Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

Yes, diary fans, it's a big one, because this episode describes some of the most stressful months of Gyles's life. It's spring 1974, and he's desperately trying to put together a stellar line-up of plays and stars for his Oxford Theatre Festival, but all around him are obstacles. Trying to raise the money is challenging. Trying to find a play Celia Johnson will agree to is a struggle. And trying to get Rita Tushingham to make a firm commitment is almost impossible. Buckle up for an episode which will make you realise your day job is a walk in the park!Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is the utterly wonderful Monty Don, and this is one of our warmest, richest, most delightful and most touching episodes yet - full of insight, wisdom, stories, laughter and - of course some tears. This is Rosebud, after all.Monty tells Gyles about his childhood, which was partly idyllic, but partly overshadowed by the presence of his rather frightening father, a former Army heavyweight boxing champion suffering from PTSD. Monty talks about his unhappy time at boarding school, and his treatment for cancer when he was only ten. He tells Gyles about his university days, about meeting his wife, and about their jewellery business... and he talks about his experience of depression. Plus, of course, he talks about gardens - what gives them charm, and which is his favourite garden in the UK.Monty's beautiful new book, British Gardens, is available here.And finally, Happy Easter to all of you from us at Rosebud!Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the model and podcast host Jean Campbell, who talks to Gyles about her wild Scottish childhood and about her experience of living with chronic pain as a result of hip dysplasia. Jean tells Gyles the dramatic story of how her hip condition was discovered - as a result of a serious skiing accident when she was a teenager. She talks about the long and arduous treatment she received, and her eventual decision to try and live with and manage the pain. And she talks about the brilliant podcast she hosts all about pain, which is called "I'm Fine", and is available to download here.This is a fascinating episode, and - particularly - if you have experienced long-term pain or ill-health, it's highly recommended listening. Our thanks to Jean Campbell for sharing her story on Rosebud. And our thanks to you for being our lovely, loyal listeners - our Rosebud Family!Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the comedian, author, actor and presenter Tom Allen. And this is a truly charming edition of Rosebud. Tom tells Gyles about his childhood in suburban Bromley and opens up about what it was like to be an eccentric child who refused to follow the crowd and liked dressing up as an emperor. Gyles and Tom bond over some mutual passions, including Noel Coward and stationery. And Tom talks about coming out and his first kiss.Tom is currently in Titanique in the West End of London. His new novel, Common Decency, is out in May and is available to pre-order here.Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fun banter about microphones, Amazon and a recent political recording. Diary extracts from 1974 follow theatrical auditions, frantic fundraising and a desperate search for big-name talent. Tales of late‑night radio, electioneering with students and a near-miss backer highlight the chaos. Reflections on youthful ambition, small wins and the art of seizing chances round out the show.

In this episode, Gyles meets the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP. Gyles hears about Wes's remarkable life story so far, which begins in a council flat in East London and ends at the highest level of government. Wes tells Gyles about his unusual family - his mum, whose parents had both been in prison; his dad, whose father - Bill Streeting - was a formative influence on Wes. He talks about his school days, how he was introduced to the church at primary school and always had 'main character energy'. He talks about going to Cambridge, coming out, and ambition. Wes also talks about his current role and his plans for the future.Enjoy this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've got two political interviews for you on Rosebud this week, and this is the first. In the week of his 93rd birthday, Gyles is talking to Lord Heseltine - one of the so-called "big Beasts" of the British political scene at the end of the twentieth century. Heseltine was a prominent cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher, Deputy Prime Minister under John Major, and is now a member of the House of Lords. In fact, he's been a significant figure in British politics for half a century. Michael speaks to Gyles about his childhood, growing up in the Swansea in a loving family. He talks about his love of nature - of gardening, birdwatching, and about how he founded the "Tit Club" at school. He talks about his early entrepreneurial drive - selling lemonade to fellow pupils, charging his dad to clear his garden, and how this later developed into early adult success in business. This business acumen led Heseltine to become a politician of rare efficiency - known for his skill at cost-cutting and fixing big issues. He talks about his relationship with Thatcher, his experience regenerating the Docklands of East London and Liverpool, and how he met and married his wife, Anne. This episode was recorded live at the Concert Artistes' Association in London. Our thanks to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We at Rosebud are thrilled about today's guest, and we know you will be too: it's Richard E Grant. Actor, writer, influencer and star of one of the most loved British films of all time, Withnail and I, Richard talks to Gyles about his extraordinary childhood. Born to good-looking parents in the ex-pat community in then-Swaziland, Richard's young life was full of Enid Blyton, barbecues and Pelham puppets - but things changed when his mother left the family and his father descended into alcoholism. What follows is a story full of shocks and surprises - including adultery, attempted murder and estrangement - and is well worth listening to. Richard also tells Gyles about his move to London, how he broke into acting, and how he met and married his wife, Joan Washington. And he talks about how he has coped since Joan's death in 2021.Many thanks to Richard for this fascinating conversation.Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birthday celebrations in 2026 set a playful tone before diving into Gyles's 1973 diary highlights. He stages a Golden Gala at the Oxford Playhouse with rehearsals and starry rehearsals at home. Tales include theatrical eccentricities, encounters with famous performers and colourful broadcasting and social life from the era.

It's International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March, and our guest is the Labour Member of Parliament for Bradford West, Naz Shah. Naz tells Gyles her extraordinary story; about her father, who left the family when she was only six years old, leaving the children and their mother in poverty, insecurity and sometimes squalor. About her mother, who was abused by two men - first by her husband, and then by a neighbour who seemed to be offering help and support, but who actually wanted sex. Naz tells Gyles about being sent away to Pakistan as a 13 year-old, and forced into an arranged marriage with her first cousin. She talks about the concept of 'izzat', or honour, which runs so deeply through this traditional and conservative community. She talks about the dramatic events that happened when her mother finally snapped, and gave her abuser a fatal dinner which changed everything.This is a shocking story about the vulnerabilty, bravery and strength of women.Naz Shah's book, 'Honoured: Survival, Strength and My Path to Politics' is out now, and available here.Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.