Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things

Andrew Mensah, comedian, podcaster and TV presenter known for sharp stand-up and the podcast We Saw That. He tells tales of playing padel with Wayne Rooney, the cultural pride of trainer collecting, and competitive Articulate nights. He reflects on leaving gang culture behind through curiosity, how class shifts tastes, and how football and community shaped his journey.

Ben Shephard, upbeat TV presenter known for Tipping Point and This Morning, chats about his love of fizzy drinks, commuting on limo bikes, and prepping for a Men’s Health cover shoot. He also talks about launching a men’s skincare brand and podcast, his fondness for cardigans, and touring live shows with Kammy.

Pierre Novellie, a sharp stand-up comic and podcaster, shares his quirky passions. He raves about beef rituals and steak lore. He explains why gaming and puzzle worlds comfort him on tour. He champions fiction and urges more reading, especially for men.

Stevie Martin, Taskmaster star and comedian who admits to sofa envy. Harry Enfield, veteran sketch comic who rhapsodizes about the humble wig. Amy Gledhill, stand-up and podcaster celebrating cheap white bread sandwiches. Charlie Higson, author and comic exploring the romance of the Voyager probes. Short, quirky highlights of interiors, wigs, sandwiches and space.

Shane Todd, a high-energy Northern Irish stand-up and podcaster, makes a passionate case for bananas and shares quirky banana trivia. He celebrates the joy of pottering and keeping sock drawers tidy. Nostalgic love for 90s/00s boy bands and stories of karaoke and touring life add charm and laughs.

Stevie Martin, comedian and Taskmaster regular, reflects with sharp wit and warm honesty. She chats tour life and gig-rating rituals. She ruminates on handwriting, rigatoni devotion, sea air for perspective, interior-design indecision, and why a Pyrex jug feels like putting down roots. Quick, funny, and unexpectedly introspective.

Harry Enfield, a celebrated British comedian, actor and writer behind characters like Loadsamoney and Kevin the Teenager. He recalls punk beginnings, mopeds and the origins of his iconic sketches. He talks wigs and touring, the changing landscape of big sketch shows, views on the monarchy and politics, and a surprising take on assisted dying.

Amy Gledhill, award-winning stand-up and podcaster from Hull, chats about touring life and writing new material. She shares surreal stories from moshing to working in the York Dungeon. Conversations range from comfort rituals like hairdryers and cheap white bread to launching dating-focused podcasts and life on the road.

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster, reflects on democracy’s fragility and lessons from history. Tom Rosenthal, comedian and actor, celebrates odd internet delights and warns about online harms. Daniel Foxx, stand-up and social media star, relishes stories of rude waiters as theatre. Bridget Christie, comedian and writer, shares quirky water anxieties and comedic craft anecdotes.

Charlie Higson, comedian, actor and author known for The Fast Show and Young James Bond, chats about a wildly varied life. Conversations jump from punk stages to sketch tours. He explores the Voyager Golden Record, flag histories, opera’s power and his new darkly comic history of Britain’s monarchs.