Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake

Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Brown Girls Do It Too host, Poppy Jay, joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Historian Emma Nagouse and Bastille's Dan Smith join Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They talk about their new show, discussing the historical figures from Dan's new album.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

TV's most decorated SAS leader joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

UK comedy legend, Paul Chowdhry, joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss Paul's family-friendly status, turning down reality TV and not calling Stanley Kubrick.Nihal Arthanayake presents his Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The magician formerly known as Dynamo joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss shedding his alter-ego, a difficult upbringing, and the real magic around us.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The Israeli-US comedian joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They talk politics, life informing comedy, and different types of laughter.Nihal Arthanayake presents his Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Bassist, farmer and festival promoter, Alex James joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Online sensation and businessman, Vikkstar, joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss his rise to fame and the challenges that have come with it.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The Primal Scream singer joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The celebrated US violinist joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss Lindsey's experience on US TV talent shows, politics, and mental health.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

James and Clair Buckley join Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They talk family, an Inbetweeners reunion and where all the guitar bands have gone.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The Belfast-born actor and star of Game of Thrones joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.They talk RADA, the new Day of the Jackal Sky series and the p word (politics).Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Artist, DJ, national treasure, Craig David joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They talk routine, gratitude and Craig's famous fans.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Roland and Curt from the legendary UK group join Nihal for an in-depth conversation; covering religion, navigating the music industry for 40 years, and what is left to achieve.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

One of the most iconic broadcasters of our time joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation. He talks cricket, his upbringing and how it felt to interview Saddam Hussein.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Author and Anand Dhawan Professor of History at Yale University Sunil Amrith joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They cover the environment, migration and the future of life on earth.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The multi-million selling singer-songwriter joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.They discuss his time in the tabloids, the perspective time in the army gives you, and expressing emotions (or not) to his father.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Author and journalist Oliver Burkeman joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.They discuss the character traits required in a political leader and what is an 'insecure overachiever'?Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Comedy legend and SAS: Who Dares Wins veteran, Shazia Mirza, joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.They talk Oasis, growing up as a Muslim woman and how unphased she was by the SAS.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Mr Swallow star, Nick Mohammed, joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss life after Ted Lasso, his career in investment banking, and working with David Schwimmer.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Writer and self-styled cat lady, Dawn O'Porter, joins Nihal for an in-depth chat.They discuss fame, friendship and keeping kids safe on social media.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Best-selling author Adam Kay joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss becoming a Dad, being a Jewish man in the current climate, and the homogeneity of med school.Headliners is Nihal Arthanayake's new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Gold medal winning rower Helen Glover joins Nihal for an in-depth discussion.She talks about family, success and whether or not she'll be there in LA.Headliners is Nihal Arthanayake's new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Classical music sensation, Alexis Ffrench, joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They discuss hitting a billion streams, the discipline of his upbringing, and Stevie Wonder.Headliners is Nihal Arthanayake's new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

The fastest British woman in history, Dina Asher-Smith, joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.The pair discuss Paris, where she gets her competitive edge and a burgeoning interest in fashion.Headliners is Nihal Arthanayake's new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Best-selling author Candice Brathwaite joins Nihal for an in-depth interview.They talk manifesting, social mobility and private education. Headliners is Nihal Arthanayake's new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Fresh Prince actor Jimmy Akingbola joins Nihal for an in-depth conversation.The pair discuss working with Will Smith, growing up in care, and processing loss. Headliners is Nihal Arthanayake's new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Nihal Arthanayake speaks to actor Cush Jumbo, his second guest in his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews.Over the course of the conversation, Cush talks about the experience of watching her father being stopped by Police as a child, being turned down work at a well-known department store for her dreadlocks, and generational trauma.

Nihal Arthanayake speaks to Stewart Lee, his first guest in a new series of Headliners, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews. Over the course of the conversation, Stewart touches on fatherhood and the joy of a profession that allows him to remain immature. He talks about the importance of an economy that supports creativity, finding a new audience via social media clips, and a premonition his 16-year-old self had in a field in Southern England.

Iconic sports presenter and author Gabby Logan on some of her career highlights and covering some of sports biggest events.She has just released a new book called “The Midpoint Plan,” inspired by her successful podcast called “The Midpoint Plan podcast,” talking about making the most of midlife, with insights from health experts.She also reflects on her husband Kenny’s prostate cancer diagnosis and how "The Midpoint Plan podcast” has inspired many men to get checked.She also talks about why the Olympic games mean so much to her, particularly London 2012.

‘Forever’ is Bon Jovi’s 18th album. The one and only Jon Bon Jovi told Nihal Arthanayake about writing the new album, the secrets of a long and successful marriage, how he hopes to be able to sing live again after having surgery on his vocal chords two years ago, and being an unashamed optimist.

Satirical comedian, Michael Spicer, known for going viral and gaining millions of views online thanks to his iconic satirical show, The Room next door, chats to Johnny I’Anson about his journey through comedy. He talks about the state of politics in the past few years to the issues of today. He talks about his constant quest for new and unique content and talks about how he deals with the pressures of constantly trying to make people laugh, while making political points. He also talks about his journey from office work to social media stardom, as well as his future aspirations.

‘If there’s something really good that entices you and you want to have the emotion of the people sitting around you, those are the reasons that cinema is going to be there for a long time’Jerry Bruckheimer is an American film and television producer most known for producing action-packed and explosive blockbusters including the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise, ‘Top Gun’, and ‘Black Hawk Down’.He's got a new film on Disney called' Young Woman and the Sea' - and it's a bit of a step change from some of these mega action-packed blockbusters you might normally associate with him.He’s been chatting with Nihal Arthanayake about his life and career, and why despite the rise on online streaming, he’s not worried about the future of cinema.

Toby Kebbell on his breakthrough role in Shane Meadows’ Dead Man’s Shoes, and working with huge industry names like Woody Allen, Oliver Stone, M. Night Shyamalan, Guy Ritchie, Val Kilmer and Robert Redford to name but a fraction. “There’s no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher.” Toby also gets into all the skills he’s learned for roles - things like horseback riding, playing the piano and most recently being trained to box by legend Carl Froch for new movie Salvable co-starring Shia LeBeouf. The pair also discuss the different ways becoming a father can change you, why Toby believes theatre is still the best way for young people to learn acting (even amid the rise in social media presence and personalities), class culture wars and differences in opportunity, and why he believes discipline is responsible for his success.

"An honour to be a part of these young people’s lives". Five-time Chortle-award winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean speaks to Nihal Arthanayake about her new show ‘Peacock’, which is based on how she and her partner became foster carers.

Radio genius Richard Bacon is back on the 5 Live airwaves for the latest Headliners slot – so will there yet be a return of the Special Half Hour, 15 years on? A radio mastermind and no slouch in the TV department either, the pair also delve into Richard’s TV production credits both sides of the Atlantic, and discuss how his ADHD diagnosis and near death experience in adulthood have affected him: “’You were meant to die’, I think about that phrase everyday’.” Oh, and how he’s technically married to Britney Spears; what happened when he played a montage of Partridge-inspired on-air moments to Steve Coogan; why he has high hopes for a high tech phone case you’ve never seen before; and how life in LA has changed his perspective of what’s realistically achievable. Enjoy, Great Britain, wherever you are!

Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson shot to fame in Hollywood in Bridesmaids and the Pitch Perfect trilogy, where she played a character called "Fat Amy”. She has just released her autobiography, ‘Rebel Rising’, charting her course to fame. She also dives deep into her personal and private life, documenting her struggles with weight, romance and fertility.

'I'm not a victim, I call myself a survivor'Former Manchester United defender, Patrice Evra, discusses how he was sexually abused aged 13, and why he's now working with the UN and WHO to ensure other children grow up in a world free of violence and abuse.He also reflects on his time at Manchester United, his early life growing up as one of 24 siblings, and how his partner Margaux changed his life. As a warning to listeners - some of this podcast makes for difficult listening – with discussions of sexual abuse.

“When I arrived at the hospital they thought it might already be too late” The Booker Prize-winning author, Sir Salman Rushdie speaks to Nihal. He is one of most famous and most celebrated authors of our time. And in August 2022 he was stabbed on stage in New York. Sir Salman said he is using his new book, ‘Knife’, as a way of fighting back against what happened. As a warning to listeners - some of this podcast makes for difficult listening – with depictions of violence.

Comedian Helen Lederer on evolving attitudes toward neurodiversity, how alternative comedy has developed since the 1980s, and how her definition of happiness changes with age.Helen and Gordon also get into social media and entertainers' relationships with reviews, working with great comedians like Harry Enfield, and why her candid new memoir Not That I’m Bitter proves “you can be funny about sad things”.

Comedian Jason Byrne on varying degrees of honesty from family and different audiences, the list of eccentricities he’s noticed of his Scottish and Irish fans he’s met from world tours, his new show for Edinburgh Festival, and how his late father’s wisdom has helped shape an award-winning one-man play. The pair also get into Jason trying to connect his brand of comedy to children, health, heart disease and being awake during six (yes, six!) stent installs, mental health coping strategies, growing up in Dublin, and what it’s like meeting up with old mates who’ve no filter and no fame.

Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan (now an honorary Scotsman according to Gordon!) reflects on his life and career. Particularly on his surreal experience of visiting an all-white South-African community of Orania for a documentary, and the life-affirming, outlook-changing feat of spending nearly seven hours crawling to the peak of live volcano in Nicaragua.The pair also get into the rise of extremism, the difficulties that come with navigating hostile environments, and how Ade’s background in elite sport helps him find focus when his anger rises in some of these environments. Ade also touched on his love for ‘home from home’ Edinburgh, the pros and cons of considering a career in politics, and the power of accepting who you are.

Actor Danny Mays on working with Michael Douglas on new period drama Franklin and the process of auditioning for and being offered the part of Ed Bancroft. Danny talks through all the different wigs wardrobe had him try on, “One of which I thought I looked like my nan, Molly!”, and living in Paris during filming. The pair also get into being bothered about fame, having performances cut from movies, working with Daniel Day Lewis, and how starring in just one episode of BBC drama Line of Duty was a “game changer” for Danny.

“What does being in the establishment actually mean?” He’s the best-selling author and screenwriter famous for his Alex Rider series. ‘Close to Death’ is the fifth instalment of Anthony Horowitz’s ‘Hawthorne and Horowitz’ series, in which he appears as a character. He told Nihal Arthanayake all about it, whether or not he thinks he’s in the “establishment”, and what small things in life wind him up the most.

“In that second my life changed”. Broadcaster and DJ Adele Roberts was in the best shape of her life when she found out she had bowel cancer in October 2021. Suddenly she was plunged into the world of cancer treatment, including having a stoma. Less than two years later Adele crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in her best ever time, also breaking the world record as the fastest ever woman to run a marathon with a stoma bag. Now she’s written a book about the last few years of her life and how it's changed her.

"The food I was eating was linked to my behaviour". He kept us fit during lockdown with his PE with Joe sessions on YouTube. Now Joe Wicks has a new book out. He told Nihal Arthanayake all about it.

I’m used to doing scary things”. Film and stage actor Gillian Anderson - best known for her roles in The X Files, Sex Education and The Crown – speaks to Nihal Arthanayake about her latest role is as Emily Maitlis in the Netflix film ‘Scoop’ - a dramatisation of the BBC Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew.

He’s best known for playing Doctor Who, a young Prince Phillip in The Crown, and Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Now Matt Smith is starring in a new production of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. And has he ever thought about teaming up with some of his celeb friends to buy Blackburn Rovers, a club he has loved since his was a lad?

“Whatever I’ve experienced doesn’t need to define me”. DJ and producer Jax Jones talks to Nihal Arthanayake about making music with the likes of Raye, mentoring, and why he’s not sure he wants to reconnect with his biological father.