The Ricky Gervais derby | Episode 9 | Home and Away with The Tudors

There are two instalments of The Magic Roundabout this week as we continue to follow the fortunes of Hemel Hempstead Town. This week, we're on the road to Slough Town in a match we've dubbed The Ricky Gervais derby.

Why? Well, Slough was the location of the fictional paper merchants Wernham Hogg where David Brent's rein of terror as a middle manager was depicted in The Office. And Hemel Hempstead Old Town is where the exterior shots of Gervais's Netflix series After Life were filmed. In that, Gervais played a local newspaper reporter in the internet age.

So, as they make their way to Arbour Park for the match, Lionel and Simon discuss their own careers and respective routes into the sports media. Lionel's journey began with a school work experience placement at the Hemel Hempstead Gazette and progressed to the Watford Observer, Cycling Weekly, the Sunday Times and finally the creation of The Cycling Podcast. Meanwhile, Simon took a more circuitous route via a range of eclectic jobs. 

This episode of The Magic Roundabout by Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill was produced by Tom Whalley for Peloton Podcasts. Tune in for the second half now...