Tommy Tiernan Show recap: Host wonders how researchers found ancient language expert

Dr Martin Worthington delighted both the host and the viewers on Saturday night, in a show that also heard from snooker legend Ken Doherty and writer Sophie White

Dr Martin Worthington captivated Tommy Tiernan with his tales about ancient languages

Viewers of The Tommy Tiernan Show have often wondered just how the show’s researchers discover their eclectic range of guests, and on Saturday night’s episode the host himself questioned aloud how they had stumbled upon one particular guest — but it was asked in awe.

Dr Martin Worthington, a Middle Eastern studies academic, astonished Tiernan and viewers with his encyclopedic knowledge of ancient languages, ranging from interpretations of the story of Noah’s Ark to explaining why knowing and understanding a language is better than simply using a tool like Google Translate.