BBC broadcasts old episode by mistake

Radio 4 has accidentally aired an out-of-date episode of the supposedly topical Now Show.

Hugh Dennis and Steve Punt's satire airs every Friday night and is repeated on Saturday lunchtimes.

But a mix-up over the recordings meant the wrong episode was broadcast - leaving listeners hearing week-old gags.

A BBC spokesman said that the error was only realised once the show had started – too late to interrupt it and start again.

He said: ‘Last Friday’s episode went out today. It was a technical error and by the time we had located this week’s edition, it was too late.’

After the show, an annoucement was read out saying: ‘As many of you will have noticed, that edition of The Now Show wasn’t very now. It was actually last week’s programme. Our apologies for that.’

The correct episode is available on iPlayer.

Published: 13 Mar 2010