Blank Podcast with Giles Paley-Phillips & Jim Daly

Ellie Gibson is an award-winning journalist, presenter, stand-up comedian and co-host of the phenomenal Scummy Mummies podcast. Ellie very kindly invited us around to the Gibson house for a natter about all things BLANK. We started by talking about preparing for a live tour and Edinburgh Fringe, and the incredible success of Scummy Mummies and the podcast movement in general. Ellie told us about her early career as a video games journalist and the challenges of working in such a male dominated industry. We discussed how Ellie met her comedy partner Helen Thorn and then entering into the precarious world of stand-up and the hottest topic of all, which is better, Sonic or Mario?! 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

James O'Brien is a British broadcaster, radio presenter, journalist and podcaster. James is best known for his show on LBC and his recent book 'How To Be Right' We met up with James back in July to talk about his early life, going to boarding school and how he eventually followed in his father's footsteps to become a journalist via a short stint trying his hand at acting. James talked candidly about his time working as a gossip columnist and what led him into broadcasting and his now infamous take downs of callers on his live phone ins on LBC. Amazingly it takes us nearly an hour before we talk about Brexit and Trump and we could have chatted for hours, James is always incredibly insightful, intriguing and wonderful company. 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

Tiffany Stevenson is an English stand-up comedian, writer and actress, who has starred in the highly acclaimed Gameface and People Just Do Nothing. We met up with Tiff not long after she'd returned from LA, where she had been doing some stand-up shows as well as working on a new show she is writing for HBO. We talked about the differences in the comedy scene in the US from the UK and how blank moments are a common occurrence when writing new material and formulating a new show. Tiff told us about preparing for Edinburgh Fringe and the pressure and expense that comes from having a show at the festival and the continued elitism attached with such a prestigious event. 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

Ed Byrne is a stand-up comedian and actor. Often seen on shows including Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo, Ed is currently on a huge nation wide tour with his show 'If I'm Honest' It was down at the Nordic Bar just before the summer holidays that we met up with Ed to talk all things comedy. Ed told us about his journey into stand-up from studying horticulture at university to heading to London to join the club circuit. We discuss blank moments in writing new shows and searching for perfect book end jokes for a show. 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

David Harbour is an American actor from New York who has performed in film, television, and the theatre. He is best known for his role as Chief Jim Hopper on the Netflix original series, Stranger Things and the lead in the new adaptation of HELLBOY He is also known for his role as CIA agent Gregg Beam in Quantum of Solace, Shep Campbell in Revolutionary Road alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Van Hauser in End of Watch and Dexter Tolliver in Suicide Squad Trying to arrange interviews for the podcast is often challenging, all our guests have extremely busy schedules and finding a time and place to record can be tricky. We tried really hard to meet up with David while he was fleetingly in the UK at the tail end of 2018, but we just couldn't make it work. However, David is a wonderful man and promised to work out some time for us in January whatever his schedule. So, we finally sat down at Acast studios a few weeks back and recorded our first episode live from New York via Skype, which we've tried to keep as natural and authentic to our own experience in the room listening through the headphones. We discussed David's exploits living in Bristol, England when he was just 16, having been back there recently to shoot HELLBOY. We talk about working in theatre and the impact on David's life now being in a huge show like Stranger Things. David speaks openly about his mental health and the new book he is writing he hopes will open up more discussion around the subject. 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

It's the summer break, so we though we'd put together a little selection of clips from some of our favourite episodes so far to keep you going till we return in the Autumn with some amazing new episodes. 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

John Lloyd is an English television producer and writer best known for his work on comedy television programmes, including Not the Nine O'Clock News, Spitting Image, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder and QI, blackadder and QI. We spoke to John as our special guest on our first ever live podcast at Latitude Festival, which was daunting enough in itself as well as meeting one of British comedy's most influential producers and writers. We started our conversation by taking John back to school days where he began to first cultivate, what has been his lifelong determination to question authority and buck trends. John tells how Blank moments are an ever present part of the creative life and how using mindfulness techniques and practices has really helped him in these moments. We talked about the lack of questioning for high level politicians now that shows like Spitting Image are no longer on TV and how we need to get back to a place in comedy where we can start to do that again. 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

Matthew Syed is a British journalist, author, broadcaster, and former British number one table tennis player. We met with Matthew at Acast Studios near Old Street on a hot day in central London. We started our conversation by talking about the challenges facing top coaches in sport and in particular the ongoing success and adaptability of top football managers like Sir Alex Ferguson. Matthew told about his journey to becoming Britains No.1 Table Tennis player and how he sustained that position for 10 years. We talked about the power of camaraderie in team sports allowing the victors a greater sense of achievement and enjoyment at winning, than in individual sports. In discussing his new book 'Rebel Ideas' Matthew tells us about how he been looking into anthropology, performance and the echo chambers so many of us find ourselves. 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

Sanjeev Bhaskar is a British comedian, actor, documentarian and broadcaster, he best known for his work in the BBC Two sketch comedy series Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 as well as documentary series 'India with Sanjeev Bhaskar' and Bollywood and Beyond. Most recently Sanjeev has been none for his role as DI Sunny Khan in Unforgotten and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Sussex. Jim and Giles met with Sanjeev at Acast studio and started by talking about Sanjeev's lifelong love of The Beatles and how a lot of us consume music differently these day, rarely listening to full albums. Sanjeev explains his late arrival into comedy having studied marketing at university and after experiencing a dark period in his professional life he decided to pursue comedy and live performance. We discuss the power of the creative journey and how that is why we often do what we do, not the end goal. 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

Rufus Sewell is an Olivier award-winning actor and has appeared in films such as Dark City, A Knight's Tale, The Illusionist, Tristan and Isolde, and Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence. As well as films Rufus has appeared in many high profile TV shows including Victoria, Zen, Pillars of the Earth, Middlemarch, and most recently The Man in the High Castle, Zen, The Pillars of the Earth. We met with Rufus down at the Nordic Bar in central London to chat about all things BLANK. Rufus had just finished filming with Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman in feature film The Father, before heading back to his home in LA. Rufus talked openly about his early life, the loss of his father at a very young age and how being a truant during secondary school had a lot to do with anxiety. We talked about the power of critics and knowing when to say no to the things. WARNING there is some strong language used in this episode that some might find offensive 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

Jamie Murray is is a British professional tennis player from Scotland. He is a six-time Grand Slam doubles winner and a Davis Cup champion, currently the world No. 8 doubles player, and a former doubles world No. 1. We caught up with Jamie just before the start of the grass court season, and with Wimbledon about to begin we chatted about what goes into preparing for a major tournament and processes you go through during each match. Jamie talked candidly about his teen years when he was one of the top singles player in the world and the challenges of seeing many of his peers, among them Rafael Nadal, progress, while he struggled to settle whilst being away from home, and how it affected his confidence. He tells us about how working with a new coach helped him to believe in his own style and play the game to his own strengths which lead to him become the No.1 doubles player in the world. Jamie talks about living out of suitcases during the touring months and we discuss how the tragic events in Dunblane when he was a child, haven't changed the way he lives his life. 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

Edith Bowman is a broadcaster, DJ and podcast presenter, as well as for presenting a variety of music-related television shows and music festivals. We met with Edith down at the Nordic Bar to chat and have a cuppa tea. Edith tells us about her brilliant podcast Soundtracking and her methodical preparation for interviews, including the time she was able to keep Harrison Ford interested by talking about carpentry. We discuss dream guests and Edith's early days helping out at her parents hotel in Scotland. Edith tells us about the time she was told by producer she wouldn't make it as a presenter because of her accent and we find out what it takes avoid blank moments in front of famous people. 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

Lucy Porter is an actress, writer and comedian. She has performed extensively at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Brighton Festival and many clubs around Britain. Jim and Giles caught up with Lucy for an epic chat about all things from sex robots to the menopause. Lucy tells us about her early stand-up gigs and working hard on the craft of comedy. Jim talks about his own fears of getting back into stand-up and we discuss what it means to have empathy with an audience and dying on stage 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

Hal Cruttenden is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor, who has appeared on many shows including Mock the Week, Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News for You, and The 11 O'Clock Show. He has also written for The Omid Djalili Show and The Rob Brydon Show. In 2002 Hal was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. We sat down with Hal at Acast Studios in London on a warm day in May. Hal is a true bundle of energy and such lovely company, we started off by talking about Hal's university days and wanting to marry Kylie Minogue. We discuss 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

Reece Shearsmith is an English actor, writer and comedian. He created, wrote and starred in sketch show The League of Gentlemen, along with Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. Reece and Steve Pemberton also created, wrote and starred in the dark comedy series Psychoville, before going on to write and star in their anthology series Inside No. 9. Reece has also starred in Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, The World's End and Doctor Who. Giles and Jim met with Reece down at the Nordic Bar and started our chat by talking about having vivid dreams and trying to come down from live performances. Reece tells us about that terror and injustice of being told off at school when you've not done anything wrong. We discuss a love of horror stories and Reece making mini-sketches of magic shows where he would fire shots with his uncle's air rifle at his toy Hugo the Man of a 1000 Faces. We delve into shyness and how that forms a big part of Reece's 'Blank' moments and how difficult social occasions are if you are incredibly shy. 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 Dicks is a satirical cartoonist, illustrator, designer and humourist, who lives in Hove. Mike has worked with some of the best storytellers in the market, including TV production companies, digital agencies and broadcasters. He's been involved in developing multi-platform gameshows for the BBC, interactive dramas and documentaries for Channel 4 and the BBC, music/comedy hybrids for Sony Playstation and gamified toys for Lego and Scalextric. Jim and Giles headed down to Mike's place in Hove to chat about being creative. We talk about the current political discourse and how Mike's comic book creations, such as 'The Brexit' and 'Trumpton' are his way of shining a bit of light on some dark times. Mike tells us about how being diagnosed with leukaemia led to his career change and how his work helps him put processes in place. 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

Steve Parish is an English business man, part-owner and Chairman of Crystal Palace Football Club. He began his career working in computer graphics before going on to buy a stake in a company called Adplates Ltd, where he later assumed control of the business renaming it Tag Worldwide. In 2010, Steve led a consortium named 'CPFC2010' acquired Crystal Palace Football Club during a period of administration. Three years later in 2013 the club won promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs and has now enjoyed six consecutive seasons in the top flight of English football. Giles and Jim met up with Steve in his offices in Soho to catch up and chat about the club, but also Steve's journey in business. We discussed the brutal nature of football fandom and how social media is a toxic environment for any one who works in the industry, Steve talked candidly about how when losing a game he will often use Twitter as a form of punishment. Steve is really open about his drive and desire to do the very best for the football club and how that can be all consuming at times. It's no secret that Jim and Giles are Palace fans and it isn't often that people in football are so open about what goes on in running a club, so this episode was both insightful and a real pleasure 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

Rachel Parris is a multi-talented comedian, musician, improviser and presenter who stars in The Mash Report on BBC Two and is a regular member of the improv theatre group Austentatious. She has made several appearances on BBC Radio 4 and BBC 6 Music, most recently in The Now Show, and on TV, she appeared in the highly anticipated IT Crowd Special on Channel 4, which was nominated in the Bafta Awards. Rachel presented the Game of Thrones fanshow, Thronecast on Sky Atlantic and she has appeared in BBC2's Murder in Successful , Russell Howard's Good News, satirical sketch show Revolting. Rachel is one of the nicest people and very kindly invited us round for a coffee and we started by comparing the price of haircuts and the downsides of multi-option takeaways. Rachel's tells us about her early life growing up in Leicester and enjoying school. We discuss the process of performance and wanting to have some order to things to help rein in the nerves and how a recent period of anxiety became a worry that performing live would be affected by it. 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

Ben Bailey Smith, also known by the stage name Doc Brown, is an English rapper, comedian, actor, screenwriter, radio presenter and children's writer. He has starred in many TV and film roles, most notably opposite Ricky Gervais in David Brent: Life on the Road. He's released several albums including 2017's highly acclaimed 'Stemma' Jim and Giles sat down to talk to Ben at Nordic Bar back at the beginning of the year, early on in the discussion Ben told us about giving up watching porn and why he chooses to avoid social media. We talked about all the different aspects of Ben's career, and the BLANK moments that occur, especially when doing stand-up comedy and the highs and lows of gigging. 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

Susannah Fielding is an English actress who has worked in theatre, film, television and radio. After graduating from Guildhall she started her career in theatre where in 2014 she won the Ian Charleson Award for her portrayal of Portia in The Merchant of Venice at the Almeida Theatre. She starred in the CBS sitcom The Great Indoors, and Channel 4's Pete Vs Life and High and Dry. She has most recently won much critical acclaim co-starring with Steve Coogan in This Time with Alan Partridge. Giles and Jim met up with Susannah on a beautiful sunny morning in March down at the Nordic Bar. We started by discussing being tidy and organised and how that relates and opposes our various creative lives. Susannah discussed growing up in Havent, near Portsmouth and the encouragement she received when first starting her acting career. We talk Partridge and the pressures of being involved with such a huge character and the audition process involved. Susannah admits how sometimes being a risk taker has helped in her career. 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

Mark Gatiss is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter and novelist. His work includes writing for and acting in the TV series Doctor Who and Sherlock. Together with Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Jeremy Dyson, he is a member of the comedy team The League of Gentlemen. His most recent work includes roles in The Favourite, and the forthcoming Good Omens and Dracula. We met with Mark at Acast HQ on a crisp spring morning for a nice chat and a cuppa in one of the recording rooms which we all agreed could double for the lair of a Bond Villain. Mark and Giles began by acknowledging their love of County Durham, where Mark grew up and Giles spent many childhood summers. Mark tells us about his time at drama school where he originally met the other members of The League of Gentlemen, and his love of the macabre and in particular Hammer Horror. We talked Brexit and social media, as often happens on BLANK and the idea that some people appear to want to go back to a time when things were actually pretty grim. 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

Caroline Lucas is MP for Brighton Pavilion. She was elected as the UK's first Green Member of Parliament in 2010. Born in Worcestershire, Lucas graduated from the University of Exeter and received a PhD from the University of Exeter in 1989. Caroline is a campaigner and writer on green economics, localisation, alternatives to globalisation, trade justice, animal welfare and food and most recently has been a vocal supporter of the 'People's Vote' a campaign group calling for a public vote on the final Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union. Giles and Jim headed down to sunny Brighton to meet with Caroline at her constituency offices to talk all things BLANK. Caroline talked to us about her early life and how she became interested in Politics and particularly Green Politics through the writing of Jonathan Porritt's and his book 'Seeing Green' We discussed the state of British politics and the toxicity aimed at MPs on social media. Jim asks about the current turmoil surrounding Brexit, while Giles poses the question as to whether politics is now broken. 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

Julia Bradbury is an English television presenter, specialising in documentaries. She is best known for co-presenting the BBC's Countryfile from 2004 until 2014. She also presented Watchdog (2005–2009) and Planet Earth Live (2012) for the BBC and Take on the Twisters (2013), The Wonder of Britain (2015) and Britain's Best Walks (2017) for ITV. Julia's most recent project has seen her travelling around Australia in an eight-part series for ITV We met up with Julia in central London for a catch up and a cuppa, she told us all about her early career on pioneering news shows with Janet Street-Porter and her early desires to work in marketing as a copywriter. Julia explains how she avoids BLANK moments by continuing to hustle and that by staying busy she can sometimes buy herself more time. Jim and Giles trade stories about small town nightclubs and Julia tells us why she tried to design her own nightclub as a teenager called Cocaine! 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

Warren Dudley is a screenwriter, producer and director, who work includes the feature film The Bromley Boys starring Alan Davis, Brenock O'Connor and Martine McCutcheon, horror film Cage and most recently Amazon Prime comedy series, Seaside Town a mock documentary about a local football team Warren spoke to Giles and Jim at length about his writing process, what inspires his work and how cruel reviewers can be on social media for some of his films.We discuss those moments we are distracted by our work and we couldn't not bring up our own football rivalries 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

Louis Theroux is an American-British documentary filmmaker, journalist and broadcaster. Theroux is best known for his documentary series, including Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, When Louis Met..., and many BBC specials, including most recently his series Altered States. His career started in journalism and it bears the influences of notable writers in his family, such as his father Paul and his brother Marcel. The BBC has produced all of his documentaries and television series. He has received two British Academy Television Awards and a Royal Television Society Television Award for his work. 2017 saw the release of Louis' first feature film 'My Scientology Movie' Giles and Jim met up with Louis down at Nordic Bar just after Christmas while Louis was taking a break from writing his new autobiography. We discussed many aspects of Louis' early career and how a mundane job in a glass blowing workshop led to him focussing his attention to other creative endeavours. Jim tells Louis about the time he nearly got sued for libel and we find out why Blankness is ever present in Louis' life. 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

Daniel Tuite was born in Somerset, England and trained at The Rose Bruford College of Speech And Drama in London. He has performed extensively on stage, notably in The 39 Steps at London's Criterion Theatre, as well as productions at the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Donmar Warehouse, Chichester Festival Theatre and The Open Air Theatre in Regents Park, where he played Boo Radley in the award-winning production of To Kill A Mockingbird. He plays several musical instruments and has toured much of the world playing in the band Aqualung, as well as contributing to the albums Still Life and Words And Music. More recently Daniel has had roles in Game of Thrones, The Death of Stalin and BBC's Les Miserables. We caught up with Daniel last Autumn not long after he'd finished filming on Les Miserables, we talk about the ups and downs in the life of a jobbing actor, and the feelings that come with of being ignored by casting directors and how the compulsion to pursue the art often outweighs the more negative aspects of the 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

David Morrissey is an English actor, director, producer and screenwriter. At the age of 18, he was cast in the television series One Summer (1983). After making One Summer, Morrissey attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, then acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre for four years. He is most well-known to fans of The Walking Dead and Dr Who, but his body of work is huge and diverse. David met up with Jim and Giles down at the Nordic Bar just before Christmas. We examined David's early life, and the brave decision he made to leave home and pursue acting at the age of 16. We discuss what it means to be involved in a theatre company and the bonds you make with your 'Theatre Family'. David takes us through his love of the craft and those dreaded blank moments on stage. We also manage to chat a little football and David reveals one of his proudest achievements is the gig he got with Liverpool FC 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

Lindsay Galvin is an author from East Sussex, whose debut novel from Middle Grade, The Secret Deep was released in late 2018 to much critical acclaim. Her second novel is due out in 2019. Lindsay joined us on a sunny day back at the end of September to chat about her debut book and her experiences of being a first-time author. Lindsey opens up about her anxiety as a child and how that has resurfaced in later life. We discuss those blank moments that are common for writers and how we can overcome them. 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

Gary Neville is a retired football player and co-owner of Salford City. Since retiring from football in 2011, Neville went into punditry and was a commentator for Sky Sports until he took over the head coach position at Valencia in 2015. After being sacked by the club in 2016, he returned to his position as a pundit for Sky Sports later that year. He was also assistant manager for the England national team from 2012 to 2016 We met with Gary just before Christmas to talk about his early life, his career at Manchester Utd and his subsequent move into punditry at Sky Sports. Gary talked openly about a 6 month period in his career which led him to talk to a psychologist and how the things that he learnt from that have continued to be effective in his daily life. We discussed difficult moments in our lives and Gary spoke honestly about one of his hardest challenges being when he lost his Dad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Shenton is a British actress who has appeared in a number of British television series and films. She is most well known for her role as Mitzeee Minniver on the Channel 4 teen drama Hollyoaks. Shenton made her American TV debut on ABC Family drama Switched at Birth in Season 3 as Lily Summers and stayed until the show's finale in Season 5. Shenton also appears in BBC2 comedy White Gold. In 2018, she won an Academy Award for her short film The Silent Child Giles and Jim met Rachel at Nordic Bar to have a cuppa and catch up on what has been a whirlwind year for Rachel after her and her husband Chris Overton wrote and Directed the Oscar winning short film, The Silent Child. We talked at length about the genesis of the film and Rachel's longtime campaigning for the deaf community. 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

Jim Piddock is an English actor, writer, and producer who began his career on the stage in the United Kingdom, before emigrating to the U.S. in 1981. He's best known for his work with Christopher Guest in films such as Best in Show, A mighty Wind and Mascots which he co-wrote. He's also starred in many movies including The 5 Year Engagement alongside Emily Blunt and Jason Segal. We met up with Jim while he was over in London from L.A. where he spends most of his time these days. Jim talked about making the move to the US when he was just in his early 20s and treading the boards before making the move into film. We discussed working on multiple projects, being a writer, producer and actor Jim often wears many different Hats at one time. Jim gives us some candid accounts of life on set, particularly when the chemistry isn't quite there. 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

Amanda Abbington has had an incredible and varied career starting in 1993 with roles on TV shows like the Bill and Wycliffe, but is probably best known for playing Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge and Mary Morstan in the Hit BBC adaptation of Sherlock. We met up with Amanda in London to talk about her BLANK moments in her working and personal life. We talked about politics, social media and in particular debating online and binary discussions. We delve into how things are more grey than simply black and white. 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

Gary Lineker is a former professional footballer and current sports broadcaster. He holds England's record for goals in FIFA World Cup finals, with 10 scored and is England's third highest top scorer. Lineker's media career began with the BBC, where he still presents the flagship football programme Match of the Day since the late 1990s. He has also worked for Al Jazeera Sports, Eredivisie Live, NBC Sports Network and currently hosts BT Sport's coverage of the UEFA Champions League. He currently hosts Lineker and Baker - Behind Closed Doors, a podcast that shines a light on the world of football. Gary very kindly invited Giles and Jim to his house in South West London for a cuppa and a chat about all things BLANK. We talked about making big decisions at a young age and the feeling of getting to a point where you're confident in what you do. Gary also talked openly about those moments off the field, including when his first son George was diagnosed with leukaemia as a child, had affected him and how football helped him through that time. With Christmas just around the corner, Giles and Gary share some cooking tips while Jim ponders what a waterbath is. @blankpod @eliistender @jimdalycomedy @garylineker [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Callard is an actress and writer, best known for her roles in Detectorists, The Grand and The Borrowers. Rebecca's first play A Bit of Light won a commendation award from The Bruntwood prize in 2017 and is currently being adapted into a screenplay. Rebecca kindly invited us to her home in South London for a good natter about going BLANK. We chatted at length about Rebecca's impressive and slightly dated VHS collection and her obsession with Horror films. Giles and Rebecca look into each other's struggles with insomnia and how that has at times affected Rebecca's acting for good and bad, and also those times when BLANK moments have occurred during auditions. Our wonderful pod music is by the amazing Paul Pilot and you can hear more from him here: http://paulpilot.com 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

Reginald D.Hunter is an American stand-up comedian based in the United Kingdom. Originally from Albany, Georgia, Reg initially travelled to the UK at the age of 27 as a theatre student training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, He became a comedian after performing his first comedy set as a dare, for which he received £100. Realising that he enjoyed performing comedy, and that it might be profitable, he turned his attention from acting to stand-up. He has since been Perrier Award Nominated and appeared on many TV shows including Have I got News for you and 8 Out of 10 Cats. We met up with Reg back in October just after he'd returned from appearing at Edinburgh Fringe. We discussed many aspects of being a comedian and Reg's feelings around staying relevant to new audiences. We also talk about career mortality and the idea of starting again somewhere new. Reg gives Jim a personal comedy workshop to help with his stand-up fears and tells Giles about his new found enjoyment of coffee 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

Susie Dent is an English lexicographer and etymologist. She has appeared in "Dictionary Corner" on the Channel 4 game show Countdown every year since 1992. She also appears on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Dent's Guide to Swearing Jim and Giles headed to the historical city of Oxford to meet up with wordsmith and National treasure Susie Dent to talk all things BLANK. Susie tells us about the origins of the word BLANK also about the various connotations of it. Susie explains how she is often most happy when she's living in her own head, and how a new found love for walking allows her that time. We discuss BLANK moments on the set of Countdown and one of Susie's favourite subjects - Swearing! Our wonderful pod music is by the amazing Paul Pilot and you can hear more from him here: http://paulpilot.com 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

Michael Rosen is a multi-award-winning English children's novelist, poet, and author of 140 books, including We're going on a Bear Hunt and Sad Book. He served as Children's Laureate from June 2007 to June 2009. He is also a TV presenter and a political columnist. Michael met us down at Nordic Bar on a cold November morning to talk all things BLANK over a cup of tea. We chatted at length about Michael's early life and in particular, his adventures in the mysterious Metroland. Michael talks candidly about the controversy surrounding his sacking from the BBC in the 1970's and his subsequent diagnosis with hyperthyroidism. We discuss the differences between having a creative BLANK and having a block and Michael explains to Giles and Jim about 'Ego Strength' and the issues that arise when some creatives can run out of it. Michael's biography is available here: https://bit.ly/2zk3x4F Our wonderful pod music is by the amazing Paul Pilot and you can hear more from him here: http://paulpilot.com 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

Roisin is a brilliant and multi-talented comedian and actress. Having won the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010 for Best Newcomer, Roisin is now one of the nation’s favourite comic faces on television, appearing regularly on hugely popular entertainment shows such as Have I Got News For You (BBC One), 8 Out of 10 Cats does Countdown (Channel 4), Would I Lie To You (BBC One), and the new Channel 4 edition of The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, having been a series regular on the BBC2 series. In March 2018, she also appeared on the Stand Up to Cancer Celebrity Bake Off edition. Roisin Conaty’s sitcom GameFace, which she created, writes and stars in, aired its first series on E4 in late 2017, quickly followed by a US release on Hulu. We sat down with Roisin at Nordic Bar nr Oxford Circus to chat all things BLANK. We talked at length about the different aspects of performing live stand-up and how Roisin has used meditation as a way of focusing her creativity. We also chatted about her processes when writing her brilliant Channel 4 series Gameface and how that has changed as she's been writing series 2. Giles fails to get to grips with saying season and series and Jim gets some much needed stand-up advice as he looks to try out some new material live again. Our wonderful pod music is by the amazing Paul Pilot and you can hear more from him here: http://paulpilot.com 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

Jon is a multi-award winning author, screenwriter, and documentarian, whose work includes The Psychopath Test, Them, The Men Who Stare at Goats and So You've Been Publicly Shamed AND the first ever guest on the BLANK podcast! We caught up with Jon while he was in the UK to do some live shows about his brilliant Audible series 'The Butterfly Effect'. We talked about the destructive nature of a social media pile on and Jon's own recent brush with it. Jon tells us about his own methods for making sure he avoids going BLANK on projects and opens up about empathy being his first way into a story. Let us know what you think of the pod: [email protected] or @blankpod on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 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

This is the Blank Podcast, an interview pod where celebrities and well known people talk about moments things all went a bit "blank". The first episode with author Jon Ronson launches November 7th with new episodes every Wednesday thereafter. So hit that subscribe button to get the Blank Podcast in your feed every week. 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