Best Gyles Brandreth Podcasts (2024)

1
Suzy Eddie Izzard 57:46

20m ago57:46

57:46

This week's guest is the stand-up comedian, actor, marathon-runner and political activist Suzy Eddie Izzard. Suzy tells Gyles about her new name, and why she's relaxed about what people to choose to call her. She then takes Gyles back into her childhood, spent in Aden, Northern Ireland and South Wales, until the sudden death of her mother changed e…

1
Roisin Conaty - Napping In The Biscuit Cupboard 58:34

1h ago58:34

58:34

Comedian, actor, writer and a wonderful human, Roisin Conaty brings joy to the studio and talks to Harry about making your own fun on holiday in rural Ireland, issues with leaky taps and the best place to steal a nap when working. You can and should follow Roisin on Instagram. Want to know all about the T-Rex? Well you’re in luck as this week we sp…

1
Nirvana 33:13

2h ago33:13

33:13

This week, Susie and Gyles explore heaven. Join us as we uncover the historical, linguistic, and cultural roots of this divine subject. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com Want even more purple, p…

1
Nick Grimshaw - Taller Than You Think 52:03

32m ago52:03

52:03

How did a little boy from Oldham become the tall man he is today? Nick Grimshaw aka Grimmy - former Radio 1 breakfast show host, X Factor judge and more - fills us in on his one day reign of terror as a toddler that is the stuff of family legend, the best advice he got on going for your dream job, and he enjoys a round of Whispery Thing. These days…

1
Garbelage 40:01

32m ago40:01

40:01

This week Susie and Gyles are talking dirty. No, not in that way, get your head out of the gutter... Literally. Join us as we explore where words such as 'trash', 'garbage', 'litter' and 'trash' originate from. So tune in and let's talk all kinds of rubbish together! We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @Somet…

1
Returning to Zambia 44:07

6d ago44:07

44:07

In this fortnight’s episode, Gyles and Aphra meet Vanessa Chisakula, a multifaceted artist who uses her work to challenge the status quo. Vanessa shares her story, growing up in a busy creative family her life changed when she became a mother. Inspired by spoken word poets, she started writing her own poetry. She is the 2023 Africa’s podcasts and v…

1
Chris McCausland 1:08:48

9d ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Gyles gets together with comedian Chris McCausland to record a really special episode of Rosebud. Chris takes Gyles back to his childhood days, playing football and messing about in the streets of West Derby Village in Liverpool, part of a close-knit family and friendship group. Chris talks about the beginnings of the problems with his sight, which…

1
Jo Brand - An Extra Slice Of Funny 46:40

3d ago46:40

46:40

A comedy titan, Jo Brand has been at the top of her game for decades and is on lots of things on our telly’s like Bake Off: Extra Slice. In this episode Harry and Jo get into her early career as a nurse, why she began comedy and all the fun along the way of Silly Thing, Biscuit In An Unusual Place plus the seals have a special musical treat. Our th…

1
The secrets to living longer and healthier lives - with Dr Michael Mosley: Medical Journalist & International Bestselling Author 49:42

3d ago49:42

49:42

Dr Michael Mosley is a household name and one of the best loved and most respected doctors in the UK. He’s a medical journalist, a producer and presenter of award-winning television programmes. He has written international bestselling books on diet, sleep and a myriad of health topics. He has a brilliant podcast called ‘Just One Thing’ which gives …

1
Sabana 40:07

4d ago40:07

40:07

This week, Susie and Gyles embark on an exciting journey into the wild as we delve into the history and evolution of all things 'safari'. Discover how this term, rooted in Swahili and Arabic, has traveled through time and across continents to become synonymous with adventure and exploration. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twi…

1
Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal 1:03:26

20d ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Who is the cleverest person in Britain? When Gyles asked this question to readers of his columns last year, one name was mentioned more than any other; that of Martin Rees, Lord Rees of Ludlow, the Astronomer Royal. Lord Rees is one of the most distinguished scientists in the country, a former President of the Royal Society and a Cambridge fellow. …

1
Danny Wallace - A Letter Writing Menace 53:36

10d ago53:36

53:36

What do you call someone who is half Swiss and half Scottish? You call them Danny Wallace! Harry chats to Danny about his extended family, Smurfs and the fun he had writing prank letters as a child. Rats was our theme of the week and we were joined by Dominika from the RSPCA to tell us all about them. You can support the wonderful RSPCA and the bri…

1
Saudade 34:07

16d ago34:07

34:07

This week, we're unraveling the sentimental journey behind the word 'nostalgia'. Join Susie and Gyles on a linguistic journey through time, where every word is a portal to the past. Enjoy Susie’s Trio for the week: Desiderate: To yearn for something one once had but has now lost. Listicle: Simply, a little list! Natsukashii: A Japanese word used wh…

1
Next Stop Togo with Dr Patron Henekou 45:00

13d ago45:00

45:00

In this fortnight’s episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth’s journey around the Commonwealth takes them to Togo, a West African country with a 32 mile coastline along the Gulf of Guinea. Togo is one of the newest members of the Commonwealth having joined in 2022. Speaking with award winning poet and playwright Dr Patron Henekou they discover more about …

1
Alexander Armstrong 1:00:34

15d ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Gyles and Alexander Armstrong reminisce about Alexander's idyllic childhood in Northumberland, the son of a country GP. They talk about his school years, when he was an 'odd little boy' who sang in the school choir and was obsessed with Gilbert and Sullivan. They discuss the joy of Evensong, and the delights of PG Wodehouse, and Gyles finds out wha…

1
Chris Packham - Mr Nature 54:33

25d ago54:33

54:33

How did a young punk become the face of nature and conservation for generations of British TV viewers? Well, Chris Packham is with Harry to tell us all about measuring grass snakes as a boy, his teenage punk band and strimming! We learnt all about the London Underground thanks to Siddy Holloway – presenter, author and transport historian. You can f…

1
Pizzicato 30:51

27d ago30:51

30:51

Join us on a rhythmic journey through the history of one of the most iconic genres of music... JAZZ! Susie and Gyles dive deep into the origins and evolution of the term that defines a genre full of creativity, spontaneity, and soul. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you…

1
Reverend Richard Coles 1:06:42

28d ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Gyles meets the writer, clergyman and former member of the Communards Reverend Richard Coles. Together they talk about Richard's childhood, growing up as the musically gifted youngest son in a family of shoe manufacturers in Kettering, about how he discovered his sexuality and became part of London's gay scene in the 1980s, and about how he found h…

1
Seann Walsh - The Original Naughty Boy 1:01:19

1M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Described once by The Guardian as “the bohemian bad boy of comedy” Seann Walsh joins Harry, Garry and Sarah the AI Bot to unpack his somewhat unconventional childhood. Sofas on fire, school sleepovers and showing sometimes qualifications aren’t always important. Aside from Silly Thing, your jokes and chatting Seann there is a new fun quiz! Our them…

1
Murdre 40:24

26d ago40:24

40:24

Join Susuie and Gyles this week as they unravel the linguistic roots behind murder. From the ancient origins of 'homicide' to the sinister evolution of 'assassination', we uncover the words we use to describe humanity's darkest deeds. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or yo…

1
Martin Sixsmith: From The Cold War to Putin, the highs and lows of Government and uncovering the scandal of the lost children of Ireland. 57:30

1M ago57:30

57:30

Martin Sixsmith is many things; he’s an academic, an investigative journalist, a documentarian and he spent years as a foreign correspondent for the BBC working in Russia, Washington and Poland. He’s an author of both fiction and non-fiction, a radio and television presenter and he was an adviser to the Labour Government. Of the 8 books he has writ…

1
‘Poetry is the language of the heart’ – Discovering Tanzania with Neema Komba 46:41

27d ago46:41

46:41

In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth meet Tanzanian poet Neema Komba. Neema shares her poetry journey, from a terrible event that took place as a teenage girl in a hospital, to the point that she discovered poetry as a way to express herself, to becoming the co-founder of La Poetista, a platform for poets and other performing artists to showca…

1
Katherine Ryan 1:07:00

29d ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Gyles has fun talking to Katherine Ryan about her early memories and formative experiences, with added discussions about the rights and wrongs of plastic surgery, whether you should tell anecdotes during sex, and what, exactly, is phallic swagger. This is a frank, open, revealing and sometimes inspiring conversation that's possibly slightly more ad…

1
Gyles Brandreth - Monopoly Champion 49:00

1M ago49:00

49:00

British institution Gyles Brandreth has been gracing our screens and airwaves for decades but how did Gyles break into showbiz? Well Harry and Sarah the AI bot will dig into his life and find out all about driving as a child, celebrity encounters and how he ended up as a European Monopoly Champion. You can listen to Gyles’ own podcast Rosebud on Sp…

1
Hupnos 37:49

1M ago37:49

37:49

This week, Susie and Gyles drift off far far away to the land of sleep... So tune in and embark on a journey through the nocturnal landscape of words. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com Want even…

1
John Cleese 1:01:43

1M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

This week, Gyles has John Cleese in the Rosebud hotseat. Gyles finds out about John's childhood, growing up in the Westcountry during the war, with a father whose surname was actually 'Cheese' and a mother who was suffering from post natal depression. John also shares stories about his school days, what it was like being the tallest boy in the form…

1
Suzi Ruffell - A Diabolo Master 46:12

1M ago46:12

46:12

A Cilla Black impersonating, somewhat lonely, diabolo wielding child Suzi Ruffell grew up to be a brilliant comic and tap dancing extraordinaire. She and Harry discuss what it was like to be working class, dancing on The One Show and it is our first play of The Intergenerational Quiz! Dr Adam Rutherford was our expert telling us all about DNA, you …

1
Mundungus 40:27

2M ago40:27

40:27

This week, Susie and Gyles explore fragrances and scents. Join us as we inhale the sweet aromas of people and places... We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com Want even more purple, people? Join the …

1
TREAT EPISODE: Dermot O'Leary 55:34

1M ago55:34

55:34

Dermot O'Leary and Gyles know each other from the This Morning sofa, but here they get the chance to sit down for a proper in-depth conversation. Dermot tells Gyles about his childhood, growing up in a warm and loving Irish family, and about how important his heritage is to him. He talks about his first communion, his love of poetry and Gyles finds…

1
Next stop Kenya with poet and author Njeri Wangari 51:26

2M ago51:26

51:26

In this fortnight’s episode, join Gyles and Aphra Brandreth as they discover more about Kenya and its poetry. We hear from Njeri Wangari, a Kenyan poet and author, who is living in Nairobi, and has performed her poetry globally. She is one of the key contributors to a recently published poetry anthology called Across Borders – An anthology of new p…

1
Sir Keir Starmer 41:02

1M ago41:02

41:02

In this episode Gyles talks to the Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer. This isn't a political interview, instead it's an in-depth and fascinating conversation about Keir's background and personal history. Keir reminisces about his childhood in a village in Surrey; he remembers cramped car journeys in a Ford Cortina with four kids and four…

1
Ravneet Gill - The Brains Of Junior Bake Off 48:36

1M ago48:36

48:36

She’s the true star of Junior Bake Off, it’s Ravneet Gill! Harry quizzes Rav on how she started out in the world of baking…they discuss what food sends Harry into a deep sleep when filming…and she very kindly brings us our first sponsor message… We also learn all about the Battle of Hastings thanks to Matt Lewis, from History Hit- our expert this w…

1
Alan Carr - The Chatty Man 50:10

1M ago50:10

50:10

One of the nation’s most loveable comedians - Alan Carr tells Harry all about being the son of a football manager, using dinner ladies as human shields, and how he became a comedy legend! A big thanks to Dee from Hair Force Clinics for telling us all about the secret lives of nits! Get in touch with your jokes: harry@arewethereyetpod.co.uk Producer…

1
Botulus 47:04

2M ago47:04

47:04

*Cough cough*... This week Susie and Gyles explore the language of diseases. From Cholera to Mumps, and Malaria to Influenza, they have you covered. Also, we reveal the WINNERS of our 'To Dent' and 'To Brandreth' competition! We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can ema…

1
From New College, Oxford to Westminster; from Call my Bluff to writing Prince Phillip’s biography: A conversation with Gyles Brandreth 1:01:23

2M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

In no particular order, Gyles Brandreth was an MP in John Major’s government, is a writer of novels, biographies, autobiographies and stageplays, is a broadcaster, a podcaster, a television presenter and an accomplished speaker. He has set up a teddy bear museum, he started the UK Scrabble competition, he campaigns for public spaces. Veteran of Cal…

1
Are We There Yet? with Harry Hill - Wednesday 24th April! 1:01

2M ago1:01

1:01

Hello there! It's me, Harry Hill! With some exciting news - Ive got a brand new podcast its called 'Are We There Yet? And is the worlds first family friendly podcast thats designed to get you from A to B. Join me, my son Garry and Sarah the A.I Bot as we delve into the childhood memories of a motley crew of comedians, celebrities and cultural icons…

1
Merlin Holland: Grandson of Oscar Wilde 55:11

2M ago55:11

55:11

21st April is the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, and in celebration of this we're giving you an interview with Merlin Holland, who has an unusual claim to fame. His mother, Thelma Besant, was the late Queen's beauty advisor - her personal makeup artiste - who was present at the Coronation in 1953, as was our guest (then a young boy). Merlin is als…

1
Fascicles 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

This week, Susie and Gyles unravel the intricate history of dictionaries, those indispensable guides that serve as gateways to language. From ancient lexicons to modern compendiums, we explore how dictionaries have shaped our understanding of words and the world around us. And Gyles lets us know how his weight lifting is going... We love hearing fr…

1
Next stop Botswana with Barolong Seboni 33:02

2M ago33:02

33:02

In this fortnight’s episode, join Gyles and Aphra Brandreth as they find out more about Botswana and its rich poetic traditions. Speaking to Barolong Seboni, a distinguished retired academic and poet. Barolong shares his fun and insightful translations of Botswanan proverbs, offering a window into the culture and poetry of the country. Poems this e…

1
Twiggy 1:00:22

2M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Gyles's guest this week is Dame Twiggy Lawson, and this episode is recorded live at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Surrey. Twiggy shot to fame as a 16 year-old, when her headshots - showcasing her newly cropped hair, boyish looks and signature dark eye makeup - were spotted in a London hair salon. Within weeks her face was on the front page of the E…

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Gyles Brandreth Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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