Sting
“I’m quite a shy person.” The 100 million selling artist on family, fame and the art of songwriting.
Nov 18, 2021•43 min
Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake
Nihal Arthanayake presents in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.
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Episodes
Sir Rod Stewart
“They never called me back.” The 250 million selling singer-songwriter on football, family and why his new album includes a tribute to Marc Bolan. This episode contains some moderate swearing.
Nov 17, 2021•35 min
Kylie Minogue
“If it’s the right song, I’m there.” The princess of pop on partying, daggy dancing and the precise whereabouts of her famous gold hotpants.
Nov 15, 2021•33 min
Adam Peaty
“In the water it’s war.” The world record breaking swimmer talks Strictly, stoicism, social media and the dedication it takes to be the best.
Nov 11, 2021•40 min
Glenn Hoddle
“I knew I was closer to a continental player.” The former England and Spurs star tells Nihal why his footballing style was inspired by watching Johan Cruyff.
Nov 10, 2021•45 min
Flo & Joan
Sisters Nicola and Rosie tell Nihal about the pitfalls of living abroad and their on-tour eating habits
Nov 09, 2021•38 min
James Haskell
“I wore tweed, there weren’t even pheasants over there….they called me Lord Farquar.” The former England back row tells Nihal about hunting in New Zealand and other stories.
Nov 08, 2021•40 min
Bear Grylls
“That’s not happening.” What the Secret Service made of the adventurer's plan to feed President Obama “bear kill” on his show Running Wild.
Nov 04, 2021•40 min
Rick Astley
“It’s a new world.” Rick tells Nihal how video games and film soundtracks are introducing his music to younger generations and why it’s important to have an afternoon nap.
Nov 02, 2021•40 min
Freddie Flintoff
"We call it the Andros moment." The former England all-rounder and presenter tells Nihal how Andros Townsend helped him loosen up on camera.
Nov 01, 2021•36 min
Jack Dee
The comedian gives Nihal a therapy session including advice on pronunciation, hobbies and career choices
Oct 28, 2021•47 min
Tinie
The rapper and presenter reveals his passion for property – and how it inspired his new TV show.
Oct 27, 2021•23 min
Sir Elton John & Charlie Puth.
“I basically became the session musician I was 54 years ago.” Sir Elton and Charlie talk about collaborating for the new album The Lockdown Sessions.
Oct 21, 2021•21 min
Rob Beckett
“This story will be told amongst my family as a funny story - but whenever I’ve told middle class people they find it horrifying.” The stand-up on class, comedy and whether Mango chutney is jam.
Oct 19, 2021•36 min
Sir Lenny Henry
“I was writing the book I would’ve wanted to read as a 12 year old kid.” Comedian Sir Lenny Henry tells Nihal about his new book for children.
Oct 19, 2021•41 min
Tom Daley
“The hardest part was not having your family there.” The gold medal winning diver on keeping his focus in Tokyo, coming out and body image.
Oct 13, 2021•44 min
Sir Billy Connolly
“Just barge merrily forward.” Sir Billy tells Nihal how to be “windswept and interesting”, what to take on a beach holiday in Aberdeen and what makes him happiest now.
Oct 12, 2021•41 min
Candice Carty-Williams
“You find your tribe when you find your fellow outsiders.” The writer of Queenie tells Nihal about her new young adult fiction book, Empress and Aniya, which looks at friendship between teenage girls.
Oct 07, 2021•42 min
Dave Grohl
“The last piece I wrote was the one I was afraid of writing, which was losing Kurt and Nirvana ending.” The Foo Fighters frontman tells Nihal about his new memoir.
Oct 05, 2021•31 min
Natalie Imbruglia
“You can leave the critic out of the room.” The singer-songwriter tells Nihal about her new album, Firebird, and why she’s now more relaxed writing songs.
Oct 01, 2021•31 min
The Specials
“They’ve all got different stories and messages.” Terry Hall and Horace Panter on recording an album of protest songs chosen by the band.
Sep 29, 2021•45 min
Anne-Marie
“I have had such a massive issue with believing people when they say nice things about me.” The 2002 singer on learning to love herself and how getting into reading again inspired her to write a book.
Sep 27, 2021•33 min
Richard Osman
“I’d be shocked if there weren’t a Dame in there somewhere.” Richard muses on who Steven Spielberg will cast in the film of The Thursday Murder Club.
Sep 22, 2021•34 min
Ramla Ali
The boxer, model and activist talks to Nihal about becoming the first Somali fighter to compete in the Olympics and her memoir Not Without A Fight.
Sep 20, 2021•48 min
Paul Merson
'I wanted to break my fingers so I couldn't bet.' The former England footballer on his experience of addiction to alcohol, cocaine and gambling.
Sep 16, 2021•44 min
John Lydon
“I was doing my absolute best for her, but I was really denying her the privilege of conversation with other women.” John tells Nihal about the highs and lows of being the total carer for his partner Nora, who has Alzheimer’s.
Sep 10, 2021•36 min
Phil Wang
The comedian tries to explain to Nihal where he is from and why British desserts are the best in the world.
Sep 09, 2021•33 min
Ainsley Harriott
“I don’t know how the words came out of my mouth.” The chef and TV presenter on his first TV appearance, cooking at Lord's and how he’s learnt to communicate.
Sep 08, 2021•48 min
Sharleen Spiteri
The lead singer of Texas, Sharleen Spiteri, talks to Nihal about their new single, “You Can Call Me”, from the latest album “Hi” – and also about Thai massages and climate change.
Sep 07, 2021•32 min
Shaun Ryder
The Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder joined Nihal Arthanayake to talk about his career in music, his struggles with school and his new album, Visits from Future Technology.
Sep 02, 2021•34 min
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