This episode is a collection of Christmas stories and memories from lots of our Rosebud guests, friends and listeners. It's like a Christmas stocking: full of treats and surprises. Next week we'll do the same, but the theme will be new year. We'll be back with a full-length interview show on January 5th 2024, with Sir Michael Palin. 
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Rosebud Festive Medley - featuring Sir Michael Palin, David Mitchell, Dame Sheila Hancock, Rob Brydon and more...

Legendary British writer, broadcaster, ex-MP and TV star Gyles Brandreth hosts “Rosebud”, in which he talks to famous and fascinating people about their first memories and first experiences.
Expect laughter, nostalgia, memorable stories, revelations and, of course, the odd name-drop from Gyles. 
 
We want to hear about your first memories - email us at hello@rosebudpodcast.com

And you can follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @therosebudpod
 
Artwork: Freya Betts.
Music: Phil Lepherd.
Producer: Harriet Jaine.

Rosebud is a 'Plain Jaine' / 'Keep It Light Media' Production
 
Creator: Gyles Brandreth/Plain Jaine Productions

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Gyles meets the writer, clergyman and former member of the Communards Reverend Richard Coles. Together they talk about Richard's childhood, growing up as the musically gifted youngest son in a family of shoe manufacturers in Kettering, about how he discovered his sexuality and became part of London's gay scene in the 1980s, and about how he found his faith in the aftermath of the AIDS crisis. Gyles and Richard discuss the best way to pull a vicar, and whether a mental orgasm is better than a physical one. Thank you to Reverend Richard for his openness and for this wonderful conversation. 

Our other big news is that this week is our sponsor Grosvenor House's 95th anniversary. To hear Gyles interview Stuart Bowery, the Manager of the hotel, all about Grosvenor House's fascinating history, go to https://grosvenorhousecasts.podbean.com/.
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Reverend Richard Coles

Gyles has fun talking to Katherine Ryan about her early memories and formative experiences, with added discussions about the rights and wrongs of plastic surgery, whether you should tell anecdotes during sex, and what, exactly, is phallic swagger. This is a frank, open, revealing and sometimes inspiring conversation that's possibly slightly more adult than our usual episodes. Katherine tells Gyles about her childhood in a Canadian industrial town, about her parents and their divorce, and about her student job waitressing at Hooters. Thank you to Katherine for this brilliant conversation. 
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Katherine Ryan

This week, Gyles has John Cleese in the Rosebud hotseat. Gyles finds out about John's childhood, growing up in the Westcountry during the war, with a father whose surname was actually 'Cheese' and a mother who was suffering from post natal depression. John also shares stories about his school days, what it was like being the tallest boy in the form, and how he enjoyed being "subversive" at the back of the class and discovered his love of being funny. John also talks about Python, Fawlty Towers and his spiritual side. This is a fascinating, wide-ranging and sometimes hilarious conversation. Thank you, John. 
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John Cleese

Dermot O'Leary and Gyles know each other from the This Morning sofa, but here they get the chance to sit down for a proper in-depth conversation. Dermot tells Gyles about his childhood, growing up in a warm and loving Irish family, and about how important his heritage is to him. He talks about his first communion, his love of poetry and Gyles finds out whether he knows the facts of life. Dermot's latest children's book, Wings of Glory, is out in paperback now: it's an exciting adventure set in WWII, starring a heroic band of birds who fight in the Battle of Britain. 
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TREAT EPISODE: Dermot O'Leary

In this episode Gyles talks to the Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer. This isn't a political interview, instead it's an in-depth and fascinating conversation about Keir's background and personal history. Keir reminisces about his childhood in a village in Surrey; he remembers cramped car journeys in a Ford Cortina with four kids and four dogs squeezed onto the back seat. He also describes the impact his mum's serious illness had on him, his father and on the rest of the family. This is, at times, a moving conversation. Gyles also hears about Keir's university days, about his love of football, and about his first encounter with his wife. Thanks to Keir for giving us his time and energy, and for sharing his stories. Enjoy this. 
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Rosebud Festive Medley - featuring Sir Michael Palin, David Mitchell, Dame Sheila Hancock, Rob Brydon and more...

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