Best Gyles Brandreth / Keep It Light Media Podcasts (2025)

1
Dame Penelope Keith 1:07:16

4d ago1:07:16

1:07:16

If you love British comedy, you'll know and admire our guest this week: Dame Penelope Keith. The characters she played - Margo Leadbetter and Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton - are two of the best-known and most distinctive characters in sit-com. And this is a rare chance to hear an interview with Dame Penelope. Gyles talks to her about her childhood, growi…

1
More Rosebud - The Lost Coat Episode 55:10

7d ago55:10

55:10

If you're an avid Rosebud listener, you may remember a listener email we read out back in episode 5 of Gyles's diaries, from Harry Scoble. Harry wrote in to say that he'd left a coat in a taxi with Gyles back in 2002 and that he'd wished he had come to collect it from Gyles's house all those years ago, but had never got round to it. Gyles had then …

1
Sir David Suchet 1:16:14

11d ago1:16:14

1:16:14

The great actor Sir David Suchet is Gyles's guest today: and this conversation gets behind Hercule Poirot - Sir David's most famous role - and delves into David's childhood, his schooldays and his early acting career at the National Youth Theatre and the RSC. Gyles finds out about David's difficult relationship with his father, the great doctor, Ja…

1
Gyles's diary, episode 14: the first half of 1966 - A-levels, a trip to Paris, and the end of an era 1:09:29

14d ago1:09:29

1:09:29

This edition of Gyles's diary takes us up to the end of Gyles's final year at Bedales in the summer of 1966; so this really is the end of an era. And Gyles finds it very moving to look back at these closing moments of his schooldays. He says farewell to the 101 year-old founder of the school, Mr Badley, and makes plans for his university years and …

1
Rachael Stirling 1:15:29

18d ago1:15:29

1:15:29

Our guest today is Rachael Stirling: the brilliant theatrical actress and one of the stars of BBC comedy Detectorists, who is currently on stage in London in Giant, about the writer Roald Dahl. Gyles and Rachael begin by talking about a memorable conversation Gyles had with Rachael's mother, the great actress Dame Diana Rigg, when he interviewed he…

1
More Rosebud - Lynda La Plante 1:13:58

21d ago1:13:58

1:13:58

Lynda La Plante - the writer, producer and creator of landmark dramas Widows and Prime Suspect - is Gyles's guest today. Lynda is the powerhouse behind some of the UK's most watched television, and she's also the powerhouse behind this episode of Rosebud - which is full of brilliant stories to make you gasp, laugh and cry. From her childhood growin…

1
Simon Armitage, The Poet Laureate 1:08:13

25d ago1:08:13

1:08:13

It's the week of William Shakespeare's birthday, so Gyles has poetry on his mind... and we thought we'd celebrate with a special conversation recorded with Simon Armitage, who has been Poet Laureate since 2019. Gyles finds out about Simon's childhood and early days, when he played out on the moors with his friends, watched TV and read comics... lon…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 13: the second half of 1965 - adventures in Switzerland, school reports and a family argument 45:21

28d ago45:21

45:21

We begin this episode of Gyles's diary in Switzerland, where he's spending the summer as an au pair to the family of the Head of the Swiss Army. He beats the President of Switzerland at cards and attends an underwhelming 'son et lumiere'. Back in England, Gyles returns to another busy term at Bedales, in which he carries on his relationship with Sa…

1
Sir Tim Rice 1:06:36

1M ago1:06:36

1:06:36

Sir Tim Rice, lyricist extraordinaire, is Gyles's guest today. Tim is one of the few people in the entertainment world to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award, and his songs for shows like Joseph, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess and the Lion King are known and loved all around the world. And yet Sir Tim remains modest and char…

1
More Rosebud - Wayne Sleep 1:13:09

1M ago1:13:09

1:13:09

Wayne Sleep was once called "the finest virtuoso ballet dancer the Royal Ballet has ever produced" by the founder of the company, Ninette de Valois. In this episode, Wayne tells Gyles his remarkable story - raised by his single mother in Plymouth and Hartlepool, Wayne overcame poverty and his short stature to become one of the most well known and s…

1
Brian Cox 1:06:50

1M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Brian Cox is one of the finest classical actors of his generation. Fans of Succession will of course know him for his portrayal of the ruthless media mogul, Logan Roy, but in this interview we go back to the beginning of Cox's long career, which has its roots deeply in theatre. We also go back to his childhood in Dundee, which was unusual and somew…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 12: the first half of 1965 - Debs' Delights, Gyles's 17th birthday, and Churchill's funeral 57:15

1M ago57:15

57:15

After a three-week wait, we're back with another episode of the young Gyles Brandreth's diary. In these extracts, which take us up to the start of the summer holidays, 1965, Gyles turns 17, is given a three-foot long bar of chocolate, and continues with his impressively busy school life. He's got himself an office and a few new jobs: running the sc…

1
Grand National special - Sam Waley-Cohen, champion jockey 52:27

1M ago52:27

52:27

In a complete one-off, Rosebud is releasing an episode on a Saturday, because our guest is the 2022 Grand National winner, and two-times winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Sam Waley-Cohen. Sam is an amateur jockey, but is one of the most successful Grand National riders of all time, and finally won the race in his last ever race with the 50 to one …

1
Sue Perkins 1:13:37

2M ago1:13:37

1:13:37

We're really delighted that Sue Perkins is our guest on Rosebud this week, and this is a special conversation. Gyles and Sue have known and worked with each other for years on shows like Radio 4's Just a Minute, which Sue now hosts, so this conversation about Sue's first memories, family history, childhood and student days is intimate, honest, and …

1
Harry Hill 36:46

2M ago36:46

36:46

Today's More Rosebud is an unexpected April treat from the great comedian Harry Hill. You'll know Harry from his brilliant TV shows like TV Burp and Alien Fun Capsule or his podcast Are We There Yet? but you won't know about his incredible life. In this episode Harry tells Gyles his scarcely believable story - and what a story. Growing up in his da…

1
Sir Grayson Perry 1:14:32

2M ago1:14:32

1:14:32

Today Gyles speaks to a remarkable person: Sir Grayson Perry. Artist, presenter, thinker and fashion icon, Perry is a unique figure who has led an unusual life. Grayson was born and brought up in Chelmsford, but his father left the family when Grayson was only four years old, and his mother married the local milkman - a Tom Jones lookalike with an …

1
More Rosebud: First memories from John Humphrys, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and more... 37:30

2M ago37:30

37:30

In this episode you join Gyles and Harriet at the Oldie of the Year lunch, where Harriet asks some of the guests at the event for their first memories. Including memories from Radio 4 legend John Humphrys, children's writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson, choreographer Arlene Philips, actress Nanette Newman and 102 year-old skydiver Manette Baillie. Plus s…

1
Ed Balls 1:05:18

2M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Gyles really enjoyed meeting this week's guest, Ed Balls, because he enjoyed bonding over their shared experience of Westminster. And the political gossip and insight in this chat is fascinating - from a very funny behind-the-scenes account of the famous dinner at Granita in Islington at which Tony Blair and Gordon Brown thrashed out their leadersh…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 11: the second half of 1964 - a road trip, election fever and school reports 1:01:34

2M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

We're back, diary fans, with another instalment from Gyles's diary. This one starts in the 1964 summer holidays, Gyles is 16, and he's off on a road trip with his Canadian cousin Johnnie. Gyles is not impressed. In the autumn it's time for the General Election and, at Bedales, the school mock election, in which Gyles is running as the Conservative …

1
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas 1:09:24

2M ago1:09:24

1:09:24

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas is one of our best, most distinctive, and most watchable actresses, and we're delighted that she's our guest on Rosebud today. Dame Kristin tells Gyles about her childhood, which was at times idyllic but was coloured by the tragic deaths of both her father and step-father. She talks about her impressive and highly talented…

1
More Rosebud - Professor Brett Kahr: Freudian Psychotherapist 1:02:36

2M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

In another special episode dedicated to the how, what and why of memory, Gyles talks to his long-time friend and colleague Professor Brett Kahr. Professor Kahr is a practising psychotherapist and an expert on Sigmund Freud, the father of psychotherapy and the inventor of the "talking cure". In this fascinating conversation, Gyles and Prof. Kahr tak…

1
Josh Widdicombe 1:09:06

2M ago1:09:06

1:09:06

Gyles is talking to one of his favourite comedians in today's Rosebud - Josh Widdicombe. Josh tells Gyles about his early days growing up in Devon; about his charismatic father, his clever mum, and his chain-smoking grandmother who lived next-door and delighted him with tales of her acting days. Gyles hears about Josh's youthful obsessions: pop cul…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's Diary, episode 10: the first half of 1964 - O-levels, A Study in Sherlock, and lessons learnt 58:11

3M ago58:11

58:11

We've another action-packed episode of Gyles's teenage diary for you, diary fans. The young Brandreth continues to busy himself on multiple fronts - with drama, journalism and politics. As his form teacher says in his report: "Gyles appears to be a person of boundless energy and enthusiasm..." But all is not entirely plain-sailing in this episode, …

1
Sigourney Weaver 1:14:53

3M ago1:14:53

1:14:53

Rosebud is thrilled to present to you one of the truly great Hollywood actresses of her generation: Sigourney Weaver. Known for her groundbreaking performances as Ripley in Ridley Scott's Alien movies, Sigourney redefined what women could do in the movies. Sigourney talks to Gyles about her fascinating parents - her father, Pat Weaver, was a leadin…

1
More Rosebud - Tariq Ali 1:07:23

3M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Tariq Ali is one of the most famous and recognisable figures of the revolutionary student movements of the 1960s. In his distinctive red Aquascutum mac he led marches, gave speeches and galvanised opposition to the Vietnam War and other big issues of the time. Born in Lahore just before Partition, he grew up in a prominent family of politicians and…

1
Sir James Dyson 1:05:27

3M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

Sir James Dyson talks to Gyles about his remarkable journey: from academic under-achiever to one of the world's most successful inventors and businessmen. Sir James takes us back to the start, when he was a schoolboy at Gresham's School in Norfolk, the son of a schoolteacher, until he was blindsided by the tragic death of his father when he was onl…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's Diary, episode 9: the second half of 1963 - Twelfth Night, Kennedy's assassination, and more 57:12

3M ago57:12

57:12

After the relationship turbulence of the first six months of the year (you can hear all about that in the last episode - episode 8), our hero, the 15 year-old Gyles, sensibly turns his attention away from romance and onto other things. The most pressing one being his upcoming performance in the school production of Twelfth Night. Can he follow the …

1
Nigel Havers: The Valentine's Day Rosebud 1:06:45

3M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

It's Valentine's Day, and we at Rosebud knew we needed to find someone special, to spread the love to you, our gorgeous listeners: we needed to find our very own Rosebud Romeo. Someone debonair, someone handsome, someone with a talent for being in love... and who better than possibly the most charming actor of them all: Nigel Havers? Nigel talks to…

1
More Rosebud... Posting Letters to the Moon - the letters of Celia Johnson and Peter Fleming, with Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams 1:03:38

3M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams give Rosebud a truly romantic Valentine's treat today, as they read the wartime letters of Lucy's parents: Celia Johnson, the great actress and star of Brief Encounter, and Peter Fleming, writer and older brother of Ian Fleming. The letters you hear in this episode were written from 1940 until VE Day, while Peter was…

1
Rosebud on the Road: Mark Gatiss 1:02:01

3M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

Mark Gatiss: actor, writer, producer, director and creator - this is someone who makes Gyles Brandreth look like an under-achiever! From The League of Gentlemen, to Doctor Who, Sherlock and the Christmas Ghost Stories, Mark has been behind some of the most distinctive and original television of recent times. He's also an actor - recently winning aw…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's Diary, episode 8: the first half of 1963 - sexual politics at Bedales and beyond 59:26

3M ago59:26

59:26

You're in luck, diary fans, as this is one of the most enthralling episodes yet of Gyles's schoolboy diaries. It's the first half of 1963 and at school, Gyles is learning that relationships are complicated things, and that it's not usually OK to love two people at the same time. Outside school, the sexual revolution is beginning and Britain is grip…

1
Vanessa Feltz 1:16:14

4M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

In this episode, Vanessa Feltz wows Gyles with some of the funniest stories he's ever heard on Rosebud: from a first kiss with Pete Tong by the pool in Lanzarote, to an illicit encounter with a stranger who was bowled over by the magnificence of her bosom... this show is full of laughs and brilliant anecdotes. Vanessa takes Gyles two generations ba…

1
More Rosebud... Paul McKenna: Power Manifesting 1:07:09

4M ago1:07:09

1:07:09

In this episode of More Rosebud, the hypnotist and self-help writer Paul McKenna talks to Gyles about a subject you may have heard about before on Rosebud: manifesting. Plus he also tells Gyles about his early life, how he became a hypnotist, and he shows Gyles some relaxation techniques. So beware, this episode may make you exceedingly relaxed! Ma…

1
Krishnan Guru-Murthy 1:03:27

4M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been presenting the news on Channel 4 since 1998, but his career began long before that, when he was only a teenager. In fact, Gyles is a bit jealous when he finds out that Krishnan was even younger than him when he first appeared on TV! In this interview, Gyles also learns about the fascinating story of Krishnan's parents,…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 7: the second half of 1962 - summer holidays in Paris and a part in the Bedales school play 37:09

4M ago37:09

37:09

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 F…

1
Dame Penelope Wilton 56:54

4M ago56:54

56:54

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-arme…

1
More Rosebud... Danny Baker 1:09:22

4M ago1:09:22

1:09:22

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 …

1
Sir Vivian Richards 1:10:53

4M ago1:10:53

1:10:53

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…

1
More Rosebud - Gyles's diary, episode 6: the first half of 1962 - more Bedales adventures 41:57

4M ago41:57

41:57

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 p…

1
Hugh Bonneville 1:07:47

5M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

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 b…

1
More Rosebud - Happiness 1:00:14

5M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

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…

1
The Rosebud Selection Box 56:21

5M ago56:21

56:21

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 Da…

1
The Rosebud Christmas Eve Extravaganza 59:17

5M ago59:17

59:17

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 …

1
Dame Mary Berry 1:03:03

5M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

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…

1
More Rosebud - James Rebanks: the shepherd's life and times 1:04:18

5M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Our guest on More Rosebud today is James Rebanks, sheep-farmer and writer of best-selling books 'The Shepherd's Life' and 'English Pastoral', as well as a brand new book 'The Place of Tides'. James has lived and worked on the Cumbrian Lakeland fells since he was a boy, and farms the same hillside at Matterdale as his family have for the past 600 ye…

1
Tom Holland 1:08:58

5M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest Is History, is Gyles's guest this week. And, fittingly, this episode is full of history - Augustus, Napoleon III, Bram Stoker, Byron, Jesus and Cecil Beaton all get a mention. Yes, there's name-dropping of a historical kind. One of the interesting things about Rosebud is the distinctive ways in which our guests' chi…

1
More Rosebud... Gyles's diary, episode 5: the second half of 1961 - Gyles's first term at Bedales. 38:37

5M ago38:37

38:37

Another foray into Gyles's schoolboy diaries today, and this time it's the second half of 1961. In this chapter we find out what happens when Gyles starts at his new secondary school, Bedales, a pioneering liberal arts boarding school near Petersfield in Hampshire. How will Gyles cope with the ardous programme of 'outdoor work' which is part of his…

1
Boris Johnson 1:08:12

5M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

This week Boris Johnson is on the Rosebud couch, and Gyles tries to get him off the usual political topics and instead talking about where it all began. We find out about Boris's early years, spent fighting with his siblings and playing violent physical games in school playgrounds. We find out about his schooldays, his first crush and his parents' …

1
More Rosebud... Gyles's talk at the Henley Literary Festival 1:04:01

6M ago1:04:01

1:04:01

Today's Rosebud is an enormously entertaining talk given by Gyles at the Henley Literary Festival. Ostensibly about Gyles's books - Prose and Cons, a History of the English Language in Just a Minute, and Breaking the Code: Gyles's diaries from his days as an MP - this talk is actually much more than that. In true Gyles style, it is full of amazing …

1
Sir Matthew Bourne 1:05:10

6M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

Sir Matthew Bourne's reimaginings of classic works like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Carmen have become legendary, and have transformed our ideas of what dance, and what theatre, are capable of. In this in-depth conversation, Gyles finds out about Sir Matthew's origin story, from his childhood days putting on shows for the neighbours on his street…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Gyles Brandreth / Keep It Light Media Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen