I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue gag sparks Sunderland fury

Jun 21 2009 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

A GAG at the recording of a top radio show in Newcastle has sparked anger in Sunderland.

A panelist on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue cracked a joke at the Mackems’ expense when the programme was recorded at the Theatre Royal.

It was at the beginning of the show when the location was introduced to listeners.

The prankster told fans Newcastle had one of the world’s first department stores.

And he said it attracted people from Sunderland who bought luxuries . . . like soap.

It is not clear who cracked the good-natured joke in the show guest-chaired by comedian Rob Brydon of Gavin and Stacey fame and included Phill Jupitus on the panel.

The show, yet to be broadcast, is still being edited and it was not known if the gag will be included in the final version.

But Sunderland folk reacted with passion after the recording was mentioned in my TV blog.

In the blog there was a reference to the infamous football chant Dirty Mackems.

And that had our bloggers in a lather about the latest Newcastle Sunderland dispute. AJ said: “Cool. We had the Venerable Bede so by your logic we taught your lot how to write. I can live with that.”

Rory Fallow said: “Sunderland also has a premier league football team. Do people from Newcastle go to Sunderland to watch premier league football?”

T Maxwell said: “Do you come through to Sunderland for: Take That, Oasis, Premier League Football, The Beach, Airshow, West End Shows at the Theatre etc...etc...”

Alex took a different point of view over the use of a TV blog to mention a radio programme.

He said: “Using a television review blog, to review a radio show as it has a tedious link to the people of Sunderland is to get a sly dig in. Get a life.”

A spokesman for the BBC Radio 4 show said the crack about the department store was made at the start of the show.

He said: “The show is still being edited.”

The latest series of Sorry I Haven’t A Clue is the first without late chairman Humphrey Lyttelton.