Paddy Raff will be the king of all he ‘surveys’ when he hosts a new comedy panel series for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.
The new BBC Radio Ulster commission Hot Takes, from Belfast-based independent production company Nice One Productions, will offer a different ‘take’ on the comedy panel show format by asking the people of Northern Ireland for their genuine opinions – or ‘hot takes’ – on a diverse range of entertaining topics.
Joining Paddy in ‘poll’ position throughout the series will be regular panellists Emer Maguire and Michael Fry as they take part in a comedic battle of wits in an attempt to second-guess public opinion across Northern Ireland. Celebrity guests will also join Emer and Michael’s teams each episode to help predict the results of the specially-commissioned survey questions designed exclusively for the show.
Hot Takes’ survey questions are conducted by Lucid Talk, a Belfast-based polling company, ensuring that the opinions and predictions explored in each episode reflect real attitudes from across Northern Ireland’s communities.
In his role as presenter, Paddy will have to navigate the predictions and revelations being made and negotiate the inevitable disagreements as panellists attempt to predict how – and what – their fellow Northern Ireland citizens really think.
Paddy Raff says: “The show is basically one of those arguments you have with your mates in the canteen or pub when somebody drops their ‘hot take’ about dating or taxi drivers, or dating taxi drivers! The show provides a safe space to share and debate those ‘Hot Takes’ without worrying about ruining the birthday party…again!”
Hot Takes was originally piloted as a stand-alone episode on BBC Radio Ulster in February of last year, before being commissioned as a six part series, which will start on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster in February 2026. It is the first venture into the comedy panel format for Nice One Productions.
Chris Jones, Managing Director of Nice One Productions, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with BBC Radio Ulster on our first comedy panel series. The format allows us to celebrate Northern Ireland’s unique voice while delivering big laughs from Paddy, Emer and Michael.”
The series is to be recorded in front of a studio audience. Recording takes place from Thursday 29 January to Saturday 31 January at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast. Special guests include former professional boxer Carl Frampton MBE, ‘Chaser’ Darragh Ennis and ‘faithful’ Traitors star Diane Carson.
Free tickets are available on the external Ticket Source website.
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