Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things Charlie Higson
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Feb 4, 2026 Charlie Higson, comedian, actor and author known for The Fast Show and Young James Bond, chats about a wildly varied life. Conversations jump from punk stages to sketch tours. He explores the Voyager Golden Record, flag histories, opera’s power and his new darkly comic history of Britain’s monarchs.
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Use Health Checks To Change Habits
- Get a medical check and act on results as you age, Charlie recommends after doing a blood-tested podcast.
- He used his results to change habits: more walking, better sleep, and less late-night drinking.
Flags Tell Political Stories
- Charlie finds the Union Jack visually distinctive and historically revealing about the UK's formation.
- He explains flag elements trace political unions and omissions like Wales reflect historical subjugation.
Origin Of The Saltire
- Charlie explains the St Andrew's saltire came from martyrs crucified on a diagonal cross to avoid Christian symbolism.
- He shares delight at unexpected historical trivia discovered while researching flags for his podcast.
