“Matt Forde’s podcast is like Top of the Pops for Westminster…phenomenally popular fortnightly show…refreshingly positive”
Patricia Nicol, The Sunday Times
“leading political comedian and impressionist…His even-handedness, combined with his comic skillset, have made Forde the darling of politicians as well as punters, even if the parliamentarians are in the firing line of his barbs.”
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph
“Forde’s Political Party podcasts have become essential listening for both comedy fans and Westminster wonks”
Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard
“Forde is a master at the long- form interview and turns sometimes robotic politicians into human beings. This is without doubt the most entertaining and insightful political interview podcast of them all”
Iain Dale’s Top 50 Political Podcasts, Mace Magazine
12th April – Hot on the heels of announcing the third Political Party West End residency extension, Matt Forde adds Joe Lycett, Dame Margaret Beckett, Jess Phillips and Philip Hammond to the upcoming guest line-up.
On the 17th April, Matt will interview politician, author and celebrated crusader for women’s rights, Jess Phillips. Since becoming a Labour MP in 2015, Jess has earnt widespread acclaim for being one of the most authentic, shrewd, and charismatic voices in Westminster. Her previous appearance on Political Party saw her reflect on her time in politics, as well as provide sharp political analysis on the current landscape. Now on the brink of another general election, this appearance guarantees to bring even more humour, wit, and wisdom.
On the 22nd May, Matt is joined by one of the biggest beasts in the Labour Party, David Blunkett (previously announced). The former Home Secretary was a defining figure of the last Labour government and remains one of the UK’s most respected and influential politicians. Blind from birth, Blunkett advocates for breaking down the barriers and misconceptions around disability. Who better to discuss Labour’s renewed ‘tough on crime’ stance, including those controversial Rishi Sunak attack ads, than Labour’s toughest ever Home Secretary.
On the 5thJune, Matt will interview one of the most prominent Conservative names of the last decade, former Chancellor of The Exchequer Philip Hammond. He served in the Cabinets of both David Cameron and Theresa May, taking charge of the UK economy at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, this promises to be one of the most telling and candid interviews yet. With the Tory Party in turmoil, it’s the perfect time to hear from one of its big beasts.
On the 17th June, Matt will be joined by one of the country’s most celebrated and respected politicians, Dame Margaret Beckett. Elected in 1974, Dame Beckett has had a front-row seat in political history for almost half a century, during which she served as the first British female foreign secretary and the first woman to lead the Labour Party. As she prepares to stand down at the next general election, Dame Beckett will share stories from one of the most distinguished careers in modern history.
On the 3rd July, Matt will speak to one of the UK’s best-loved performers; award-winning comedian, writer and broadcaster, Joe Lycett. As well as being known for his hugely unique style, Joe is also renowned for his social justice campaigns, which include highlighting inequalities faced by the LGTBQ+ community, boycotting the Qatar World Cup, confronting Shell on greenwashing, and recently sending a tongue-in-cheek open letter to Liz Truss.
Political Party tickets are available to buy now at mattforde.com
After 70 sold out Political Party shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, Matt moved to the West End’s Duchess Theatre for a fortnightly residency in September 2021, which has subsequently been extended three times and is set to run through December 2023. Since 2013, Forde has interviewed political figures including Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Alastair Campbell, Gordon Brown and Gary Neville.
The UK’s leading political podcast has over 7 million downloads and is regularly included in iTunes’ Top 10 comedy podcasts. The British Podcast Award nominated show was recently listed by Mace Magazine as the Number 1 Political Podcast and by The i newspaper as one of the 50 Greatest Podcasts, adding to top podcast picks in the press from titles including The Observer, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Radio Times and ShortList.
Matt has voiced and written for two series of the Spitting Image. Since returning in 2020 the show has delivered record subscribers for BritBox UK, the BBC and ITV created streaming platform, as well as picking up huge critical acclaim. Across official social media channels, series content has been hugely popular with over 200 million views globally, three No. 1 trending videos on YouTube and achieved praise across political the political divide. Written by a tour de force comedy team made up of Al Murray, Matt Forde and Sean Foley, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical is set to make its West End Premiere at the Phoenix Theatre from 24th May to 26th August 2023.
Matt is currently co-hosting British Scandal with Alice Levine, a new audio series exploring the gripping stories, fascinating characters and critical questions arising on a journey through some of the biggest UK scandals and available on all major UK podcast platforms. The debut episode shot straight to the No 1 slot in the Apple podcast chart.
Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020.
Matt has hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), The Last Leg (Channel 4), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave) Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report and Rory Bremner’s Election Report (BBC Two), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two). Matt currently presents Absolute Radio’s weekly Rock n Roll Football Show.
For more information and press tickets, please contact: Victoria Wedderburn at VWedderburn@avalonuk.com / 07557160139 or Tara Dein at Tdein@avalonuk.com / 07584105921
What the Press Have Said About Matt Forde’s Previous Stand-Up Shows
“Possibly the best political comedy show on the Fringe”
★★★★★ Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph
“tremendous performance, encapsulating the politics of modern day Britain”
★★★★★ Lewis McKenzie, The Herald
“Forde is as gratifyingly sane as comedians come… smart, funny ideas”
★★★★ Dominic Maxwell, The Times
“our foremost satirical stand-up…Whatever your politics, you’ll find excellence here”
★★★★ Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times
“Is there a better political comic than Matt Forde currently working in the UK? I can’t think of another to touch him”
★★★★½ Jay Richardson, Chortle
“Matt Forde never fails with his state-of-the-nation address, a mix of bang-on-the-money political takedowns and spot-on impressions”
★★★★ Mark Wareham, Mail On Sunday
“Matt Forde is the consummate political comedian”
★★★★ Tim Cornwell, The Scotsman
