Family Business with Tamer Hassan

"If you don't try, you'll end up like Willard" his teacher used to say to the rest of his classmates.

At the age of five years old, yet to be diagnosed with autism, Willard Wigan had had enough. He was fedup of being used as the example of failure. His teachers told him he'd never be able to read and called him 'Blackie'. So one day Willard ran away.

He ran to a lake and discovered a world of insects, dragonflies and ants and became obsessed with the 'Small World'.

After showing off an Ant village he hand carved, his mother declared 'The smaller your sculpture, the bigger your name will become'

Words that stuck with Wigan and led to him sculpting work for some of the most prestigious people including Her Majesty the Queen. He has learnt to create sculptures so small they fit inside a human egg, with tools visible only under microscope, and all his work is by hand.

Hear this rare and fascinating interview with the worlds best microsculpter, about how his abusive experiences at school and from his father led to him becoming the king of the 'Small World'

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Growing up in a poor area of South East London, Tom's life seemed written on the wall.

He was a scaffolder, labourer and was used to hard graft and long hours. But he dreamed of something different. To his friends amusement, he wanted to break out of life on the building site and start a career on stage.

Yet, it seems Tom had the last laugh. From humble beginnings he started appearing on TV and onstage as a comedian, eventually becoming the leading role, DI Sleet in BBC three comedy 'Murder In Sucessville'.

Tom explains to Tame how his formative years, his parents relationship and now his relationship have made this possible for him and the tough road he's had to walk to get there.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Dougray Scott takes time out from his busy schedule in LA tom talk to Tamer about his life growing up and how he became shortlisted as the next James Bond.

Growing up in a poor Scottish community and not getting on well at school, it seemed as if Dougray was destined for a hard working life to make ends meet. His Parents encouraged him to get into a trade, but Dougray had his sights set on acting.

Despite the challenges of raising twins and going through divorce, he became a recognised Hollywood name and has built an impressive list of credits, but not without heartache and challenge as Tamer finds out in this incredible and rare interview.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Youtube star Aaron Crascall talks to Tamer about his rise to fame, the times he was bullied at school and how he was driven to the top of multi storey car park to take his own life.

Hear Aaron's touching moments as he breaks down in front of Tamer, remembering his Dad and facing the tough times in his life.

And discover the strength and resilience Aaron has to give a better start to his kids lives, while supporting his mother through her grief and his partner in parenting his three children.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Behind the glossy pop star image, Lee Ryan has been through tougher times than you might expect.

Growing up in a deprived community in South East London, Ryan's freedom to roam sometimes meant he saw more than he should.

Like the time his friends Dad attempted to murder his daughter with a shotgun and then took his own life in the middle of the street, or the time his next door neighbour was found brutally murdered.

These traumas led to a complicated relationship with drugs and alcohol, yet Ryan managed to get ahold of his life and his built an impressively successful career for himself and his family.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Boxers come from humble beginnings, and none are more humble than those of Big Joe Egan.

His career has achieved the near impossible. From an unknown name in Ireland, he became Mike Tyson's sparring partner and by the age of 24 he was winner of the Golden Gloves with an impressive 80 wins to his name.

Joe went on to go the distance with Lennox Lewis three times and then win against heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon and sealed his name, but behind all his successes are some deeply disturbing times.

Joe explains how his mum came to attempt suicide, how events at home led to the collapse of his parents marriage, the loss of his family home and all his trophies, and eventually how Joe moved from boxing to acting and a new life.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Calum Best, son of the famous footballer George best talks to tamer about his struggle to find a relationship with his dad. Calum remembers how he had to learn quickly how to negotiate with his father's alcoholism in order to find a bond with his father.

In this heartfelt episode, we hear how Calum started drinking in his early teens to impress his father, dancing on tables with models as a teenager and fighting in pub brawls side by side with his Dad.

He reveals how painful his father's passing was for him and the destructive shockwaves it sent through his life, until finally he caught himself and turned his fortunes around.

Now he has found purpose and confidence and he is leading a different example to his father, one that he intends to show his children.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Growing up in the 70's was a different experience. Sure there was more freedom but the lack of PC culture meant there was always the smouldering threat of child abuse, sexualisation and racism that kids sometimes had to negotiate.

Omid recounts how his loving family did their best to integrate into UK society, using football, tea and biscuits as building blocks to make friends. Yet a more intolerant 1970's England didn't like his families cooking, the busy family life with lots of visitors and the constant coming and going of people.

And Omid remembers being 'brought into line' when a player from the opposing football team decided to choke him, and of course his constant fear of casually 'being bummed' at any moment.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Ex-Footballer, coach and television presenter Jimmy Bullard meets Tamer to talk about his childhood and formative years.

He reveals how his Mum and Dad's support led him to achieve more than his skill alone could allow.He freely admits that if it weren't for his Dad's belief in him, he probably wouldn't have become a professional footballer.

It's a high bar to pass to his kids, who he also wants bro have the same fortunate start in life he enjoyed.

Jimmy looks back at the difficult times in his career and how his family and partner have stuck with him and the legacy he wants to leave.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan

Grime sensation, author and Tv presenter Big Narstie talks to Tamer (Pop's as Big calls him) about growing up and breaking into becoming one of the biggest names in Grime.

Big explains how growing up poor in South Eat London provided challenges, how he met inspiration in a detention centre and found purpose that later led to great success. And of course, Big talks about CBD and his understanding of the benefits of Cannabis in pain relief and better living.

Listen and subscribe now, on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have a question for Tamer, or any thoughts you'd like to share, you can contact him on:

Insta @realtamerhassan

Twitter @tamerhassan