Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

A short break announcement with a cheeky nudge to revisit standout interviews from this year. Highlights include political figures, entertainers and thought-provoking conversations. A quick preview hints at a forthcoming chat with a comedian. A friendly sign-off promising a return very soon.

Natalie Cassidy, long‑running EastEnders actor turned podcaster, reflects on growing up in the public eye from childhood. She talks about early training at Anna Scher Theatre, life on set with acting legends, navigating fame, family loss, stepping away to try new things, and her current projects and ambitions.

Eric Schlosser, investigative journalist and author of Fast Food Nation, reflects on his career and the 25th anniversary of his book. He discusses slaughterhouses as a metaphor, the rise of corporate power, and how fast food reveals labor, inequality and deregulation. The conversation also touches on his move from screenwriting to long-form reporting and his investigations into prisons and nuclear safety.

Jeremy King, the restaurateur behind The Ivy, Le Caprice and The Wolseley, shares his journey from shy outsider to creator of London’s iconic dining rooms. He talks about risky life decisions, the instincts behind choosing soulful buildings, creating atmosphere and service that make people feel they belong, and the long pursuit of relaunching Simpson’s.

Billy Idol, English-born singer-songwriter who rose from punk roots to MTV stardom. He talks about growing up between the US and UK, discovering punk and forming Generation X. He recounts reinventing himself in New York, crafting his Billy Idol persona, MTV breakthrough hits, struggles with addiction, a life-changing motorcycle accident, and the making of his candid documentary.

Naz Shah, MP and author whose memoir traces forced marriage and family trauma. She recounts being sent to Pakistan at 12, a forced nikah at 15, and returning to rebuild her life. The conversation covers poverty, honour culture, her mother’s conviction and later appeal, and Naz’s path from Bradford to Parliament. Short, powerful stories about survival and speaking out.

Gary Lineker, former England striker turned broadcaster, shares candid thoughts in a live Q&A. He tackles World Cup controversies and whether broadcasters should speak out in tense political times. He talks visa and US tournament access, social media fallout from outspoken views, football’s growing tribalism, and whether modern rules would have suited his playing style.

Gary Lineker, former England striker and long-time broadcaster, reflects on his rise from Leicester market trader’s son to national figure. He talks about self-doubt despite scoring consistently. He describes tabloid intrusion, his move into TV, the BBC impartiality clash and the 2023 suspension. He also discusses life after Match of the Day and new media projects.

From the bomb sites of post war South London to the stages of the Comedy Store and the studios of Radio 4, Arthur Smith’s life has been driven less by ambition than by curiosity. The son of a Second World War prisoner of war turned police officer, and a grammar school girl who filled the house with books and poetry, Arthur grew up in a home where humour and humanity went hand in hand.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with the comedian to trace a journey that begins in Bermondsey and winds its way through the birth of alternative comedy, and the strange alchemy that turned a literature graduate into one of Britain’s most distinctive comic voices. Arthur reflects on discovering the thrill of laughter as a child playing Captain Hook, on being elected head boy, and on why poetry and stand up share more in common than most people realise.They revisit the early days of the Comedy Store, the emergence of a new kind of comedy in the 1980s, and the moment television fame arrived via Grumpy Old Men. Arthur speaks candidly about the seductions of drink, the shock of acute pancreatitis, and how a brush with mortality reshaped his relationship with success. For Arthur, comedy has never been about domination or design, but about delight: finding the precise word, the perfect pause, the unexpected turn.Find out more about Arthur Smith’s upcoming gigs hereEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/fulldisclosure Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and former MP who rose from a South London council estate to City Hall. He talks about his family’s migrant story and early racism. He describes choosing human rights law, coping with abuse in politics, and why unity and purpose matter for the Labour movement. He defends London’s resilience and reflects on the costs and rewards of public life.