Blank Podcast with Giles Paley-Phillips & Jim Daly

Michelle Ackerley is an English television presenter and journalist, best known for her work on BBC programmes such as Watchdog and The One Show. She has worked on a myriad BBC and CBBC shows including Totally Rubbish, I Want My Own Room, Deadly Art All Over the Place and Crimewatch Roadshow since 2015. Michelle talked to Giles and Jim about breaking into the industry, anxiety of being on the set of a live TV show and how she overcame her own blank moments along the way. PLUS we have extra chat with Michelle just for our Patreons at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons: Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022, Alice Chrystall, Maddie Lightfoot, Alex Collis, Martin Grimm. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @MichAckerley [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sophie Green is an award-winning conservation & wildlife artist from the UK, who specialises in capturing the photorealistic details of animals and their surroundings. Sophie has dedicated her time and artistic work to raising awareness for issues surrounding animal welfare and the environment. She worked closely with foundations such as IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and Explorers Against Extinction (The Real World Conservation Trust) and was the winner of the Leisure Painter People's Choice Award 2020 and was shortlisted for prizes such as the Sketch for Survival Award, the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year competition and the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize. She talks to Jim and Giles about working in the movie industry as a body double, making the leap from full-time work to freelance and her passion for conservation. PLUS we have extra chat with Sophie just for our Patreons at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons: Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022, Alice Chrystall, Maddie Lightfoot, Alex Collis, Martin Grimm. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @sophiegreenart [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Walker Motson, OBE, also known as Motty, is an English football commentator. Beginning as a television commentator with the BBC in 1971, he has commentated on over 2000 games on television and radio. We talked to John about his early life and discovering his love of football through attending games with his methodist minister father. John tells us about those difficult moments in the commentary box and how sometimes he could be a little hard on himself. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons: Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022, Alice Chrystall, Shereen Qadri, Maddie Lightfoot, Alex Collis. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Horne is a comedian, musician and podcaster who is best know for creating the smash TV show Taskmaster. He has taken multiple shows to the Edinburgh Fringe and has been a mainstay on British TV for years. Alex talks to Jim about being neighbours, the guilt of going to private school, Cambridge Footlights, the freelance juggle and, just for Patreons, the origins of Taskmaster. PLUS we have bonus content with Dom just for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons: Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022, Alice Chrystall, Shereen Qadri, Maddie Lightfoot, Alex Collis. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @AlexHorne [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dom Joly is a multi-talent comedian, travel writer, podcasters, presenter and satirist. His breakthrough came with the worldwide phenomenon Trigger Happy TV which he produced and stared in, one of the biggest shows in the world of the early 2000s. Since then he has travelled the world presenting travel shows and writing about his adventures in a series of best seller books, including The Dark Tourist, Scary Monsters and Super Creeps and the Hezbollah Hiking Club. He was also a columnist for The Independent on Sunday from 2003 until the paper closed in 2016 and was a special correspondent for the Independent at the Beijing Olympics. He talks to Giles and Jim about embracing Twitch, what it's really like being famous and his love of condiments. PLUS we have bonus content with Dom just for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @DomJoly [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Jones is a journalist, broadcaster from Leeds. She is best known for her work with Leeds United TV, BBC Radio 5 Live and hosting the brilliant podcasts The Dead Parent Club and Netball Nation. Emma spoke to Giles and Jim and football (naturally!), England at Euro 2022, social media and much more. (TW - This episode contains conversations on loss and bereavement) PLUS we have bonus content with Emma just for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons: Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022, Alice Chrystall, Shereen Qadri, Maddie Lightfoot, Alex Collis. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @eljonesuk [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the Summer break, so we thought we'd put together a little selection of clips from some of our favourite episodes from last year to keep you going till we return next week with some amazing new episodes. An advert free version is available to our Patreon at Patreon.com/Blankpodcast @eliistender10 @jimdalycomedy @blankpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina Trevanion is a TV Presenter, auctioneer and antique valuer. Many people will know Christina from her appearances on shows such as Flog It, Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip. Christina is also the Managing Partner of Trevanion Auctioneers and Valuers and Co-owner of Trevanion and Dean Auction House. We talked to Christina about her lifelong love of antiques and auction rooms, university life, and the emotions attached to her work when helping clients through many life-changing circumstances. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @CTrevanion [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is a little summer BONUS episode of Blank Podcast that features a compilation of our conversations with Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Jeremy Dyson who make up the brilliant League of Gentlemen. We discuss all aspects of their lives, their careers, their working relationships and any difficult moments along the way Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @markgatiss @reeceshearsmith @SP1nightonly @dysonjeremy [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jayne Sharp is a presenter, broadcaster and voiceover artists. We talked to Jayne about social media, being a parent to children who are digital natives and comedy videos PLUS we have bonus content with Jayne for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @jaynesharp [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imogen Heap is a singer, songwriter and multi-Grammy and Ivor Novella award-winning producer and engineer. A pioneer of electro-pop, Imogen's album Speak For Yourself went Gold in the US and her third album Ellipse was in the Top 5 on the Billboard Charts. Her music has been used on many TV and Film soundtracks including The OC, Garden State, I Know What You Did Last Summer and most recently has reworked and composed music for the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. We talked to Imogen about getting into music as a child and school days getting to miss lessons to learn various instruments. Imogen tells us about getting into performing and the collaboration she enjoys, especially with her fans. PLUS we have extra content with Imogen where she reveals her perfect song to open a playlist for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @imogenheap [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamzin Outhwaite is a stage and screen actress, presenter and narrator. Best known for her role as Mel Owen in Eastenders, Tamzin has been starred in many theatrical productions including Alan Ayckbourn's How the Other Half Loves and most recently The Seagull alongside Emilia Clarke and Robert Glenister. We talked to Tamzin about superstitions, her love of theatre and finding a process to calm performance nerves. PLUS we have bonus content with Tamzin just for our Patreons at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jackie Adedeji is a presenter, podcaster, journalist and columnist for The Metro. She has also appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 1xtra Talks. Her podcast ''Jackie Big Tits'' discusses taboo subjects society might necessarily not want to discuss. On this episode Jackie talks to Giles and Jim about social media, body positivity and all sorts of subjects in a joyous conversation that goes to all sorts of places. It was such a joy having Jackie's positive outlook on life on the podcast in a episode that is bound to leave you feeling good about life. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Mary Catherine Byrnes, Victoria Nielsen, Manya Kay, Alex Williams, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey, John Holland, Katherine Keen, Lynn Robinson, It's Coming Home 2022. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @JACKIEADEDEJI [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy Dyson is a writer, comedian and musician. Jeremy is best known for his work creating and co-writing The League of Gentlemen, BBC's Funland and the stage production of Ghost Stories, which Jeremy later adapted and directed for the big screen. We talked to Jeremy about trying to seek out new shows and music in a time where there is so much available, his move from performing comedy into writing it and exploring his love of horror with Ghost Stories. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @dysonjeremy [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhys Darby is a comedian, actor and writer from New Zealand, best known for his roles in Flight of the Concords, Wrecked and big-screen roles in Jumanji, Yes Man, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What we do in the Shadows. Rhys is also a prolific stand-up, writer and artist. We talked to Rhys about his love of British sitcoms, especially Dad's Army and Some Mother's do Ave'em and how these shaped his journey into comedy. He tells us about being part of the blossoming comedy scene in New Zealand and why it is so important to be silly. PLUS we have bonus content for our patreons at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patreons John Holland, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @rhysiedarby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikki Stone is a writer, comedian, musician and composer. Vikki has toured extensively as a stand-up as well as many TV appearances including The John Bishop Show, and BBC Radio 3's 'Proms Unplucked' We talked to Vikki about her experiences of freshwater swimming, her musical journey, which included being a flautist in the National Children's Orchestra and her love of combining comedy and music. PLUS we have bonus content for our patreons at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patreons Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @vikkistone [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Kerridge is a three-time Michelin starred chef, TV personality and author. Owner of many well-known establishments including The Hand and Flower in Marlow, where he garnered his first Michelin Star, Tom has gone on to regularly appear on TV including The Great British Menu and hosting his own shows like the recent Outdoor Cooking on the Food Network. We talk to Tom about his love of working in a professional kitchen, the collaboration that takes place every day and he explains what 'Battlefield Promotion' is. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @cheftomkerridge [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Lowe is an English actor, comedian and voice artist. He is the creator and performer of the character Barry from Watford on Steve Wright's BBC Radio 2 show and Iain Lee's shows, as well as also being the creator and performer behind the character Clinton Baptiste, originally seen in Phoenix Nights, as whom he has since toured. Alex chatted to Giles and Jim about performing, developing Clinton, and lots more, including some extra bonus content just for our Patreons at the end available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patreons Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @alexlowe51 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nina Conti is a ventriloquist, stand-up comedian and actress. Nina talked to us about her journey into performing and discovering the art of ventriloquism. We talk live performance and the anxieties and care of duty involved when having members of the public join in. We discuss philosophy and car crash dinner parties. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @ninaconti [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sophie Eggleton is a podcaster, writer, teacher and presenter, a proper all-rounder who's positivity and kindness is infectious and makes her a perfect guest for BLANK. Sophie chats to Giles and Jim about presenting for Download Festival and working in the music industry, being a mental health ambassador and they all delve back into their MySpace pages. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @sophieeggleton [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham Coxon is a musician, singer-songwriter, painter and is a founding member and lead guitarist in the rock band Blur. We talked to Graham about his early musical influences whilst growing up in Colchester, Essex and eventually starting a band with long term collaborator Damon Albarn. He speaks openly to us about his experiences with alcoholism, his recovery and the enjoyment of writing his solo work. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons John Holland, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @grahamcoxon [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Pemberton is an actor, writer and comedian. Best known as a member of The League of Gentlemen alongside Reece Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. Steve and Reece have also co-written and starred in the sitcom Psychoville and the comedy-drama anthology series Inside No. 9. Steve has also starred in shows like Benidorm, Worzel Gummidge and Killing Eve. We talked to Steve about his time at Bretton Hall where he met the other members of The League of Gentleman, and how that collaboration has always been something he has striven for in his work. We talk about creating the series Inside No.9 and Steve's own shyness when he's not working. PLUS we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons John Holland, Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rosie Jones is a comedian, writer and actor who has risen to stardom in the past 18 months in the UK. She has written for panel shows like Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule, Would I Lie to You?, The Last Leg and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and has appeared as a guest on most of them too.She has also written hit Netflix show Sex Education and hosts the podcast Daddy Look at Me with Helen Bauer. Rosie talks to Giles and Jim about living and performing with ataxic cerebral palsy, what it's like to be recognised as a role model for disabled people and discusses her comedy journey and hopes for the future. PLUS there is 15 minutes worth of bonus chat with Rosie (which gets super weird!). PLUS this is the first episode ever that we have bonus content for our Patrons available at patreon.com/blankpodcast Massive thanks to our Patrons Joel Piveteau, Richard Astill, Samantha Beaton, Claudia McKelvey and John Holland. @josierones @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taj Atwal is an actor best known for playing the role of "Jasminder" in BAFTA Cymru award winning comedy "Stella" aired on Sky1. She has also played a number of guest roles in comedies such as "Miranda" and "In with the Flynn's" as well as featuring in BBC Line Of Duty and upcoming BBC show The Syndicate. She spoke to Giles and Jim about taking up singing during lockdown, how she got into acting, ripspeed, cold showers and giving yourself a break. @tatwal1 @blankpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Winter is the most well known football journalist in the UK. He is currently the Chief Football Writer for The Times, having previously written for The Daily Telegraph and The Independent. He has been a regular on Sky Sports' long-running football review programme The Sunday Supplement, BBC 5Live and has ghost-written many footballer's autobiographies including Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes and Steven Gerrard. Henry chats to Jim and Giles about their team Crystal Palace, getting into journalism, self doubt and persistence and the dreaded VAR. @henrywinter @BlankPod @eliistender10 @jimdalycomedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paterson Joseph is an actor and writer. Best known for his appearances in films like The Beach and Aeon Flux and roles in iconic TV shows like Peep Show and most recently BBC Noughts and Crosses. We talked to Paterson about writing his new book 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho', how we all deal with taking notes and the balancing act of social media and creative work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A special episode to announcement to let you guys know that we have written a book! It's called Blank: Why it's Fine to Falter and Fail, And How To Pick Yourself Up Again and it's OUT NOW!!! We are joined by Celine Hughes, our fantastic Senior Commissioning Editor from Quadrille Publishing, who has published the book to talk about why they acquired the book and the process of how a book goes from an idea to a fully-formed thing. Our book explores many of the themes that crop up on the podcast with the best bits of advice from our fantastic guests including Louis Theroux, David Harbour, Reginald D Hunter, Jon Ronson, Dawn French, Amanda Abington, Rufus Sewell and Gary Lineker. Some of the recurring themes include public failure, social anxieties, fear, mental health, grief and more. Whether in your personal life, career, relationship, or in a public situation, writer's block, social anxiety, imposter syndrome, being off-form or having an identity crisis can affect us Our book explores many of the themes that crop up on the podcast with the best bits of advice from our fantastic guests including Louis Theroux, David Harbour, Reginald D Hunter, Jon Ronson, Dawn French, Amanda Abington, Rufus Sewell and Gary Lineker. Some of the recurring themes include public failure, social anxieties, fear, mental health, grief and more. Whether in your personal life, career, relationship, or in a public situation, writer's block, social anxiety, imposter syndrome, being off-form or having an identity crisis can affect anyone at any time. It's part of the human condition and yet it can throw us off course and make us feel helpless. You can pre-order a copy now here: smarturl.it/blankmoments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Offerman is an actor, comedian, writer and professional woodworker. Best known for his TV roles in Parks and Recreations, Devs and Fargo and films including We're the Mill, 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie. We talked to Nick from his house in the hills of LA about his love of writer Wendell Berry, his journey into acting from his rural home in Illinois to his theatre days in Chicago and his passion for learning and discovery through farming and nature Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deborah Frances-White is a comedian, author and screenwriter who is founder of the Guilty Feminist comedy network, which help multiple charities, especially relating to refugees and/or human rights. She hosts the podcasts Global Pillage and The Guilty Feminist and is a prominent voice in the fight for equality. Deborah chats to Giles and Jim about her comedy journey, escaping the Jehovah's Witnesses and how the comedy industry still has a long way to go to make is an equal experience for all. @DeborahFW @BlankPod @eliistender10 @jimdalycomedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamzin Merchant is an actor and writer best known for her roles in 2005's Pride and Prejudice, The Tudors and most recently Amazon Prime's Carnival Row alongside Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. Her first book for children 'The Hatmakers' came out in February 2021 with Puffin Books. We talked to Tamzin about the inspiration around her new book and her writing process. We discussed the ever-present feeling of imposter syndrome that stalks all creatives, and how Tamzin deals with her own moments with it. Tamzin tells us about her love of gardening and creates a tea blend for us all to try in those blank times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vicky McClure is a Bafta award-winning actress and presenter. Best known for her roles as DI Kate Fleming BBC's Line of Duty and Lol in Shane Meadows This Is England film and subsequent series on Channel 4. In 2019 she made a very personal documentary called Our Dementia Choir, which showed the powerful and positive impact music has on those with all different types of dementia. Vicky tells us about her early days of performing and moving from her original love of dancing into acting and the TV workshop in Nottingham that really helped to craft and hone her craft. We discuss those difficult moments in carving out a career in acting and that you don't always have to have had a formal drama school education to succeed. Vicky talks about her time working with Shane Meadows and the process of preparing for roles in films like This Is England and she tells us about the joys of being in an acting family on shows like Line of Duty, and how that collaboration is what makes acting so special. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miranda Raison is an actor known for her many theatre, television and film roles, with an extensive back catalogue of performances, including appearances on Spooks, Doctor Who, Silk and Spotless on Canal+ amongst others. She spoke to Giles and Jim about getting into acting, expanding into voice over work, speaking French and by association Jim's terrible French skills. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mathew Horne is a British actor, comedian, and writer. Best known for his work with Catherine Tate and for playing Gavin in Gavin and Stacey, Mathew has been a prolific stage and screen actor, most recently playing Raymond in Rain Man. We talked to Mathew about his career where he initially started in comedy whilst studying at Manchester University, and how that eventually led to a now, 20-year collaboration with comedian Catherine Tate. Mathew tells us about ambition never being at the heart of what he does, his lack of jealousy towards fellow creatives, and what he does to prevent that. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troy Townsend is Head of Development for Kick It Out, football's quality and inclusion organisation. A key part of Troy's work is addressing gaps in representation across all areas of the game and includes delivering equality and diversity workshops to English Football League (EFL) and scholars with the League Football Education (LFE). We talked to Troy about his early life and how the lack of encouragement and supportive role models in his life at that time lead him to stop pursuing a playing career in football. Troy opens up about the loss of two huge figures in his life, his son Kurtis, who tragically died aged just 19 and his best friend Steve Browne, who he worked with for some 15 years or more. These two extremely difficult moments in his life leading him to question his own existence and experiences he is only just beginning to be open about. We also discuss Troy's work with Kick It Out and the everyday challenges that his work brings. (TW: This episode contains discussions on suicide and bereavement) Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jill Halfpenny is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV. Her notable roles include Rebecca Hopkins in ITV soap opera Coronation Street; Kate Mitchell in BBC One soap opera EastEnders; Izzie Redpath in Waterloo Road; and Diane Manning in In The Club. She won the second series of the television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. Jill talked to Giles and Jim about auditions, self doubt, following your gut feeling and getting a book of poetry from Ken Loach. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harry Lawtey is a British actor most recently seen in HBO/BBC series Industry We talked to Harry about his early life living in Cyprus and moving to London on his own to study acting and performance and how it was hard to be away from home. Harry tells us about working on Industry and learning more about the finance industry to prepare for the role. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sophia Myles is an actor known for her roles inThunderbirds, Isolde in Tristan & Isolde, Darcy in Transformers: Age of Extinction, Erika in Underworld and Underworld: Evolution and Freya in Outlander. We spoke to Sophia about her early life growing up in Notting Hill and being the daughter of a vicar. Sophia spoke candidly about her life and work as an actor and opened up about her mental health and how she is trying to come terms with the effects it has had on her wellbeing. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Fenton Stevens is an actor, comedian and podcaster. He is best known for being a founder member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees and the voice behind the Spitting Image 1986 number 1 hit "The Chicken Song". He was a prominent member in the birth of the alternative comedy scene in England in the 180s and also starred in KYTV, its Radio 4 predecessor, Radio Active and Benidorm as Sir Henry since Series 4 which was first broadcast in 2011, and as an anchor on 3rd & Bird on CBeebies. Mike chats to Jim and Giles about his established career, how he dealt with blank moments and plenty more in between. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Fry is a writer, comedian and actor. A prolific career spanning some over 35 years, Stephen Fry has become an icon of British TV, film and literature and a genuine national treasure. We caught up with Stephen while he was in LA and began our conversation by talking about America and how it has changed since the time Stephen spent there filming his documentary series 'In America'. Stephen shares his ideas and thoughts around the role of art and how realism has been somewhat sidelined by fantasy and he tells us about how at the age of 63 whether he still feels able to influence and have open discussions with those who have opposing views. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hayley Tamaddon is an multi-talented actor, who is best known for her TV roles as Del Dingle in Emmerdale, Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street and as Calista in Shameless but has performed on stage in many huge productions. She spoke to Giles and Jim about how she landed her first big roles in theatre and the graft it took to get there. She also described being thrust into the fame spotlight after landing that role on Emmerdale and the perils of social media, how in particular she strives to keep her social presences so positive. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fred Sirieix is a presenter, TV personality and maître d'hôtel, best known for his work on Channel 4's First Dates, BBC's Remarkable Places to Eat, Snackmasters and ITV's Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip. We talked to Fred about his early experiences with food and making his way in the industry, going from training to be a chef to working front of house. Fred tells us about his difficult moments when his career wasn't quite going the way he wanted and the beauty of connecting and talking to all walks of life in the service industry. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sian Harries is a writer, comedian and actress. Sian has written for both television and radio. She co-wrote both Greg Davies's Man Down for Channel 4 and 2018 sitcom, The Tourist Trap, starring Sally Phillips, for the BBC. Known by her closest friends as The Giggler, we spent almost the entire podcast laughing at everything from school plays, live comedy performances and terrible names for super villains. We also discussed collaboration min comedy and putting your trust in others when it comes to creative decisions. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlotte Hawkins is our special guests for this Christmas eve episode! Charlotte is a television and radio presenter, newsreader and journalist, currently getting up at stupid o'clock to brighten our mornings on Good Morning Britain on ITV. She also hosts a show on Classic FM and talks to Giles and Jim about her love of Classical Music. She also discusses how she got into news and she and Jim swap stories about the joys of working in local news and Fred Dinenage. She also talks about how she deals with Twitter trolls and the trials and tribulations of working on live news television. Merry Christmas everyone, thanks for all your support in 2020, we hope you have a wonderful festive time and well see you again in 2021. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Naomi Wilkinson is a television presenter, actress and producer, best known for her work in children's televsion on Cbeebies and Channels 5's milkshake. We started our chat by talking to Naomi about her time working at Butlins as a a Red Coats and how that was in someways a launchpad for her career in presenting. She admits that being a presenter on children's TV was always the dream job having watched shows like Choc A Block and Play Away as a child. We chatted about the challenges of working freelance and still being able to carve out a traditional television career in the digital age. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Day is a national treasure and one of the Uk's most recognised and well known standup comedians and comedy writers. Kevin came to prominence in the British alternative comedy stand up scene of the late eighties and early nineties, and quickly was MCing The Comedy Store. He has gone on to tour extensively, play the Edinburgh Fringe almost every year since the early 90s and write for multiple shows including Have I Got News For You and League Of Their Own. Kevin talks to Giles and Jim about a range of topics, including how he got over stage fright minutes before the first run of an Edinburgh show after an absence from comedy, the grief of losing his mum and the changes he has witnessed in the UK comedy scene over the past 30 years. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Rankin is a multi-award winning novelist and writer. Best known for his novels based in Edinburgh starring DI John Rebus and in more recent years DI Malcolm Fox, Ian Rankin has regularly contributed to BBC Arts Review and several documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Four. We talked to Ian from his flat in Edinburgh and began by chatting about his first tools for writing, including the jotting pads from the school equipment cupboard. Ian tells us about feeling like a bit of an outsider growing up wanting to be a writer instead of learning a trade. We talk about the challenges of working in isolation and we talk about Ian's passion for music and being a front man in a band. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Kennedy is a writer, comedian, actress and Lego guru. Originally trained as a solicitor, Emma moved into acting and live performance and then onto writing. Her books include The Tent, The Bucket and Me, which went on to be adapted in a BBC Series called The Kennedys. In 2012 Emma won Celebrity Masterchef. We started our conversation with Emma and Giles comparing Lego sets, a passion for them both. Emma tells us about her accidental move into acting and how writing has always been her first passion. Emma gives us some wonderful tips on becoming a writer and how as creatives we have to consider ourselves as small businesses. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Janet Devlin is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter who competed in the eighth series of X-Factor in 2011 where she finished in fifth place. Devlin's debut album was released in 2012 and her second studio album Confessional was released this year. Jane is incredibly open about her career in the music industry and all the ups and downs that has brought her so far, including her struggles with alcoholism and addiction and getting screwed over by record labels. She talks honestly and candidly with Giles and Jim about all sorts of blank moments in this epic episode. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Whitmore is a radio broadcaster, TV presenter, writer and podcaster. Laura's first big gig was presenting for MTV, which led to her then presenting on ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! More recently Laura has presented her own show on Radio 5Live, as well as being the presenter for ITV's Love Island and team captain on Celebrity Juice. Laura also presents many podcasts including Cast Away, a podcast about podcasts. We spoke to Laura from her home in London and started by chatting about studying journalism, and her experiences in both Dublin and Boston, US. Jim and Laura discuss thinking in shorthand and what led her into presenting. We touch on the press and how a lot of people are really starting to switch off from the clickbait style of modern mainstream journalism, and in particular the print media and how podcasts have really helped to allow guests and presenters to express themselves and be more comfortable and candid. Laura gives us her advice on dealing with her own blank moments and how imposter syndrome is often something she has to deal with. Get BLANK Podcast merchandise here: https://www.podcastmerch.co.uk/blank Buy us a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/blankpodcast Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary radio and television presenter Nicky Campbell has been a mainstay of British broadcasting for decades. He has presented the BBC Radio 5 Live breakfast programme since 2003, BBC One's Sunday morning show The Big Questions since 2007, and Long Lost Family on ITV since 2011. He presented the game show Wheel of Fortune from 1988 until 1996, and the consumer affairs programme Watchdog from 2001 to 2009. He joins Giles and Jim to chat about his established career, the ups and downs of live broadcasting, dealing with Twitter trolls and idiots in real life with fruit salads. Get BLANK Podcast merchandise here: https://www.podcastmerch.co.uk/blank Buy us a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/blankpodcast Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theblankpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices