Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

In this episode Gyles talks to Strictly Come Dancing judge and ballroom dancer extraordinaire, Anton Du Beke. Anton shares stories of his childhood as the son of immigrant parents who had to work two jobs each to make ends meet, and tells Gyles about the driving ambition that led him to become a champion on the dancefloor, despite being a late starter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles talks to his friend Dame Sheila Hancock, one of Britain's most distinguished living actresses. Now 90 years old, Dame Sheila looks back at her remarkable life - from a childhood spent living above pubs, to her war time experiences, and then to her career on stage, TV and in film, and more recent times - how she's coped with widowhood by being busy and curious. This is a wide-ranging, fascinating, frequently funny and sometimes moving conversation. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles meets the host of ITV1's Big Brother, AJ Odudu. AJ tells Gyles about her childhood growing in Blackburn, Lancashire in a "bubble of love" with her 7 brothers and sisters, about her amazing parents and their arranged marriage, about her early ambitions to become a TV presenter, about playing "pass the polo" at the Waves Leisure Centre with her friends, and ends by describing the best day of her life. Thank you AJ for sharing your infectious warmth and positivity with the Rosebud podcast!Also in this episode, Gyles speaks to David Belchamber, Judi Dench's childhood next-door neighbour, who told Judi they should call each other 'darling' when they were only 6. Don't miss it.We want to hear from you - email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles talks to the poet, novellist and activist Sir Ben Okri. Born and raised in Nigeria - with a 4 year interlude in Peckham - Ben moved to London for good in his 20s. There, he build upon his success as a writer, and won The Booker Prize with his novel The Famished Road in 1991, when he was just 32 years old. Sir Ben and Gyles talk about Ben's early years in Peckham, his return to Nigeria aged 6, and his formative experiences during the civil war. They talk about Ben's early career working in a paint factory in Lagos, and how he realised that his true calling was writing. Sir Ben's latest book, Tiger Work, poems, stories and essays about climate change, was published in 2023. Ben was knighted in the 2023 Birthday Honours.Please get in touch with us: we're at [email protected] and on Twitter and Instagram @therosebudpod.We're keen to hear your Christmas and new year memories - let us know if you have any you'd like to share. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dame Joanna Lumley and Gyles have known each other for over 50 years - and this is a chance to hear them reminisce about her incredibly rich, varied and star-studded life and career. Joanna spent her childhood in India, Hong Kong and then at boarding school in Kent and went on to become a model in swinging London in the 60s and then an actress on film, TV and stage. She is, of course, best known for her portrayal of the drink-addled, chain-smoking Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous. But she is much more than that - as her amazing performance at the very end of this podcast shows. We recommend that you listen up to the end... This episode was recorded in front of an audience at The Orange Tree theatre in Richmond, so it's another Rosebud on the Road. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorraine Kelly is a journalist, writer, interviewer and broadcaster who has been a mainstay of ITV's morning TV landscape for over 30 years. Since working together on TVam in the 80s, she and Gyles are old friends and this is a chance to hear them talk and laugh about Lorraine's early years in the Gorbals, her amazing grandma who told tall tales and wore her best hat to put out the bins, her schooldays, her break into journalism and some standout memories from her career. Lorraine's novel The Island Swimmer is out in February 2024.We want to hear your first memories - email [email protected]. Plus we're looking for memories of Christmas and new year for our festive shows.We're on Twitter and Instagram @therosebudpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode is different, and special. Gyles is talking to Anne, Lady Glenconner at a live event at The Barnes Book Fest. A socialite, aristocrat and best-selling author, Lady Glenconner was the best friend and Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret for many years. She has also had a fascinating and dramatic life of her own, as wife to Colin Tennant, Lord Glenconner. Together they developed the Caribbean island of Mustique and turned it into a destination for the rich and famous. This show features fascinating reminiscences from a rich and long life spent among remarkable people - many of them royal. Anne's latest book Whatever Next, is about her turbulent marriage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Blades tells his remarkable story - from Hackney council estate to MBE. Having been told he'd amount to 'nothing' by the careers advisor, suffering racism at the hands of school bullies and the police, Jay has gone on to become host of one of the UK's most popular TV shows: The Repair Shop. He talks to Gyles about his childhood memories, the tough times he's been through, and how he's kept his positive attitude. Jay's new book Life Lessons is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Sturgeon, former First Minister of Scotland, is arguably one of the most successful British politicians of her generation. But how did it all begin? And what will life be like once she steps away from the limelight? Gyles discusses all this and more with her in this fascinating conversation, which includes Nicola's reflections on meeting Queen Elizabeth II and what happened when she met a superfan... in the bath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles's guest is the BAFTA-winning actress, best-selling writer, national treasure and force of nature Miriam Margolyes. Gyles and Miriam meet in Miriam's London flat, and chat about her first memories, her childhood, her love of white haired ladies, her passion for Charles Dickens and her delight in farting. As you might expect, this is slightly ruder than our usual shows, but there's no swearing - just some sexual references. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles talks to the best-selling writer, Rest Is Politics host, charity leader, ex MP and adventurer Rory Stewart. This is a fascinating and honest conversation - you'll find out about Rory's unusual childhood ambitions, his relationships with his parents, his unsuccessful early attempts at romance and the delivery of his son on the bathroom floor - and many other things. Rory Stewart's book, Politics on the Edge, is published by Jonathan Cape and is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It doesn't get much better than this - Ken Bruce: one of the best-loved radio DJs of all time, host of Popmaster, dad of six, and all round legend. Gyles and Ken talk about Ken's school days and what it was like being given "the belt" on a regular basis, his marriages, and his move to Greatest Hits Radio. Ken's show is on Greatest Hits every day from 10am til 1pm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles Brandreth talks to fellow star of This Morning and host of Bake Off Alison Hammond. They discuss her childhood roots in Birmingham, her incredible talent for rounders, and whether Gyles is a breast or a leg man; all while sitting on Alison's double bed. Expect laughter, warmth and Gyles attempting to do a Brummy accent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first ever episode of Rosebud, Gyles talks to someone very special: the legendary actress Dame Judi Dench. They chat about her happy childhood in York, her experiences growing up during WWII, her early forays into acting and her marriage to Michael Williams. She ends by impressing Gyles, as she recites a Shakespeare sonnet by heart. Join us again next week when Gyles will be snuggling up with Alison Hammond. To get in touch with Gyles and tell him about your first memories, email: [email protected] 'Keep It Light Media' ProductionSales, advertising, and general enquiries: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legendary British writer, broadcaster, ex-MP and TV star Gyles Brandreth launches his new podcast “Rosebud” on September 1st – St Giles’s Day. In this new series, Gyles will talk to famous and fascinating people about their first memories and first experiences. Expect laughter, fascinating stories, revelations and, of course, the odd name-drop from Gyles. Rosebud is a long-form interview series which takes guests back to first principles: to their very first memories and experiences. How much have these formative moments shaped them? Are they anything like they were back then? And what’s their advice for future generations? New episodes will launch weekly on Fridays. Gyles is available for media appearances, contact the producer, Harriet Jaine: [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.