Episodes
Gareth Gates became a household name overnight. When the first series of Pop Idol aired in 2002, it was the first show of its kind and Gareth instantly captured the nation's hearts as the boy who defied his stammer to sing.Growing up in Bradford Gareth was severely bullied at school for his stammer, so convinced he was defective that he almost didn't audition for Pop Idol at all. In our conversation, Gareth opens up about the whirlwind of Pop Idol fame, and how he's spent the years since learning to accept the very thing he once felt ashamed of. In this episode, Gareth shares:Being bullied ...
When you're going through a tough time, it can feel like there's no way out. But it's often in those moments that we find the strength we didn't know we had.Ekin-Su knows that feeling all too well. Since winning Love Island in 2022, she's gone on to become the Queen of Reality TV, from Love Island All Stars to Celebrity Big Brother and now Vanderpump Villa. But behind her confidence is a young girl who lacked self-belief, was severely bullied at school, and developed disordered eating in an attempt to change herself to fit in.In this Great Moment, Ekin-Su opens up about meeting her bully la...
Emma Barnett is an award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster, with more than two thousand interviews under her belt and a seat on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Emma was encouraged to ask questions from a young age and she’s built her entire career around them. Whether she's holding a politician to a 12-second silence on live radio or interviewing the Prime Minister, she’s known for running towards difficult conversations, not away from them.She’s also become a powerful voice for women. In our conversation, Emma opens up about her IVF journey and the miscarriage that left her so defe...
Faith is a deeply personal thing and, for many of us, our relationship with it changes over time. Some people drift away from it, some come back to it, and others are still figuring out what it means to them. It’s a journey that’s rarely a straight line.Big Zuu knows that better than most. Over the years, he has struggled to work out what being a Muslim means to him. In this Great Moment, the BAFTA-winning TV chef and Grime artist opens up about reconnecting with his faith, how the process has shaped him and how he's found a way to balance two loves of his life: his music and his religion.L...
Chris Appleton has built a reputation as one of the world’s most trusted celebrity hair stylists. From Kim Kardashian and JLo to Ariana Grande and Christina Aguilera, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. It’s a world away from his upbringing in Leicester. As a teenager, Chris was bullied at school for working in a local hairdressers and was labelled before he had even begun to understand his own sexuality. In our conversation, Chris opens up about the abuse he faced from bullies, coming out in his twenties and the difficult period that followed. He tells me about the mo...
Dani Dyer is an absolute ray of sunshine and one of the most refreshingly honest voices out there when it comes to talking about life as a mum. After coming out of a tricky relationship, the arrival of her son Santiago felt like a real blessing and a real turning point in her life. In this Great Moment, Dani opens up about the highs and lows of motherhood, from the anxiety and guilt to the joy, and why she believes the most important thing through it all is women showing up and supporting other women.Listen to the full episode HERE! If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram...
Tanya Burr rose to fame as one of the UK’s original YouTubers. As part of the Brit Crew, she quickly became one of the most recognisable faces on the platform alongside Zoella, Alfie Deyes and Marcus Butler. I’ve always been fascinated by creators like Tanya and their ability to captivate millions of people from their bedrooms, so I was really excited to have her on Great Company. In our conversation, Tanya explains why she started YouTube and how quickly it turned into a career. She reveals how her self-worth became tied to how she was perceived online and why, after a very public break-up...
Is there any better feeling than a proper belly laugh? It really is the best kind of medicine and something we all rely on to get through the ups and downs of life. Rob Brydon has built a hugely successful career on making people laugh. From his iconic role as Uncle Bryn in Gavin & Stacey to his hilarious travels with Steve Coogan in The Trip, he’s truly mastered the art of entertaining. In this Great Moment, Rob shares why entertaining has always meant more to him than just getting a laugh. He also talks about creating characters like his “small man in a box” and what first sparked his lov...
Paris Fury is an absolute powerhouse of a woman. When At Home With The Furys first hit our screens, 2.6 million people tuned in to watch the first episode. We got a glimpse into life with former Heavyweight Champion, Tyson, and the rest of the Fury family. But for me, it was Paris who really stood out. As Tyson’s wife of nearly 20 years, Paris has been with him through it all. From his boxing wins and losses to his mental health struggles and addiction - and all of that whilst raising their seven children together. Paris has always been Tyson’s biggest supporter and the glue that holds the ...
All eyes are on Alix Earle right now as her very public feud with Alex Cooper plays out online.As one of the biggest influencers in the world, Alix is no stranger to the pressure that can come with living in the spotlight. But through it all, she’s stayed grounded and built her brand by being herself.I was so excited to sit down with Alix in LA last year and record an episode of Great Company. She’d been on my dream guest list for years and the conversation didn’t disappoint. In this Great Moment, she shares how she’s stayed true to herself and explains why learning to say no has been one o...
Rochelle Humes is a singer, presenter and founder of the hugely successful family lifestyle brand, My Little Coco. At just 12 years old, she won a place in S Club Juniors, before going on to top the charts with The Saturdays. Since then, she’s built a hugely successful career across entertainment and business. Rochelle has been grafting her whole life. And that’s exactly how she likes it. Raised by her mum on a council estate, Rochelle grew up watching her work incredibly hard to provide for her and her sister. In our conversation, she explains what it taught her and why she’s always been d...
Making connections and building relationships in the age of social media is hard. Many of us are having to relearn what it means to really click with another person, beyond the swipe culture of dating apps and the pressure to live up to the ‘perfect’ relationships we see online.Alain De Botton is a modern-day philosopher who founded the School of Life to help people understand the aspects of life we don’t get taught at school. In this Great Moment, he explains how love doesn’t just need closeness, it also needs distance, and how that space can help us better understand our partners. Listen ...
Naomi Ackie is an award-winning actor known for her roles in The End of The F***ing World, Blink Twice and playing Whitney Houston in the 2023 biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.I love speaking to hugely talented actors like Naomi. I’m always so curious to know what they’re like away from the characters they play.Naomi is a perfectionist who has been incredibly hard on herself throughout her career. In our conversation, she shares how her biggest role nearly broke her, what she’s learnt from it and why she won’t let it happen again.In this episode, Naomi shares:- The advice her Mum gave her...
The rise of the manosphere says a lot about where things are at - a lot of men feel unheard and unseen in today’s world.Professor Green, aka Stephen Manderson, is a musician, storyteller, and one of my all-time favourite guests on Great Company. In this Great Moment, he talks openly about what many working-class men are dealing with. Feeling cut off, struggling to express themselves and often being pushed towards anger instead of understanding.Stephen shares the experiences that have shaped his life and what he’s learnt from them. Because sometimes, the lessons that help us grow come from s...
Belle Hassan first rose to fame on Love Island back in 2019, where her fiery personality made her one of the most memorable islanders of the series.Returning to the villa for this year’s Love Island: All Stars, she found herself at the centre of one of the series’ most talked about storylines, sparking conversation both on and off the show.Since leaving the villa, Belle has been navigating the reality of life on the outside, including the impact of intense public scrutiny and online abuse.In this episode, Belle shares:Her perspective from her time on Love Island: All Stars Dealing with onli...
Your twenties can feel like A LOT. There’s a pressure to find a job that you love, show up perfectly in your friendships and relationships… and somehow keep up with everyone else. It’s hard not to compare yourself when everyone else seems to have it figured out. Author, journalist and host of the award-winning podcast How to Fail, Elizabeth Day understands that feeling all too well. In this Great Moment, she reflects on how each decade of her life has shaped her, and why reframing the way we think about success is so important. She explains how comparison can fuel self-doubt, and why the le...
Moses Itauma is one of the most exciting names in boxing right now. He’s a former European and World Junior Champion who’s widely tipped to become Britain’s next heavyweight superstar.I’ve always been really interested in the journey someone goes on before they become the next big thing and that’s exactly where Moses is.At just 21, he’s on the brink of greatness as he prepares to face Jermaine Franklin this Saturday night. It’s a world away from where it all began… when he first stepped into a boxing gym aged nine and hated every second of it. From a small town in Slovakia to one of the mos...
Aitch is known for his chart-topping tracks and insane freestyle talent but, away from music, he uses his platform to raise awareness for Down’s syndrome, inspired by his younger sister Gracie, who has the condition. In this Great Moment, Aitch opens up about how important Gracie is to him and the joy and light she brings to everyone around her.He shares how she’s shaped his outlook on life and taught him the importance of treating everyone equally. Sometimes, the people who teach us the most… are the ones right beside us.Listen to the full episode HERE!If you enjoyed the show, you can also...
So many of us grew up watching Fearne Cotton on children’s TV and then later listening to her on Radio 1. She’s a broadcasting icon, bestselling author and someone I’ve looked up to for such a long time. At just 15, Fearne was thrust into the public eye when she began her TV career on Disney Club. With that came a huge pressure to be liked and she felt like she needed to change parts of her personality to fit in and keep people happy. In this conversation, she opens up about how, despite her success, she often felt she didn’t deserve the opportunities she was given. In this episode, Fearne ...
50% of new parents experience a rise in stress, anxiety or depression according to recent research. With so much noise online about the “right” way to parent, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it all wrong. Dr. Aliza Pressman is a renowned childhood expert and developmental psychologist. She believes that the only “right” way to parent is the way that works for you.In this Great Moment, she breaks down the intrinsic link between a parent’s mental health and their child’s wellbeing proving why taking care of yourself isn’t selfish... it’s essential.Listen to the full episode HERE!If you e...
Millie Court first captured the nation’s heart when she won Love Island Series 7 back in 2021. Since then, she’s built a successful career while navigating a relationship and a break-up, all in the public eye.She won us over all over again when she returned to our screens for this year’s Love Island All Stars. I was obsessed with the series, so you can imagine how excited I was to sit down with her for her first podcast interview since leaving the villa.In this episode, Millie shares:Her take on all the drama in the Love Island All Stars villaWhat really happened between Chloe and Lucinda a...
Munya Chawawa is one of the sharpest and funniest voices on social media, known for his brilliantly observant takes on society, politics and the news cycle. In this Great Moment, he explains why the real satisfaction in comedy comes from holding up a mirror to society - and getting people to question the world around them.For Munya, comedy is more than entertainment. It’s a language we all share, and a powerful way to start conversations about the things that can be hardest to talk about.Because sometimes the best way to make people think… is to make them laugh first.Listen to the full epis...
Tom Davis is one of the funniest people I know. We first met ten years ago on Murder in Successville, the hilarious BBC3 sitcom he co-created with his friend James De Frond. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. What I didn’t realise then was just how much the show meant to Tom. Murder in Successville wasn’t just another job for him. It was a pivotal moment and there was so much riding on it. This conversation is a rollercoaster. I haven’t laughed that much in a long time - but it also reveals a side to Tom that goes far beyond the laughs. In this episode, Tom shares:Wh...
If you followed Sophie and my NearlyWeds journey, you’ll know just how wild, emotional and downright chaotic wedding planning can be. Now, it’s time for a brand new love story to take centre stage.NearlyWeds with Molly & Tom follows the next reality-TV romance stepping into real life and straight down the aisle. From venue hunting and guest list politics to budget stress, family dynamics and the unexpected curveballs no one warns you about, Molly and Tom are letting you in on everything.It’s heartfelt, hilarious and completely unfiltered. It's the behind-the-scenes of a love story you’re al...
Zara Larsson is having a moment with her hit song, Midnight Summer. So, who better to feature as this week’s Great Moment… One of pop’s brightest stars, Zara is sweet, magnetic and unapologetically herself. In this Great Moment, she talks about why it’s so important to make music she truly believes in, instead of getting caught up in what everyone else expects. The BRIT nominee shares how easy it can be to lose yourself when you’re trying to please everyone and why seeing artists like Beyonce reach the top while staying true to who they are, means so much to her. Whether you’re a creative, ...
Chris Olsen is one of the biggest social media stars in the world. He joined TikTok in 2020 and quickly became a viral sensation. I’ve admired him for a long time - his social media content is so funny, honest, and just impossible to scroll past. But what I didn’t fully appreciate until this conversation was just how much he’s been through to get to where he is today. Chris opens up about getting sober at 19 - before he’d ever had a legal drink - and the intervention that forced him into an impossible choice: choosing between his family and alcohol. We cover: His journey to sobriety and wha...
We often talk about the impact our parents have on us growing up but what happens when one of them isn’t there? For Shirley Ballas, growing up without a father didn’t just affect her childhood. It influenced her confidence, her relationships and how she saw herself - in ways she only began to understand much later in life.In this Great Moment, Shirley opens up about the emotional gap her father left behind and how facing his death brought an unexpected closure. This is for anyone who’s felt the quiet impact of someone missing. Listen to the full episode HERE!If you enjoyed the show, you can...
You might not know Jack Thorne’s name but you’ll definitely know his work. He’s the award-winning writer behind Adolescence, Skins, This is England and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.For years, he has created intense, thought-provoking dramas - stories that speak to millions of us around the world. His work doesn’t just entertain, it creates conversations about who we are and the world we live in. I loved this conversation with Jack. What surprised me most was learning that behind his success is someone who grew up feeling like he didn’t quite belong. It was through his writing that Jack...
We spend more than 2 HOURS every day thinking about food: what to eat, when to eat and what we’re craving next…But how often do we stop to ask, is this actually what my body needs? And more importantly, how is my diet affecting the way I feel?Professor Tim Spector is the co-founder of the ZOE health app and one of the world’s leading experts in gut health. His groundbreaking research has completely transformed the way we understand food. In this Great Moment, he breaks down the powerful connection between our gut and brain, explaining how simple dietary changes can help lower levels of anxi...
Olivia Attwood first captured the nation’s attention on Love Island, quickly becoming a fan favourite on series 3 of the show.She’s gone on to build an incredible career across TV and radio and is loved for being open, honest and unapologetically herself.I couldn’t wait to have Olivia on the pod - she’s been on my wish list for a while - and this conversation didn’t disappoint. Olivia opens up about the rollercoaster journey she’s been on, from the highs and lows of living life in the public eye to past relationships, self-acceptance and learning to be happy on her own.We cover:Why relation...