Best David Hepworth Podcasts (2025)

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Debsey Wykes of Dolly Mixture wants you to read her teenage diary 37:33

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18h ago37:33

37:33

Debsey Wykes was in Dolly Mixture, one of the very few all-girl groups in post-punk London, a time when bands with charisma won the battle for attention and you promoted singles on the back of a truck. Her memoir Teenage Daydream perfectly captures a slice of late ‘70s life, the thrill of playing the pub circuit and trying to storm Radio One. Along…

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Singers’ vast egos explained and what’s the real definition of ‘a fan’? 36:35

4d ago36:35

36:35

A tub-thumping, snare-cracking, cymbal-simmering, two-way backbeat to this week’s rock and roll news, the on-beats including … … “Trauma-bonding?” Why being ‘a fan’ is like a love affair … Ian Brown, Morrissey, Siouxsie, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison … why singers who don’t play an instrument are a different species … the stadium-rock drummer transfer…

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392: Andrew Lownie in conversation with Harry Mount 35:52

5d ago35:52

35:52

On Radio Oldie, Prince Andrew's biographer, Andrew Lownie, talks to Harry Mount. His new book Entitled - The Rise and Fall of the House of York is a number one bestseller. It reveals how Prince Andrew, the late Queen's favourite, was disgraced by his greed for money and sex.By Radio Oldie

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Neil Hannon - the Divine Comedy, the Father Ted saga & nights at the Indie Disco 29:11

6d ago29:11

29:11

How can you not love the Divine Comedy whose inspirations include Tom Lehrer and “Landfill Indie”? And Neil Hannon wrote music for Wonka, Father Ted and the IT Crowd. There’s a new album, Rainy Sunday Afternoon, and a tour in October and all bases are covered in this conversation from Kildare, these among them … … seeing U2 at Croke Park “and feeli…

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Tanita Tikaram - from ‘girl with guitar in bedroom’ to Hammersmith Odeon in six months 33:31

8d ago33:31

33:31

Tanita Tikaram’s second gig had an audience of three – one paying customer and two concert promoters. When one of them wanted to talk to her afterwards she said, “sorry, I’ve got to get the train home.” She was 17. In this podcast she tells us the story of the one of the fastest career ascents on record which stops off at … … an open-mic night with…

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Bob Mould remembers Hüsker Dü, Sugar & that guy with the hipster moustache 33:03

9d ago33:03

33:03

Bob Mould, whose records with Hüsker Dü had such impact on Nirvana and Pixies, is back on tour again, both solo and with a band. “I’ve built this tiny soap box - and if you don’t like it, it’s been nice knowing you!” He talks to us from San Francisco about … … March 30 1979: “the day that changed my life” … over-refreshment on the bus to see Rush a…

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Comedy records, TV gold & have Oasis and Coldplay hoovered up all the cash? 1:01:54

11d ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Damping down the wildfires of rock and roll news this week we focus on the following … … Oasis, Taylor Swift and Coldplay and the new age of Winner Takes All … did Bob Dylan write a song with Gene Simmons, advertise lingerie or appear on a telethon with Harry Dean Stanton? … movies that need making eg the Molly Drake Story, the Rock And Roll Mitfor…

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Brian Protheroe on the eternal life of his 1974 hit “Pinball” 33:13

13d ago33:13

33:13

Paul Weller has just covered it on his new album. Morrissey played it to Noel Gallagher who took the idea and ran with it. What explains the enduring appeal of a record that stalled at number 22 all those years ago? Actor/musician Brian Protheroe doesn’t know but he’s certainly grateful that it’s being reissued once again. His story takes us back t…

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391: Fay Maschler in conversation with Harry Mount 37:53

13d ago37:53

37:53

Fay Maschler, the restaurant critic, tells Harry Mount about 53 years of reviewing restaurants. The Evening Standard critic for 48 years, she is now Tatler's critic. She reveals London's greatest restaurant - and explains why 1987 was the year that changed the British eating landscape for ever.By Radio Oldie

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Terry Reid, the man who really invented Led Zeppelin, & guitar fetishism 46:18

17d ago46:18

46:18

Other, weaker podcasts may take the summer off. Not this one. …the story of Jerry Garcia’s alligator strat, Paul McCartney’s violin bass and the instrument Peter Frampton thought had gone forever …the long story of Terry Reid, who turned down Led Zeppelin, and the golden afternoon when he was the most charismatic figure in roc …the real reason why …

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Peter Ames Carlin on the record that made Bruce Springsteen 42:45

21d ago42:45

42:45

word-podcast-798-peter-ames-carlin Friend of the pod and chronicler of the careers of Springsteen, Paul Simon and REM, Peter Ames Carlin has heard all the recordings that went into the album which was Springsteen’s last chance saloon and spoken to the people who were there to put together the story of how it was all done. ….the lucky break that cam…

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A Lambeth Lullaby: pubs, pints, cats, crisps and ornithology (Aug 2025) 52:13

21d ago52:13

52:13

In this episode:Pub Quiz 1Shirk, Rust & Pray IIJust Fall Over at the Camden FringeErithCornwallDorchester Court Summer PartyDash the HengeA new career Pub & Beer NewsThe latest from The Shirker's RestCrisp NewsOther NewsPub Quiz 2Readers' LettersBook Corner: The Longest Crawl by Ian MarchantBum DosserSocial Media Funnies…

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Jah Wobble - 40 hilarious unedited minutes interrupted by a pest control officer 39:58

21d ago39:58

39:58

Jah Wobble - touring in October - is outstanding company and rattles on here like a steam train, sparking off at tangents in a brilliant, barely steerable monologue with a crackling cast of characters. It’s not often a podcast gets a visitor mid-recording who says, “I’ve put more poison in - but the good news is, there’s nothing in your traps!” Her…

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Elvis, the Colonel & how unseen letters changed Peter Guralnick’s view of their partnership 52:47

24d ago52:47

52:47

There’s a widely accepted view of the relationship between Elvis and his manager Tom Parker, the one sustained by the recent Baz Luhrmann movie, but a new and fascinating archive of unseen letters makes you see it differently: it was warmer, deeper and infinitely more complicated. Peter Guralnick – rock book royalty! - met Parker towards the end of…

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Are the Nineties the new Classic Rock? And whatever happened to comedy records? 36:36

25d ago36:36

36:36

Lowering the magnet of curiosity into the scrapyard of news and seeing what’s attracted, which includes … … does anyone still write satirical songs? … Four Sides of the Circle, Margaret On The Guillotine, From Here To Infirmary … real or fictitious working album titles? … the rarity of hearing new music without knowing what the musician looks like …

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The Wedding Present turns 40, memories of John Peel & ‘the only time I ever pogo-ed’ 33:07

25d ago33:07

33:07

The Wedding Present formed 40 years ago – why does that seem astonishing? - and have a new box set and tour to celebrate. David Gedge digs out his old notes about the first gigs he ever saw and played and looks back at what four decades onstage might have taught him. Among the delights … … Rick Wakeman in full cape attire at Manchester Free Trade H…

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390: John Lloyd in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf 40:25

29d ago40:25

40:25

John Lloyd is a multi-award-winning television and radio producer. He is the creator of Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder, Spitting Image, QI, The Museum of Curiosity and much more. In 2011 was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting.By Radio Oldie

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389: Rachel Kelly in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf 30:30

29d ago30:30

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Rachel Kelly is a bestselling author, keynote speaker and mental health advocate, who has just published her new book The Gift of Teenagers, recently serialised in the Daily Mail. A former Times journalist, Rachel has been named one of the UK’s top five mental health influencers and is an official ambassador for the mental health charities Rethink …

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Bret McKenzie on Flight of the Conchords, Hollywood and writing songs for frogs and unicorns 47:27

30d ago47:27

47:27

Bret McKenzie now mainly works on movie soundtracks, the Simpsons, Minecraft and the Muppets among them, which brings the pure delight of hearing his songs sung by Lady Gaga, Benedict Cumberbatch, Miss Piggy and Tony Bennett. He talks here about his early life in Wellington (ballet teacher Mum, racehorse trainer Dad), narrative comedy, songwriting …

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Del Amitri’s Justin Currie has faced every tough crowd imaginable. Lessons were learn 45:54

1M ago45:54

45:54

Justin Currie recorded and toured with Del Amitri and solo for 30 years and his travelogue The Tremolo Diaries perfectly captures the rhythm of life on the road. He talks to us here about combative crowds, the curious bubble you occupy and a recent shock diagnosis that’s forced some adjustments. This includes … … hard-won rules for life on tour: “N…

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388: Helen Lederer in conversation with Harry Mount 39:55

1M ago39:55

39:55

Helen Lederer tells Harry Mount about a life in comedy. A stand-up comedian at the Comedy Store, she has starred with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ben Elton and the late Rik Mayall, . And she excelled as Catriona, the dim Sloane in Absolutely Fabulous.By Radio Oldie

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Ozzy Osbourne, Jaws, the lost world of mix tapes & the movies’ most chilling moment 57:48

1M ago57:48

57:48

Just when you thought it was safe to listen to a weekly rock and roll podcast … … how Black Sabbath discovered the dark side … why Elvis went onstage with a pistol in both boots … rock stars out of their comfort zone … five perfect things about Jaws we’d never taken onboard … Ozzy Osbourne, the bungled burglary and the fingerless gloves … Tony Iomm…

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The late Nick Drake’s manager on the nine-year project “The Making Of Five Leaves Left” 30:13

1M ago30:13

30:13

Cally Colomon looks after the legacy of Nick Drake, who died in 1974 but attracts new teenage admirers all the time. Here he talks to David Hepworth about just some of what that involves, including: …chancers getting in touch with a bogus live recording when they’ve got a tax bill to pay … film producers wishing to superimpose their image of Nick D…

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Suzi Quatro - how Dad, Elvis and Mickie Most transformed my life 23:24

1M ago23:24

23:24

Suzi Quatro’s been onstage from the age of 14 as the bassist in the all-girl showband the Pleasure Seekers and the rock act Cradle. And then moved to England in 1971 when signed by Mickie Most. This podcast is a testament to the power of self-belief – she’s got more front than Woolworths! - and the two things her father told her. She’s just started…

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Alex Amin 59:51

1M ago59:51

59:51

Recorded on July 21, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.

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387: Sarah Sands in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf 30:25

1M ago30:25

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Sarah Sands is a well-known journalist. She edited Readers’ Digest, the Sunday Telegraph and the Evening Standard before becoming editor of Today, BBC Four’s flagship news programme. Recently she abandoned her career in exchange for a quieter, more fluid life and has written three books about monasticism, faith and inner peace. She also now organis…

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New Nick Drake tapes, Bob Marley’s masterpiece and the Coldplay ‘kiss-cam’. 1:01:12

1M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

A rain-splashed, dub-filled, cash-scattering foray into this week’s news and events which happily lands upon … … meeting Maddy Prior – a Prior engagement? – and the time Steeleye Span showered their audience with £8,000. … hearing Nick Drake’s demos on a narrowboat in the pitch dark a few hundred feet below London. … Steve Miller’s cancelled tour, …

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The story of David Ackles, who never recovered from putting out “the best album ever made”. 27:59

1M ago27:59

27:59

Picked up in the great singer-songwriter sweep of the late 60s and signed to Elektra Records, David Ackles made four albums which went over the heads of the record-buying public, attracted over-the-top reviews and earned the undying devotion of fans like Elvis Costello and Elton John. Now Mark Brend’s book brings together an appreciation of his wor…

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386: Philippa Langley at the Oldie Literary Lunch 13:19

1M ago13:19

13:19

Philippa Langley speaking about her new book, The Princes in the Tower: Solving History's Greatest Cold Case, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.By Radio Oldie

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385: David Hepworth at the Oldie Literary Lunch 13:35

1M ago13:35

13:35

David Hepworth speaking about his new book, Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.By Radio Oldie

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384: Lucy Moore at the Oldie Literary Lunch 11:59

1M ago11:59

11:59

Lucy Moore speaking about her new book, Christopher Gibbs: His World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.By Radio Oldie

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Kevin Rowland, Oasis, Velvet Sundown – and do we want the truth or just a good story? 46:00

1M ago46:00

46:00

Our patent fact-from-fiction separator goes into overdrive this week though sometimes, as Robert Wyatt observed, Ruth is stranger than Richard. High in the mix … … FOMO (Fear Of Missing Oasis), Gen Z’s love of queuing and has there ever been a greater outpouring of joy at a band reunion? …what’s the greatest musical city? … Kevin Rowland – cheat, b…

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383: Mary Kenny in conversation with Harry Mount 49:36

2M ago49:36

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Oldie columnist and Irish writer, Mary Kenny, tells Harry Mount about her 60 years in journalism. She salutes her old boss, the novelist Edna O'Brien, and remembers her time leading the Irish Women's Liberation Movement. And she reflects on her biography of Lord Haw-Haw, the Nazi propagandist.By Radio Oldie

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John Otway – Micro-stardom, 5,000 gigs and how to capture a crowd in 20 seconds 34:12

2M ago34:12

34:12

John Otway – self-billed as “Rock And Roll’s Greatest Failure” - has played 5,260 gigs in 53 years, a record possibly only beaten by BB King. There are more this autumn of course. He simply can’t stop. “People buying me drinks and telling me what a good bloke I am? Why would you stop?” We talk to him here about the art of shambling stagecraft and a…

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Peter Hook looks back at Joy Division, New Order and how not to be a DJ 31:01

2M ago31:01

31:01

Peter Hook, bold pioneer of the high, clambering, tune-filled bassline, is touring this autumn with Peter Hook & the Light. We talk to him in Prestatyn - about to deejay at mate’s birthday - about the first gigs he ever saw and played, heavy-handed club owners, tough crowds on dance floors, the world audience for his two old bands and few key momen…

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382: Nicky Haslam in conversation with Harry Mount 37:07

2M ago37:07

37:07

On Radio Oldie, writer, designer and singer Nicky Haslam does a perfect Truman Capote impression. He recalls meeting Marilyn Monroe and Cole Porter. He reveals Diana Cooper's recipe for a good party – 'Too much to drink and a chocolate pudding.' And he explains why the Sistine Chapel is common.By Radio Oldie

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Live Aid remembered – from inside and out – on its 40th birthday 54:10

2M ago54:10

54:10

A 40th anniversary special with two of its presenters (Hepworth and Ellen) and old pal and TV critic Boyd Hilton who watched on the day aged 18 (“young, pretentious, idiotic”) and reviews the new BBC documentary. We look back at … … the ways Live Aid changed television – “not about music but spectacle and scale”. … would the idea of staging it have…

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Alexander Nekrasov 20:06

2M ago20:06

20:06

Recorded on November 28, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull and 58 years of one-legged live performance 26:41

2M ago26:41

26:41

Ian Anderson is touring again in 2026 and talks to us here about tweed stage-wear, an audience of four, his teenage heroes and the first shows he ever saw and played. There’s all sorts within, including … … playing his first gig to Catholic schoolgirls at the Holy Family Youth Club in Blackpool – “we emptied the room”. … queues round the block at t…

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381: Mark Ellen in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf 40:02

2M ago40:02

40:02

As we head towards the 40th anniversary of Live Aid on 13th July, Charlotte Metcalf talks to the writer and broadcaster Mark Ellen, then a hugely successful editor of magazines like New Musical Express and Time Out, Mark was plucked from The Old Grey Whistle Test to be one of the main television anchors on the concert. He looks back at a phenomenal…

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Album sleeves the modern world would ban & the best song titles and opening lines 54:55

2M ago54:55

54:55

It’s Happy Hour in the Rock and Roll Lounge of News and we’re working our way through anything over 40 per cent proof. Which means ice, a slice and …. … how the F-Bomb lost its impact. … Mick Ralphs and Lalo Schifrin RIP – and chapeau to "There's A Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On’. … the Blush-o-meter! Album sleeves that’d get you lynched in the 21st …

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Bobby Bluebell’s thriving third act, ‘80s Glasgow and the gift that keeps on giving 23:45

2M ago23:45

23:45

Bobby Bluebell remembers the “cuddly duffle-coat friendship” of Glasgow bands in the early ‘80s and the Bluebells’ second act rebooted by the Volkswagen ad. The band are touring again and an even bigger part of the city’s thriving musical community, and he looks back here at the first gigs he ever saw and played, along with … … singing “When I’m De…

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Dubmaster Dennis Bovell has had 50 fun-filled years making magical records 24:15

2M ago24:15

24:15

Dennis Bovell has worked his dub magic on everyone from Janet Kaye to the Slits, the Pop Group, Jarvis Cocker and Thom Yorke & Jonny Greenwood – and his own band Matumbi. He talks here about the thrill and freedom of making dub records, his new album Wise Music In Dub – which reworks ‘Pass The Dutchie’, Minnie Riperton and the Stylistics – and how …

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Up the Elephant and round the Castle: pubs, drugs, sport and dossers (June 25) 1:03:58

2M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

In this episode:Pub Quiz 1Windsor RacesWide AwakeWembley doubleDeptford againTennis at Queen'sNew EP from Andrew GrumbridgePub & Beer NewsCrisp NewsDrug NewsWalking NewsRIP Micky SciencePub Quiz 2Readers' LettersBook CornerDesert Island CrispsBum DosserSocial Media SceneIt's Just Another Day (feat. AOC)…

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380: Tracy Chevalier at the Oldie Literary Lunch 14:34

2M ago14:34

14:34

Tracy Chevalier speaking about her new book, The Glassmaker, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.By Radio Oldie

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379: Sinclair McKay at the Oldie Literary Lunch 10:02

2M ago10:02

10:02

Sinclair McKay speaking about his new book, Saint Petersburg: Sacrifice & Redemption in the City that Defied Hitler, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.By Radio Oldie

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378: Anne Sebba at the Oldie Literary Lunch 13:30

2M ago13:30

13:30

Anne Sebba speaking about her new book, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.By Radio Oldie

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Rick Wakeman once signed a contract guaranteeing he’d wear “at least one cape onstage” 32:02

2M ago32:02

32:02

Rick Wakeman was onstage from the age of five and looks back with us here on a life of live performance – jazz and blues bands, the Strawbs, Yes – and ahead to this autumn’s tour performing King Arthur and the Six Wives of Henry the Eighth. “I wake up every morning, throw off the duvet and – if nothing else has fallen off – have a great day!” There…

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10cc’s I’m Not In Love is still weird & wonderful! - plus Kneecap & Carol Kaye 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

Chasing the shade and applying Factor 50 in the wilting heat of this week’s rock and roll news turns the conversation to … … Kneecap v the Prime Minister. … will any openly anti-Trump musician find it hard to tour the States? … the girl who’s listening to all 10,000 of her late father’s albums, one 60-second Instagram reel at a time. … a bottle of …

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377: Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf 34:31

2M ago34:31

34:31

Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, has lived at Belvoir Castle for nearly 25 years, transforming it into a going commercial concern and a comfortable home for her five children. On the eve of her oldest daughter’s wedding, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her book, The Accidental Duchess, her podcast and her sense of duty and commitment to keeping B…