Shows
Worst Foot ForwardEp 312: Barry and Ben - World's Worst EndingWell friends, this is the end. The final episode of Worst Foot Forward sees Barry and Ben talking about the World's Worst Ending. There are welcome returns from old pals (hey there, Pliny) as the boys explore everything from swansongs to TV finales, sporting calamity to literary disaster. It's a grab-bag befitting the grab-bag nature of the podcast. Thanks to everyone for listening over the years, all the guests who have appeared on the show, the donors on Patreon and our spouses for bearing with our trivia addictions. We'll see you on another podcast somewhere soon. B...2025-03-0356 min
Worst Foot ForwardHanding in our noticeA bit of news... we will be winding up the podcast after a couple more episodes. After 300+ regular shows, countless bonus episodes, four live recordings, numerous nuggest of Patreon silliness and god knows what else, we think the show has run its course. That being said, we are grateful to you all for having stuck with us through 8 years of terrible trivia, and there are future projects afoot! Ben has a solo podcast he's been planning for years based on classic pub jokes. AND he and Barry are plotting a new history podcast which they would co-host so chances...2025-01-1308 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 307: Trick or Treating with Barry and BenHappy Hallowe'en kids! Join Barry and Ben for some trick, treating, spells and sweets as they gorge themselves on a collection of spooky daft trivia. Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot @vanderlaugh @barrymcstay Take a butcher's at Ben's Substack here: https://vanderlaugh.substack.com/ Join us on our Discord server! https://discord.gg/9buWKthgfx Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to support the show! https://www.patreon.com/WorstFootForward2024-10-281h 01
Worst Foot ForwardEp 304: Simon Watt - World's Worst SpeciesThis week Ben and Barry welcome back returning guest Simon Watt. Simon is an expert biologist and science communicator who is going to help them answer one of the biggest questions: out of all of Mother Nature's creations, which is the worst? We meet tragic endlings, furry crabs and come face to proboscis with man's greatest enemy... Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @VanderLaugh @SimonDWatt Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot @amymasoncomedy Take a butcher's at Ben's Substack here: https://vanderlaugh.substack.com/ Join us on our Discord server! https://discord.gg/9buWKthg...2024-09-021h 17
Worst Foot ForwardEp 303: Amy Mason - World's Worst CharityIt's time to flush out the worst do-gooders in the world. Joining Ben and Barry is current stand-up comic and former Oxfam charity shop employee Amy Mason. Together they discover how Justin Bieber, height, a hedgehog, a kindly old man and erotica have been used to raise money for good causes. And also a health spa. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @VanderLaugh @AmyCMason Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot @amymasoncomedy Take a butcher's at Ben's Substack here: https://vanderlaugh.substack.com/ Join us on our Discord server! https://discord.gg/9buWKthgfx ...2024-08-051h 07
Worst Foot ForwardEp 299: Tom Price - World's Worst GolferJoin us as we tee off across history to discover the definitive worst golfer in history. Accompanied by actor, comedian, radio host and golf obsessive Tom Price, Ben and Barry encounter Presidents, prison officers and the infamous Phantom of the Open. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @VanderLaugh Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot @thepricetom Take a butcher's at Ben's Substack here: https://vanderlaugh.substack.com/ Join us on our Discord server! https://discord.gg/9buWKthgfx Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us on Pa...2024-06-101h 11
Worst Foot ForwardEp 293b: Best of the Worst of the Best 23*Barry's play BREEDING runs from March 21st to April 14th 2024 at the King's Head Theatre in London - get tickets here! https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/breeding * It's one of our occasional trips down memory lane, and we are revisiting episodes 111 to 115 to discuss not the worst but the World's Best Smell, Algorithm, Manager, Design Flaw and Saint. This episode sees Barry try to convince Ben that he is scientifically disposed to vanilla and Ben trying to convince Barry that Portuguese nonuplet renegades are better than Oscar Wilde's favourite sexy martyr. So, more of the same guff then.2024-03-181h 03
Worst Foot ForwardEp 288: World's Worst Best Of 2023 EpisodeChristmas Day is here, and it’s not just under your tree that you’ll find delightful gifts. Here too, at Worst Foot Forward, we come laden with treats in the form of our annual round-up of our favourite moments from the past 12 months. Join us for a jaunt through highlights such as our two live shows which featured sibling rivalry and Adventure Bombs, Ben’s wife teaching us about taxes, Caimh O’Donnell barely scratching the surface of Florida Man’s insanity, Rosie Holt’s fear of dancing, Ivan “from The Traitors” critiquing actual traitors from history, and Ed Byrne wishing...2023-12-251h 25
Worst Foot ForwardEp 275: Rosie Holt - World's Worst Romantic HeroLoosen your collars and lick your lips, it's getting hot in here as we flirt with the World's Worst Romantic Hero. Making up a very saucy threesome with Barry and Ben on the show this week is comedian, actor and viral sensation Rosie Holt who bats her eyes at one of the biggest names in poetry. Meanwhile, Barry introduces the team to Mr Mills and Mr Boon, and Ben meets his alter-ego, Alexander Brannigan. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @VanderLaugh @RosieisaHolt Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot Join us on our Discord server! ht...2023-05-291h 07
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: Birthdays"For we're two jolly good fellows!" Indeed, both Barry and Ben's birthday's fall in the month of May, so for this month's bonus episode, Barry presents a goody-bag full of weird and wonderful birthday facts. There is "the birthday problem", the Canadian tradition of nose-greasing and the reason why everyone in Korea is about to de-age. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @VanderLaugh Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot Join us on our Discord server! https://discord.gg/9buWKthgfx Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us...2023-05-2230 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 273: Silvana Van der Velde - World's Worst Tax*Buy tickets to Barry's upcoming play Breeding here: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/breeding* There's only three certainties in life: death, taxes and the irresistible trundle of the neverending stream of podcasts. We bring you two of the dreaded horsemen this week, as nominated by our Patreon donor Peter Schaub and there was only ever one expert we could ask for this topic: the finest tax lawyer in the West, Ben's actual wife, Silvana. She makes a compelling case for the intricacies of VAT being a Lewis Carrol-esque world of nonsense, while Ben and Barry bring the...2023-04-171h 08
Worst Foot ForwardEp 272: Ben Davis - World's Worst Library*Buy tickets to Barry's upcoming play Breeding here: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/breeding* Shhhh! Silence please in the library, lest we set the demon librarian on you! Tiptoeing around the shelves with us is children's author Ben Davis who takes us spelunking under Paris. Meanwhile Ben finds a library with no books in it and Barry takes a deep dive into the mucky literary waters of Philip Larkin's life. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @bendavis_86 Follow us on Instagram: @worstfoot Join us on our Discord server! https://discord.gg/9buW...2023-04-031h 00
Worst Foot ForwardEp 268: Sam See - World's Worst Ice Cream*TICKETS FOR OUR LIVE SHOW AT LONDON'S VAULT FESTIVAL, 19th FEBRUARY 2023 @ 8.40pm: https://vaultfestival.com/events/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/* It's straight to dessert this week as we're joined by Singapore's finest comedian Sam See to delve into the sundae, the 99 flake and the whippy and find the worst among them. On our way we encounter samurai, jellyfish proteins, Father's for Justice and some terrifying Glaswegian gangsters. *TICKETS FOR BEN'S SHOW FABLEMAKER AT LONDON'S VAULT FESTIVAL, 21st/22nd FEBRUARY 2023 @ 9:10pm: https://vaultfestival.com/events/ben-van-der-velde-fablemaker/* *TICKETS TO SEE SAM SEE AT GOOD SHIP COMEDY ON THURSDAY 9T...2023-02-081h 09
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: James VI's Demonologie*TICKETS FOR OUR LIVE SHOW AT LONDON'S VAULT FESTIVAL, 19th FEBRUARY 2023 @ 8.40pm: https://vaultfestival.com/events/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ Inspired by some more contemporary controversy coming out of the House of Windsor, Ben and Barry examine the work of a more infamous royal whackjob. In 1597 James VI of Scotland released a treatise on necromancy, witchcraft, and how best to ward of the temptation of evil. We take a deep dive into it, with pit stops for unicorn snooker and depressed werewolves. *TICKETS FOR BEN'S SHOW FABLEMAKER AT LONDON'S VAULT FESTIVA, 21st/22nd FEBRUARY 2023 @ 9:10pm: https://vaultfestival.com/e...2023-01-3037 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 190: Jack Blackburn - World's Worst ParliamentarianThis week we call on the Honourable Member for Blackburn - that is, Times newspaper political diarist Jack Blackburn, who helps guide Barry and Ben through the hallowed halls of the the House of Commons in search of the World's Worst Parliamentarian. He brings tales of philanderers, hitmen and faked deaths, while Barry serves up some deadly turnips and Ben introduces us to the German politician who never existed. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @HackBlackburn Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us on Patreon if you’d l...2020-11-301h 07
Worst Foot ForwardEp 182: Rachel Creeger - World's Worst Old Testament CharacterAnd Lo, Barry and Ben grew long sagacious beards and set themselves to the hubristic task of marking the most doleful characters from the Good Book. And there was much smiting, gnashing of teeth and light blasphemy (mostly from Barry, as Ben likes to hedge his bets.) They are joined by comic, writer and much greater authority on the Torah than either of them, Rachel Creeger, as they explore human-angel hybrids, biblical soap operas and the Grim Reaper being a right old tease. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @RachCreeger Visit www.w...2020-09-281h 13
Worst Foot ForwardEp 178: Rich Watkins - World's Worst LanguageHello, bonjour and willkommen to this linguistically laden episode of Worst Foot Forward. Actor and student of languages Rich Watkins brings his talented tongue to bear on the World's Worst Language, with demonstrations of back slang and a very controversial candidate. Barry uncovers the secrets of the Rosetta Stone, and Ben doesn't disappoint long-time listeners with a discussion all about Klingon. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @RichWatkinsLDN Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to support the show during this who...2020-08-311h 09
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot - Christopher Columbus (Bonus Episode)As the famous rhyme doesn't go, 'In Twenty Twenty, Van der Velde and McStay / discovered Columbus was really from Norway'. After we were contacted by a Norwegian listener, Petter, with news from the north that there is a local legend in the tiny village of Hyen that Christopher Columbus was actually Norwegian. Not only that, there are TWO monuments in the village, to both the man himself and to 'Columbus's Egg'. Well, that was all we needed to set us off on a winding route in a bonus episode where we discover the mad stories about CC's origins, how...2020-08-2837 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 177: Ola The Comedian - World's Worst Nollywood MomentNo, there isn't a typo in this episode title and we aren't visiting the glitz and glam world of Hollywood. Instead, alongside the brilliant British-Nigerian comedian Ola, we are immersing ourselves in the brilliant, irrepressible but definitely crazy world of the Nigerian and West African film industry known as Nollywood. Ola tells us tales of snakes inserting themselves into lady-parts, Ben turns his seedy eye to bad CGI and Barry tells us exactly why Blackberry phones are so damn important. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @olathecomedian Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous e...2020-08-241h 10
Worst Foot ForwardEp 176: Naomi Paxton - World's Worst SpeechLadies and gentlemen, pray silence for this week's episode of Worst Foot Forward - or ideally, gales of laughter as we expound on the World's Worst Speech. We are joined by Dr Naomi Paxton, performer, feminist, academic, and far too brilliant to contain in one short intro. Naomi is full of wonderful stories about rollerskating suffragettes and backtracking misogynists, while Barry finds a 53 hour sermon and Ben sits through the ramblings of William Henry Harrison, whose inauguration speech was nearly longer than his presidency. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @NaomiPaxton Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.c...2020-08-171h 05
Worst Foot ForwardEp 175: Seb Falk - World's Worst MapWe are bang slap in the middle of nowhere, up a creek without a paddle and being urged violently to do a U-Turn where possible as we follow the World's Worst Map. Alongside us is historian Seb Falk who talks us through the weird and wonderful places and things to be found in the Hereford Mappa Mundi. Ben takes us wandering in the Mountains of Kong (spoiler: they don't exist) and Barry finds a map of a square and stationary Earth! Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @Seb_Falk Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for a...2020-08-101h 17
Worst Foot ForwardEp 172: Jessica Law - World's Worst Horror StoryListener beware, you’re in for a scare. Gather round the campfire and join Barry, Ben and guest Jessica Law as we tell the World’s Worst Horror Story. Ben takes on one of Bram Stoker’s lesser-known works, Jess holds forth at length on the dreadfulness of Penny Dreadfuls, and Barry goes back to the Noughties and opens a can of creepypasta. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @JessicaTheLaw Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to support the show during th...2020-07-201h 13
Worst Foot ForwardEp 170: Susan E. Connolly - World's Worst GhostListener beware, you're in for a scare as this week's podcast is crammed full of ghouls and ghastly apparitions. And that's just the hosts. Alongside Irish writer Susan E. Connolly, Barry and Ben attempt to bust the World's Worst Ghost. Their journey takes them to Asia to find eyeballs in arseholes, to Ireland to find daughters in bricked-up rooms, and to Theatre-Land to find butterflies in a pantomime dame's skirts! Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @susanconnolly Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can donate to us on Patreon if...2020-07-061h 01
Worst Foot ForwardEp 168: Mufseen Miah - World's Worst Pride*During Pride Month, join the podcast in supporting Black Pride UK. by clicking the link and donating* This week is Pride Week in the UK! So on the show we are going to rain(bow) on your parade in the company of LGBT rights activist and podcaster Mufseen Miah, as we take part in the World's Worst Pride. We learn about the hanky code and the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom from Barry, Mufseen teaches us about the history of the Pride Movement and the story of the Stonewall Uprising, and Ben takes us to the bottom of th...2020-06-221h 10
Worst Foot ForwardEp 166: Sif Boynton - World's Worst Law**Please join the podcast in supporting organisations working for justice and equality for black people. Spurred by the death of George Floyd and too many others, and in solidarity with the waves of protest around the world, we have donated this month's Patreon income to the following three, but there are many others which need your help: The Community Justice Exchange - National Bail Fund Network (USA), The NAACP Legal Defence Fund (USA), and Black Pride UK. This week we are joined by Sif Boynton, our friendly neighbourhood Dane and long-time Patreon donor to the show. With he...2020-06-081h 07
Worst Foot ForwardEp 163: Dr Lucy Rogers - World's Worst Science CommunicatorGod, the episode titles really don't really treat our guests very well, do they!? Dr Lucy Rogers is an absolutely world class science communicator, an inventor with a sense of fun and a whole lot to say to us on the topic of the World's Worst Science Communicator. She shares stories of fat trains and thin stations, Barry dives down ferret-holes in search of the evolutionary tree of fairies, and Ben takes aim at a big hitter: Alexander Graham Bell, hater of sign language. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @DrLucyRogers Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.c...2020-05-181h 00
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: Virtual Walking Tour Of London (Bonus Episode)We’re not really meant to bring groups of tourists wandering around London in these locked-down times, so Ben and Barry lead a virtual walking tour of the capital of the UK. This was live-streamed on Sunday 26th April 2020, and made use of Google Street View. There was a scavenger hunt if you want to have some fun at home, and you can follow along with the whole thing using the tour at this link: https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/builder#play/ahJzfmd3ZWItdG91cmJ1aWxkZXJyEQsSBFRvdXIYgIDg6KXr9wkM/ahJzfmd3ZWItdG91cmJ1aWxkZXJyJwsSBFRvdXIYgIDg6KXr9wkMCxIJUGxhY2VtYXJrGICA4Jj94b0JDA Fo...2020-04-302h 55
Worst Foot ForwardEp 159: John-Luke Roberts - World's Worst JokeThis week you find us brandishing our rubber chickens, whoopee cushions and banana skins in the company of one of the finest joke writers and most wonderfully absurd performers on the UK circuit: John-Luke Roberts. We’re on the hunt for the world’s worst joke, whether it’s painful damp squibs or punchlines that could end civilisation as we know it. I say, I say, I say… Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @jlukeroberts Watch Ben this week on NextUp Comedy on Wednesday and Friday here: https://www.twitch.tv/nextupcomedy Wat...2020-04-201h 09
Worst Foot ForwardEp 158: Derps & Dragons - World's Worst SpellRoll for initiative! Grab your dice, your pencils, character sheets and assorted costume pieces as we gather around the gaming table for a Dungeons And Dragons-heavy episode all about the World’s Worst Spell. We are joined by Tom, Mason and Andrew, some of the gang from Derps and Dragons (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMln1ldUBG9eeUfhpXT70_g) who lay out why Harry Potter would be swept aside by any competent D&D player. Ben delves inside Icelandic coin-purses, while Barry has a spell to counteract the greatest evil of all: Donald Trump. Follow us on Tw...2020-04-131h 04
Worst Foot ForwardJoe Wells - World's Worst RevolutionaryMan the barricades and try not to fall over the edge as you're doing it. Desperate times call for desperate measures and we've drafted in ace political comedian Joe Wells to help us find the freedom fighters and revolutionaries who we shouldn't be turning to in these turbulent times. Ben brings a classic of the "God talked to me and told me to rain down fire" genre, Barry unleashes centuries of Irish history all over the shop and Joe tells us about a very complicated woman indeed. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @joewellscomic Visit...2020-04-061h 15
Worst Foot ForwardCoronavirus RetrospectiveWell now...this has been quite the week, hasn't it. Ben stubbed his toe on a bed frame late on Friday night and it all seems to have got even worse from there. Like the world and his wife we've been busying reorganising, panicking, bellowing at the heavens and making the odd inappropriate joke about all this coronavirus shenanigans. We aim to be back with a new episode for you next week, but in the meantime, here's some clips from the vault inspired by viruses and self-isolation. You can hear us talking about an unsung Wor...2020-03-2327 min
Worst Foot ForwardBest of the Worst of the Best 9We're back with more sunshine, history and daftness in a hostful episode where we look back at previous episodes about terrible magic tricks, monarchs, legal defences, burlesque performers and playwrights and pick our favourite examples of each. It's a real pic'n'mix this week including the many faces of William Shakespeare, blowjobs, the coolest spy of all time, Dom Pedro the Magnanimous and some very unhinged knifeplay. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to...2020-03-161h 08
Worst Foot ForwardEp 155: Lucy Jane Atkinson - World's Worst Fashion ShowStrike a pose, this week we are strutting our stuff on the catwalk of catastrophe that is the World's Worst Fashion Show. Theatre director extraordinaire Lucy Jane Atkinson is with us to tell us of the time she found a fashion show up a mountain and to peek at the crotch of Rick Owens' more revealing creations. Ben takes us to the bizarre world of digital fashion and Barry delves into the past to meet Lucille, a trailblazer and trendsetter who was aboard the Titanic. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @lucypapoosky Visit www.wo...2020-03-091h 02
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: Leap Years (Bonus Episode)**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, with special guests Joel Morris, Dr Anna Ploszajski and one more to be announced... follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ This month's extra Patreon episode is inspired by one of our favourite ever discoveries on this show: Sweden and Finland's deployment of February 30th to regulate their calendars. We talk about Alfred Jarry, Pope Joan and get very confused indeed about maths. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now don...2020-02-2825 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 153: David Atherton - World's Worst Restaurant**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, with special guests Bec Hill, Dr Anna Ploszajski and Joel Morris follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ We have food royalty with us this week, the King of Tarts, the Prince of Profiteroles, the Emperor of The World's Most Famous Tent: 2019 Great British Bake-Off champion David Atherton joins Ben and Barry to chat about the World's Worst Restaurant. David shares his own dining disasters, Ben takes us to meet the maitre d' from hell and Barry explores the murky pages of the Michelin Guide. A...2020-02-241h 08
Worst Foot ForwardDelea Shand - World's Worst Opera**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, with special guests Bec Hill, Dr Anna Ploszajski and Joel Morris follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ Pop on an enormous ballgown, gargle until your vocal folds are primed and ready and prepare to belt out laughs at this week's episode all about the world's worst opera. Joined by an actual real domesticated opera singer - the brilliantly talented Delea Shand - Barry and Ben discover the cultural aberrations of operas that are short, long, Esperanto, Klingon and feature both helicopter blades and Paris Hi...2020-02-171h 10
Worst Foot ForwardEp 151: Katy Schutte - World's Worst Sea Creature**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, with special guests Bec Hill, Dr Anna Ploszajski and Joel Morris follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ Join us 20,000 leagues under the sea this week in Davy Jones's locker, somewhere behind his used socks and half-eaten apples. We are in the company of improviser extraordinaire and lover of all things maritime Katy Schutte and we be sailing in search of ye World's Worst Sea Creature. Along the way we meet some beautiful blob fish, some slimy hagfish and learn exactly Where Be Dragons. 2020-02-1059 min
Worst Foot ForwardThis Is Your Worst Life**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, with special guests Bec Hill, Dr Anna Ploszajski and one more to be announced... follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ 150 not out ladies and gentlemen! To celebrate hitting this, frankly ridiculous, milestone Ben and Barry interview each other and find out a few more of their own personal worsts. There's still lots of daft trivia thrown in too, including racehorse mating practices, Viking marriage ceremonies and the reason the Queen Mother became a drunk. Here's to another 150! Follow u...2020-02-031h 13
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: Dancing Plagues (Bonus Episode)**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, with special guests Bec Hill, Dr Anna Ploszajski and one more to be announced... follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ This month's extra Patreon episode is about Dancing Plagues. Ben takes Barry on a waltz through pre-Reformation Europe, around shrines to St Vitus, as well as to dance marathons in Depression Era USA and some rebellious riotous Japanese dances in the 1860s. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can n...2020-01-3117 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 149: Vicki Pipe - World's Worst Train**For tickets to our first ever live show in London on February 29th 2020, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ . Our guests include Bec Hill and Dr Anna Ploszajski plus another to be announced!** Tickets please, and get your feet off the seat while minding the gap and moving down inside the carriage: It's time to hop aboard the World's Worst Train, destination This Podcast. Ben and Barry are joined in the caboose by Vicki Pipe whose All The Stations project has seen her visit all the train stations in the UK and Ireland. She is he...2020-01-2758 min
Worst Foot ForwardBest of the Worst of the Best 8For tickets to our first ever live show in London on February 29th 2020, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ For tickets to Barry's play The First on February 11th - 16th, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/the-first/ For tickets to Ben's tour of Fablemaker, head to his website and follow the ticket links: https://www.benvandervelde.com/tour Since the third Monday in January is, apparently, statistically the most depressing day of the year, we thought we'd whack a smile on your collective faces with an episode celebrating some o...2020-01-201h 21
Worst Foot ForwardEp 148: Dominic Nicholls - World's Worst WeaponFor tickets to our first ever live show in London on February 29th 2020, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ Boom-bang-a-bang! Worst Foot Forward are waving their deadly weapons around. Ben and Barry are joined by former army man and current defence correspondent at The Daily Telegraph, Dom Nicholls who tries his best to be sergeant-major to their minor misdemeanours. Dom gives us the lowdown on nuclear weaponry, especially the ill-fated hand-held nuclear rocket launcher. Meanwhile, Barry kills a multitude of different animals in the company of Catholic saints and our friends at the Special Operations...2020-01-131h 07
Worst Foot ForwardThe World's Worst 'Best of 2019' Episode**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ Ho ho ho! Happy "that time of year again when the old year dies and the new one rises from its ashes"! But this time we're also changing decades. For those of you who find this much change far too scary, we've got some good ol' fashioned nostalgia to keep you grounded. Ben and Barry, with help from some of their dutiful Twitter followers, have been digging out some of their favourite moments from Worst Foot Forward in 2019...2019-12-3046 min
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: Christmas Traditions (Bonus Episode)** Still need a last-minute Christmas gift...Well, why not buy some tickets to our first ever live show, which is in London on February 29th 2020! Follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ Merry Christmas one and all! If you've already run out of topics of conversation with your family members, well Worst Foot Forward is here to help! Join us for a batch of festive trivia as Barry takes us on a sleigh-ride through some Christmas traditions from around the world. There is the New Zealand Christmas Tree, the Christmas Pickle, The Late Late Toy Show...2019-12-2529 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 146: Sara Pettit - World's Worst Tycoon**For tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ It's a momentous episode as we have our first ever $20/month Patreon donor joining us as a guest on the show! It's Sara Pettit, a history graduate, American gal and old chum of Ben from way back when, and she joins us to bring some of the World's Worst Tycoons to light. We delve into the backstories of big hitters like JP Morgan and JD Rockefeller, we learn about how the founder of IKEA got his big break...2019-12-231h 06
Worst Foot ForwardChris Stokes - World's Worst MysteryPeer into your perpetually murky crystal ball and you might just be able to pick up this week's episode with comedian Chris Stokes, all about the world's worst mysteries. There's everything from the wildly implausible to the disappointingly mundane as we discover who might (but probably didn't) kill JFK, the sad tale of a very hungry French circus freak and why herring farts almost started a war. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @_chris_stokes Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to...2019-12-161h 11
Worst Foot ForwardEp 144: Suzi Battersby - World's Worst Make-UpFor tickets to our first ever live show on February 29th 2020, follow this link: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/worst-foot-forward-live-recording/ This week our lipstick is smeared, our eyeliner is running and our foundations are subsiding as we apply the World’s Worst Make-Up. We are joined by prosthetics artist Suzi Battersby (http://www.suzibattersby.com) who talks us through her work on Star Wars and Holby City as well as visiting some of cinema’s less glorious and more racist moments. Ben goes on a jaunt with an Edwardian toff and prankster, while Barry has us glowing with radi...2019-12-091h 06
Worst Foot ForwardSPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! LIVE SHOW ALERT!BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME! We are doing our first ever LIVE RECORDING of Worst Foot Forward! It’s time to allow an audience to witness just how shambolic things are behind-the-mic… On February 29th 2020, at 4.30pm, we are throwing the World’s Worst Dinner Party at the VAULT Festival in Waterloo in London. Ben and Barry will be joined by 3 former guests of the podcast - yet to be announced, but we promise you, they’re among our and your favourites from the past 3 years of shows. We will be trying out some food from the Futurists Cookbook. There wi...2019-12-0504 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 143: Mike Shephard - World's Worst PilgrimageCome brethren, follow us into the unknown in search of greater glory - or certainly greater glorious failure, as we set off on the World's Worst Pilgrimage. We are joined barefoot and penitent by comedian and history buff Mike Shephard who teaches us all we could ever hope to know about the Children's Crusade. Ben leads us three times around a few Irish islands, and Barry gives creepy Japanese dolls a Viking send off. There are also chapels for dogs, imaginary pilgrimages and the micronation of Seborga. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @MikeShephard V...2019-12-021h 01
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot: WarlocksCheck out 'Literally Everyone Else In The World', the Dungeons and Dragons-themed Christmas single from The Oxventurers Guild, who are DM-ed and inspired by former pod-guest Johnny Chiodini. Proceeds from the song go to Mind, the mental health charity. This month's Third Foot is itself inspired by our episode with Johnny, where we discussed the World's Worst D&D Class. Ben takes us to the weird and wonderful world of warlocks! Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us o...2019-11-2926 min
Worst Foot ForwardAlison Spittle - World's Worst Martial Arts MovieSay "konichiwa" to an hour of wayward ass-kicking (we were actually aiming for our elbows) in the company of brilliant Irish comedian Alison Spittle as we dive into the bizarre and tasteless world of terrible martial arts movies. We discover the mercenary world of Brucesploitation, the homemade kitsch of Ireland's only martial arts movie and how one American gymnast turned a pommel horse into a deadly weapon! Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @AlisonSpittle Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d...2019-11-251h 17
Worst Foot ForwardEp 141: Xand Van Tulleken - World's Worst DietOpen wide and prepare to swallow some truly terrible ideas as we uncover the wild and bizarre history of dieting this week. We're joined by the globe-trotting, myth-busting, BAFTA-nominated doctor and TV presenter Xand Van Tulleken who is there to fact-check us on our science and quackery. As usual we ping from the ancient world to the modern as we discover the $10,000 bottle of water it's too dangerous to drink, a Looney Toon who exists solely on air and sunlight and why you should never eat a tapeworm in Tonga. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @b...2019-11-111h 25
Worst Foot ForwardRoann McCloskey - World's Worst FeministLadies (and gents, but only if you're ready to play nice), let's march arm in arm towards a more equal, happier future. Along the way, we're likely to learn from the mistakes of some of the World's Worst Feminists that we discuss with powerhouse performer Roann McCloskey. Roann turns her ire on the disappointing lack of solidarity from the likes of Germaine Greer and Paula Radcliffe. Barry dons a hazmat suit and ventures onto the darker message boards of the internet. And Ben takes us on an actual WITCH hunt. This is a bumper episode, with some quite meaty...2019-11-041h 20
Worst Foot ForwardDan Muggleton - World's Worst PrisonWe are rattling the cages and walking the yards of the World's Worst Prison this week in the company of convict-by-birth, Australian comedian Dan Muggleton. Dan's love of prison documentaries sees him lead us into the terrifying but also porous 'Breakout Prison' of Papua New Guinea. Meanwhile, Ben squeezes into the smallest prison in the world, and Barry guides us round some of the most famous prisons on the planet, as well as chucking us into the cloaca of ancient Rome. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @danmuggleton Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all...2019-10-281h 04
Worst Foot ForwardJonny Sharples - World's Worst Sports Club OwnerPeep! The whistle is being blown this week, not just on the pitch but off it too as we turn both barrels on the World’s Worst Sports Club Owners. We are joined by ‘online joker’ Jonny Sharples who wallows alongside Ben as a fan of the long-suffering Newcastle United FC. It’s not just football clubs who get a drubbing, even though some of their owners have included the hardened criminals, arsonists and, in one case, over 50,000 crowdfunders. There’s also finally a nomination for a certain orange New York property developer and “president”… Follow us on Twitter: @wor...2019-10-211h 07
Worst Foot ForwardRobert Taylor-Hastings - World's Worst RobotBleep blorp, does not compute! This week, we risk infuriating our future overlords by naming and shaming the World's Worst Robots. We are joined by the implausibly handsome Rob Taylor-Hastings, actor and co-host of the podcast Roboteers Standby. He educates us about the history of Robot Wars and the magical geeky gladiators who engage in robot combat. Meanwhile, Barry stays in a hotel staffed by annoying machines and Ben looks at some terrifying attempts at real-life deep fakes. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @RTaylorHastings Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and y...2019-09-161h 04
Worst Foot ForwardEp 132: Steve Gribbin - World's Worst RailwayAll aboard! Anyone who has ever used public transport in the UK knows that one of our favourite past times is complaining about our unbelievably sub-standard rail network, so it's about time we found out where it comes in the global and historical standing of terrible railways. Joined by musical comedy legend and self-confessed maverick trainspotter Steve Gribbin, Ben and Barry chug along on a journey from the Corinthian in Ancient Greece to the Vatican City via New Zealand, Burma and a very creepy Victorian rail system. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @mrstevegribbin2019-09-091h 01
Worst Foot ForwardEpisode 131c - A Variety Pack of SchadenfreudeBen's still decompressing from Edinburgh and Barry's away galivanting for his wedding anniversary, so we've thrown together a quick Worst Foot trifle of some of our favourite bits that didn't quite make the final cut over the past couple of years. We cover all the bases: Hamlet set in LA, the group dynamics of Alvin and the Chipmunks, Vladimir Putin's short-lived ice hockey career and a witch doctor pro-wrestler going ten-pin bowling. Guest featured in this episode are Thom Tuck, Christian Tablot, Helen Arney, Tez Ilyas and Jim Smallman. Enjoy and we'll be back with a full ep...2019-09-0228 min
Worst Foot ForwardThe Third Foot - Madame TussaudsCome listeners! Join us in the snaking queue into the uncanny valley! Ben and Barry are a bit glassy-eyed in this month's bonus Patreon episode, as we venture into Madame Tussauds. Yes, there's no apostrophe. No, we're not happy about it either. Voted the World's Worst Tourist Attraction in our episode with playwright Camilla Whitehill, we're back for more torture in this chamber of horrors. We take a look at the real woman behind the name, learn how the models are actually made and examine the dubious presence of Hitler among the smiling famous faces. Follow us...2019-08-3027 min
Worst Foot ForwardBest of the Worst of the Best 6It's a Ben-and-Barry duo episode, another chance to delve back into the archives and revisit past shows. This week we flip the record on episodes 26 to 30, finding the very BEST in the subjects we covered back then. And boy, does that prove tricky when picking the Best Serial Killer... alongside that, we also look at drivers, musical duos, horror films and aliens. The whole thing has a bit of an aquatic feel, with appearances by both Jaws and space whales, while there are also chats on stunt drivers, the iconic sitcom 'Alf' and Lennon and McCartney. Yes, Ben's at...2019-08-2655 min
Worst Foot ForwardAlex Kealy - World's Worst Musical InstrumentThis week we have our tuning forks and ear trumpets out as we play the world's worst musical instruments. We are joined by comedian, writer, tutor and former recorder-enthusiast Alex Kealy, who regales us with tales of the vuvuzela's bio-hazardous capabilities. Ben looks at one-man-bands..one-men-band...one-mans-band... those guys. And Barry blows on the most terrifying whistle in history, courtesy of our old friends, the Aztecs. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @alexkealy Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to...2019-07-2259 min
Worst Foot ForwardAngus Dunican - World's Worst ApologyFor what you are about to hear, we are truly sorry. Which is appropriate, as we are all about the World’s Worst Apology this week in the company of the sorry excuse for a human that is Angus Dunican and with guest judge, Patreon supporter and friend of the show, the unforgivable Dr Keir Shiels. We have big hitters like Galileo and the US government, Barry goes round the board of the game Sorry!, Ben joins a Japanese measles cult and we all try to cast the stage adaptation of The Muppets Christmas Carol. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @baz...2019-07-011h 02
Worst Foot ForwardEp 106a: Best of the Worst of the Best 4With the first inklings of spring in the air, Ben and Barry are feeling positively positive about things and so once again are delving back into the archives in search of some of the World's Best. In this instance, we look at the topics from Episodes 16 to 20: Conspiracy Theory, Haircut, Teen Movie, Parasite and Wine. There are missing landmasses, Polish plaits, classical literature, sniffer-wasps and Buzz Aldrin's sherry, all in this potpourri of pleasantness. Normal negativity will resume next week. Tickets to Barry's play VESPERTILIO, which opens this week, can be purchased here: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/v...2019-02-181h 01
Worst Foot ForwardEp 101: Sooz Kempner - World's Worst DivaPop on your diamante slippers, swish your feather boa around your neck and strut your way in 2019 with tales of the world's worst divas. Accompanied by magnificent musical comic Sooz Kempner we tell the tales of Handel's warring divas, Freddie Mercury's run-ins with Sid Vicious (and a lot of dwarves) and why the heir to the British throne doesn't understand how sandwiches work. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @SoozUK Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to support Ben’s new b...2019-01-071h 12
Worst Foot ForwardEp 100b: The World's Worst 'Best of 2018' EpisodeNew Year’s Eve, the clocks tick towards midnight with the prospect of turning the page on 2018. BUT NO! We keep you firmly rooted in the past as we look back at our so-called “best bits” from episodes released over the past year. There are returns for several old friends, not least the French president who died in flagrante delicto, an unwitting newsreader with a numerical disadvantage, and an English toff brandishing a wasp gun. Thanks for listening in 2018 and here’s to a 2019 full of more of the world’s worst stuff. Love, Barry & Ben. Follow us on Twit...2018-12-3038 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 100a: Best of the Worst of the Best 3This week we head to the appendix of our encyclopaedia of heroic failure and talk about some stone cold heroes. Way back in early 2017 we talked about the worst board games, fairy tales, professional wrestlers, TV comedies and first dates - now Ben and Barry return to the scene of the crimes to laud some champions. On our way we uncover the real story behind Beauty and the Beast, why Calvin Coolidge was a hit with the ladies and laud a big, battle-scarred bear with a scabby heart of gold. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @b...2018-12-241h 03
Worst Foot ForwardEp 100: Ben and Barry - World's Worst CenturySweet holy mother of everything that's heroically awful: we made it to 100 episodes! To celebrate Ben and Barry drill down into everything terrible about the number 100: from dodgy bank notes to terrible cricketers and golfers, suspiciously young super-centenarians, premature wartime celebrations and bang average cars. As ever, we take you on a journey including all human life from Ancient Etruscans to disappearing Carolingians, via the Venerable Bede and Edward VII. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon...2018-12-1756 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 99: Anuvab Pal - World's Worst EmpireWe are boldly setting out to civilise you this week, as we talk about the World’s Worst Empire. Our guest this week is regular contributor to satirical podcast The Bugle, comedian and writer Anuvab Pal. As a native of India, and with Barry as his sidekick, Anuvab gives the British Empire a bemused and loving revision. Barry takes us all the way from Haiti to a galaxy far, far away, and Ben has a nosey around the micronations of the world, in all their tax-evading glory. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @AnuvabPal 2018-12-101h 00
Worst Foot ForwardEp 98: Lucy Johnston - World's Worst Vending MachineInspired by the mot batshit crazy Patreon suggestions we've had so far, we plunged head first into the surprisingly fertile and unsurprisingly weird world of terrible vending machines. Thankfully we had a responsible adult with us as our guide in the shape of Lucy Johnston - author, curator, futures consultant and, as it turns out, a fairly impressive authority on vending machines. This week we discover a Roman inventor to rival Da Vinci, the folly of Piggly Wiggly, a lobster nightmare and, of course absolutely loads of bizarre stuff from Japan. Follow us on T...2018-12-031h 14
Worst Foot ForwardEp 97: Andrew O'Neill - World's Worst GodOur listeners, who art in the internet, hallowed be this episode of Worst Foot Forward. We are getting blasphemous this week in every possible religion by denouncing the World's Worst God with comic, musician and practicer of magic, Andrew O'Neill. We look at obscure ancient deities, eternal bacon, Dutch eel-vendors and Andrew tells us about the ultimate case of 'cutting your nose of to spite your face'. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @destructo9000 Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d lik...2018-11-261h 03
Worst Foot ForwardEp 96: Anna Ploszajski - World's Worst MaterialWe're joined this week by the eminently qualified Dr Anna Ploszajski - Young Engineer of the Year, Channel Swimmer, science explainer and graphene-hater to talk about the worst material on earth. As eclectic as ever, we uncover a World War 2 plan by the British military to create aircraft carriers out of icebergs made of ice and sawdust, the blackest substance on earth, an astonishingly petty art spat featuring Anish Kapoor and how to make a prison that Ant Man could never escape from. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @AnnaPloszajski Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all...2018-11-191h 07
Worst Foot ForwardEp 95: Schalk Bezuidenhout - World's Worst GigTesting, one two one two, is this thing on…? We’re met by a mix of cricket sounds, flying bottles and scathing reviews this week as we perform the World’s Worst Gig. We have the company of South African comic Schalk Bezuidenhout who shares a first-person tale of steakhouses, strippers and stand-up. Ben takes us to the worst Beatles gig ever (those of you playing the Ben/Beatles drinking game, down it) and Barry goes to the not-so-genteel theatres of Covent Garden. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @shalkiebez Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and yo...2018-11-1259 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 94: Mike Stuchberry - World's Worst EpidemicThis week we're donning our sterilised plastic gloves, three face masks and a full hazmat suit as we prepare to deal with the world's most peculiar, disturbing and deadly epidemics. We're joined by outstanding historian and curator of one of the most informative and sinister Twitter feeds around, Mike Stuchbery. Together we talk about renaissance nuns pretending to be cats, Singaporean men who think their wangers have disappeared and why it’s never a good idea to throw a smallpox party. We also discover the unusual genesis of cooties (hi America listeners!), dabble in some medieval witchcraft and discover wh...2018-11-051h 19
Worst Foot ForwardEp 93: Joel Morris - World's Worst Musical FilmThis week we are jazz-handing, kicklining and tumbling sideways off a swirling staircase into a pile of soggy Busby Berkeley girls. It’s time for us to explore the World’s Worst Musical Films with a show-stopping guest in the form of acclaimed comedy writer Joel Morris. If you think you’ve seen bad musicals well, you ain’t heard nothing yet folks. Barry plots his way through a plotless film starring The Beegees but using the music of The Beatles, Joel teaches us to be sexy with octogenarian Mae West and Ben…oh Ben…Ben gives us the gift of Fran...2018-10-291h 08
Worst Foot ForwardEp 92: Aidan Goatley - World's Worst TattooBite down hard and prepare to feel some unusual pain as we inflict the world's worst tattoos on you. Joined by the charming stand-up comic Aidan Goatley we return to the terrifying world of Russian prisons, uncover some creepy Cold War secret, Japanese pelts, the mysterious Edith and why early 20th century royalty were absolutely covered in ink. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @MrAidanGoatley Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to support Ben’s new baby and Barry’s crippling trivia addiction: www.pa...2018-10-221h 16
Worst Foot ForwardEp 91: Bex Lindsay - World's Worst ToyThis week we enter one of the creepiest world's imaginable: the nightmarish dimension of terrible toys. With award-winning children's radio host Bex Lindsay as our guide we uncover the dark truth about the Beanie Babies, a darker truth about how certain people like to make babies and quite a lot of toys that you absolutely must keep away from babies. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @BexLindsay Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us on Patreon if you’d like to support Ben’s new baby and Barry’s crippling trivia...2018-10-161h 15
Worst Foot ForwardEp 90: Andrew Shaffer - World's Worst Fan FictionLet your imaginations run wild - this week we are reading the World's Worst Fan Fiction. Our guest is Andrew Shaffer, New York Times best-selling author and fan fiction parody writer extraordinaire. He tells us about the genesis of 50 Shades Of Grey among thousands of other Twilight fan fiction tales, while Ben talks about sex and Barry dives back in time to some of the earliest fan fiction stories around. It's a very saucy episode - if there isn't slash fiction written about us after this one, then you're all clearly made of wood! Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot...2018-10-081h 04
Worst Foot ForwardEp 89: Jack Bernhardt - World's Worst PresidentHaving already determined the worst monarch and emperors of all time we return to what can best be described as History's Marianna Trench of awful leaders to uncover the Worst President. And no, it's not who you think it is - but only because he's not had enough time to do that much damage. Joined by BBC Radio 4 and Guardian writer Jack Bernhardt examine likely candidates from the IOC, the Hall of Presidents and a French President who died perhaps the most French death of all time. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @jackbern23 Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com...2018-10-011h 03
Worst Foot ForwardEp 88: Helen McCarthy - World's Worst CultThe Church of the Holy Worst Foot holds the secret to eternal satisfaction you've been looking for all your life. Available for a low low lifetime subscription fee of several million pounds! This week, we are joined by host of That's A Cult?, Helen McCarthy, to discuss the World's Worst Cults. There are Japanese foot-readers, Indian bike-worshippers, Quebecois masochists, militant nudists and The Crown Prince of Hell himself. Just another day in the compound then... Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @thatsacult @helenlmccarthy Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to us...2018-09-241h 00
Worst Foot ForwardEp 87: Matt Highton - World's Worst Death SceneSlashed down in a shower, melted by a girl and her little dog too or just squashed by an ACME anvil - it’s time for this podcast to die in the World’s Worst Death Scene possible. Taking on this topic suggested by Patreon supporter Catherine Pugh is comedian Matthew Highton who revisits the third instalment in the legendary Basket Case trilogy. Remember guys? Remember Basket Case? Ah you do. No? Really? There’s also plenty of paltry perishing from Barry and Ben too, with diversions into Shakespeare and snuff films, Ancient Rome and Ethan Frome. This one has th...2018-09-1757 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 86: Molly Ker Hawn - World's Worst Fictional ChildIn this episode we line up some of the stickiest, naughtiest, most badly behaved and obnoxiously prodigious children ever created by authors and line them up for six of the best. We're joined by literary agent Molly Ker Hawn, someone who is steeped in children's literature as National Programs Director at the Children’s Book Council and a past board member of the United States Board on Books for Young People. Like all good agents she knows what she likes and doesn't hold back when she finds something that doesn't cut the mustard. We end up talking about Belgian ne...2018-09-101h 09
Worst Foot ForwardEp 85: Taylor Glenn - World's Worst DetectiveGumshoes on, private dicks at the ready, it’s time to crack the case of the World’s Worst Detective. With us is the multi-talented Taylor Glenn, host of the Drunk Women Solving Crime podcast and she sweeps her magnifying glass across the questionable tactics of on-screen detectives. Meanwhile, Ben looks into the weird and wild biography of the father of modern detection, and Barry journeys to Cabot Cove, murder capital of the world, to hunt down Angela Lansbury. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @taylorglennuk @drunkwomenpod Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now...2018-09-0358 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 84b: The Best Of The Worst of the Best 2Hop in the time machine! Ben and Barry are jumping back to episodes 6-10 as they revisit those subjects - but in a positive light! 76 episodes ago we uncovered the worst British Day Out, Architect, Astronaut, Heist Movie and General. This time, the very best of these include burning Viking longboats in the Shetland Islands, a classic film oozing Cool Britannia and a buccaneering French aristocrat. AND there's a redemption story for an old friend from space. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @podnose Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to...2018-08-271h 04
Worst Foot ForwardEp 82: Oscar Toeman - World's Worst ResignationThis week we are stepping down, shaking golden handshakes and leaving with our heads held high. Theatre director Oscar Toeman will guide Ben and Barry through the awkward history of the world’s worst resignations. Ben explores Ferdinand Marcos’ attempts to cling to power, Barry tells of a British peer who revealed his affairs a bit prematurely and Oscar sticks his head under the toilet cubicle doors in the old Wembley stadium to witness an England manager’s demise. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @OscarT216 Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate...2018-08-1352 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 81: Francesco De Carlo - World's Worst PrankCome, shake us by the hand. BUZZZZZZ! Smell the flower in my lapel. SPLAAAASSSHHHH! Sit on this comfy cushion. FAAARRTTTT! Sorry guys, but this week we are full of mischief and trickery as we try out some of the World’s Worst Pranks. With us is Italian comedian and former host of a radio prank show Francesco De Carlo who tells us about the time he lost a classmate in a Viennese museum. Barry explores the imperial history of whoopee cushions and how the British tried to beat Hitler with porn. And Ben takes in the spaghetti harvest and te...2018-08-0653 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 80: Abigail Burdess - World's Worst DanceOne two three, step two three, one two three, I’m so sorry, I’ve crushed your toes. Swing your partners round and round this week, it’s time for us to chassis our way into the World’s Worst Dance. Grabbing us round the waist and clinging on for dear life is our guest, the comedian, writer and actress Abigail Burdess, who has a few choice words for Morris dancers everywhere. Meanwhile, Ben takes us to the early days of modern dance with a look at Stravinksy’s ‘Rite of Spring’ as choreographed by a horse, and Barry diagnoses danc...2018-07-3053 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 79: Dani Charlton - World's Worst Band NameMany a good band has fallen by the wayside for want of a decent name. Then again, some have prospered despite really pisspoor monikers - take a bow, Coldplay. Radio presenter and producer Dani Charlton is with us skim our record collections in search of the World's Worst Band Names. There are endless death metal and witch house groups, some Martians who named themselves in French binary, a couple of Motts and one or two Hooples. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @Dani_Charlton Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous episodes and you can now donate to...2018-07-231h 07
Worst Foot ForwardEp 78: Georgie Morrell - World's Worst HangoverKnock back a raw egg, fetch another pail of Bloody Mary and get ready to talk to Ralph on the big white telephone as we uncover the history of the worst hangovers of all time. We're joined by actress, comedian and disability campaigner Georgie Morrell as we disclose our worst indignities - involving Red Setters, hiking boots and Scottish tramps - as well as PG Wodehouse's classification system for hangovers, the real man to blame for Abe Lincoln's assassination and an incredible story involving 400 mythical Aztec bunny rabbits. One hell of a morning after the night before! Follow us...2018-07-1657 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 77: John Robertson - World's Worst HousemateWe're not saying you HAVE to listen to this week's episode all about the World's Worst Housemate with comedian John Robertson. We're just leaving you a gentle reminder comprised of several Post-It notes written in Sharpie with lots of CAPITALS and underlined words. Consider this a suggestion rather than a requirement. But if you DO listen, you'll discover that some Byzantine kings liked to bite their servants, that part of Notting Hill declared independence back in the 70s and that John has a staggering real-life story about organic food and familial intimacy. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde...2018-07-0957 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 76b - The Best of the Worst of the BestHolding patterns everyone! Ben and Barry are joined by no one but themselves in this special one-off episode. Together they go back through the first five subjects they talked about 76 episodes ago - worst psychological treatment, superhero, Beatles song, console game and protest - and uncover the stories of some of the best examples of each. As ever, they end up covering the globe and the history books: from 9th century Persia to modern day Liberia, via weaponised cows and a lot of Beatles trivia. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @podnose Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all...2018-07-021h 04
Worst Foot ForwardEp 76: Lily Sloane - World's Worst TherapistThis week, we invite you to tell us about your feelings. Yes, it's a proper therapy session as Barry and Ben lie on the couch with Lily Sloane, therapist and host of the 'A Therapist Walks Into A Bar' podcast. Lily answers all our questions with questions, Ben is on tenterhooks awaiting his new baby and Barry is ready to unload 18 months worth of feelings. We indulge in some glasses of urine, discover the most toxic of men and delve into Freud's cocaine habit. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @lilyrosesloane Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for all previous...2018-06-251h 05
Worst Foot ForwardEp 75: Tristan Bernays - World's Worst Sex SceneWarning guys. This week's episode is SERIOUSLY SEXY. Stick on some mood music, dim the lights, burn some incense and relax as we lather on the baby-oil in the company of playwright Tristan Bernays. This week's orgy of awful is all about the World's Worst Sex Scene and there are some - literal - bangers in here for you. There are appearances by the Marquis de Sade and Morrissey, we take a trip to the brothels of Pompeii and we discover that men will have sex with literally anything - even picnic tables. Genuinely, if you are a bit...2018-06-181h 02
Worst Foot ForwardEp 74: Paul Duncan McGarrity - World's Worst KnightArise, ye noble listeners of Worst Foot Forward - sorry about accidentally slicing your heads off. Never mind, be of good cheer as Squires McStay and Van der Velde are joined by Sir Paul Duncan McGarrity, erstwhile archaeologist and comedian. Their quest: to venture forth in search of the World’s Worst Knight. Along the way they may face such dangers as Communist dictators with knighthoods, Queen Elizabeth I’s least favourite favourite, and a man armed with the most ridiculous weapon of all: a wasp gun. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @PaulDuncanMcG Visit www.worstfootforwardpodcast.com for...2018-06-111h 02
Worst Foot ForwardEp 64: Tulip Siddiq MP - World's Worst Fashion AccessoryHandbags and glad-rags time, as Ben and Barry record an episode in the Houses of Parliament in London, no less! And joining them is a dedicated follower of fashion and Labour Party Member of Parliament for Hampstead and Kilburn, Tulip Siddiq. Taking time from her busy schedule, Tulip's love of style is on full display as she confesses to past - and present fashion faux pas. Meanwhile Barry tries to insert a dog into a muff and Ben does his utmost to gross everyone out with invasive jewellery and lizards. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde...2018-04-0241 min
Worst Foot ForwardEp 54: Will Seaward - World's Worst PirateYo-ho-ho and a bottle of Cointreau, it’s time for these salty seadogs to tell ye a tale! Gather ye round as Cap’n Will Seaward, comedian and storyteller of yore, is piped aboard the good ship Worst Foot Forward by Cabin Boy Van der Velde and Able Seaman McStay. Avast and away, they set sail in search of treasure, namely the World’s Worst Pirates. But beware! For there be many dragons along the way, including a pirate monk, a man who it is said ate his enemies hearts and even the man who is the reason we wannab...2018-01-151h 02
Worst Foot ForwardEp 50: Sam Lebens - World's Worst MessiahIt's our fiftieth episode, our golden anniversary and to celebrate, Ben and Barry have got a real rabbi to bless their union. Sam Lebens joins the boys to pray for the coming of the World's Worst Messiah. Barry puts his Jesuit education to good use with stories of Micronesian 'cargo cults', Ben gets down and dirty amidst some Reformation orgies and Sam brings an academic eye to the question 'what makes a good Messiah anyway?'. Tune in for fake Moseses, cannonball catching and sexually-transmitted Antichrists. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde2017-12-181h 00
Worst Foot ForwardEp 48: Masud Milas - World's Worst Blaxploitation Movie*Cue outrageously funky wah-wah pedal and slick hi-hat action* Flick up the collars of your trenchcoat, coiffure your Afro to perfection and get ready to lay some righteous Smackdown on Whitey and the establishment as we join comedian and radio host Masud Milas on a journey into the world of Blaxploitation films. As ever on our search for the worst of all time, we come across all sorts of horrifying wonders, including gay B-Movie Blaxploitation aliens from Mars, Dutch Angles, spitting on graves, pimps and whores galore and Melvin Van Peebles penis. PART 1 [00:00] PART 2 [05:23] What Masud is Worst at...2017-12-041h 16
Worst Foot ForwardEp 39: Ben Mepsted - World's Worst StrikerGoooooooaaaaaalllllllll! For those of you expecting a podcast about the world’s worst takers of industrial action - sorry, this one is about football strikers. Joining us is the host of The Football Question podcast, Ben Mepsted, to help us find some of the most backwards forwards ever (and indeed, never) to find the net. As always there are some fun facts - what man has played international football in four decades, why Fabrizio Ravanelli makes an excellent masturbation aid, and what IS the best anagram of David Ginola? And there are some genuinely crazy stories including the tale of...2017-10-021h 01
Worst Foot ForwardEp 24: Nat Luurtsema - World's Worst LodgingsThey say there’s no place like home - and in the case of the homes we discuss this week, THANK GOD! We delve into the World’s Worst Lodgings with our guest: no less than a BAFTA nominated screenwriter, stand-up, sketch comedian, actor, author - the multi-talented and multi-vowel-possessing Nat Luurtsema. Nat helps us face up to some home truths as we wade through the murky depths of our former university dwellings. We go exploring a poisonous granny-flat, Ben’s Edinburgh Festival digs, Barry’s showery sex life, Megan Fox’s menagerie and a few horrible hermitages. Follow us on Twit...2017-06-1253 min
Worst Foot ForwardWFF Teaser Trailer ft. Bec HillA taste of what's to come on Worst Foot Forward, a new podcast about the world's worst things and life's biggest losers. Hosted by two of them, Barry McStay and Ben Van der Velde. First episodes coming January 2017.2016-12-0105 min