Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake

The comedian and presenter Mo Gilligan told Nihal about his new book, That Moment When - which takes us through some of his biggest life stories. They spoke about his upbringing, his dyslexia and cooking!

The former shadow Chancellor Ed Balls talks to Nihal about his new book, a mixture of cookery and memoir; his time on Strictly Come Dancing, his football career and campanology.

“I was ejected from the stage by a heavy metal band.” The comedian and podcaster reflects on how playing at the Edinburgh fringe has been a constant highlight of his career.

Rachel tells Nihal about getting nervous before performances, why her mother encouraged her to become a stand-up and how All Killa No Filla became a must listen podcast.

The presenter and motoring journalist chats to Nick Bright about the latest edition of the Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video with Jeremy Clarkson and James May. In ‘The Grand Tour presents: Lochdown’ the boys go on a tour across Scotland to explore the American cars from the 70s that they saw on TV shows as kids – and to find out why these amazing vehicles never took off in Britain.

“The thing is to make sure the reader is rooting for her.” The journalist and podcaster podcaster tells Mobeen about the challenge of creating a likeable baddie for her first novel.

"I couldn't resist her sheer magnetic force"; Comedian Ellie Taylor on why a well known TV personality found out about her pregnancy before her parents, breastfeeding in public and the joy of playdough.

I had to pretend I was at some 80’s inspired party.” Laura tells Nihal about the challenges of making her new album during lockdown.

The bestselling crime writer tells Nihal about the inspiration behind her new novel.

The band’s singer Shirley Manson tells Nihal about their new album and a long awaited return to touring.

The actor, screenwriter and author talks about his first novel for children - Escape the Rooms, which he wrote in hour-long bursts in dressing rooms and on trains.

The grime artist, podcaster and TV presenter on how his love of food from around the world inspired his new cook book and his thoughts on taking the knee at sporting events.

The Good Wife star on why she needed therapy while making her new drama The Beast Must Die and how it kept her going being able to have her son with her on set.

Paul tells Nihal about his 16th solo album, changing musical styles, parenting methods and how he deals with superstardom.

Former WBC world cruiserweight champion tells Nihal about the anger that fuelled his determination to succeed, why he cringes when he thinks of some of his past antics (and outfits) – and issues a warning to Youtubers who consider themselves serious boxers.

Nihal talks to St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) about her new album Daddy’s Home, where she finds musical inspiration and why she’s using her poetry and music to take ownership of a difficult event in her family’s past. Photo: Zackery Michael.

“I didn’t eat an olive until I was in my mid-twenties.” The comedian tells Nihal about discovering “middle class” food and his memoir "Where Did I Go Right?."

The Madness frontman talks to Nihal about a new documentary charting the band’s history. Plus the joys of being a grandfather, how they dealt with hooligans at gigs, and why he’s working on a new song with Paul Weller.

The philosopher and writer talks to Nihal about Science, History and the frontiers of human knowledge.

The Irish singer-songwriter tells Nihal about her latest album, 11 Past The Hour and why she had to take drastic action to catch a Miles Kane concert.

“All the tracks you hear are like one take, start to finish” The singer-songwriter tells Nihal how his new album had to be recorded live in Nashville over just 6 days because of quarantine rules.

The best-selling author on being a cat lover and why insincere friendships are at the heart of her new novel.

The award-winning stand-up, actor, director and writer tells Nihal about her new BBC comedy, Starstruck.

The two time WWE Champion tells Nihal about his personal and career highs and lows and his hopes to be involved in a “Battle of Britain” pay per view fight with Tyson Fury.

Hannah and Dot tell Nihal why their third album “Californian Soil” took over four years to make and consider which of the band members is the most annoying. (Picture: Alex Waespi)

The self –styled “Balearic Silverback” talks to Nihal about Marathon DJ sets and the changing face of the dance music industry.

The comedian talks about his memoir “The Secret Diary of a British Muslim” and teaches Nihal some Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi phrases.

The Bafta winning actor on her latest movie “His House”, screen idols and self-heating canned drinks.

The comedian, actor, former Great British Bake-Off Presenter and of course half of ‘Mel & Sue talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her debut novel ’The Best Things’.

The theoretical physicist and author of Helgoland talks to Nihal Arthanayake about the fascinating, confusing world of quantum mechanics – and its intersection with philosophy.Photo: Christopher Wahl

The Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner talks to Nihal Arthanayake about his latest movie for Netflix, The Trial of the Chicago 7, which has been nominated for six Academy Awards.Picture: Matt Winkelmeye

The actress, author and comedian talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her new novel, Asking For a Friend, starring in the current season of Line of Duty and why she decided to stop doing stand-up.

“It’s where love happened, it’s where heartbreak happened.” The singer-songwriter tells Nihal about the relationship behind his new album Evering Road.

The Venezuelan star of Carlos and The Assassination of Gianni Versace talks to Nihal about his new Netflix comedy “Yes Day”, growing up in Colombia at a time when Pablo Escobar’s influence was at its height and making the switch from his first career as a journalist to acting. Picture: Matt Kennedy.

Gareth tells Nihal about life after rugby, his experience of coming out and how the experience of his “dear friend” Prince Harry reminds him of his own treatment by some newspapers.

“I look at social media and I want to be like every woman I see on there.” Louise tells Nihal about the pressure on women to be perfect and how it’s amplified by social media.

“You don’t go in the ring to play tiddlywinks” Frank tells Nihal about his two fights with Mike Tyson and why he likes getting up early to keep fit.

The British stage and screen star talks to Nihal about his starring role in Da 5 Bloods and his thoughts on being tipped for Oscar success.

The last twelve months have been the most difficult of my career”; The chef and TV presenter talks to Nihal about reviving the restaurant industry and his new BBC game show.

"We all have a superpower and that's making someone feel better.” Ricky chats to Nihal about kindness, Covid and writing series 3 of Afterlife.

The Downton Abbey and Paddington actor tells Nihal about starring as Roald Dahl in Sky’s new original film To Olivia. Plus there’s a bonus treat for W1A fans! (Picture: © THING ONE LTD 2020. All Rights Reserved)

Nihal talks to the actress and singer about her life on and off screen, her huge social media following and her new memoir Unfinished.

The comedian and writer talks to Nihal about anti-Semitism and his new book “Jews Don’t Count”.

The Star Wars and Harry Potter star talks to Nihal about the secrets of success in business and why he’s never been a fan of football.

The caregiver talks to Nihal about dedicating her life to comforting the men dying of AIDS in Arkansas in the 1980s against a backdrop of stigma and fear.

“The legacies of empire…are things we live with on a daily basis.” The journalist and author talks to Nihal about how the experience of empire has changed Britain.

The two stars talk to Nihal about their musical collaboration, online dating, fighting and infectious laughter.

The cook, campaigner and writer talks to Nihal about how small changes to what we eat can make a big difference to wellbeing.

The actor tells Nihal about starring in Channel 4’s The Great, and as the Master in Doctor Who.

Stuart Murdoch and Chris Geddes on post gig football matches, why you shouldn’t play a matinee show after a big night out and their new live album.