Award-winning LBC presenter and best-selling author James O’Brien hosts a series of compelling conversations with fascinating people from the worlds of politics, news and entertainment. These are thoughtful conversations with a curious and interested interviewer.
Full Disclosure with James O'Brien is a Global Production
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Russell T Davies has spent a career changing what British television can be, moving from children’s drama to fearless queer storytelling and one of the nation’s most enduring cultural institutions, Doctor Who. Whether reinventing Saturday night television, capturing the emotional truth of the AIDS crisis in It’s a Sin, or turning the anxieties of modern Britain into gripping drama in Years and Years and his new series Tip Toe, his work has consistently shaped the conversation as well as entertai...
Fern Britton spent decades in Britain’s living rooms, mastering the art of making live television feel warm, effortless and intimate, even when life behind the scenes was at times anything but. From breakfast TV and Ready Steady Cook to bestselling novels and a new chapter in Cornwall, Fern’s career has been defined by reinvention, resilience and an instinctive understanding of how to connect. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Fern to explore the winding path that...
He is one of Britain’s most high-energy comics, but Russell Kane’s story begins far from the world he now inhabits: on a council estate, in a home shaped by discipline, class tension and a rigid idea of masculinity. What followed was not a straight line to success, but a series of reinventions powered by anger, ambition and the discovery that books could open doors his upbringing never knew existed. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Russell to explore how a bright...
Before she became one of Britain’s most trusted psychotherapists and writers, Philippa Perry had already lived many different lives: boarding school child, dyslexic misfit, debt collector, McDonald’s manager, art student, Samaritan volunteer and a blooming therapist. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Philippa to trace the winding path behind her public voice on relationships, parenting and emotional life - from a childhood shaped by emotional restraint, class anxi...
Before she became the entrepreneur behind Kardashian-founded brands Good American and Skims, Emma Grede was a kid from Plaistow with severe dyslexia, few qualifications, and a fierce belief that she could build a bigger life for herself. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Emma to trace the story behind her remarkable rise- from helping raise her younger sisters in East London and struggling in a school system that never seemed to fit, to building a career in fashio...
Before he became known to millions as Jack Whitehall’s gloriously dry and impeccably mannered father, Michael Whitehall had already lived several lives: socially ambitious schoolboy, drifting young journalist, unlikely prep school teacher, theatrical agent and producer to some of the biggest names in British entertainment. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Michael to uncover the family story behind the public persona- a mother determined to climb the social ladder,...
This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including addiction, that some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening, and feel free to pause or step away if you need to. From a privileged childhood in Surrey to the chaos of addiction, expulsion and eventual recovery, Marcus Brigstocke’s early life was far more turbulent than his public persona might suggest. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the comedian, writer and performer to ex...
Full Disclosure is taking a short break over the Easter holidays, but we’ll be back very soon with a brand new episodes! Until then, why not dip back into the archive and catch up on some of this year’s standout episodes, with guests including Jonathan Pryce, Sadiq Khan, Gary Lineker, Naz Shah and more. Listen now on Global Player, or wherever you get your podcasts. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/fulldisclosure Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee...
From a childhood in Islington to more than three decades on one of Britain’s biggest television shows, Natalie Cassidy’s life has unfolded in public for almost as long as she can remember. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the actor to trace a journey that began in a close-knit working-class family, took shape at the Anna Scher Theatre, and changed forever when she was cast in EastEnders at just ten years old. Natalie reflects on growing up surrounded by adults, l...
For 25 years, Fast Food Nation has shaped the way we think about what we eat, how it is made, and who pays the price. Its author, Eric Schlosser, did more than expose the hidden realities behind the fast food industry. He revealed a much bigger story about corporate power, political influence and the human cost of profit. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the acclaimed investigative writer to mark the anniversary of the book that changed the conversation around fo...
From Le Caprice and The Ivy to The Wolseley and Brasserie Zédel, Jeremy King has helped define the way London eats, drinks and sees itself. His restaurants became institutions, attracting everyone from Princess Diana and Lucian Freud to generations of actors, artists, politicians and power players. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the legendary restaurateur to trace an extraordinary life behind some of the capital’s most iconic dining rooms. Jeremy reflects on a ...
From suburban England to the front lines of the punk revolution and the stadium stages of MTV era rock, Billy Idol has spent a lifetime reinventing what rebellion looks like. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the singer to trace an extraordinary life that began in a childhood split between England and the United States, moving between places and possibilities before music gave him a sense of direction. Idol reflects on growing up in a close knit family, the influe...
This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including sexual assault and violence, that some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening, and feel free to pause or step away if you need to. At fifteen, Naz Shah was forced into a marriage thousands of miles from home. Years earlier, she had been sent from Bradford to rural Pakistan, pulled out of school and dropped into a life that felt a world away from the one she had known. But the road that would eventually lead...
Gary Lineker took questions from the live Full Disclosure audience and nothing was off the table. He discusses the scrutiny that follows every World Cup, including the tournament in the United States, and considers whether sports broadcasters should speak out more in politically volatile times. He also reflects on his own social media controversies, football’s growing tribalism, and whether today’s game might have suited him better than the heavy pitches and harder tackles of his playing days. C...
Gary Lineker has scored in World Cups, fronted the nation’s biggest football programme, and weathered a political firestorm that nearly ended it all. But at the height of his success, turning to a teammate after scoring four for England, his reaction was disbelief: “Why am I so f **ing lucky?” In this live edition of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien charts the full arc of Lineker’s extraordinary career. From a market trader’s son in Leicester to Golden Boot winner and the face of Match of the Day...
From the bomb sites of post war South London to the stages of the Comedy Store and the studios of Radio 4, Arthur Smith’s life has been driven less by ambition than by curiosity. The son of a Second World War prisoner of war turned police officer, and a grammar school girl who filled the house with books and poetry, Arthur grew up in a home where humour and humanity went hand in hand. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the comedian to trace a journey that begins in...
From the son of a bus driver on a South London council estate to the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital, Sadiq Khan’s story is inseparable from the story of modern London. But with that journey has come a decade at the sharpest end of British politics. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the Mayor of London to trace the path from a crowded flat in Tooting to City Hall. Khan reflects on his parents’ migration from Pakistan, the racism he experienced growin...
From a fractured childhood in Weymouth to the creation of one of Britain’s most distinctive ethical brands, Mark Constantine’s life has been shaped by loss, sensitivity and an intense drive to make sense of the world through the senses. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the co-founder and CEO of the British cosmetics retailer, LUSH . Expect a wide ranging and deeply personal conversation about abandonment, creativity and the long shadow of early experiences. Const...
In this insightful conversation, Jonathan Pryce traces his journey from a modest North Wales upbringing, marked by family challenges and educational struggles, to becoming a renowned actor. He shares experiences of early rebellion, the accidental discovery of his talent in art school drama, and the profound impact of his father's death on his seminal Hamlet performance. Pryce also recounts pivotal career moments, like being cast in "Brazil" thanks to Robert De Niro, and reflects on his enduring self-doubt, the unique world of 70s repertory theatre, and his pragmatic approach to acting as a job.
From calling out billionaires at Davos to challenging institutions that would rather stay comfortable, Rutger Bregman has built a career around one simple question: what are we actually doing with our lives? In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with the historian and author of Moral Ambition to talk about purpose, power and the quiet pressure to go along with things we know are wrong. Bregman reflects on his upbringing, his loss of religious faith, and how that search for...
In this candid conversation, Daniel Radcliffe delves into the unique experience of growing up in the public eye, discussing the responsibility he feels towards his fans and the crucial role his parents played in keeping him grounded. He shares insights into navigating fame, learning to choose challenging and unconventional roles that provide creative autonomy, and his aspirations in writing and directing. Radcliffe offers a thoughtful portrait of an actor carving out a distinct path beyond his iconic childhood role.
In this "From The Vault" episode, Dawn French candidly shares formative experiences from her RAF childhood, including the profound impact of her father's love and her mother's resilience after his death. She recounts her accidental entry into comedy with Jennifer Saunders and The Comic Strip, navigating early fame and introversion. French also delves into her journey as a writer, discussing her evolving style and the exploration of nature, nurture, and identity through adoption in her novel, "Because of You."
James O'Brien reflects on Full Disclosure's remarkable year, celebrating the diverse array of guests who shared their unique insights throughout 2025. From human rights campaigners and political figures to creative artists and experts, the episode revisits profound conversations. O'Brien also expresses gratitude to listeners for their curiosity and company, promising even bigger guests and deeper discussions in the new year.
Veteran actor Martin Shaw shares his journey from post-war Birmingham, influenced by his parents' unfulfilled aspirations and personal traumas, to becoming a respected stage and screen presence. He discusses pivotal moments like finding his passion for acting through inspiring teachers, overcoming imposter syndrome at LAMDA, and the transformative realization that listening is key to great performance. Shaw also candidly addresses the double-edged sword of fame from "The Professionals", his decision to become teetotal, and how kindness on set and connecting with audiences reshaped his perspective on his enduring career.
From missing the most famous penalty in English football to leading the national team into a new era, Gareth Southgate’s story is one of quiet resilience, modern leadership and emotional intelligence forged under relentless public pressure. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Brien sits down with Gareth to trace the long road that shaped him. From being an introverted, late-developing youngster released by Southampton, to captaining Crystal Palace, enduring searing public failure, and e...
Jan Ravens, the acclaimed impressionist at the heart of Dead Ringers , grew up learning to change the mood of a room long before she ever changed her voice on stage. In this conversation with James O Brien, she reflects on a childhood shaped by humour, instability and her father’s illness, and how those early pressures sharpened the instincts that later defined her career. She traces the journey from school impressions to Cambridge Footlights, becoming the first woman to direct its revue, and th...
Before he became one of the most recognisable storytellers on the comedy circuit, Hal Cruttenden was a shy kid from West London who spent years trying to be what he thought others wanted him to be. He trained as an actor, chased approval, and tried to outrun a gnawing sense that something in his life was not quite aligned. It took heartbreak, therapy, and a very honest look at himself to turn that tension into the comedy voice audiences now know so well. In this episode of Full Disclosure , Jame...
Before he became one of Britain’s most familiar faces, Stephen Mangan was a bookish North London boy from an Irish working-class family- the son of a builder and a barmaid- who won a scholarship to a boarding school his parents didn’t want him to attend. From there to Cambridge, to RADA, and to the West End, his path looks polished. But behind it lies grief, grit, and a fierce curiosity about the world that’s shaped every creative choice he’s made. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James O’Br...
From Truman Capote to Mr Bates, Toby Jones has built a career on disappearing- an actor whose transformations are so complete they can seem alchemical. But behind that versatility lies a story of inheritance, self-doubt and quiet rebellion. The son of two actors, Toby grew up watching his father’s unpredictable career and vowing never to feel so exposed to fate. Yet the pull of performance, and the curiosity that drives it, proved impossible to ignore. In this episode of Full Disclosure , James ...
As the creative mind behind Blackadder , Spitting Image , Not the Nine O’Clock News and QI , John Lloyd has quietly shaped British comedy for more than forty years. In this episode of Full Disclosure , he sits down with James O’Brien to look back on the work that defined his career-and the questions that have driven him ever since. Lloyd reflects on his peripatetic naval childhood, his years at Cambridge and the realisation that comedy, not law, was his calling. He shares candid stories about di...
