Celebrity Interviews
Sharlene Spiteri
Sharleen Spiteri on music, friendship, and what’s next for Texas
Sharleen Spiteri has spent four decades fronting Texas. And she’s still loving it. Deana Luchia finds her frank and funny...
Nicky Johnston
From Joseph to Aladdin: the soundtrack of a life with Sir Tim Rice
Deana Luchia finds the musical memories flooding back in conversation with Sir Tim Rice...
Jason Manford talks life on tour
Comedian, singer and TV host Jason Manford talks to Ashley Davies ahead of his new tour.
Breathing life into the horn: Ben Goldscheider’s musical journey
Mastering the horn can take years. But Ben Goldscheider finds the whole thing a blast. Deana Luchia hears him tune up for the Barnes Music Festival.
CBD, mushrooms & Rock ‘n’ Roll: Jamie Wood’s alternative wellness empire
Jamie Wood grew up as part of the Rolling Stones clan. Now, he is doing drugs with a difference. Here he tells Richard Davies why CBD therapy is the new rock ’n’ roll...
Maximalist in retirement: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s colourful next chapter
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen believes in a colourful retirement. The TV star tells Jane McGowan why older doesn’t have to mean boring...
Scott Miller: A vet's journey from TV screens to rescue missions and new beginnings
It’s still a dog’s life for Scott Miller. The Surrey-based TV vet tells Jane McGowan about his latest pet projects...
John Sherringham
Adam Gary on creating free poetry hubs and bringing verse to the people
Serious about sonnets? Desperate to knock out an ode? Now is the time to give it a go. Adam Gary, Surrey’s inaugural Poet Laureate, tells Deana Luchia about his innovative poetry hubs...
The sound of Christmas: Sir John Rutter on carols, choirs, and the power of music
Deana Luchia talks to acclaimed composer Sir John Rutter about carols, choirs and the need to get music into schools...
From frontlines to healing: Fergal Keane's journey through war and PTSD
Fergal Keane once worked to the drumbeats of war. Now the BBC man has written of the price he paid. Miranda Jessop finds him turning the page...
Timothy Foster
Award-winning author and classicist Daisy Dunn
Antiquity was a hotbed of heroes, but its heroines remain largely obscure. Miranda Jessop finds classicist Daisy Dunn drawing back the veil...
Jeweller Theo Fennell's new memoir is a sparkling success
England's charismatic 'king of bling' will discuss his humorous new book at Barnes Bookfest next month, alongside actor Richard E Grant
Adjoa Andoh reimagines Richard III
Richard III strides into Kingston this month in the shape of Adjoa Andoh. Miranda Jessop meets the monarch.
Rick Astley: Any Other Guy
Rick Astley talks history, fame and power tools with close friend
Tom Massey on saving bugs 'If they disappear, so does our food'
Garden designer Tom Massey on why an insect is a human’s best friend plus tips to make your garden insect-friendly.
Margaret Buntrock's inspiration for Pains Hill
Painshill Park at Cobham was the result of one man’s dream. Three centuries later it inspired author Margaret Buntrock to give the tale a tantalizing new twist.
Sir Lenny Henry on writing books
“I wanted to write the kind of book I’d have loved to read when I was a boy,” explains the 64-year-old Brummie of his decision to move into print."
From Parliament to principle: Rory Stewart’s journey
Rory Stewart left Parliament five years ago to put principles before party and power.
Bestselling author Anthony Horowitz and his new book based in Richmond
It’s murder on the leafy streets of Richmond. And bestselling author Anthony Horowitz is the man to blame. Deana Luchia catches him early...
Catching up with Beverley Knight ahead of Kew the Music
“I love outdoor performances,” she reveals. “Kew is a wonderful setting. I have performed at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight, which was amazing, but single-artist concerts like Kew are really nice because people have come to see me."
Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Scheffler comes to Barnes
Axel Scheffler loves to put writers in the picture. This month the Gruffalo illustrator comes to Barnes.
Dame Sarah Connolly on finding her voice
Dame Sarah Connolly fought hard to be an opera star. Now, she does battle for the arts.
Gareth Thomas and his journey to tackle HIV
“Finding out about my own status, I realised I was experiencing a kind of self-stigma because I didn’t know anything about HIV.”
Alex Whitehead
Lizzi Jordan on how para-cycling restored her sense of vision
“But taking that initial risk has opened up another world to me. Removing yourself from your comfort zone is one of the very best things you can do. You just need to take that next step.”
Jake Turney
Eleanor Oldroyd on combining music and sport
Broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd combines a love of music and sport. For this month’s Barnes Music Festival she has updated her book on local composers.
We sit down with musician Braimah Kanneh-Mason
Meet the dynamic and versatile young violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, one-third of the acclaimed Kanneh-Mason Trio who have taken the classical music world by storm
Ruth Langsford talks Loose Women, lucky breaks and charity
Ruth Langsford, fixture of daytime TV, talks to Jane McGowan about Loose Women, lucky breaks and why charity begins close to home...
Hal Shinnie
Jason Fox - Life At The Limit
TV tough guy Jason Fox is taking his sometimes painful story on tour.
BBC
Anton Du Beke comes to Woking
Catch Anton in Peter Pan at the New Victoria in Woking from Dec 8-Jan 7
Historian and broadcaster Dan Jones
We catch up with historian and broadcaster Dan Jones ahead of his appearance at the Guildford Book Festival.
Sebastian Faulks' new book is a big leap forward
From Victorian asylums to the mud of the Somme, Sebastian Faulks has taken readers on a decades-long tour of the past. But his new book is a big leap forward...
Denis Pellerin
Queen legend Sir Brian May and his passion for stereoscopes
Queen legend Sir Brian May has a passion for stereoscopes. Now part of his huge collection is going on view. Jane McGowan hears his photographic rhapsody.
Beth Dubber
Ted Lasso's AFC Richmond
A play on the age-old fish-out-of-water trope, the show sees a likeable American college football coach take the reins of a beleaguered fictional Premier League team: AFC Richmond.
Author Ava Glass advice for would-be authors
Ava Glass talks to Jane McGowan about writing a novel
Ben Fogle reveals what it's like living in the wild
Ben Fogle talks to Alice Cairns about celebrity, adventure and life in the wilderness
Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard discuss marriage, music and the future of theatre
Alice Cairns talks to Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard about marriage, music and the future of theatre.
Susie Dent takes the English Language on tour
Susie Dent is taking the English language on tour. This month the Countdown lexicographer brings the wonder of words to Surrey. Jane McGowan has her dictionary ready.
Making Games In Guildford: A Q&A with Peter Molineux
Peter Molyneux has made Guildford the computer gaming capital of Britain. Adele Waters enters strange new worlds and questions Peter on the past, present, and future of gaming.
Mum’s the Word: Catching up with Sara Pasco
Jane McGowan catches up with comedian, writer and new mum Sara Pasco as she heads out on her 50-date stand-up tour.
Natalie Livingstone on the Cliveden Literary Festival
Alice Cairns talks to Natalie Livingstone about Cliveden Literary Festival and the unsung women of history
Where there’s hope, with Carrie Hope Fletcher
Carrie Hope Fletcher is a girl who can't say no. This month, the busy performer says 'yes' to Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle at the Rose, Kingston.
Cooking up a storm with Bonnie Garmus
Jane McGowan meets author Bonnie Garmus - one of the most exciting new novelists taking part in this month’s Guildford Book Festival
Queen Elizabeth's Reign: A Lasting Monarchy
The record-breaking reign of Queen Elizabeth II has seen Britain transformed. Richard Nye travels back to 1952 with David Kynaston, leading social historian of the postwar years.
Interview: Michael Duke on playing Bob Marley
Michael Duke talks about his connection to reggae music, getting to know Bob Marley, and the importance of making art.
Interview: Simply Red's Mick Hucknall
Jane McGowan caught up with Simply Red’s charismatic frontman, Mick Hucknall, as the band prepare for their Sandown Park show.
Interview: Brenda Edwards on her Third Hairspray Tour
A syndicate interview with Brenda Edwards, starring as Motormouth Maybelle in the upcoming tour of the musical Hairspray.
Interview: Gok Wan - Designer, Presenter, Performer
Clara Knight meets Gok Wan in anticipation of his upcoming role in the pantomime 'Snow White'.
David Gandy talks about his campaign to get children reading
Jane McGowan talks to model and Achievement for All ambassador David Gandy about his campaign to get children reading
The world of statistics: an interview with professor Jennifer Rogers
An interview with Professor Jennifer Rogers discussing life in lockdown and her interesting career.
Pregnancy, parenting and podcasts
Discussing pregnancy, parenting and podcasts with Anna Williamson and Zoe Blaskey.
Lucy Alexander: Life, loss and G&Ts on the beach
Lucy Alexander, star of BBC1’s Homes Under the Hammer, talks to Fiona Adams about life, loss and G&Ts on the beach
International sculptor Kate MccGwire
Internationally renowned sculptor Kate MccGwire talks to Jane McGowan about feathers, family and finding success...
Craig Hastings BBC/Craig Hastings
Samira Ahmed fights for fairness
BBC journalist Samira Ahmed took her employer to tribunal over equal pay and won. Here she tells Fiona Adams about her passion for Persia, her love for South London and how important it is to fight for fairness
Q&A With Dame Julie Andrews
Screen royalty and national treasure, Julie Andrews tells Rosanna Greenstreet about her early memories of Walton, her passion for reading and her regret at the loss of her singing voice
Lorraine Kelly; family, stress and her new role
Jane McGowan chats to TV star Lorraine Kelly about fitness, family and her new role as patron of Mole Valley’s Arts e-Live festival
Sir Ian Botham beefs up charity fundraising
One of the big stars who signed up to appear on Cookalong TV is the newly honoured cricketing legend, Sir Ian Botham.
Simon Bird on his new film, fatherhood and finding his feet as a director
What's changed since The Inbetweeners?
Poetry and surviving lockdown with Gyles Brandreth
Sophie Farrah hears how learning poetry has helped Gyles Brandreth survive the lockdown, and why slowing down is not in his vocabulary...
Davina McCall shares why we need to get fit and tips to make it happen
So, how have you spent your lockdown?
Nicola Naylor on sight loss, setbacks and strength
She refuses to let her blindness hold her back.
