Well he's not shy about talking about him on the show because it was virtually the first thing he voluntarily chose to begin speaking about on the very first show on 21st March!

I had a relatively long walk yesterday with no headphones and so it got me thinking, especially based on something Iain said the other day about what this new show is - a conversation. Bear with me. And yes I do realise it's a bit of a daft analogy when Iain regularly tells us he doesn't drink.

Down the Rabbit Hole was basically like Iain and Kath as two mates sat at a bar chatting away, putting their favourite tracks on the jukebox and every so often someone else coming to the bar and joining in their conversation. It was a bit like they were testing the waters a bit with the pub trade.

His new TalkRadio show has moved things on a bit. Kath's bought the bar and is the landlady (not in a Peggy Mitchell kind of way, but more just in terms of running a tight ship and keeping people in check). Her mate Iain is now there with a permanent seat in the corner whenever the bar is open (10pm - 1am, Mon - Fri) and he basically sits and chats to anyone and everyone - especially whilst trade is still a bit light in these early days. Conversation topics can range from the deep and meaningful to something frivolous. Much as real conversations do in a pub. When things are quiet Kath joins Iain at his special table whilst Ed is kept behind the bar serving drinks and making sure the beers always on tap.

There are regulars - Caddick is always there rattling the bar door at 5 to 10 just to make sure he's in as soon as possible. People wander in as the night goes on - some for the first time. Some make it their local, others just join in when they fancy it. Occasionally someone drunk heads over to Iain's table and tries to join in - with mixed results. Underage ones are permitted at the landlady's discretion - it's all down to how well they keep the conversation going, as per Farmer John last week. Some people have been sat listening to Iain hold court for years and only now feel they can join him for conversations, yet others have followed him from previous drinking establishments and are picking up conversations that sometimes started years ago.

The difference from this drinking establishment and others is that anyone's free to go in and join in a conversation and you're not told what you have to talk about. I rather like Iain and Kath's bar.

Ade "who can't get laid" (although he can now), probably the famous Nick Abbot caller until the show changed in 2007/8, called in last night. The last time he called Iain was on Absolute.


Wow, what an amazing piece of writing. If anyone in future ever asks what Iain's show is like, I can just direct them to your post.

OMG - I remember Ade from the Nick Abbot days! What time was he on? Only listened back to the official pod so far today.

And thanks for the kind words. x

He was on during straight-to-air about 12.20. The call was somewhat hindered by the fact that Ade wanted to talk about TV and Iain has basically stopped watching it.

I presume that the "guard dog" comment was on the podcast as you quoted it on Twitter. I think the half-German lady was mortified when she realised that it was a bit of a sharp thing to say and I don't think for a moment she intended it in a malicious way. In a way it is kind of apt as traditionally the producer "protects" the presenter from calls that are not appropriate or "good enough" for the show. Pretty much anyone gets on at the moment though, so there isn't much "guarding" going on.

And, you're welcome

Yes - the woman after Caddick - Andrea was it? Heard that bit live too and think it was just a throw away comment that wasn't meant harshly.

Blimey your on the ball..
How did you know it was me?
As I've not called a radio show for years I was nervous, did it show?

Btw on my sky package calls to 0844 numbers are free so that's a big bonus..

Yes, Andrea, pronounced the German way by Iain, which made her day.


I've listened to so many of your calls that I could tell it was someone familiar within a second and within another second I figured it was you, which was confirmed when you mentioned Knight Rider. I didn't notice any nerves.

Thanks..

Felt really good to call Iain
I'll call in again soon..
Don't think Iain recognised me, not that I wanted attention bringing to it, I'm only a called.. Lol

Was he talking about Knight Rider?

Wasn't me. Left my pc signed in at work. Reported to DS but nothing has been done. Hope this clears up any mis-undestanding.

He mentioned that he used to call about random stuff about Knight Rider. Ade then said that 80s TV was better than today's and then Iain said that Knight Rider and the A-Team were quite violent.

I reckon I'll call Iain again tonight, enjoyed it last night..

I reckon if you called Nick again after all these years he'd be pretty surprised. Always enjoyed your calls to Nick back in the day.

Do you remember at the time of Globalisation when Ade kept phoning but they didn't phone him back or didn't even answer the phone? They wanted him and others, like Trixie and Louise, off the show. 15 years of calls counted for nothing. Unlike Nick, Iain will take calls on (almost) any subject.

Don't think i would be allowed to on LBC

Yes this is very sad and as much as I'd like to disagree with you, I can't beciase that's the facts..

Yeah, it did kinda lose its community spirit. Glad Iain is keeping it alive.

Mrs C has given us her pub analogy and I'd like to add my own, if I may, introducing a Doctor Who theme.
The idea came to me when some posters remarked that there's been a change in Iain and that his new show is different to what has gone before.
Like the Doctor, Iain has been the same person throughout his radio career but he has gone through various incarnations.
It seems to me that his experiences in his on-air life and his real life have fashioned his evolution.
Now on TalkRadio we are experiencing the latest regeneration of Iain Lee and I can confidently say, in Who terms, he is David Tennant and he's on fire.
To non-Whovians, David Tennant became the most popular and successful Doctor in what is known as the New Who era.
As a lifelong Who fan, Tennant brought such energy, enthusiasm and a comprehensive understanding of what the Doctor should be to the role.
As a result, he enticed a whole new generation to get on board the Tardis and explore the Whoniverse. He's been instrumental in the show's rebirth and continuing popularity.
Doctor Who is evidence that something that's been done before can be rejuvenated because of a magical combination of the right person at the right time, the desire and possibly the planets aligning.
So it is with Iain. The time is right for him and his style of broadcasting to make a resurgence. That 'anything goes' style of radio has been gone so long, it feels fresh again.
Iain is a self-confessed geek of radiodom, I believe as long as he's on air he will attract a new generation who will fall in love with radio because of his relish and passion for it.
He has certainly reinvigorated those of us radio-lovers who had almost given up in despair because so much out there has gone stale.
Iain cares about radio, he champions radio, he cares about it's future and he genuinely seems to care about his listeners.

Continuing on the Doctor Who theme, I would liken Kath to Tennant's companion Donna (played by Catherine Tate)
For me, Donna was a great companion because there were no romantic entanglement complications and all that nonsense, they simply had a beautiful platonic friendship. They were best mates with a fantastic chemistry, they had a relationship built on trust and mutual understanding and they relied on each other throughout their adventures and misadventures. Just like Iain and Kath.
I'm sad that this thread has been somewhat tainted by those who posted here with negative comments about Kath.
I enjoy Kath's input to the show. She is vital and brings vitality, she's lovely and she has a great laugh that lifts the spirits.
Incidentally, Iain's laugh is spookily like my own. He's not afraid to really laugh, he gives it some, he laughs deep and from his heart.
We laugh the same way at much the same things which is why I identify with him.

It's taken a while but there seems to be a buzz around the show at long last. Those of us who have loved it from the start have had to wait for others to catch on but it's a delight now that it's happening.
There's lots of new callers, young callers, long-time listener - first-time callers and old faithful callers from back in the day - a delectable smorgasbord of participants.
I'm glad that more people are realising just how good Iain is and crucially how good his show is because that's the winning combination.
There are other good broadcasters out there but too often their show formats are not the best vehicle to showcase their skills at their finest.
Iain is a great broadcaster with a great show and it's a joy. I'm so pleased for him, he deserves every success, he's a true talent.
I hope he finally gets the recognition and credit he's entitled to because he's been under-rated and undervalued for far too long.
Who has the best late night radio show in the UK - that would be Iain Lee.
Sacha Ali G Borat and Ricky Brent Gervais can't say they have the best anything.

And finally, my abiding wish for Iain would be if he could like himself as much as his listeners do.

That was a joy to read. We really have been spoiled on this thread today.

Thank you, radamfi. You are most kind.

What would you expect DS to do about it if you left your computer signed in at work and some naughty colleague came along and posted a couple of comments on this site pretending to be yourself and then adding words opposite to your genuine views?

Never got into Dr Who (don't hate me people!) but do love what you've written. Especially the bit about Kath's role. I listened to 3CR and continued to listen after Iain left because of Kath (and Justin who I also adore) because she just has something magical about her. That first night when she was re-introduced to us on air (although if you're reading Iain I'm still annoyed that it took you 86 minutes to do so!) was brilliant and when you saw how many people on here, Facebook and twitter went mad when that happened you realise that you've got something special going on. Never before have I seen people so excited to find out who a producer on a radio show was!

And completely completely agree with your last wish. Nights like last night I just wanted to reach into periscope and give the bloke a hug

Delete them?

Not at all about talkRADIO but Iain's Periscoped lecture at a college this lunch-time was terrific. Really interesting talk.