James Harkin

Send us Fan Mail James Harkin, co-host of the hit podcast No Such Thing As A Fish and Head Researcher on BBC’s QI, joins me for a walking, and golfing, conversation about curiosity, childhood, and how a life quietly takes shape. We met at Deane Golf Club , the course where James learned the game as a boy, and played a round while talking through his early years in Bolton, school days, falling sideways into research, and ending up at the sharp end of British comedy and television. Between missed putts and gentle rivalry, James reflects on how curiosity becomes a craft, how knowledge and passion turns into a career. The power of saying no, and taking a risk can be a good thing. This is not a studio interview. It’s a walk, a game, a life in motion. Season Two of the story pilgrim turns towards people, walking with those who shape how I think, work, and notice the world. buen camino, and keep listening.

Famed QI trivia podcast No Such Thing As A Fish celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. In that timeframe, the podcast has recorded over 600 episodes and amassed half a billion listens - averaging a million downloads a week. Two of the hosts, James Harkin and Andrew Hunter Murray says they've always enjoyed what they do, and they look forward to sharing unusual facts with listeners. "Every day, you wake up and it's like - today I have to research zebras or I have to research stars or I have to research whatever, and you wake up looking forward to that. And then when we come in to the show and we tell each other what we found, that's such a joyous thing to do." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans have been infatuated with sport for thousands of years. But what drove this obsession in the first place? And how did ancient pursuits evolve into the games we know and love today? Jon Bauckham speaks to QI researchers and hosts of the podcast No Such Thing as a Fish James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski about their new book on sporting history, discussing everything from doping to David Attenborough’s impact on snooker. (Ad) James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski are the authors of A Load of Old Balls: The QI History of Sport (Faber & Faber, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Load-Old-Balls-History-Sport/dp/0571372546/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. Listen to David Horspool discuss how sport has embedded itself in the fabric of British life: https://link.chtbl.com/RQsMQw5V. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James & Anna speak to Paralympians Will Bayley, Charlotte Henshaw and Jody Cundy. They’re then joined by comedian Rosie Jones, who challenges them to a quiz on the Paralympics. Thanks to Paralympics GB for their assistance in making this show. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Will Bayley, Charlotte Henshaw, Jody Cundy and Rosie Jones. Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This was a QI Ltd Production.

James & Anna speak to Paralympians Erin Kennedy & Benjamin Pritchard; Robyn Love & Laurie Williams; and Becky Redfern & Grace Harvey. They’re then joined by comedian Rosie Jones, who describes her own experience of the Paralympics. Thanks to Paralympics GB for their assistance in making this show. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Erin Kennedy & Benjamin Pritchard as well as Robyn Love & Laurie Williams, Becky Redfern & Grace Harvey, and Rosie Jones. Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This was a QI Ltd Production.

James & Anna meet former Olympic heptathlete Kelly Sotherton and attempt their own makeshift tetrathlon. Thanks to Finsbury Park running track and Team GB for their assistance in making this show. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Kelly Sotherton and Jo Hobson Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This was a QI Ltd Production.

James & Anna speak to Team GB sport climber Molly Thompson-Smith, try their hand at bouldering, and race each other to the top of a wall. Thanks to HarroWall Climbing Centre and Team GB for their assistance in making this show. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Molly Thompson-Smith, Jonathan Stone and Michelle Martin Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This was a QI Ltd Production.

James and Anna speak to TeamGB archer Tom Hall and archery coach Jamila Bi, before having a shooting competition of their own. Thanks to Archery Fit, Crescent Archery, Archery GB and Team GB for their assistance in making this show. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Jamila Bi, Tom Hall and Oliver Yap Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This was a QI Ltd Production.

James and Anna speak to Jane Rumble from UK Anti-Doping and TeamGB cyclist Josie Knight, before competing in their own race around a velodrome. Thanks to Herne Hill Velodrome and TeamGB for their assistance in making this show. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Josie Knight, Jane Rumble and Thea Smith Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Ethan Ruparelia Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This was a QI Ltd Production.

As the 2024 Olympics get underway, Dan is joined by the QI Elves James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski to talk about cheating in sports - why do we do it and how far back it goes (spoiler: a long time!) From the man who jumped into a car during the 1904 Olympic marathon to the Puerto Rican twins who swapped places at the Los Angeles Games long jump, here are some of the most audacious stories. James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski have a new book called 'A Load of Old Balls: A QI History of Sport' Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Max Carrey. Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign up HERE for 50% off for 3 months using code ‘DANSNOW’. We'd love to hear from you - what do you want to hear an episode on? You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com . You can take part in our listener survey here .

James & Anna speak to Liam Pitchford and Nico Caltabiano, and take to the streets to try their hand at table tennis. And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Liam Pitchford and Nico Caltabiano Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell This was a QI Ltd Production.

James & Anna speak to Team GB’s Imogen Grant (lightweight sculls) and Eve Stewart (coxed eights) about their paths to Paris2024, and then take to the water themselves in a time trial along the Thames. Thanks to Fulham Reach Boat Club and TeamGB for their assistance in making this episode. And for more sporting stories and curiosities, James and Anna's book, A Load of Old Balls is out now. This episode was presented by Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin Contributions from Andrew Doughty, Imogen Grant and Eve Stewart Produced by Molly Windust and James Harkin Sound recording and outdoor editing by Adrian Bradley Studio editing by James Harkin Graphic design and sound design by Alex Bell Sound engineering by Leying Lee Production Assistance by Natascha McQueen and Tara Dorrell This was a QI Ltd Production.