Full series following successful pilot

Radio 4 has commissioned a full series of Kiri Pritchard-McLean’s panel discussion show Best Medicine, all about healthcare.

Ten more episodes are to be made following a successful pilot, based on celebrating scientific breakthroughs, happy accidents and the pioneering characters in the field.

Pritchard-McLean said: ‘I’m so delighted Best Medicine has snagged itself a series. I loved hosting the pilot - and not only did I have a blast, I now have a raft of facts ready for my next pub quiz.’

Each week the stand-up will challenge a panel of medical experts and one comedian to each make a case for what they think is the ‘best medicine’ – whether it be an invention, a technique, drugs or a person.

The pilot – still available on BBC Sounds – featured comic Darren Harriott, medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris, Oxford biomaterials researcher Eleanor Stride and Mark Wilson, co-founder of a revolutionary platform that alerts doctors, nurses, paramedic and those trained in basic life support to emergencies around them.

Producer Ben Worsfield of Large Time Productions added: ‘ The pilot proved medicine can be as funny as it is inspiring, with some incredible guests who shared their extraordinary knowledge with us.

‘There are so many more people, procedures, potions and pills to explore in the series and we’re so lucky to have Kiri - she’s the perfect host to celebrate all the funny and fascinating facts from the amazing experts and comedians we’ve lined up.’

Pritchard-McLean already hosts her own show on Sunday afternoons on BBC Radio Wales and was previously the host of Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack.

Published: 9 Aug 2022