By Kelly-Anne Taylor

Published: Wednesday, 20 October 2021 at 12:00 am


In this week’s episode of The Radio Times Podcast, Professor Brian Cox joins Jane Garvey and Rhianna Dhillon to discuss upcoming BBC Two docu-series Universe. Speaking candidly, he discusses why politicians should study science – “an acquaintance with being wrong is what you learn as a scientist,” he remarks – male-ego within the extra-terrestrial world and his yearning to see Earth from space.

Plus, Stephen Merchant speaks to Kelly-Anne Taylor about his upcoming BBC One comedy The Outlaws. Set in Bristol, the series follows seven strangers – from very different walks of life – as they come together to complete their Community Service sentences. Their luck changes when they find a bag stashed with cash within the community centre they’re helping to renovate.

Merchant discusses how he got Hollywood icon Christopher Walken on board the show (including eating an omelette with the actor and spending hours in silence), the inspiration behind the show and his own brush ins with the law.