Podcast Summary: Ed Gamble & Matthew Crosby on Radio X – Episode 339: Stuart Laws / Monsieur Format
Published: December 21, 2025
Duration: 8am–11am (recorded highlights)
Episode Overview
This festive edition of Ed Gamble and Matthew Crosby’s Sunday breakfast show delivers a characteristically chaotic blend of comedy, listener interaction, and irreverent festive spirit. The episode features comedian Stuart Laws (“Monsieur Format”) as a guest, an ongoing hunt for the thickest listener stories in the annual "12 Listeners of Thickmas," plenty of music chat, game show antics, and playful digs at each other’s life choices and holiday plans. Expect recurring nonsense, warmth, puns, and signature improvisational energy.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Christmas Chaos & Listener Banter
[00:10–05:56]
- The hosts discuss Christmas stress (Ed likens himself to Gil from The Simpsons), gigging, and listener emails.
- Listener Mick Chen's bar sketch and bodily function talk adds the signature gross-out humor.
- Recap of listener submissions for the 12 Thickmas Listeners song.
Notable Quote:
Ed Gamble [00:38]: “My happy place is being stressed by a little bit too much work.”
2. Opening Riffs & Improvised Intros
[06:01–09:12]
- Matthew decides to improvise the show’s intro, with Ed acting as improv partner; the scenario: “shoe salesman in the Arctic.”
- Tangents on writing rehearsed content versus embracing off-the-cuff radio chaos.
Notable Quote:
Matthew Crosby [06:51]: “As an artist, I have to evolve.”
3. Christmas (Lack of) Plans
[09:13–10:45]
- Ed and Matthew debate who has less Christmas plans, then elaborate a scheme to rent each other’s kids for festive “grandchildren” duties at their parents’ houses.
- In-jokes about disguising as an armchair and plans dissolving on live radio.
4. Clutchmas & Heavy Metal Gigs
[11:08–15:46]
- Ed recounts going to a Clutch gig, his “Clutchmas” tradition, and being on the guest list for the first time.
- Discussion on being seated at rock shows (“I want to dance, I want to shout”), proper gig behavior, and drinking capacity.
Notable Quote:
Ed Gamble [15:14]: “You only have one pint of blood, don’t you? Because you’re so small.”
Matthew Crosby [15:19]: “You should never be drinking double your blood.”
5. Festive Band Silliness & Listener Stories
[17:42–18:14, 19:17–20:55]
- Stuart joins in as they react to punk songs, compare listeners' intelligence to their own (“you are, of course, incredibly thick”), and read out “Thickmas” submissions.
Listener “Thickmas” Moments:
- Believing barbers are left-handed due to the mirror effect.
- Thinking MI5 was actually blown up after seeing it in James Bond.
- Accidental rudeness at a children’s petting zoo: “Was no thanks to you.” — Kelsey [20:22]
Notable Quote:
Matthew Crosby [20:42]: "I made eye contact with the kids, big smile on my face, and went: 'Was no thanks to you.'"
6. Stuart Laws – Guest Interview ("Monsieur Format")
[21:26–32:45]
A. Foodie Judgments & Cheese Chat
- Stuart’s dislike for cheese sparks a debate, including his controversial stance against raw onion and “pizza without cheese: tomato bread.”
- Everyone riffs on the idea of trauma-based food aversions and “being on the cheese-hating spectrum.”
B. The Beer Mat Flipping Championship
- Stuart explains his annual comedians’ pub games event—February 10, 2026 at the Pleasance, London.
- Matthew recalls his competitive streak and Phil Wang’s status as reigning champ.
- Hilarious “old man pub games” nostalgia: burning cigarette paper, coin-catching, etc.
C. “Monsieur Format” & “Michael Caine Saying Never for an Hour”
- Laws plugs his experimental show where he and Nish Kumar (“Sir Christopher Nolan”) re-enact Michael Caine’s wild reading of “Never” from Batman Begins—said 328 times in an hour.
- Emphasis that it’s for people who already think it sounds funny.
D. “Is it a Bone?” Panel Show & Live “Is it a Phone?” Parody
- Stuart’s online panel show (hosted by Sam Lake) is “House of Games, but the only question is ‘Is it a bone?’”
- Ed invents “Is it a phone?” on-air, prompting a derailed segment when coffee almost spills on equipment and Producer Vin frets on-air.
- Peak example of improvised Radio X-style mayhem.
Notable Quotes:
Stuart Laws [22:34]: “I got aggressively torn apart on Reddit for my raw onion opinion.”
Ed Gamble [25:05]: “You eat tomato on toast.”
Matthew Crosby [26:28]: “Game over for entertainment, unfortunately.”
7. Special Stuart Laws Question & Classic Listener Submissions
[35:17–36:59]
- Stuart delivers a new “great question” for the show: “Why am I always in the thoroughfare?” (i.e., always standing in the way at gigs and public places).
- Matthew and Ed riff on this shared social experience, already positioning it as a new running gag.
Notable Quote:
Stuart Laws [36:12]: “Why am I always in the thoroughfare?”
Ed Gamble [36:40]: “You are always in the thoroughfare of great comedy.”
8. Further “Thickmas” Highlights
[37:09–41:13]
- Standout listener “thick” stories, e.g.:
- Asking if Lydia (the bride at her wedding) is married yet.
- Forgetting to put mugs under coffee pod machines (twice).
- Eating a rubber radiator mount thinking it’s a black olive.
- Putting milk in cupboards, spoons in the fridge.
9. Christmas Music & Rick Astley Gushing
[50:16–54:56]
- Ed champions Foo Fighters’ “Run Rudolph Run” as the greatest Christmas (and Foo Fighters) song.
- Bold declaration of love for Rick Astley’s “Love This Christmas."
- Ed recounts awkwardly praising Rick Astley in person, with Rick thinking he’s being mocked.
Notable Quote:
Ed Gamble [50:25]: “That is my favourite Christmas song. The Foo Fighters version of Run, Rudolph, Run is the best Christmas song. Don’t debate me.”
10. The Twelve Listeners of Thickmas Song
[56:00–58:14]
- The annual tradition: Matthew writes and performs a song summarizing the thickest listener stories sent in.
- Song features lines like “Thought hairdressers were left handed,” “Ibuprofen on a biscuit,” and “Is Lydia wed?”
- Meta jokes about how anyone can make it in if they submit on the day the song is written.
11. Closing Chatter & Recommendations
[59:18–60:58]
- Ed reflects on singing more on the radio than “Frank Ocean,”
- Quick-fire recommendations: Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” S2; Romesh’s play; “Sipping on Voddie With Ricky G” (Sam Campbell’s skit).
- Surprise studio invasion by Danny Wallace (“I always thought you’d be taller!” running gag).
- Good-natured Christmas wishes and final chaos as the next radio team enter.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- Matthew Crosby [36:15]: “I’m in the thoroughfare. God, I’m in the thoroughfare.”
- Ed Gamble [15:24]: “Never drink double your blood.”
- Stuart Laws [24:45]: “Oh, it says I’m a cheese hater. I’m on the cheese hating spectrum.”
- Listener story [39:23]: “Wine trees” for “grapevine” and “land octopus” for spider.
- Listener story [41:07]: “I’m pretty sure I’ve thrown all our teaspoons in the bin inside a yoghurt pot.”
Timestamps for Featured Segments
- [00:10–05:56] — Festive intro, emails, and bodily function chat
- [06:01–09:12] — Scripted vs improvisational intro (improv: shoe salesman in the Arctic)
- [11:08–15:46] — Clutch gig report, rock show etiquette, aging
- [19:17–20:55] — Listener “Thickmas” story highlights
- [21:26–32:45] — Stuart Laws interview: food traumas, beer mat flipping, “Monsieur Format,” “Is it a Bone?”
- [35:17–36:59] — “Why am I always in the thoroughfare?” question
- [37:09–41:13] — Listener thick stories compilation
- [50:16–54:56] — Ed’s Christmas song rankings, Rick Astley encounter
- [56:00–58:14] — The 12 Listeners of Thickmas Song
- [59:18–60:58] — Show close, recommendations, Danny Wallace pop-in
Episode Tone & Style
The show is upbeat, absurd, self-deprecating, and messy in the best way—a blend of panel show energy, pub banter, and enthusiastic listener interaction. Ed, Matthew, and Stuart Laws share a camaraderie that hums with in-jokes and repeat motifs (thick listeners, Christmas plans, gigging mishaps, cheese trauma, and “thoroughfare” woes). They riff wildly but keep it connected, offering running gags and song parodies alongside genuine warmth for the audience.
Final Thoughts
For fans of British alternative comedy and looser broadcast formats, this episode is pure Christmas comfort listening, packed with new catchphrases ("I'm in the thoroughfare!"), holiday giggles, and the unique joy of celebrating the silliest mistakes. The 12 Listeners of Thickmas live up to their name, the interview with Stuart Laws sparkles with niche charm, and the closing segments radiate warmth and improvisational chaos.
If you missed it:
- Tune in for the annual “Thickmas” round-up
- Enjoy the mock gameshow "Is it a Phone?"
- Don’t miss Stuart Laws being grilled for his cheese aversion
- Stick around for the closing treat: The 12 Listeners of Thickmas Song
“Put a smile on your butternut squash!” – Ed Gamble [19:01]
“Why am I always in the thoroughfare?” – Stuart Laws [36:12]
Podcast available via Global Player and catch-up on Radio X.