at comedies now we can't laugh at comedies like little britain and kissing at christmas. >> mistletoe. a no no or bring it on. >> it's time to support esther rantzen and the right to die and why we shouldn't bother celebrating christmas unless we're going to remember what it's really all about. >> it's 6 pm. and this is the saturday five. >> oh, come all ye faithful. >> oh, come all ye faithful. >> you're very welcome to this festive edition of the saturday five. it's that time of year when you expect three wise men to show up. but unfortunate i'm stuck with. i'll be ben and benjamin. at least they have a star to follow in the shape of the brilliant belinda de lucy. now we may not have any wise men, but we do come bearing gifts. a christmas cracker of a show full of lively and opinionated debate. you know, the drill. by now we each get 60s to outline an argument about

a chosen topic , and then a chosen topic, and then everyone piles in and it goes pretty downhill pretty quick . pretty downhill pretty quick. faster than a eamonn bbq interview. and of course we want to know as well your views much more important than ours. get in touch please by emailing gbviews@gbnews.com but before we tear each other apart , it's your tear each other apart, it's your saturday night news with sophia . saturday night news with sophia. >> good evening. i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom . wenzler in the gb newsroom. hundreds of pro—palestinian protesters have been rallying in central . london via now central. london via now ceasefire now ceasefire now. the demonstrators were urging christmas shoppers to boycott what they say are pro—israel brands . traffic on oxford street brands. traffic on oxford street was brought to a standstill as crowds chanted don't fund genocide . security guards genocide. security guards blocked the entrance to fashion shop zara, while dozens of officers followed the march . officers followed the march. police say there were no arrests

. meanwhile today's been dubbed super saturday tipped to be the busiest in—store shopping day of the year. last year, shoppers were said to have spent over £i.5 were said to have spent over £1.5 million buying last minute christmas gifts. the great christmas gifts. the great christmas getaway is well and truly underway. the aa says it's the busiest day of the pre—christmas period , with an pre—christmas period, with an expected 16.5 million extra cars on the road. travel owners have been facing delays by road and by rail, with train passengers deaung by rail, with train passengers dealing with cancellations. more disruption is expected tomorrow as london's king's cross and paddington stations close for engineering works. travel expert simon calder says people really need to plan their journeys carefully . carefully. >> so let's start at london paddington because we know that all the trains are going to stop as from late tonight. there won't be any until the 28th of december. we are seeing train cancellations to bristol, to cardiff and coming back in the opposite direction due to shortage of train crew. the

nonh shortage of train crew. the north of england is going to be even worse. northern trains has said. do not travel on some of our key routes . we won't have our key routes. we won't have any trains. we can't get the staff to run them. >> the father of a four year old boy who was stabbed in east london, has paid tribute to his son koby macharia. dooley was found with knife injuries at a home in hackney on wednesday and later died in hospital. his dad says he'll be dearly missed and that the joy and laughter he brought to the world was taken too soon. his mother , kasia too soon. his mother, kasia macharia, has been charged with his murder and is due to appear in court on thursday . bells rang in court on thursday. bells rang across the czech republic and flags are flying at half mast as the nation holds a day of mourning for the victims of a mass shooting . mass shooting. >> the loose heart . >> the loose heart. >> the loose heart. >> a service was held at saint vitus cathedral at the prague castle ahead of a minute of

silence at charles university, where a gunman killed 14 people. the country's president, along with members of the public, have been lighting candles and paying their memorial. their respects at a memorial. police are still working to establish a motive for the attack . police are investigating attack. police are investigating the alleged theft of a bank seat in south—east london. the piece, a stop sign covered with three aircrafts that look like military drones , was discovered military drones, was discovered at an intersection in peckham yesterday. less than an hour after the artist confirmed the installation genuine. installation was genuine. witnesses it being removed witnesses saw it being removed by a man with bolt cutters. the met police is now appealing for information and history has been made, with rebecca welch becoming the first woman to referee a premier league match. the 40 year old took charge of this afternoon's fulham burnley game. she began refereeing in 2010 and in january became the first female to officiate a men's champion match. burnley won the game two nil. this is gb news across the uk on tv, in

your car, on your digital radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news now it's back to the saturday five. >> it's saturday night and you're with the saturday five. i'm darren grimes and i can promise that you're in for a very lively hour. we're going to crack on now with tonight's first debate. belinda is kicking us off tonight. belinda, what have you got for us this evening? well of all the old christmas traditions is sadly in decline. >> there is one i feel we must hold on to dearly alongside christingle and flame lit puds and doorstep carolling. it is the very british tradition of kissing under the mistletoe . it kissing under the mistletoe. it has been reported that 45% of brits today have never been kissed under the mistletoe , and kissed under the mistletoe, and this gesture of hope and spontaneous romantic encounter at christmas is not being passed down to the next generation. kissing under the mistletoe is a true british tradition. gary lineker can't gleefully claim

this one has nothing to do with being british. it is uniquely british. our druid ancestors hailed the healing powers of this ancient white berry during their winter solstice . it is in their winter solstice. it is in shakespeare, charles dickens 18th century poetry. this very british berry, and it's linked to love and healing is woven into the fabric of our sceptred isles . we owe it to the young to isles. we owe it to the young to keep as much romance alive, especially as we live in a climate growing hostile to such spontaneity. with dating apps offering endless upgrades post—covid, germophobia and neo feminism, the precious art of flirting and seduction is dying out. so let's hold dearly onto this festive cupid's bow and keep this chance alive. for hopefuls to catch a kiss for years to come. and this gesture is pc risk free. you don't even have to say a word for your enthusiasm to be known. so ladies and gentlemen, pop a sprig in your pocket on a night out or hang it in your hall. and let the magic and hope of

christmas add that extra luck in the very human endeavour of finding love, making up, or just finding love, making up, orjust chance quick peck from chance at a quick peck from a willing participant. year willing participant. each year we let our traditions go, each year our country loses its identity and what binds us together so it is your patriotic duty to make sure we are not the generation that breaks this romantic chain for the next happy christmas, and may it be very christmassy. oh and i have a question. i have a sprig here, gents. so anyone single here or your wonderful production team can it out tonight and take can take it out tonight and take their can take it out tonight and take the what about to celebrate a >> what about to celebrate a fantastic benjamin, do you fantastic year, benjamin, do you want darren a lovely want to give darren a lovely smack on the cheek? i'm all right. >> i'm all right. >> i'm all right. >> in the era of me too , though. >> in the era of me too, though. is that why the mistletoe is dying? >> well, i think that hasn't helped. i think there is this this sort of harsh climate for chaps at the moment, not knowing quite how to navigate the minefield of strike up a conversation in public and there's so much magic around it

at christmas. i mean, it's a very holy event for me, but for others, it is a time to escape the doldrums of life and, and believe in the sort of fairy tale of magic encounters people these days probably want a consent form before. >> having a snog. >> oh, god, having a snog. >> oh, god, having a snog. >> i speak for many women when i say romance back, please, say bring romance back, please, i know, i mean, never i don't know, i mean, i've never seen mistletoe before, so clearly it is a tradition that has faded. >> look, i think , you know, at >> look, i think, you know, at this stage i should probably take advantage might take any advantage that might get romantic interest. if get some romantic interest. if it's anything it's magic berries or anything else. do the idea else. but i do think the idea that because someone whips else. but i do think the idea thatyou because someone whips else. but i do think the idea thatyou know,jse someone whips else. but i do think the idea thatyou know, these �*neone whips else. but i do think the idea thatyou know, these whips whips else. but i do think the idea thatyou know, these whips out ps out you know, these whips out what these berries are, you know, you get your berries out and you have to kiss them. that does make me quite uncomfortable i >> -- >> you don't have to kiss them, benjamin. you you you can benjamin. you you know, you can choose and walk away. and choose not to and walk away. and the is that you don't the joy of it is that you don't have to say anything or necessarily do anything. you just present it and you stood there berries there with that dangling berries and walked off. and you've walked off. >> you saying it's predatory >> are you saying it's predatory to have mistletoe? i think i think mistletoe probably is a bit predatory. think mistletoe probably is a bit pred your. think mistletoe probably is a bit pred you are, but you're >> yes, you are, but you're putting someone merry christmas,

you you're pressuring them you know, you're pressuring them by your magic by whipping out your magic nettle and hoping that they'll get you. that is not, i get with you. that is not, i think this is sending. >> when i learned that mistletoe was actually a parasitic was actually sort of a parasitic weed that grows up in at the top of trees, you might see kind of like bunch. of trees, you might see kind of like belinda, . of trees, you might see kind of like belinda, that mistletoe of trees, you might see kind of likebelinda, that mistletoe in >> belinda, that mistletoe in some branches. >> actually kind of >> it's actually kind of a parasitic. no, it's feeding off love. >> alby, you and ben need to go for a drink after this. >> oh, we will. >> oh, we will. >> we'll take the mistletoe. perfect. >> there you go. >> there you go. >> good luck tonight, and we'll take some pictures. maybe we can show you next week. >> update us then, >> fabulous. update us then, jen. absolutely. jen. yes, absolutely. >> asking what got >> i'll be asking what we've got up with this parasitic weed. up to with this parasitic weed. >> that's unfair. it's >> that's so unfair. it's beautiful. >> back does the >> how far back does the tradition time. tradition go to druids? time. oh, really? tradition go to druids? time. oh,when really? tradition go to druids? time. oh,when were .y? tradition go to druids? time. oh,when were the druids? forgive >> when were the druids? forgive me ignorant. me for the ignorant. >> you know the woads. >> you know the woads. >> and so, like pagans, pagan time. >> and it had healing properties. it still has healing properties. it still has healing properties. it's a very properties. now it's a very mystical, special. properties. now it's a very my�*can l, special. properties. now it's a very my�*can it special. properties. now it's a very my�*can it heal? special. properties. now it's a very my�*can it heal? uh, pecial. properties. now it's a very my�*can it heal? uh, well l. properties. now it's a very my�*can it heal? uh, well , at the >> can it heal? uh, well, at the moment are, you know, moment there are, you know, homeopathic remedies homeopathic sort of remedies for, for, uh, pain killing. and

you're very damaged. >> don't touch them. do not eat them. do not do anything like that home. by the way, it is that at home. by the way, it is just an old age tradition that back days, they used back in the old days, they used it free. it for free. >> okay, so i don't imagine they were all that pretty after doing that. romance, so that. well it's the romance, so we've stop stripping the we've got to stop stripping the west the chivalry, romance west of the chivalry, romance and opportunities each other. >> and just on a on a really serious note, i feel sorry for a lot of young lads these days because they they can't navigate their around or their way around girls or romance, especially teenagers, because been because they've just been conditioned to think that they're predators especially, especially they're of especially if they're sort of white males. they've had white young males. they've had people like harvey weinstein shoved down their throat and told you know, don't told that, you know, don't behave like him. >> friends has a hair >> one of my friends has a hair band. it was a lovely lizzie cundy was telling me the cundy was telling me in the green she has a hair band green room, she has a hair band with a mistletoe sprig actually comingshe, you know, that kind >> so she, you know, that kind of separate? no, not at all. >> i think it's wonderful. and i actually love the fact that that women are speaking saying, women are speaking out, saying, guys, listen crazy guys, don't listen to the crazy neo want you neo feminists that want to, you know, deter that you're

know, deter women, that you're born you're not. we love it born bad. you're not. we love it and it respectful. you're not and it is respectful. you're not pressurising anyone. >> belinda, do you think >> i mean, belinda, do you think actually this is to down a certain of person who certain type of person who doesn't get any sort of speak ? doesn't get any sort of speak? this is alice. i don't mean anything worse much christmas. is why benjamin so bitter? is this why benjamin so bitter? >> oh, benjamin, i you can >> oh, benjamin, i know you can answer that. benjamin >> oh, he's frustrated , i know, >> oh, he's frustrated, i know, but look , you know, a lot of but look, you know, a lot of parents when someone says, how do you feel about your, you know, your child growing up and getting a girlfriend or a boyfriend? they tend to be horrified by that, right? would you if you you be uncomfortable if you know, teenage boy was know, if a if a teenage boy was coming on to one of your daughters? well holding a little sprig, mistletoe, daughters? well holding a little spriyfelt mistletoe, daughters? well holding a little spriyfelt alarmed stletoe, daughters? well holding a little spriyfelt alarmed byatoe, daughters? well holding a little spriyfelt alarmed by it,e, daughters? well holding a little spriyfelt alarmed by it, if she she felt alarmed by it, if she felt alarmed that. felt alarmed by that. >> a bad job as a >> i've done a bad job as a mother. no. toughen up, buttercups out there. we've got to chance at to give chaps the chance to at least strike up a conversation in this screen day, where social skills decreased by skills are being decreased by the year . let's skills are being decreased by the year. let's bring it all back. people cherish it. i think boys like it toughen up. boys like it to toughen up. >> think, is

>> butterworths, i think, is the, is what we're looking the, uh, is what we're looking for belinda you're next. >> she's just been darren reading. oh so darren, darren, darren. uh, you are next. darren. uh, you are next. darren. what have you got for us today? sorry, i was i was bedazzled by the magic of christmas. >> it's christmas. we'll let her off. right. we're going to have a chinwag about this little gem from lbc and the home secretary. they had a nosey behind the scenes at luton airport's border force operations . and blimey, force operations. and blimey, talk about a fiasco . they talk about a fiasco. they uncover quite the corker . phil uncover quite the corker. phil douglas, the big boss of the uk's border force, he dropped a bombshell that got me chuckling. you've got to laugh at times like this. apparently the airport's with airport's bustling with so—called seekers itching so—called asylum seekers itching to back home for christmas. to pop back home for christmas. he called the phone right. weren't we told? as plain speaking, brits branded as loony bigots for even whispering that these folks who seemingly hop, skip and jump over france a land flowing with fine wines, top notch cheeses and crusty

baguettes, might not be genuine asylum seekers, but lo and behold, here's the top honcho himself spilling the beans that they're nip and back home as if britain is a mere holiday destination for them. let's have a listen. anyone today? >> i don't know if we found anyone today, but we do find a lot of people who, for example, have claimed asylum in this country and are heading back to their home country for holidays , their home country for holidays, which obviously isn't allowed. and also pick up a lot of and we also pick up a lot of other criminals and immigration offences . offences. >> i'm sorry if you're genuinely fleeing bombs and bullets, why on earth would you fancy a festive jaunt back to the danger zone this is the kind of ludicrousness that's turning our once proud nation into a bit of a laughing stock. our once proud nation into a bit of a laughing stock . our border a laughing stock. our border officials , bless them, tell the officials, bless them, tell the home secretary straight up that britain's become the world's doormat for chances gaming our asylum system. yet this jaw dropping revelation on it seems

nothing's going to change whatsoever . it's all talk and whatsoever. it's all talk and absolutely no trousers. now i'm all for christmas charity and a bit of goodwill. but let's face it, our generosity has been taken for a ride. it's just like a box of quality street at mine that vanished quicker than a pint at a free bar. our resources are being stretched thinner than a budget christmas cracker. the tory party promised us a promised 14 million voters. that's how many they got in 2019. that migration would be a trickle, not a flood . but at trickle, not a flood. but at this rate, they're on a one way ticket from 14 million votes to barely a handful. and you know what? they'd absolutely deserve it . belinda, what? they'd absolutely deserve it. belinda, i'm fed up. >> i just feel like we're being taken for complete mugs. the british taxpayer is not an all you can eat buffet for the world to feed off. you know, it's hard working people in this country that are paying huge amounts to help own fellow countrymen help their own fellow countrymen and we're being

and women, and now we're being taken of. i think it's taken advantage of. i think it's absolutely right that help absolutely right that we help genuine asylum seekers with you know, the numbers that we can sustain . but this know, the numbers that we can sustain. but this idea know, the numbers that we can sustain . but this idea that it's sustain. but this idea that it's no longer people fleeing death and no longer people feeling fleeing persecution , it's just fleeing persecution, it's just people who who want a bit of economic benefit or change of scenery. if you're going back to your home for christmas and you've recently just arrived or for a holiday, then you shouldn't be allowed back in. i think it's different for refugees who've been here for a very, very long time, and this is their home now, course. is their home now, of course. but recently it's but recently arrived. it's a clear sign. i mean, it it's not rocket science. >> no, i'll be. rocket science. >> look, ll be. rocket science. >> look, i be. rocket science. >> look, i would describe myself as on immigration. as moderate on immigration. watch absolutely watch that video. absolutely incensed me. i think it is absolutely outrageous that we are out of the goodness of our hearts, taking in people from some of the most war torn places in the world, or supposedly giving them asylum in this country, giving them hotels to live in dental care, health care, etc. yeah, because they can't go back to their home

country and then they're going back to their country on holiday. >> is christmas. it's your beloved conservatives who have allowed and i think it's allowed this. and i think it's absolutely appalling. allowed this. and i think it's absilutely appalling. allowed this. and i think it's absi can.y appalling. allowed this. and i think it's absi can you palling. allowed this. and i think it's absi can you stillng. allowed this. and i think it's absi can you still stroll into >> i can you still stroll into downing street and rub shoulders with rishi and sing prosecco and, know , if prosecco. and, you know, if prosecco. >> what a happy . >> what a happy. >> what a happy. >> firstly it was champagne, not prosecco. and the reason why i have relationships with conservative ministers and the prime minister ben, is to influence policy. was at influence policy. and i was at downing street earlier on in the week for the conservatives week for the lgbt conservatives christmas reception , and we christmas reception, and we influenced the policy there . influenced the policy there. >> yes. >> yes. >> yeah, that's the by >> yeah, that's by the by benjamin you even benjamin butterworth. you even you must think that this is taking the michael. yeah. >> i think just peddling >> i think you're just peddling nasty xenophobia. the truth is merry christmas . what's merry christmas. what's christmas without a family row about immigration? uh, you know, the truth is that if someone is coming here to claim refugee status because they're from a war torn country, if they're choosing to fly back for a holiday, well, that's saving us all a lot of money, because it's. you joking? it's it's. there are you joking? it's them clearly

them saying clearly i haven't finished sentence. might finished my sentence. you might learn something. them learn something. it's them saying that they not saying clearly that they are not deserving status . if deserving of refugee status. if they back for a short they can go back for a short period. that's very helpful period. so that's very helpful to british taxpayer because to the british taxpayer because we need process their we don't need to process their asylum the idea that asylum claim. but the idea that you and the many you should try and tar the many thousands of people fleeing places like afghanis and yemen, south sudan, appal war zones where the most horrendous situations are they going back travelling ? those people are travelling? those people are genuine and you shouldn't try and tar them because there are a few opportunists among them. then the people flying back on houday then the people flying back on holiday for christmas. >> how can you not just say, i think that is outrageous. >> i did, you know, clearly . >> i did, you know, clearly. >> i did, you know, clearly. >> do you think that's outrageous? >> i am saying are saving >> i am saying they are saving us because they're going us money because they're going back own merit. back home on their own merit. but you're trying to do, but what you're trying to do, but going come back but they're going to come back to and smear all the decent to try and smear all the decent people deserve us and our people who deserve us and our care and our compassion. i didn't at all. didn't get that at all. >> didn't either, i did, i got >> i didn't either, i did, i got characteristic xenophobia . well, characteristic xenophobia. well, i think that you've got i actually think that you've got naivety written absolutely

everywhere . everywhere. >> not like you to speak french. >> not like you to speak french. >> well, the problem here is that you're of the mind that actually they're saving us money. they're going to come back again. right? and then your lot, the labour party, going lot, the labour party, are going to say, create more legal to say, let's create more legal and routes so can have and safe routes so we can have even of them. and surely even more of them. and surely bed board and benefits. >> hurts genuine asylum >> it hurts genuine asylum seekers. this vague and lax kind of bar we have on who we let claim asylum here. if you really want to help refugees , you would want to help refugees, you would go direct to the camps. cap it at a number we can provide the infrastructure for and have the democratic, um, you know, manned date for and not just open the doors for everyone or a huge amount to abuse it. the ones coming into italy are the three top countries coming into italy are from safe countries. you realise, belinda, that that's keir starmer plan. well, i wouldn't believe a thinking keir starmer starmer's plan is to agree a figure with the french and to take it that number he has submitted to the eu. so they

tell the uk how many typekit. >> i think you've just worked out by accident. why 50% of the electorate has agreed to a quota scheme of the eu. >> so exactly. so he's just going to open the door to even more. >> so we have a set number that we can account for. we can prepare for any of them. and you don't have this ridiculous situation you where situation where you can't where you hotels and you have them in hotels and tents all sorts. we are not tents and all sorts. we are not handing over an outsourcing our migration problem. >> you just said we should see to eu i said we should to the eu no, i said we should cap it at a certain number, go direct to camps. you direct to the camps. un, you know, certain refugees, women and children. hello. we never see them or very rarely and take 20,000 a year. the other 20,000 a year. and the other refugees we can't refugees that we can't necessarily or resettle, necessarily afford or resettle, and with the camps and we can help with the camps and we can help with the camps and security. >> the point is i'm past the point of even getting angry about like this, because about stories like this, because we've this we've been dealing with this kind lacklustre kind of sort of lacklustre approach to migration for many years it's to the years now. it's all to down the fault of tories, not only fault of the tories, not only can not stop rubber can they not stop rubber dinghies coming across the channel dinghies coming across the channel, got 700,000 channel, but we've got 700,000 people a year coming legally under watch. and actually under their watch. and actually i'm it. i'm just

i'm just sick of it. i'm just i'm just sick of it. i'm just i'm tired. i'm so tired. i'm i'm so tired. i'm so tired. i'm so tired of even getting angry or up by now issues or wound up by it. now issues have so desperate that have become so desperate that they saying they put out this figure saying that of boat that the number of boat crossings down a quarter. crossings were down a quarter. >> that's because they >> well, that's because they were using bigger boats with more them. it was more migrants in them. it was because the absolute scheme because of the absolute scheme that are down that channel migrants are down to rishi sunak. that channel migrants are down to after rishi sunak. that channel migrants are down to after that1i sunak. that channel migrants are down to after that broadcast from the >> after that broadcast from the conservative party, we're going to that there. but to have to leave that there. but in better news, we've got three amazing prizes that are guaranteed to be won by one lucky in our great lucky viewer in our great british giveaway, a £10,000 cash. this tech, this vouchers. and if you haven't entered yet, why on earth not? it's so easy. here's all the details . here's all the details. >> this is your chance to win three amazing prizes that will get your new year to off a great start. first, there's a terrific £10,000 in cash to won . be £10,000 in cash to won. be imagine what you could do with that. imagine what you could do with that . we'll also give you a tech that. we'll also give you a tech update with the very latest iphone 15 pro max plus, £500 worth of shopping vouchers to

spendin worth of shopping vouchers to spend in your favourite store . spend in your favourite store. the retail therapy could be on us for another chance to win the iphone.the us for another chance to win the iphone. the vouchers and £10,000 cash text gb win to 84 902. text cost £2 plus one standard network rate message all post your name and to number gb zero one, po box 8690. derby de19, double t, uk . only entrants must double t, uk. only entrants must be 18 or over. lines close at 5 pm. on friday the 5th of january. full terms and privacy nofice january. full terms and privacy notice at gbnews.com. forward slash win good luck still to come tonight . come tonight. >> scrooge leo's verdict on christmas and on a slightly less festive note, benjamin is going to tell us whether esther rantzen should be allowed to die in peace. lovely but it's. i'll be next. he has something to say about the little britain reboot . about the little britain reboot. you're with the saturday five live on gb news.

listening to gb news radio. >> welcome back to the saturday five. >> and as always, thank you very much for your emails about tonight's topics. it's much more enlightening than benjamin butterworth's contribution on mistletoe. belinda clare has written in and clare says , why written in and clare says, why do people always persist in trying to destroy our country's traditions? i'm surprised the plant welfare people aren't saying it's cruel to picket the good. one point that's benjamin butterworth's next line to take, michael says, i second that belinda. >> oh, yay i >> oh, yay! >> oh, yay! >> i can think of nothing better than a sprig of mistletoe and a lady one loves. oh i see it's still in the air, but it doesn't have to be a lady, love. no, no, it could be anything. you can try your luck. yeah. >> why not? >> why not? >> and on refugees, yvonne has written in and yvonne says there are thousands been given are thousands who've been given visas they come visas because they come from dangerous quotation marks. dangerous in quotation marks. countries go back countries and they then go back

to very countries for to those very countries for their holidays year on year, therefore proving they are not refugees . well, don't worry refugees. well, don't worry yourself, yvonne, because sir keir starmer is coming to the rescue apparently. now it's time though for our next debate. up next it's. i'll be. i'll be. what have you got for us now? >> i'm going to be talking about the comeback of little britain. darren. this because this week the mill was turning with the rumour mill was turning with reports comedians, reports that the comedians, david matt lucas david walliams and matt lucas were rebooting were thinking about rebooting their comedy little britain. were thinking about rebooting their at comedy little britain. were thinking about rebooting their at itsymedy little britain. were thinking about rebooting their at its peak little britain. were thinking about rebooting their at its peak ,_ittle britain. were thinking about rebooting their at its peak , millions ain. were thinking about rebooting their at its peak , millions of. now at its peak, millions of people watched little britain every week on the bbc, and i was proudly one of them. but look, since little britain came off air in the mid noughties, the usual suspects have been talking about little britain, complaining that its racist, ableist , homophobic insults . ableist, homophobic insults. word for bigot here i'm just tired of it. personally, i find little britain absolutely hilarious and let's take a look at one of my favourite clips . at one of my favourite clips. >> what about it?

>> what about it? >> he was looking at you like he loves you . loves you. >> i don't think so. >> i don't think so. >> sad . he's obviously got some >> sad. he's obviously got some kind of mad crush on you, prime minister >> i think it's very unlikely. >> i think it's very unlikely. >> it's true. he gets all kinds of nervous when he's around you. oh . oh. is that everything ? is that everything? >> yes . the world is is that everything? >> yes. the world is just a less enjoyable place when we can't laugh at comedies like little britain. >> i mean, look at that scene. it was absolutely hilarious. and what's what's wrong with laughing at someone else's expense? can you name me one good joke which isn't at someone else's expense? the good thing about little britain is it lampooned everyone equally. no minority was off limits from roasting on little britain, and

thatis roasting on little britain, and that is just the way that it should be. we can't get to a point in society where polite society stops artist like comedians from making satires about our politicians , our about our politicians, our society and us, the great british public. so i say, bring back little britain and david and matt. if you're watching, don't let wokester t stop you don't let wokestert stop you from making a satire fit for the 2020s. so no, benjamin butterworth , were you a little butterworth, were you a little britain fan back in the day? did you find it funny? >> well, i was a young teenager, so i imagine i watched it. i mean, i did watch it, but i've seen poland funny. i've not funny. i've seen it since and it's hard to see because it's no longer on bbc iplayer or any of the other services that by the bbc. it's gone from all of them, but i've watched it on youtube and was shocked by how and i was shocked by how offensive was . you know, if offensive it was. you know, if you really think it's acceptable, then why don't i come back next saturday? covered in black paint, just like , uh, in black paint, just like, uh, just like they did on little

britain where you had one of the white men who was the comedian blacking up and then making offensive, stereotypical comments about black people. do you really think that's okay? what offensive , stereotypical what offensive, stereotypical comments about black people did they make ? they make? >> benjamin? >> benjamin? >> uh, well, you have the black preacher in one scene where they're sort over the top and they're sort of over the top and gospel. you have in the other series, come me , which series, come fly with me, which was a spin off of little britain, where you have the lazy black worker who just lies and throws all the coffee and throws away all the coffee and the cups and then says, praise jesus.i the cups and then says, praise jesus. i mean, those are insulting and racist. and were they not insulting and bigoted towards everyone, gay people as well ? well? >> were you insulted by the mocking of gay people? yeah, i do, i think it's completely outdated. matt lucas outdated. you thought matt lucas ' gay outdated. you thought matt lucas , gay mocking gay people? , a gay man mocking gay people? well, he said himself that he thinks that well thinks it's not aged that well and the new series won't and that the new series won't look ones did. look like the old ones did. >> and i think that's right, because it's not to say they're not people, but it's to not funny people, but it's to say that making fun of

minorities that minorities is something that britain . britain has moved past. >> the point was, with little britain, they made fun all britain, they made fun of all minorities. it wasn't targeted at people or how at just black people or how did they fun asians? well at just black people or how did they had, fun asians? well at just black people or how did they had, uh,�*| asians? well at just black people or how did they had, uh, vicky sians? well at just black people or how did they had, uh, vicky pollard,ell they had, uh, vicky pollard, they had, uh, vicky pollard, they they uh, well, if they had, they had, uh, well, if you want to compare yourself to vicky pollard, be my guest is probably closest we're going probably the closest we're going to made fun of to get. they they made fun of white people. they made fun of disabled class blokes you. >> middle class blokes like you. i mean, how are they making fun of, you know, they they were made of out of and working made fun of out of and working class people as much as class people just as much as dodi bucha and, uh, vicky pollard, but i'll take it. but they weren't. you were laughing at a gay person a black at a gay person or a black person or a trans person. but benjamin, where does it end? >> does it end? are you >> where does it end? are you wanting it ends at wanting to say it ends at cancelling the show? single comedy life, creativity comedy of any life, creativity and because can't and humour. because you can't ring fence from a fence ring fence everyone from a fence and has right not to and no one has the right not to be they were just as be offended. they were just as brutal about women those brutal about women in those sketches bubbles darling, sketches with bubbles darling, the the fat cat the champagne lady, the fat cat from i just want to get >> shut up. i just want to get up a tweet if we can. which kind of highlights exactly the of high highlights exactly the

criticism talking criticism that we're talking about of little britain. there was chat on twitter called was a chat on twitter called charlie think we can charlie watts. i think we can get up, he little get this up, he said. little britain does eliminated against every group of imaginable every group of people imaginable all classist, homophobic, racist, phobic. racist, disabled, fat phobic. the could work the idea the show could work today ridiculous today is ridiculous and it should absolutely in the past. >> yeah, i saw that. i know i look young, about 17, but look young, i look about 17, but that kid looks about 11 and he works for he works for a local newspaper. probably newspaper. he probably wasn't even britain even born when little britain was broadcast. it's all was first broadcast. it's all these kiddie gen gen z—ers these young kiddie gen gen z—ers who offence at who want to take offence at things never seen, just things they've never seen, just for sake of taking offence, for the sake of taking offence, probably because their lives are for the sake of taking offence, prc boring. ecause their lives are for the sake of taking offence, prcboring. icause their lives are for the sake of taking offence, prcboring. i dreadtheir lives are for the sake of taking offence, prcboring. i dread toeir lives are for the sake of taking offence, prcboring. i dread to thinkes are for the sake of taking offence, prcboring. i dread to think what so boring. i dread to think what they'll at christmas they'll be like at christmas parties year. parties this year. >> he have a point? >> but does he have a point? darren all? >> but does he have a point? darien all? >> but does he have a point? dari well,all? >> but does he have a point? dari well, il? >> but does he have a point? dari well, i actually think it >> i well, i actually think it shouldn't be brought back to be honest, because i think it'll be utter it'll be utter poo. oh, it'll be completely. nearly there completely. i nearly swore there i i think it'll be i think i do, i think it'll be complete pathetic. i think it'll be walliams and matt lucas be david walliams and matt lucas looking for forgiveness from the public. right. they've created a new product that isn't as funny, isn't as risky, doesn't criticise anyone and is just

completely devoid of any humour whatsoever . modern day bbc whatsoever. modern day bbc comedy dare i say, is it on the bbc now ? now with the new. bbc now? now with the new. >> we don't know if the reboot is actually going to happen. it was something which was in the media. this week, but if it did come back on, i'd probably agree with you. i do think i would be worried that they would be too scared society in scared of polite society in order something funny, order to make something funny, but people, those but millions of people, those millions who tuned millions of people who tuned in to every week, to little britain every week, benjamin butterworth, your benjamin butterworth, in your opinion, ableist, opinion, with a racist, ableist, transphobic, fat phobic bigots. yes. oh goodness, you're one of them, you spanner. >> but watched it since, >> but i've watched it since, you know, i think as a kid, you know, you don't really know what you're watching. watch it back know, you don't really know what you'it'sratching. watch it back know, you don't really know what you'it's horrifying.natch it back know, you don't really know what you'it's horrifying. but,| it back know, you don't really know what you'it's horrifying. but, you�*ack and it's horrifying. but, you know, we've moved on as a society. we you see bo selecta and lemon. right. and he and keith lemon. right. and he used black masks to be used to use black masks to be thsha used to use black masks to be trisha goddard , the daytime tv trisha goddard, the daytime tv presenter and he would have the slogan rice and peas said in a traditional jamaican accent. now thsha traditional jamaican accent. now trisha goddard, who had never

said that phrase in her life and has pointed out that she didn't like chicken, rice and peas. she talked her two talked about how her two daughters, were obviously daughters, who were obviously black, were bullied, relented because of that comedy show . because of that tv comedy show. >> don't you just not watch it? >> i didn't watch know anything of this ilk these days. >> don't just watch >> why don't you just not watch it? leave everyone else? >> why don't you just not watch it? i leave everyone else? >> why don't you just not watch it? i don't|ve everyone else? >> why don't you just not watch it? i don't watcheryone else? >> why don't you just not watch it? i don't watch it one else? >> why don't you just not watch it? i don't watch it and else? >> why don't you just not watch it? i don't watch it and the ? >> i don't watch it and the point is that i think we've learned as a society that we don't need to mock the lives of minorities. well, hang on a minute. things have changed. that can be funny. >> a of people have concerns >> a lot of people have concerns over double over there's a total double standard certain standard here. certain minorities get ringfenced from any mockery, any criticism, any mockery, including any criticism, any mockery, incl of ng any criticism, any mockery, incl of brian. you know, i'm any criticism, any mockery, inclof brian. you know, i'm i'm life of brian. you know, i'm i'm i'm very spiritual. i'm a christian and watching life of brian, i found it funny because ihave brian, i found it funny because i have a sense of humour. i think it's rather insulting to say absolutely everyone from a minority no of humour minority has no sense of humour and can't laugh at themselves at all, and i think each to their own. and people, people have a right the idea that right to watch the idea that being or being has to being gay or being black has to being gay or being black has to be the butt of joke, i think be the butt of the joke, i think is problematic. be the butt of the joke, i think is pandamatic. we're better than >> and i think we're better than

that as a country. believe in that as a country. i believe in a britain. a bigger britain. >> it's okay for people to be offended. you know, that's allowed, right? offended. you know, that's all(anyway, ht? going offended. you know, that's all(anyway,ht? going move >> anyway, we're going to move on ahead, ben on now. still ahead, ben lehrer's christmas verdict does he the most wonderful he think it's the most wonderful time year is he time of year or is he a christmas grinch? what do you think? benjamin butterworth is next, angered our next, though he's angered our elderly viewers by suggesting that their trying to freeze their pensions and all the rest. my their pensions and all the rest. my mother keeps going on about that. what you said about pensioners actually, and i'm not sure going to sure his latest plan is going to impress stick impress him either. so stick around that. he is, of around for that. he is, of course favour of assisted course in favour of assisted dying. so get your emails ready. you're with the saturday five live .

radio. >> welcome back to the saturday five, as always. thank you very much for your emails about tonight's topics on little britain. pauline has written in and pauline says, no, no, no , i

and pauline says, no, no, no, i don't know why i went like margaret thatcher there, but little britain was awful. not funny at all. really. >> yes, yes, yes. poorly >> yes, yes, yes. poorly >> it was hilarious. and you're wrong, i'm afraid. >> now, john says ben is right. i assume that's ben leo, little britain poked at. or it is little britain poked every group equally. it was hilarious. bring it back . but john, i'm afraid it it back. but john, i'm afraid it just won't be funny anymore. this gen z generation, john says, are too sensitive. have a sense of humour. that's very generous interpretation of benjamin butterworth's age. but um, now it's time for our next debate. and up next it is benjamin . what have you got for benjamin. what have you got for us, benjamin? >> well, it's a change in tone. uh, dame esther rantzen has this week said that she has joined the group dignitas, which allows the group dignitas, which allows the elderly and the infirm to be euthanized . dame esther, who we euthanized. dame esther, who we know from things like childline and silverline and all of her campaigning, has been diagnosed with stage four cancer. she

knows that death is inevitable and potentially very painful , and potentially very painful, and potentially very painful, and death is something that she sadly very familiar with. but 83 years old. she's watched both her mother and her late husband have deeply painful deaths, but who in her close family did not have a painful death? she revealed this week. while her dog, she talks of how when her husband was desperately ill, they couldn't put him out of his pain. but when her dog was, they could. and i think that esther rantzen , speaking up for rantzen, speaking up for assisted dying to be legalised in this country as right. how can it be acceptable that we say that when we see a pet in awful pain, we think of it as the humane thing to put them out of their misery? but we insist that our elderly relatives must stumble on and she says that the problem with what her kids saw was that the last memories of their father were him in untolerable pain. seeing him struggle through the final

months of his life overrode the happy memories of decades of him being his father. now, i find this very personal because it was on this day last year that i said goodbye to my own grandmother and she died after about two months of being diagnosed with a brain tumour. she was able to have such strong medicine that she was the same person until just a couple of weeks before she died , when she weeks before she died, when she was basically just asleep . and was basically just asleep. and while it's difficult at the time , i reflect this a year later , i reflect on this a year later , knowing how grateful i am that she was able to die without any pain, and being the person that she was loved by her family . but she was loved by her family. but de meester is right when she says that for her to want her kids to have the experience that i had this time last year with my grandmother, the law as it stands denies them that if she goes to switzerland and she will die alone in a sterile environment without her children or loved ones around her, because if they went with her, they could be convicted of a

crime and put in prison. they could be convicted of a crime and put in prison . i think crime and put in prison. i think a country that locks up loved ones who are trying to put out the pain that their relatives are facing is not a compassionate country . she and i compassionate country. she and i agree with the daily express, with carole malone of this parish. it's time that we legalised, assisted dying and made that a human right for the living . now darren, i think you living. now darren, i think you take you're very religious. you're a christian. do you see it in a different perspective because of your christianity? >> no, not because of my faith. although that is a factor. i believe in the sanctity of life. for example, find i'm if i'm for example, i find i'm if i'm brutally honest, i find i wouldn't ban it, but i find abortion an abhorrent prospect act. but i, i worry about this for not an issue of religious conscience, but i worry about this because of what we experience during the pandemic , experience during the pandemic, when the creed of the country we

became protect the nhs . i worry became protect the nhs. i worry that we legalise assisted dying and then suddenly to alleviate the burden on the nhs, you find people say i'm a burden on the nhs , i'm going to take out, you nhs, i'm going to take out, you know, the ultimate pay , the know, the ultimate pay, the ultimate price and just sacrifice my life. and i, i find that deeply troubling now , you that deeply troubling now, you might well say that's hyperbole. that's extreme. but i think what we saw during that pandemic really hit home the extent to which the nhs has become the be all and end all, and the lengths and measures great and significant indeed that were undertaken in the name of that. so that's the reason i struggle with it. and i would hate to think we end up like canada, where justin trudeau said, yeah, we're going to do this. and they did it. and now you have there's one particular story i can think of with a woman who suffered

with anorexia nervosa for a long time , and she is so down in the time, and she is so down in the dumps with life and the struggle that she's been through, the journey she's been on, that she is seeking to receive the right to end her life. >> but i think under the proposals of how you would, obviously there has to be gatekeepers that are heavily qualified, said in canada , qualified, said in canada, though. but but the law that i would back would be one that says that if you're not in your right mind, you can't make this decision. someone that's that decision. so someone that's that severely affected by anorexia, a mental health condition, i would say would not qualify. they clearly shouldn't qualify. but you can design law that says you can design a law that says that comes under the bracket of not being in their right mind to make the decision, and what it will a lot of people will say is what a lot of people who assisted dying will who are anti assisted dying will say they will cite canada as say is they will cite canada as an example. >> now, canada one of many >> now, canada is one of many countries has legal countries that has legal assisted not a assisted dying. that's not a problem in problem that we've seen in countries like switzerland, problem that we've seen in cou states like switzerland, problem that we've seen in cou states like oregon,and, problem that we've seen in cou states like oregon, for, us states like oregon, for

example, assisted dying example, where assisted dying has been legal for decades. and how be right that that how can it be right that that wealthy people like esther can go and spend 15 grand to go to switzerland , to go to this switzerland, to go to this dignitas clinic, which i believe in in the middle of an industrial site to go and pass away peacefully. but the average joe in britain can't go and do that and has to have a very painful death. i recently had a very close family friend of mine pass away, and she wanted she wanted to die before she died. she was in so much pain, suffering from terminal cancer that she wanted to die and she had such a painful death. and there was nothing dignified in there was nothing dignified in the way that she died. and i think if you speak to anyone who is to death or who has is close to death or who has been around death a lot, they will say, i think assisted dying is thing and we should is a good thing and we should allow people to that allow people to have that option. it's not going for option. it's not going to be for everyone, should be an everyone, but it should be an opfion everyone, but it should be an option people. in my option for people. in my opinion. >> um, against legalising >> um, i'm against legalising euthanasia, from euthanasia, not just from a religious perspective, but i actually think, and i'm actually

not judging people who want it because i don't know, they're suffering their pain. that's their own personal journey. i can only speak for myself, but the message i certainly want to send my children, if i am ill send to my children, if i am ill or in pain is do not go gentle into good night. rage into that good night. rage, rage against of the light. against the dying of the light. this is you look. death and this is how you look. death and stare it in the face. and you, you don't give up and. and because what i worry is the bar will get lower and lower. you know. oh, you. you had to have a leg amputated. amputated you're depressed one month. like, where doesit depressed one month. like, where does it where does it end? there. there are things that i get so concerned about this being abused relatives putting pressure relatives pressure on older relatives because they're , you know, i because they're, you know, i know, as say, extreme know, as you say, extreme examples, but this can happen. and life sacred. we've got to and life is sacred. we've got to stop of things so stop disposing of things so easily. and i think you can't pretend that we don't die. >> and i think i think that kind of religious attitude of almost religious attitude is almost that death almost pretending that death isn't a horrible and i also, i think it's a mistake to describe it as giving up because someone like rantzen, who has

like esther rantzen, who has terminal , is not giving terminal cancer, is not giving up. they're just trying to pass >> they're just trying to pass with dignity and their kids benefiting. >> belinda, i fully understand the aspect of it and the religious aspect of it and also the, you know, the sanctity of life. but you wouldn't say to a dog, don't give up . i a dying dog, don't give up. i would never why would why would we it? why would we do it? we do it? why would we do it? >> would compare >> no, i would never compare humans dogs anyway. and humans to dog dogs anyway. and i do think that that actually the there something incredibly there is something incredibly spiritual of spiritual about the cycle of life. i think intervention life. and i think intervention to in, say yourself, to just end it in, say yourself, i can't put my support on a human to feel pain and emotional complexity is far greater than that of a dog. >> and yet we recognise that it is unacceptable to do that to a cat. >> i don't think you should put humans down like dogs. >> i'm going to leave it there. still ahead folks. are we all excited for christmas in a couple days or are we? is couple of days or are we? is christmas actually a little bit rubbish? ben leo going to rubbish? ben leo is going to have you're with the have his say. you're with the saturday five live on .

gb news. welcome back to the saturday five. it's time for our next debate. up next, it's ben leo. ben what's on your mind today? >> right . i'm ben what's on your mind today? >> right. i'm going to keep this short and sweet . christmas for short and sweet. christmas for me lost all of its original me has lost all of its original meaning. i'm not religious by any stretch of the imagination, but we've youngsters but when we've got youngsters growing days obsessing growing up these days obsessing over presents , money, even going over presents, money, even going out and getting drunk at christmas, and not for one iota thinking about the man himself, jesus it's his birthday jesus christ, it's his birthday by the if you didn't know by the way. if you didn't know in days, then i just, i just in two days, then i just, i just think, what's the point? what's the this holiday if the point of this holiday if you're even going to you're not even going to remember original meaning you're not even going to remerdays original meaning you're not even going to remer days we )riginal meaning you're not even going to remerdays we don'tal meaning you're not even going to remerdays we don't haveaning these days we don't have christmas mass. or if we do, it's very unthought of many people . don't go anymore people. don't go anymore christmas carols. i used to go as a kid all the time in the neighbourhood and of course, um, uh, giving thanks. at uh, giving thanks. even at christmas dinner. i said,

christmas dinner. like i said, you don't need to be particularly religious , but particularly religious, but this christmas, days christmas, in two days time, when you're down for when you're sucking down for your your turkey or your meal and your turkey or your meal and your turkey or your if you're a your nut roast, if you're a strange vegan, give thanks, strange vegan, just give thanks, be remember that strange vegan, just give thanks, be jesus's remember that strange vegan, just give thanks, be jesus's birthday ember that strange vegan, just give thanks, be jesus's birthday embit's�*nat strange vegan, just give thanks, be jesus's birthday embit's at it's jesus's birthday and it's a religious holiday. get religious holiday. don't get sucked rank sucked in to the rank materialism . darren. do we need materialism. darren. do we need to ditch christmas if people aren't going to remember what it's about? >> think i think it's >> no, i think i think it's still an and you know, i find it quite sad that we've become in such secular country, but such a secular country, but that's by the by, i, i, i think that's by the by, i, i, i think that that moment of reflection and gratitude is incredibly important. and perhaps you're right that we need to be reminded of that. but and i but i do think it's the one time of year where a me , me, me year where a me, me, me generation of sort of mini butterworths are reminded that there is more to life than you, right? can i just say i think, i think that's wrong. >> i think christmas is a moment in a way. i guess i agree with you, ben. i think it's a moment of ingratitude, and it's a time when people are obsessed with all can buy,

all the things they can buy, what can get, what pure what they can get, what pure consumerism . and i think a lot consumerism. and i think a lot of people on christmas day, maybe not adults so much as as some kids and teenagers. it's just about the most expensive , just about the most expensive, desirable item that desirable commercial item that they could possibly get their hands on. and i think that's a shame. >> i think that's a rather sad view. i think i still believe most british families see christmas as a time of spending time with loved ones, having time with loved ones, having time work, loving and time off work, being loving and caring. when you buy gift, caring. and when you buy a gift, it is thoughtful gesture. it's it is a thoughtful gesture. it's not about materialism, but not all about materialism, but i would we are spiritual would say this we are spiritual creatures and our churches are getting emptied. of the getting emptied. and one of the best this country best things about this country are traditions cultures are our traditions and cultures attached community of the attached to the community of the church. and church. christmas carols and a church. christmas carols and a church is one of the most nourishing soul nourishing things your soul could through i just could go through. and i just suggest, you're not suggest, even if you're not religious, filling up our churches again a way to keep churches again is a way to keep our national identity in our national identity and in touch with each other. caring for and how touch with each other. caring for are. and how people are. >> that's my point . i'm not >> that's my point. i'm not particularly however, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. :ularly however, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. youly however, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. you know, however, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. you know, there'sowever, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. you know, there's avever, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. you know, there's a lotzr, >> that's my point. i'm not pdo. you know, there's a lot of i do. you know, there's a lot of decent in christianity, decent lessons in christianity, the commandments, the ten commandments, and from jesus. agree we

jesus. do you agree that we should more not particularly should be more not particularly religious have affinity religious or have an affinity with , but just with jesus, but just more grateful with jesus, but just more gra'i�*ful with jesus, but just more gra'i think look, i think we can >> i think look, i think we can definitely make an argument to say that we've lost the meaning of in 21st century of christmas in 21st century britain. think that britain. i don't think it's that different how it was when different now to how it was when we when darren we were kids. say when darren speaks he's some old timer speaks like he's some old timer and christmas way, way better and christmas is way, way better in i don't ten in his day. i don't think ten years ago 15 years ago, it years ago or 15 years ago, it was actually all that different. but on christmas and it being christ's do christ's birthday, you guys do realise christ was realise that jesus christ was not born the 25th of december not born on the 25th of december and it was kind of and it was all kind of a marketing plan by christians because there was a pagan houday because there was a pagan holiday same time. so holiday around the same time. so they they want to they decided they want to have they decided they want to have the main christian holiday at the main christian holiday at the the pagan the same time as the pagan holiday. symbolic. all holiday. it's symbolic. it's all marketing consumerism. marketing and consumerism. at the day, it's great the end of the day, it's great that families come together, but let's that this let's not pretend that this is all do we? >> you're he didn't get >> you're saying he didn't get chocolate bunnies at and chocolate bunnies at easter and also this is not true ehhen >> you can't just. >> you can't just. >> whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa now, scrooge, over here! >> sorry, but but it is >> i'm sorry, but but it is a completely holy time of year. yes, it may not be the exact day

he was born on, but it's symbolic of birth of christ. symbolic of the birth of christ. and means lot to a lot of and he means a lot to a lot of people in this country. and christians are always getting mocked to shreds over mocked and torn to shreds over their when other their religion. when other religions don't ever get the same experience. and same kind of experience. and i think we should really protect the meaning of christmas, but also those who aren't also allow those who aren't religious enjoy join religious to enjoy and join too. in jewish hindu in i've got jewish and hindu friends celebrate christmas friends that celebrate christmas , do. , and we all do. >> how would you feel >> darren, how would you feel about of about some sort of sort of government marketing or government marketing campaign or intervention the idea intervention to promote the idea of mass again? of christ mass again? >> well, it ain't going work >> well, it ain't going to work because no one is interested in what government say, what this government has to say, to right we're to be quite honest. right we're going leave it there. going to have to leave it there. that's it from us. next up, it's the brilliant andrew doyle with the brilliant andrew doyle with the showdown. the brilliant andrew doyle with the very showdown. the brilliant andrew doyle with the very much. showdown. the brilliant andrew doyle with the very much. have down. the brilliant andrew doyle with the very much. have a wn. the brilliant andrew doyle with the very much. have a very cheers very much. have a very merry christmas and we'll see you next week. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> warm feeling inside from >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers , sponsors of boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> good evening. welcome to your latest gb news weather. i'm

ellie glaisyer looking towards christmas and it's looking like it's staying cloudy and damp for most of us with temperatures generally above average for the time as low pressure time of year as low pressure continues to sit out towards the northwest, slowly bringing frontal systems across the uk through the rest of the weekend and towards the christmas and in towards the christmas period. that's been period. heavy rain that's been across of western scotland across parts of western scotland gradually starts ease but gradually starts to ease but turns heavier across western parts we could see up parts of wales. we could see up to 18mm here and generally quite a cloudy picture for much of england and wales. some clearer spells but spells further north, but blustery showers pushing in from the feeling a little the west and feeling a little bit chillier however, bit chillier here. however, it will milder further will be much milder further south with perhaps 11 or 12 degrees, so a very mild, cloudy and damp start for much of england and wales on christmas eve . rain continues to spread eve. rain continues to spread its way eastwards as we head into towards the afternoon. some sunshine of sunshine across parts of northern ireland, northern england scotland, but plenty northern ireland, northern en blustery scotland, but plenty northern ireland, northern en blustery showersnd, but plenty northern ireland, northern en blustery showers around plenty northern ireland, northern en blustery showers around and ty of blustery showers around and some very strong winds across nonh some very strong winds across north northeast england, perhaps up to 70 miles an hour. temperatures still above average across the board, perhaps 13 or

14 degrees to start on christmas day. another wet and cloudy picture for much of england and wales. heavy rain spreads in from the west, slowly clearing its way eastwards as we go through the day further north, there will be some brighter spells, another band of rain spells, but another band of rain pushes into pushes its way northwards into parts perhaps parts of scotland. perhaps bringing some snow to some high ground. looking drier and brighter boxing day, but brighter on boxing day, but further wet and windy weather on the . the way. >> looks like things are heating up boxt boilers as sponsors of weather on

gb news. >> hi there, i'm andrew doyle coming up on the saturday night showdown . how did i manage to showdown. how did i manage to let a guest on my free speech nafion let a guest on my free speech nation show spew out vile remarks unchallenged ? we'll be remarks unchallenged? we'll be investigating leo is off this week, but we'll still be

assessing this week's winners and losers in cursed or blessed and losers in cursed or blessed and donald trump is among the contenders. and of course, there'll be a festive flavour to there'll be a festive flavour to the show as me and my panel will be discussing our favourite christmas movies and songs this is your saturday night showdown . and discussing all tonight's topics . my brilliant and discussing all tonight's topics. my brilliant panel joining me tonight , cressida joining me tonight, cressida wetton, steve n allen and jonathan cogan . let's get your jonathan cogan. let's get your latest news headlines first though, from sophia . though, from sophia. >> good evening. i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. honey crowds of pro—palestinian protesters have been rallying in

central london. now