What The Factual? / Facts The Way I Like It!

Gill Smith & Pete Moor

Hosts, Gill Smith and Pete Moor look into the history books finding the lesser known stories behind the characters we all learned about at school. In each episode Gill and Pete tackle a different subject from famous monarchs, world changing leaders to characters and stories that have gone under the radar. What The Factual? tells the interesting or funny stories from history with fun facts and strange tales sprinkled along the way. From December 2024, each Friday, spin off series "Facts The Way I Like It!" sees new weekly episodes where Gill and Pete share lesser known facts and mad stories in a short, fun, pre-weekend fact sharing mission! These episodes will appear on your What The Factual? Timeline. Follow us, and episodes will appear in your timeline automatically!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 12/19/2025

    54 - Facts The Way I Like Christmas (A WTF? Flashback!)

    So to stave off the cold winter nights with no Facts The Way I Like it (only for a few weeks!) we have put together a little condensed version of our classic What The Factual? Christmas episode from 2023 where Gill and Pete share some truly terrifying historic Christmas traditions and a few explainers of why we do Christmas things the way we do... Namely why so many people end up in A+E on Christmas Eve. We hope you enjoy this little re-visit of our yuletide episode!! Happy Holidays everyone and be careful playing Snapdragon and waking the dead guys called Thomas... (This is all explained in the episode. I haven't gone mad... well...) Right we're off to buy a load of fireproof clothing. See you next year!! Follow us on Social Media: Threads: @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram: @whatthefactualpod Email us..: whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...: www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 - Facts The Way I Like Christmas (A WTF? Flashback!)

  2. 12/12/2025

    53 - Mária Telkes, Pet Ocelots, and Agatha Christie's New Life

    It's Gill and Pete's 1 year anniversary since the first ever Facts The Way I Like it so in a celebratory episode they surprise everyone by sharing more facts. Ok, no surprise exactly but still... This Friday, Gill brings us the stpry of how Agatha Christie found inspiration and a new life in the Middle East, then she tells us of how Christian Dior was inspired by his sister Catherine's wartime resistance to eventually name one of his most iconic fragrances after her.  Pete shares some bizarre facts about the legendary artist Salvador Dali and also tells the inspirational story of Mária Telkes who almost single handedly developed early solar power technology and created the Solar Still which saved countless lives during WWII. She finally left a legacy without which our solar technology may well not be where it is today. To finish the episode we have a birthday quiz based around famous people and famous quotes which itself ends with Pete dragging out his Beatles impressions again. After this episode there will be a small hiatus over Christmas.  There may be some "greatest hits" episodes and maybe some re-issues to tide you over the Christmas period but Gill and Pete will be back in January! So with that, we're off to tour America with a pet Ocelot. Follow us on Social Media: Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram:  @whatthefactualpod Email us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 - Mária Telkes, Pet Ocelots, and Agatha Christie's New Life

  3. 12/05/2025

    52 - Stuart Little's Stolen Artwork, Clouting & Being Caught by a Sandwich

    More fact-based festive frivolity for a Friday morning! This week Gill has a story of the female-led London gang known as the Forty Elephants who were generally up to no good but specialised in "clouting" (the act of steeling goods by hiding them within their clothing) and robbing well to do men in the Elephant and Castle area! Gill also tells us of the coincidental recovery of a lost priceless artwork which came about simply because a Hungarian art historian was watching an age-inappropriate movie. Finally, she tells us of the insanely unlikely romantic story of two lovers who were brought together by a message in a bottle. So there is hope for anyone still relying on internet dating.  Pete has a pedantic story of why we are all using the word "decimated" wrongly. It turns out that it has a very disturbing historic definition which you wouldn't want to be a part of. He also tells us the ancient historic reason why we have 360 degrees in a circle and why we have never needed to decimalise that part of our mathematical system!   Finally he has a story that can provide some real inspiration to any budding Diamond thieves with a story of how a crew of the best of the best fell at a very simple but fatal hurdle. Right, we're off to half-eat a sanwich and see what we can hide in a cummerbund...  Follow us on Social Media: Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram:  @whatthefactualpod Email us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 - Stuart Little's Stolen Artwork, Clouting & Being Caught by a Sandwich

  4. 11/28/2025

    51 - The Waggle Dance, The Gherkin Headstone & a Trippy Bicycle Ride

    51 - The Waggle Dance, The Gherkin Headstone & a Trippy Bicycle Ride It's yet another Friday so Gill and Pete are back with more facts from around the world and all walks of life. This week, Gill takes us down etymology lane again and tells us where the phrase "tea caddy" comes from and why. She also shares the story of how a seemingly innocuous grave in the city of London became a Roman tomb with the Gherkin as a headstone. Finally she tells us the wonderful tale of how and why binge drinking is actually a noble British tradition. Although we are not condoning it... it's just in our history so maybe its fine? Pete has the story of the 1984 Dunnes Stores Strikers in which a group of Dublin shop workers took a stand and helped inspire the world to stand up to apartheid in South Africa. He also has the mind bending story of how LSD was accidentally discovered and developed and finally he tells us how Honeybees can pass on incredibly accurate GPS information through the medium of dance. We should also add that Amazon Alexa failed to help Pete find out that Domus (the latin) means house or residence, not "ruler"!  Right, we are off to responsibly enjoy some alcohol and possibly some micrograms of LSD... (not really... it will probably be an ounce or two.) Follow us on Social Media: Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram:  @whatthefactualpod Email us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 - The Waggle Dance, The Gherkin Headstone & a Trippy Bicycle Ride

  5. 11/21/2025

    50 - Woolly Backs, Elbows on Tables and Dumping by Calling Card

    Gill & Pete are back again with more Friday Fact Fun! This week Gill tells us the lovely story of how the term "woollybacks" is steeped in history and is not in fact a derogatory term for people from St. Helens. She also tells us the source of the word "ghost" and is championing the bringing back of the word "copemate". She also tells us how the word gossip was born! Finally she is here to tell you guys that putting your elbows on the table when you eat is absolutely fine... unless you have a dodgy table. Pete tells us the slightly chaotic story of how animals once ruled the streets of big cities and we didn't mind cos they ate the rubbish. Yes, you read that right. He also tells us of the strange, subliminal messages that certain folded corners of a calling card could convey. Finally he tells us of the great George Wilson who brought London to a standstill because the public couldn't cope with him walking a very very long way so they just had to gamble and drink. But it wasn't George's fault. Now we're off to have a have a bet on the Olympic walking event because we love it. Follow us on Social Media: Threads: @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram: @whatthefactualpod Email us..: whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...: www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 - Woolly Backs, Elbows on Tables and Dumping by Calling Card

  6. 11/14/2025

    49 - Pioneer Hedy Lamarr, Cool Ferns & The MET's Dodgy Purchase History

    Welcome back to WTF HQ for another Facts The Way I Like It! Gill is back in town from her round the world tour and frankly is bristling with more facts. This week Gill tells us of the mad craze that took hold of Victorian Britain and made everyone far too interested in ferns. Yes, ferns. She also tells us where the phrase "Being in the Limelight" comes from. Finally, she tells us how Kim Kardashian helped a priceless sarcophagus find its way home after a viral photo exposed the MET's somewhat mirky art purchase history. Pete weighs in this week with the story of Hedy Lamarr and how she and composer George Antheil developed an ingenious system to help the Second World War effort and prevent radio controlled torpedoes being intercepted by the enemy. Also, he tells us how that simple yet effective idea has become the bedrock of a vast array of modern technology and communications. He also shares the current runners and riders in the mid-21st century space race and the roadmap for the next humans to set foot on the moon and what it all might mean for human space endeavour overall. Finally, Pete has a few quick fire facts including Guy Fawkes' frankly useless ability to choose a pseudonym. Right, we're off to get some custard creams and methodically disassemble our toys to see how they work... Follow us on Social Media: Threads: @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram: @whatthefactualpod Email us..: whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...: www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 - Pioneer Hedy Lamarr, Cool Ferns & The MET's Dodgy Purchase History

  7. 11/07/2025

    48 - VHS Nostalgia, A Rediscovered Composer & The maddest Romance in the Ocean with Guest Host Karen Hassan

    It's Friday and we all know what that means... Except we don't because you're wrong. It's not Gill and Pete... It's Karen and Pete! Yes, stepping in for Gill Smith again, is our favourite stand in presenter and fellow keen fact nerd, Karen Hassan. This week Karen takes us down memory lane and reminds us of a time when instead of trawling through hundreds of films on Netflix and never making a decision, we would do that in person, standing in a Blockbuster store. She tells us all to dig out the crates in the loft to see if we have an original VHS worth a fortune.  She also tells us the colourful history of Tarot cards and finally she tells us why we say "mind your P's and Q's" or why we think we do! Pete shares the story of a recently rediscovered composer, Florence Price who overcame prejudice in early 20th century America to achieve a musical first which has lead to her music being finally, rightly performed and appreciated by the world. He also shares the frankly ridiculous world of the Blanket Octopus and the slight mis-match between the male and the female and finally he suggests that if we're ever lost... Maybe try using a cow as a compass. Right, we're off to the local Cineplex with a VHS camcorder. Follow us on Social Media: Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram:  @whatthefactualpod Email us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 - VHS Nostalgia, A Rediscovered Composer & The maddest Romance in the Ocean with Guest Host Karen Hassan

  8. 10/31/2025

    47 - Long Days, Inventing the Popsicle and Banning Winnie The Pooh

    Friday means Facts. It's that simple.  Gill and Pete are delving into more strange stories and lesser known facts from all walks of life.  This week, Gill tells us about how and why Daylight Savings became I thing. She also tells us about the crazy variation in day length - just depending what planet you may find yourself on. If you think your day drags, try being on Venus. Finally she tells us about the island that changes its nationality every six months! Luckily no-one lives there otherwise it would mean constantly applying for a new passport. Pete shares the lonely plight of rogue planets and their constant hope for a new solar system / foster home. He also tells us the benefits of an 11 year old kid forgetting what he is doing and how it can lead to the birth of an iconic sweet treat. Finally, he lists a bunch of frankly mad idiotic laws, some of which are still in force and one of which shows that an "official" in Poland, looks at Winnie The Pooh and his attire (or lack of it) with different eyes to the rest of us. But anyway, we're off to find a rogue planet and offer it a nice warm home... Follow us on Social Media: Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpod Instagram:  @whatthefactualpod Email us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.com Youtube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpod Facts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor. Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 - Long Days, Inventing the Popsicle and Banning Winnie The Pooh
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About

Hosts, Gill Smith and Pete Moor look into the history books finding the lesser known stories behind the characters we all learned about at school. In each episode Gill and Pete tackle a different subject from famous monarchs, world changing leaders to characters and stories that have gone under the radar. What The Factual? tells the interesting or funny stories from history with fun facts and strange tales sprinkled along the way. From December 2024, each Friday, spin off series "Facts The Way I Like It!" sees new weekly episodes where Gill and Pete share lesser known facts and mad stories in a short, fun, pre-weekend fact sharing mission! These episodes will appear on your What The Factual? Timeline. Follow us, and episodes will appear in your timeline automatically!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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