Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

Holiday prices are rising but that doesn’t seem to be stopping us booking holidays at home or abroad.A survey of Irish holidaymakers found over 43% are planning to take three or more holidays in 2024. Whilst over 60% of claim that rising living costs will impact their travel plans, fewer than 2% say they will not travel at all.Irish Independent, Travel Editor - Pol O Conghaile joined us to talk about Ireland's obsession and need for breaks no matter how big or small - home and abroad.He tells us all about the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards - Best holiday county? Best hotel in Ireland? Best overseas city break? The best holiday spot abroad? and much more

Matty Edgell's life changed the minute he was crowned Great British Bake Off Winner 2023.Although he gained instant fame after winning one of Telly's biggest shows he has remained grounded and as normal as he can. He is 28 and works as a P.E. and Science teacher in Peterborough, UK and is one of the nicest, genuine people we have interviewed on the show.When the first episode of the series was aired on Channel 4, Matty had to apologise to his friends who were only just finding out “his best kept secret”: that he is an undercover home baker!Matty beat fellow finalist Josh and Dan to be crowned Bake Off Champion 2023 – the people’s champion. He described himself as the “official underdog”He watched the final in his local and when Alison Hammond (who he ADORES!) made the announcement it was like a cheer in a football match!Judge Prue Leith said: "I've never met a more cheerful, smiling uncomplaining and willing baker,"Matty told Alison Curtis all about the Bake Off WhatsApp group, making friends for life, his upcoming wedding - will he make the cake, behind the scenes goss and who he loves the most inside the tent! (Clue: she made him laugh so much he had to steady himself to bake!)

She has been described as the Irish Stacey Solomon!And she has even worked with Stacey's team from 'Sort Your Life Out' and trained under Dilly Carter from the show! However, the Stacey similarities don't stop there; as Hazel admits herself she is the head off the English presenter who is one of her heroes.Hazel from 'The Home Reset' joined us last year and we got such a good reaction to our chat and follow up podcast that we thought with it being January and all, it is a great time to have her back on! We love Stace... I mean Hazel! Enjoy

Arthur Gourounlian is one of The Holy Trinity of judges on Dancing With The Stars!And we LOVE HIM! AG joined us again for a fab bubbly chat to talk the first week of DWTS, who has really impressed him, who surprised him (clue: he spent his career riding and now he has to keep up his form!) and the rest of the goss! Arthur also reveals his dance lessons with husband Brian! Plus, loads more.

The days are colder, but this news really warmed our hearts. One of our favourite shows The Great Pottery Throwdown starts again on Channel 4.  12 potters, 10 weeks of passion, creativity, imagination, humour and maybe even some tears!Friend of the show Keith Brymer-Jones is the head judge on this fabulous show and he spoke to Alison about being back with his BFFs Siobhan and Rich, his brand new tour, his love for the show and the contestants, being friends with a young Shane MacGowan, the new Canadian version of Pottery Throwdown featuring Seth Rogen plus loads moreCatch The Great Pottery Throwdown every Sunday on Channel 4 @ 7.45pm

January is not the easiest time of the year. All the build-up in December is released and we have to restart again! The weather is cold and it can be a bit bleak – we are the equivalent of a squeezed tea bag perched on the edge of a sink – So, what better way to lift our spirits than to grab a cup of tea and a blankie - put our feet up an watch some quality uplifting, inspiring happy television.  Producer Lenny is here with his Telly picks for January.  Here is his list in full:Dancing With The Stars - RTE 1 Sunday nightsSort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon - Originally on BBC      -    Repeats are showing now on W – and you can also search in your Sky or Virgin provider, and it should show up to download or record. Junior Bake Off – available to stream on All 4 through your smart tv   Gravity Falls - the best animated show EVER!Only Murders in the Building - Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez – star as three true crime podcast addicts whose lives begin to imitate art. Modern Family  - watch this brilliant comedy described as the real life Simpsons from the start or just go back and watch classic episodes - or if you have never watched START NOW!!All 3 above are available on Disney +Queer Eye - JVN, Tan, Antoni, Karamo and Bobby, travel around the world and help people get their lives together. From personal grooming, home renovation, style, food, and life, Prepare for tears of joy.Nailed It! – the hilarious Nicole Byer  presents this anti-baking slice of brillianceDerry Girls – why not? Go back to the start - pick a fave or introduce a friend!Above three available on Netflix

From how to make the best roasties to an insight into his own plans, Neven Maguire is full of tips and ideas for making the Christmas dinner! To hear the full chat, press the play button on this page.

The final episodes of The Crown are coming out this week on Netflix. How have Dominic West and Olivia Williams found playing Charles and Camila? Well, Alison Curtis finds out – and Dominic tells her about all of his Irish connections!

Jenny Kelly and Mairéad Ronan from the 'Jenny & Mairéad Now' have been doing the podcast for almost a year now, and joined Alison to chat all about it! They also went into what they're looking forward to this Christmas and chatted about their time at TodayFM.For the full chat, press the play button on this page.

'So This Is Christmas' is the new Irish documentary following five people in an Irish village and looking at their relationship with Christmas. Director Ken Wardrop joined us to chat all about it and how he found Christmas growing up.For the full chat, press the play button on this page.