How to listen to Off The Telly - Joanna Page's BBC Sounds podcast - from outside the UK
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If you are outside the UK and trying to listen to Off The Telly on BBC Sounds, you have likely hit the geo-restriction wall. The podcast – hosted by Joanna Page (Gavin and Stacey's Stacey) and Natalie Cassidy (EastEnders' Sonia) – is free to stream on BBC Sounds, but only from within the United Kingdom. The good news is that a VPN solves this in minutes.
Off The Telly ran for 87 episodes and wrapped in May 2025. Every week, the two best friends sat down to chat about what they were watching, what they could not stop recommending, and what they definitely were not going to bother with - plus listener rants and a good deal of warmth and laughter. It quickly became one of the most popular BBC Sounds podcasts of its run, loved for how genuinely funny and unfiltered the two hosts are with each other.
The full back catalog of all 87 episodes is free on BBC Sounds, no subscription required. BBC Sounds is geo-restricted to the UK, so listeners anywhere else need a VPN to connect to a UK server and access the episodes. The podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts globally, so those are the simplest alternatives if you are outside the UK and want to listen without a VPN.
Where to listen to Off The Telly
Below is an overview of where to listen to Off The Telly and how availability varies by region.
| Platform | Availability | Price | Note |
| BBC Sounds | UK only (geo-restricted) | Free | All 87 episodes; VPN required outside UK |
| Spotify | Global | Subscription needed | Full catalog available worldwide |
| Apple Podcasts | Global | Subscription needed | Full catalog available worldwide |
How to listen to Off The Telly on BBC Sounds from outside the UK
BBC Sounds is free to use but geo-restricted – it detects your IP address and blocks access from outside the UK. A VPN changes your virtual location by routing your connection through a UK server, making BBC Sounds treat you as a UK listener. No subscription is needed beyond the VPN itself. Our guide to the best VPNs for streaming can help you choose the right one.
- Choose a VPN with UK servers. We recommend NordVPN for unblocking BBC Sounds. It uses the NordLynx protocol for fast and stable connections, and reliably bypasses BBC geo-detection. It also works across virtually every device you might listen on.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device. NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browser extensions. For podcast listening, your phone or laptop is all you need.
- Connect to a UK server. Open NordVPN, select the United Kingdom from the server list, and connect. Your IP address will now appear British to BBC Sounds.
- Go to BBC Sounds in your browser or open the BBC Sounds app. If prompted, create a free BBC account, it only requires an email address.
- Search for Off The Telly and start listening. All 87 episodes are available on demand. Keep the VPN connected while you listen.
Why you need a VPN to listen to BBC Sounds outside the UK
BBC Sounds is a publicly funded platform operated by the BBC, and its licensing agreements restrict access to UK residents. When you open BBC Sounds from outside the UK, the platform detects your non-UK IP address and blocks playback – you will typically see a message saying the content is not available in your region.
A VPN solves this by routing your internet connection through a UK server, giving you a British IP address. BBC Sounds then treats you as a UK-based listener and allows full access to its podcast catalog. This is a legitimate use of VPN technology – you are accessing a free, publicly available service through an official channel. For more on how this works, see our guide on how to change your location with a VPN.
If you just want to listen to Off The Telly and are not fussed about BBC Sounds specifically, Spotify and Apple Podcasts both carry the full episode catalog globally with no geo-restrictions and no VPN required.
How to listen on different devices
BBC Sounds works across a wide range of devices. The setup is the same on all of them: connect the VPN to a UK server first, then open BBC Sounds.
Web browsers are the easiest option. Open Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge on your laptop or desktop with the VPN connected, and go to the BBC Sounds website. No app download is needed. If the site still shows a geo-block, clear your cookies or open a private browsing window and reload the page.
Mobile devices (iOS and Android) work well with both the NordVPN app and the BBC Sounds app running together. Install both apps, connect to a UK server in NordVPN, then open BBC Sounds. Note that the BBC Sounds app may show as unavailable in some regional App Stores. If you cannot find it, use the BBC Sounds website in your mobile browser instead - it works just as well. iOS users can check our guide to the best VPN for iPhone for setup help.
Smart speakers and smart TVs do not support VPN apps natively. The most reliable workaround is setting up the VPN at router level, which covers every device on your home network automatically. NordVPN and Surfshark both publish router setup guides. You can also cast audio from your phone or laptop to a smart speaker after connecting via the browser method.
Best VPNs to access BBC Sounds outside the UK
These VPNs have been tested for BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer access. They provide fast, stable connections and reliably bypass the BBC's geo-detection.
- NordVPN – best overall for BBC Sounds. NordVPN starts at $3.49/month and runs multiple UK locations. Its NordLynx protocol retains around 83% of your baseline internet speed in our tests - more than enough for smooth podcast streaming. It consistently unblocks BBC Sounds and iPlayer from abroad. Read the full NordVPN review for more.
- Surfshark – best budget option. Surfshark starts at $2.49/month and supports unlimited simultaneous connections on a single plan. With 4,500+ servers across 100 countries and WireGuard holding around 82% of baseline speeds in tests, it handles BBC Sounds reliably. A strong pick if you want value and want to cover every device in your household. See the Surfshark review for details.
- Proton VPN – best for privacy-focused listeners. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland under strong privacy laws and covers 148 countries with 20,400+ servers. Paid plans start at $2.99/month, and a free plan is available with speed restrictions for occasional use. It unblocks BBC Sounds reliably and is a solid choice for listeners who prioritize privacy alongside access. Check the Proton VPN review for the full breakdown.
About Off The Telly
Off The Telly launched on BBC Sounds in early 2024 and quickly built a devoted following. Joanna Page - best known for playing Stacey Shipman in Gavin and Stacey - co-hosted with Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler in EastEnders. The two are close friends in real life, and that chemistry comes through in every episode.
The format was simple: two mates talking honestly about what they were watching on telly. What made it work was the authenticity - they were willing to say a show was terrible, genuinely enthusiastic when something hooked them, and always ready to go off on unrelated tangents. The podcast ran for 87 episodes before wrapping in May 2025.
The full back catalog remains available on BBC Sounds, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
