When it comes to radio broadcasting, the line between reality and parody can be cringingly thin, especially where phone-in shows are concerned as the opinions of the great British public are unleashed. So when Jonathan Pie, a fictional character played by comedian Tom Walker, engages in conversation with LBC talk-show host James O’Brien, it all starts to feel a bit meta.

Those familiar with Pie’s off-air rants as a TV news reporter will know that outrage doesn’t come more oven-ready than his. Regardless of the topic, he’s inspected and dissected it, packaged up the facts and figures, and is ready to give politicians, football fans and anyone else who’s angered him both barrels; albeit when they can’t actually hear him. Except with Call Jonathan Pie (★★★★☆), they mostly can. Dragged kicking and screaming (until he hears the fee) into a new role of radio phone-in host, Pie now has an audience to vent his spleen to. Race, comedy, ‘women’s issues’, online activity, Brexit, money: all the big-hitters are up for debate in this frequently hilarious ten-part podcast. 

At least half the time, Pie is on the money and says exactly what needs to be said. But when his drawer of dusty opinions needs its runners oiled, his sparky young producer (played brilliantly by Lucy Pearman) is there to drag Pie into the 2020s. The other cast members, portraying production staff and callers, all do a sterling job. But, as you might imagine, Walker’s voice takes the biggest slice of this pod pie. 

Long before Jonathan Pie was a twinkle in Walker and co-writer Andrew Doyle’s collective eye, Steve Coogan had the airwaves covered. Watching Alan Partridge’s long, slow descent down the broadcasting hill from self-titled chat-show host to BBC local-radio disc jockey, digital radio host and now podcaster, has been a masterclass in awkwardness that only John Cleese could match. 

The debut batch of From The Oasthouse found Partridge in situations that made you both guffaw and feel genuinely sorry for him. Its sequel didn’t quite reach those dizzying heights, and his Coronation Commentary (★★★☆☆), a free teaser ahead of the new Oasthouse, is a smile-a-long experience rather than belly-laugh inducing. But Coogan on average form is still more brilliant than most, and his increasingly champagne-soaked boredom during King Charles III’s big day is well worth lending your ears to.

Call Jonathan Pie is available now on BBC Sounds; From The Oasthouse season 3 can be heard from Thursday 31 August on Audible.