Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

Welcome to part 7 of Gyles reading from the diaries he has kept since he was 10. Gyles is now 14, and a pupil at Bedales, a progressive Hampshire boarding school populated by many CND-supporting teachers and the children of liberal-minded, artistic parents. In this episode we hear about Gyles's summer holidays, spent on his own in Paris, learning French and staying in a boarding house. We hear about his success in the school production. We hear about his teachers - many of whom are "very CND" and some of whom are, shock horror, vegetarian. We hear Gyles's review of the best bits of 1962 and about the records he's enjoyed listening to that year. If you've only just discovered these episodes, you can either start here, or go back to episode 1 of the diaries and start at the beginning (when Gyles was at prep school). Enjoy this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're honoured to have the great Dame Penelope Wilton as our very special guest on Rosebud today, in a rare podcast interview for this distinguished and well-loved actress. Penelope talks to Gyles about her happy childhood, in and around Knightsbridge and Kensington in London - we find out about her interesting neighbours, Mr Onion and the one-armed colonel. She tells Gyles about her mother's illness and her unhappy time at boarding school. She talks about her drama school days, and her breakthrough role in Harold Pinter's classic play Betrayal at the National Theatre. She talks about the roles on TV which made her a household name: Ever Decreasing Circles and, more recently, Afterlife. We're delighted to give Rosebud listeners the chance to spend time with this delightful, talented performer. Enjoy this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny Baker tells Gyles his extraordinary rags to riches story - from a council house in Bermondsey to partying with Elton John and Rod Stewart. He tells Gyles about his extraordinary father, Spud Baker. He also talks about getting cancer, and about getting cancelled, and how he survived both by being a "natural born Pollyanna". This story is full of wit, charm, funny stories, and Danny's characteristic ebullience. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is a sporting legend, and one of cricket's all-time greats: Sir Vivian Richards. Sir Vivian talks to Gyles about his childhood in the close-knit community on the island of Antigua, the discipline and faith he was given by his parents, his early memories of practising his batting technique in his bedroom mirror and his dramatic first international match for Antigua. He tells Gyles how he made it to Somerset, about the racism he experienced and about his close friendship with Ian Botham. Sir Vivian is not only a legendary sportsman; you will meet in this interview a remarkable person: wise, humble and inspiring. Even if you don't know much about cricket, this interview is worth hearing. Sir Vivian describes life in Antigua and Barbuda in this interview, and you can find out more about those beautiful places by visiting this website: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is episode 6 of Gyles reading from his schoolboy diaries. He's still at Bedales, and settling in - getting his newspaper delivered every morning, dining like a king at Sunday breakfast (soft white rolls with honey and marmite) and being entered into poetry reading competitions. He also carries on with his hobbies - theatre-going, reading and politics. We hope you enjoy these snapshots of a different time - if you've only just discovered these, go back to episode 1 of the diaries to hear it from the start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the start of a big new year of podcasts from Rosebud, and we're beginning with a real treat for you - an interview with one of Britain's most successful actors: Hugh Bonneville. During his ordinary childhood in a comfortable, middle class home in Blackheath, in which showing off was strongly discouraged, Hugh plundered the family dressing-up box and made his schoolfriends put on plays. At school he joined the drama club and eventually got a place in the National Youth Theatre. We find out about how Hugh got into the industry, but also about his parents, his first dog, and his interest in theology. With huge thanks to Hugh for his time, energy and wonderful stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the eve of the beginning of a brand new year, so we're asking the most fundamental question: what is happiness? How can we try to live a happy life? In this episode, which was recorded at a live event at Grosvenor House, Gyles talks about his book, 'The Seven Secrets of Happiness'. He describes his work with the psychiatrist Dr Antony Clare to find the seven things we each need to try and do to live a happy and fulfilled life. He also talks about mindfulness, the Queen and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. And we finally meet the Rosebud composer, Phil Lepherd. Don't miss this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today it's time to put away the Christmas chocolates and instead feast on this Rosebud Selection Box. Forget the Celebrations, this is the Christmas treat you've been waiting for. It's a chance to catch up on the best bits of Rosebud so far, and to indulge in some funny, moving and fascinating moments from some of our favourite guests: including Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Dame Mary Berry, Sir Michael Palin, David Mitchell, Stephen Fry, Dame Maureen Lipman, Miriam Margolyes, Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Keir Starmer, Richard Ayoade, Prue Leith, Rick Stein, Clare Balding, Pam Ayres and Terry Pendry. If you know someone who you'd like to introduce to Rosebud - this could be the episode for them! Or if you'd just like to listen again to some of our most memorable moments - enjoy this... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Christmas Eve, the most magical day of the year, and we have an episode full of poetry and music for you. This features: Gyles reading a classic Christmas poem. Next is an interview with Igor Gudjalov, the amazing Grosvenor House pianist, and the premier of his 'Rosebud Christmas Rhapsody' on the piano. Then we have a moving conversation with the Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark Cathedral, about his first memories, and he also gives us a Christmas reading. Finally it's Voxcetera, the chamber choir which includes Harriet the Rosebud producer, with their rendition of Winter Wonderland (arranged by Paul Ayres). We end with lots of Christmas thank yous, and, most importantly, we'd like to thank you, for listening. Happy Christmas to the whole Rosebud family! Thank you to Paul Ayres for allowing us to feature his arrangement of Winter Wonderland www.paulayres.co.uk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we tell you that today's guest brought a delicious coffee cake along to the Rosebud recording, you'll know it could only be one woman: Dame Mary Berry. In this wide-ranging and frequently very touching conversation, Gyles and Dame Mary talk about her life and times - from her childhood as a naughty schoolgirl nicknamed 'Scruffy' to her success as a cook, writer and educator. Gyles finds out about the inspirational teacher who encouraged Mary to start cooking, he hears about Mary's days starting out in her career, living in London with a flat full of girlfriends, and he tells Mary about his love for Bargain Hunt. Gyles also hears about some of the sad moments in Mary's life, and about being made a dame. This is a delicious, tender and deep conversation - just like one of Dame Mary's cakes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.