In this episode of You’ve Been Blacklisted, host Matt Black welcomes Jim Lewington (Orbits IT) and Michael “Mickey the Mortgage” Muir (PlanGuard Finance) into the Love Shack for five rounds of petty grievances, with Radio Ed chiming in. Films, quotes, nostalgia, modern-life nonsense and songs go head-to-head, one gets blacklisted each round, and the winner takes Blacklister of the Week (and the T-shirt).

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds — Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror Moments, and Songs. Matt judges; no appeals.

Round 1 – Films: Jim nominates Super Size Me (a “bleeding obvious” doc later surrounded by controversy). Michael nominates Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Jar Jar Binks, prequel regret).

Round 2 – Quotes: Michael nominates people saying “LOL” out loud. Jim nominates the word “super” (especially on LinkedIn: “super excited” = usually not).

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Jim targets wrestling (fake and baffling it still exists). Michael targets 70s kids’ TV presenters (nostalgia ruined by later scandals).

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Michael nominates filmed “kindness” content (helping people for clicks). Jim nominates streaming services adding adverts (paying to avoid ads… again).

Round 5 – Songs: Jim nominates Coldplay – “Yellow” (the beginning of “bland, insipid” dominance). Michael nominates “God Save the King” being used as England’s anthem at sport.

Best Moments

“Small annoyances get treated like full blown crimes against humanity.” — Matt’s show thesis.

Jim’s LinkedIn rage: “Super excited” is the tell that you’re not excited at all.

Michael’s ethics grenade: “stop filming yourself being kind, just be kind.”

Streaming services: we escaped adverts, paid to avoid adverts… and now pay again to avoid them.

About the guest - Michael Muir

Michael “Mickey the Mortgage” Muir is a mortgage and insurance adviser at PlanGuard Finance, with 25 years’ experience helping people buy their first home, remortgage, and protect what matters. Known for straight-talking guidance and calm problem-solving, he supports clients through lender hurdles, paperwork and options so they can make confident decisions. Michael works with homeowners and buyers across the UK, aiming to secure the right deal, reduce costs where possible, and make the process feel clear and stress-free.

About the guest - Jim Lewington

Jim Lewington is the founder of Orbits IT, supporting businesses with reliable, no-nonsense IT services for teams of around 5 to 300 users. With 16 years’ experience, he helps organisations keep systems secure, stable and running smoothly, solving issues fast, simplifying tech, and removing headaches before they become disasters. Originally built in South Wales and now based in the Midlands, Jim is known for straight-talking advice, sharp humour and a practical approach that makes IT feel clear, not complicated.

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of You’ve Been Blacklisted, host Matt Black welcomes Leigh Furnival (Not Just Travel) and Vicki May (Blu Flame Design) for five rounds of petty grievances: films, quotes, nostalgia, modern-life nonsense and overplayed tracks, while Radio Ed chips in. One pick per round gets banished; most wins takes Blacklister of the Week (and the T-shirt).

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds—Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror Moments, and Songs. Matt decides what gets blacklisted each round.

Round 1 – Films: Vicky nominates Wicked: Part One (too long, dragged out); Leigh nominates Dune (bleak, confusing, “sand worms”).

Round 2 – Quotes: Leigh targets “my other half” (derogatory/you’re not “half a person”); Vicky targets “No offence, but…” (doesn’t make it less offensive).

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Vicky nominates Barbie (unrealistic stereotypes; “Cindy was wholesome”); Leigh nominates Cabbage Patch Dolls (ugly, pointless).

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Leigh nominates subscription overload (discount bait → email spam → money leaking); Vicky nominates quick-fix ads (fake “six weeks to Arnie” nonsense).

Round 5 – Songs: Vicky nominates The Smiths – “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” (pure vibe-drain); Leigh nominates The Cheeky Girls – “Touch My Bum.”

Best Moments

Matt’s perfect description of the format: “petty complaints… treated like public service announcements.”

The brutal truth about disclaimers: “No offence, but…” basically means “brace yourself.”

Vicki’s Smiths takedown: “I’d rather not be cool. I’d rather be happy.”

About the guest - Lea Furnival

Lea Furnival is a travel consultant with Not Just Travel, helping clients plan memorable holidays with expert advice and personal service. From family escapes to once-in-a-lifetime adventures, she creates tailored itineraries, recommends trusted hotels and takes the stress out of booking by handling the details. Known for her friendly, organised approach, Lea saves clients time, avoids common travel pitfalls and helps them get the best experience for their budget, so they can travel with confidence.

About the guest - Vicki Maye

Vicki Maye is the founder of Blue Flame Design, creating bold, polished branding and graphic design that helps businesses look professional and stand out. From logos and visual identity to marketing assets and social content, she turns rough ideas into clean, on-brand design with a sharp eye for detail. Known for her straight-talking, collaborative approach, Vicki makes the creative process simple, keeps projects on track, and delivers visuals that clients feel proud to share.

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of You’ve Been Blacklisted, Matt Black welcomes Claire Lloyd-Jones (LJ Modern Bookkeeping) and Shaun Gill (Concept Architectural Design) for five rounds of petty complaints, dodgy quotes and modern-life moans, with Radio Ed chipping in from the Love Shack.

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds — Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror Moments, and Songs. One blacklist per round; most “wins” takes Blacklister of the Week (and the T-shirt).

Round 1 – Films: Shaun goes after Forrest Gump (too much running, not enough meaning), while Claire targets Star Wars — specifically A New Hope.

Round 2 – Quotes: Claire nominates “Don’t worry, be happy” (pointless when real problems exist), while Shaun nominates “Good vibes only” (influencer-core, patronising).

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Shaun declares Panini sticker books a financial trap you need to remortgage to finish; Claire nominates shell suits (flammy, rustly, tragic in hindsight).

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Claire goes after electric scooters (dangerous, abandoned everywhere, no helmet culture); Shaun targets ice baths (performative “doing it for the ‘gram”).

Round 5 – Songs: Shaun nominates “What Does the Fox Say?” while Claire nominates Crazy Frog (the unholy ringtone era).

Best Moments

Shaun arriving as a “beefcake” and the running gag about how many “erections” he’s responsible for.

The nostalgia fashion pitch: shell suits as a “go-to piece for a wedding… or a funeral” (apparently).

Matt’s very relatable parental pain: Panini costs “eight to nine hundred pounds every bloody tournament.”

About the guest - Claire Lloyd-Jones

Claire Lloyd-Jones is the founder of LJ Modern Bookkeeping, helping small businesses stay organised, compliant and confident with their numbers. With a friendly, no-jargon approach, she supports clients with day-to-day bookkeeping, tidy reporting and practical guidance that makes finances feel manageable. Claire prides herself on accuracy, reliability and clear communication, giving business owners more time to focus on growth while knowing their books are in safe hands.

About the guest - Shaun Gill

Shaun Gill is the founder of Concept Architectural Design, creating practical, well-designed spaces for homeowners and property developers. From initial ideas through to planning and detailed drawings, he guides clients with clear advice and a problem-solving mindset, helping projects run smoothly from concept to construction. Known for his approachable style and attention to detail, Shaun balances creative design with real-world buildability to deliver layouts that look great and work brilliantly.

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of You’ve Been Blacklisted, Matt Black welcomes Paul Biddulph (Information Solutions) and James Cassidy (Inspired Accountancy Services / Inspired Roofing Solutions) to battle across five rounds of petty grievances, with Radio Ed stirring the pot. One nomination per round gets banished; most “wins” takes Blacklister of the Week (and the unwanted T-shirt).

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds — Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror Moments, and Songs. One blacklist per round; most round-wins = Blacklister of the Week.

Round 1 – Films: James targets Kill Bill (Volume 1) for being a “to be continued” wind-up with barely any Bill; Paul nominates Mamma Mia for being a nauseating ABBA film musical.

Round 2 – Quotes: Paul nominates “Don’t wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain” for being overused, IKEA-core inspiration. James nominates “We did a thing” for cryptic attention-seeking posts that make you decipher the news.

Round 3 – Nostalgia: James goes after yo-yos (three tricks, then a knotty mess). Paul nominates the decline of real bands (guitar/drums/bass) and argues we’re force-fed solo artists instead.

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Paul blacklists AI deepfake videos (fake shark clips, “what’s real anymore?”). James blacklists self-service checkouts for “unexpected item in bagging area” stress, queues, and doing unpaid work while getting judged by the attendant.

Round 5 – Songs: Matt’s finale comes down to James’ pick “You’re Beautiful” — James Blunt (overplayed misery), versus Paul’s pick “Trip to Trumpton” (ruined by frantic jungle/drum & bass).

Best Moments

Matt on judging: “I’ll be judging silently and unfairly.”

The password one-liners (including Matt’s infamous “not long enough” gag).

James on modern posting culture: “We did a thing… and it’s your job to decipher what they’ve done.”

The nostalgia swerve into a surprisingly sincere rant about why bands matter.

About the guest - James Cassidy

James Cassidy is the founder of Inspired Accountancy Services and Inspired Roofing Solutions, combining commercial nous with a practical, hands-on approach to helping people and businesses thrive. He supports clients with clear, no-nonsense advice, focusing on good decisions, strong foundations and long-term growth. Known for his straight talking, humour and problem-solving mindset, James brings energy and reliability to every project, whether he’s balancing the numbers or getting stuck in on-site.

About the guest - Paul Biddulph

Paul Biddulph is a technology and information specialist at Information Solutions, helping organisations use data, systems and smart thinking to work more efficiently. With a calm, practical approach, he supports clients to simplify processes, improve reporting and get the right information to the right people, without the jargon. Known for being dependable and solutions-focused, Paul bridges the gap between tech and day-to-day operations, making digital change feel clear, useful and achievable.

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Blacklisted with Matt Black, Matt welcomes Matt Richards (Family Shield Financial) and Pete Tarbuck (Lead Magpie) to go head-to-head across five rounds of pettiness, hot takes and modern-life moans, with Radio Ed popping up throughout. Only one nomination per round gets banished to the blacklist, and the guest with the most “wins” takes the title (and the unwanted T-shirt).

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds — Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror Moments, and Songs. One blacklist per round; most round-wins = Blacklister of the Week.

Round 1 – Films: Matt wants to wipe Fast & Furious after the third film off the planet (cars in space, submarines on ice, “Avengers with engines”). Pete controversially goes for The Shawshank Redemption (the tunnel/poster logic).

Round 2 – Quotes: Pete nominates “If you know, you know” (lazy, exclusionary, meaningless). Matt nominates “We all have the same 24 hours” (hustle-culture nonsense that ignores real life).

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Matt brings in incubated toy aliens (the true crime is the schoolyard rumour that they “give birth”). Pete nominates the childhood lie “Don’t sit too close to the TV — you’ll get square eyes.”

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Pete attacks staged short-form videos with fake laughs and obvious setups. Matt goes for motion sensor bins (oversensitive, battery-hungry, and forcing you to “dance” just to throw something away).

Round 5 – Songs: Matt nominates Mariah Carey — “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (played too early, everywhere, and always when you’re trapped shopping). Pete nominates “Sweet Caroline” (overused stadium/pubs anthem).

Best Moments

Matt Black to Matt Richards: insurance sellers can be so dull they “use their personality as birth control.”

Pete’s Shawshank logic grenade: “How the **** did that [poster] get back on there?”

The greatest dad comeback ever: “Well, get a round telly then.”

Radio Ed’s accidental character confession: “Hi, everybody, I’m Pancake Pete…” (followed by immediate regret).

The episode’s unofficial life advice: “Dance in front of your bin and chill out.”

About the guest - Pete Tarbuck

Pete Tarbuck is the founder of Lead Magpie, helping businesses generate consistent, high-quality leads through smart marketing systems and clear messaging. Known for straight-talking advice and practical strategy, he supports companies to attract the right enquiries, improve conversion and build predictable pipelines without gimmicks. With a sharp eye for what actually works, Pete combines creativity with data-led thinking to turn attention into action and marketing into measurable growth.

About the guest - Matt Richards

Matt Richards is a financial adviser at Family Shield Financial, supporting individuals, families and business owners with clear, practical guidance on protection, mortgages and long-term financial planning. Known for a down-to-earth approach, he helps clients understand their options, make confident decisions and put safeguards in place for the things that matter most. Matt focuses on building lasting relationships, tailoring solutions to real life and ensuring people feel informed, supported and properly protected.

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Blacklisted with Matt Black, Matt Black is joined by two proper “moan machines”: his wife Cath Black and retired police officer Rebecca Bowley. With producer Ed Nell in the room (and a scandalous letter from Enid), they go head-to-head across five rounds to decide what gets launched into the abyss.

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds—Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror (modern life), and Songs. One blacklist per round; most wins takes Blacklister of the Week (and the T-shirt).

Round 1 – Films: Cath targets Pearl Harbour (clichés, love triangle, inaccuracies); Rebecca goes for Grease (the flying-car ending).

Round 2 – Quotes: Rebecca blacklists the classic parental line “You can’t have them… you’ll only eat them”; Cath picks “You can’t teach a granny to suck eggs.”

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Cath attacks the Etch A Sketch (two knobs, zero artistry); Rebecca chooses cat’s cradle (string misery).

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Rebecca goes after people using loudspeakers in public; Cath targets filming gigs on phones.

Round 5 – Songs: Cath nominates Elbow – “One Day Like This”; Rebecca chooses “Happy Birthday.”

Best Moments

The Enid letter to Matt: “He’s the only reason some of us tune in… that soothing monotone does things to me.” (Enid, 94½).

Rebecca on nicknames: “I’m not a Becky… I see a little Labrador walking along.”

Rebecca’s childhood injustice: “You can’t have them… you’ll only eat them.” (Yes… that’s the point.)

Cath’s Etch A Sketch verdict: “Two knobs… and if you’re skilfully turning them you could do a very wiggly angle.”

Rebecca’s birthday mission: “Happy Birthday is supposed to be joyous… please can we change the tune?”

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of You’ve Been Blacklisted, hosted by Matt Black, Kellie Johnson (My Midlands) faces Hannah Green (Tipples & Tonics) across five gloriously petty rounds, with Radio Ed stirring the pot. One pick per round gets the blacklist; most wins earns the “Blacklister of the Week” T-shirt.

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror (modern life), Songs. Most blacklisted picks wins.

Round 1 – Films: Kellie: High School Musical 2; Hannah: The Greasy Strangler

Round 2 – Quotes: “It is what it is” (Hannah) vs “Money can’t buy happiness” (Kellie)

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Chip-shop wooden forks (Kellie) vs Shag bands (Hannah)

Round 4 – Black Mirror: Smartwatches (Hannah) vs Crocs (Kellie)

Round 5 – Songs: “Cotton Eye Joe” (Kellie) vs “Barbra Streisand” (Hannah)

Best Moments

“If it hadn’t been for that… you know… I’d be married” — Kellie’s unprintable Cotton Eye Joe theory.

“Crocs are a cry for help… the holes are escape routes for your dignity.” — Kellie.

“It’s the human equivalent of turning your computer off and on again.” — Matt on “It is what it is.”

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

About the guest - Kellie Jonson

Kellie Johnson is the founder of My Midlands, a platform celebrating the people, places and independent businesses that give the region its character. With a background in community storytelling and digital marketing, she shines a light on local success stories, hidden gems and can’t-miss events, connecting audiences with what’s on their doorstep. Warm, curious and relentlessly positive, Kellie champions collaboration across towns and cities, partnering with creators, venues and charities to boost visibility, footfall and pride in the Midlands region.

Find out more: https://mymidlands.co.uk

About the guest - Hannah Green

Hannah Green is the founder of Tipples & Tonics, a Midlands cocktail studio and mobile bar known for playful, polished drinks. A seasoned mixologist and event host, she designs bespoke menus, tastings and cocktail classes for weddings, launches and team socials, blending classic technique with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Warm, organised and unflappable, Hannah handles everything from glassware to garnish, creating memorable, hospitality-led experiences that get people talking and brands noticed, one perfectly balanced drink at a time.

Find out more: https://tipplesandtonics.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Blacklisted with Matt Black, estate agent Andrew Downing-Booth faces financial adviser Dan Chadwick (Mercian Wealth Management). One gripe per round gets the blacklist; the winner nabs the coveted “You’ve Been Blacklisted” T-shirt.

Key Takeaways

The Game Plan: Five rounds—Films, Quotes, Nostalgia, Black Mirror (modern life), and Songs. Most blacklisted picks = Blacklister of the Week.

Round 1 – Films: Dan rants at Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (mainly Frodo); Andy targets Dolittle (2020).

Round 2 – Quotes: Andy swings at Shakespeare’s “To be, or not to be.” Dan picks the teen meme “Six Seven.”

Round 3 – Nostalgia: Dan nukes the teacher classic “You won’t always have a calculator.” Andy goes after Beanie Babies.

Round 4 – Black Mirror Moments: Andy tries to bin the mobile phone (signal rage); Dan targets “doing it for the ’Gram.”

Round 5 – Songs: Dan: Central Cee – “Good Times.” Andy: Drake – “One Dance.”

Best Moments

Dan’s net worth sets up Matt’s “I don’t own a net” gag.

Italian brain-rot: a classroom chorus to “Six Seven.”

Andy’s mobile-phone tirade: “Don’t call it a mobile, there’s no signal!”

Dan on Central Cee’s lyric: “Bragging about ‘good wood’ isn’t romance.”

About the host - Matt Black

Raised in sunny Shrewsbury, he moved to the Black Country in 1999, living in Cannock and now Walsall. Married, divorced and remarried, he has four children, making family life busy and joyful. Matt is a charity trustee and seasoned sales professional.

About the guest - Andrew Downing-Booth

Andrew entered estate agency in 2007, became a sales negotiator in 2009 after graduating from the University of Birmingham, and helped two start-ups reach market-leader status, rising to assistant manager, branch manager and later sales manager. He now runs Andrew Downing-Booth Estate Agents. Away from work he plays six-a-side in goal, supports Wolves, and enjoys family days and walks with Milo the spaniel.

Find out more: https://andrewdowningbooth.co.uk/

About the guest - Dan Chadwick

He is a Financial Adviser with over eight years’ experience, proud to serve at Mercian Wealth Management, where clients’ best interests come first. Inspired by seeing family and friends struggle without guidance, he helps people make sound choices on wealth management, protection and retirement planning. Outside work, he enjoys the gym, boxing, yoga and golf, is learning Bachata, and, formerly a part-time PT, supports others’ confidence. A recent Birmingham resident, he loves hikes with his dog and family.

Find out more: https://www.mercianwm.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.