Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
More Rosebud - Wayne Sleep
Wayne Sleep was once called "the finest virtuoso ballet dancer the Royal Ballet has ever produced" by the founder of the company, Ninette de Valois. In this episode, Wayne tells Gyles his remarkable story - raised by his single mother in Plymouth and Hartlepool, Wayne overcame poverty and his short stature to become one of the most well known and successful British ballet dancers of all time. It's a fairytale that includes David Hockney, Rudolph Nureyev and Princess Diana, and much more besides. Thank you to Wayne for your time, wit and energy. Enjoy this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
15 apr. 2025 - 01 Std 06 Min 09 Sek
Brian Cox
Brian Cox is one of the finest classical actors of his generation. Fans of Succession will of course know him for his portrayal of the ruthless media mogul, Logan Roy, but in this interview we go back to the beginning of Cox's long career, which has its roots deeply in theatre. We also go back to his childhood in Dundee, which was unusual and somewhat solitary. Brian talks to Gyles about his early years, the death of his father when he was very young, and his mother's subsequent struggles with mental illness and depression. He talks about his early ambitions to act, his lucky break getting a job at Dundee Rep when he was only 15 and the things that happened there. He tells Gyles about moving to London for drama school, getting married, and his early successes. He tells stories about some of the great actors he's worked with: Olivier, Richardson and Gielgud. This is a fascinating conversation with an unconventional, and remarkable, person. Thank you to Brian for this brilliant interview. Brian is currently starring in The Score at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in London. It's open until April 26th 2025. Gyles has been and loved it - this is highly recommended. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
11 apr. 2025 - 59 Min 20 Sek
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 12: the first half of 1965 - Debs' Delights, Gyles's 17th birthday, and Churchill's funeral
After a three-week wait, we're back with another episode of the young Gyles Brandreth's diary. In these extracts, which take us up to the start of the summer holidays, 1965, Gyles turns 17, is given a three-foot long bar of chocolate, and continues with his impressively busy school life. He's got himself an office and a few new jobs: running the school bookshop and organising the cycling proficiency lessons for the younger students. He's also organising Mr Badley's 100th birthday celebrations, and putting on another successful school production. He also goes to London to be a Debs' Delight. This is a fun one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
8 apr. 2025 - 49 Min 45 Sek
Grand National special - Sam Waley-Cohen, champion jockey
In a complete one-off, Rosebud is releasing an episode on a Saturday, because our guest is the 2022 Grand National winner, and two-times winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Sam Waley-Cohen. Sam is an amateur jockey, but is one of the most successful Grand National riders of all time, and finally won the race in his last ever race with the 50 to one shot horse Noble Yeats in 2022. Sam talks to Gyles about what it takes to make a great partnership with a horse, how to find the best starting position, the challenges of the Grand National, and also about his life, which has been full of daring and adventure. There's also been great sadness, as Sam tells Gyles about the death of his younger brother Thomas. Sam also gives his tip for the race today. Our thanks to him for this great conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
5 apr. 2025 - 45 Min 54 Sek
Sue Perkins
We're really delighted that Sue Perkins is our guest on Rosebud this week, and this is a special conversation. Gyles and Sue have known and worked with each other for years on shows like Radio 4's Just a Minute, which Sue now hosts, so this conversation about Sue's first memories, family history, childhood and student days is intimate, honest, and at times very moving. Sue tells Gyles about her childhood, growing up in a close but slightly sheltered family in south London. She tells Gyles about being left-handed, about playing the flute and about her first boyfriend. She talks about how she defied her teachers' predictions by getting a place at Cambridge, and about the life-changing friends she made there. She talks about coming out and about finding herself. Thank you very much to Sue for your warmth, your wit and for your wonderful stories. Cue the music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 apr. 2025 - 01 Std 07 Min 33 Sek
Harry Hill
Today's More Rosebud is an unexpected April treat from the great comedian Harry Hill. You'll know Harry from his brilliant TV shows like TV Burp and Alien Fun Capsule or his podcast Are We There Yet? but you won't know about his incredible life. In this episode Harry tells Gyles his scarcely believable story - and what a story. Growing up in his dad's circus in North Kent, Harry tells a tale of dodgy doctors, depressed elephants, nefarious clowns and men with gills. We've all been there. Enjoy this special episode of More Rosebud with Harry Hill. Harry Hill is on a nationwide tour now, tickets available here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 apr. 2025 - 33 Min 43 Sek
Sir Grayson Perry
Today Gyles speaks to a remarkable person: Sir Grayson Perry. Artist, presenter, thinker and fashion icon, Perry is a unique figure who has led an unusual life. Grayson was born and brought up in Chelmsford, but his father left the family when Grayson was only four years old, and his mother married the local milkman - a Tom Jones lookalike with an unpredictable temper. Grayson talks to Gyles about the effect this lonely and unsettled childhood had on him: this is a moving episode. Gyles also asks Grayson about his transvestism and about his art. We hope you enjoy this very interesting edition of Rosebud. Grayson Perry is on tour nationwide this autumn, and tickets are available at https://www.fane.co.uk/grayson-perry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
28 mars 2025 - 01 Std 07 Min 59 Sek
More Rosebud: First memories from John Humphrys, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and more...
In this episode you join Gyles and Harriet at the Oldie of the Year lunch, where Harriet asks some of the guests at the event for their first memories. Including memories from Radio 4 legend John Humphrys, children's writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson, choreographer Arlene Philips, actress Nanette Newman and 102 year-old skydiver Manette Baillie. Plus some chat from Gyles and Harriet and one of your emails, about synaesthesia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25 mars 2025 - 34 Min 27 Sek
Ed Balls
Gyles really enjoyed meeting this week's guest, Ed Balls, because he enjoyed bonding over their shared experience of Westminster. And the political gossip and insight in this chat is fascinating - from a very funny behind-the-scenes account of the famous dinner at Granita in Islington at which Tony Blair and Gordon Brown thrashed out their leadership in 1997; to a description of what it's like to lose a seat as an MP (like being at your own funeral, apparently). But there's much more than politics, here. This is also the fascinating story of Ed himself, his humble Norfolk beginnings, his academic success, his early journalistic career, his marriage to fellow Labour Party high-flier, Yvette Cooper, and why it's best to lean in to a mid-life crisis. We hope you enjoy this week's brilliant edition, and thank you very much to Ed for your time, warmth and fabulous company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21 mars 2025 - 59 Min 15 Sek
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 11: the second half of 1964 - a road trip, election fever and school reports
We're back, diary fans, with another instalment from Gyles's diary. This one starts in the 1964 summer holidays, Gyles is 16, and he's off on a road trip with his Canadian cousin Johnnie. Gyles is not impressed. In the autumn it's time for the General Election and, at Bedales, the school mock election, in which Gyles is running as the Conservative candidate. He's also appearing as Isaac Newton in the school play, taking over the school magazine, and getting his O-level results. As usual, there's never a dull moment. This episode also features an extended chat from Gyles and Harriet at the start, and a couple of your emails. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18 mars 2025 - 55 Min 01 Sek