned to love Louis Theroux.

Richard has been living the showbiz lifestyle that should be his daily existence, but now he’s landed up in Chorley. His guest is award winning stand up and MC Hayley Ellis. They chat about Hayley becoming a mum after an unplanned pregnancy, the hilarious story of attempting to buy a pillow with a picture of her dead grandma on it, whether we need bad people to get us through certain circumstances, her podcast “The Worriers” and why it’s good to talk about mental health in a comedic way, what it takes to be a great MC and why stand up is easier than being a teacher’s assistant and whether Sarah Millican is the monster to work with that Richard suspects her to be.