How awkward is it to play a surprise set for the England Football Team when they’ve just finished training? James Bay did just this and told us all about it on this week’s podcast! James and Russell talk about tight silver trousers, they get into how to write a song and Russell tells what he believes to be the greatest joke he’s ever written. It’s a thoroughly relaxed, intimate chat with plenty of tales from a life on the road as a musician. As James revealed on the podcast he has a new album ou...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 55
How do you go from a kid hanging around the DJ booth in Eurodiscos in Prague to creating one of Britain’s most iconic sitcoms of all time? Seapa is here to take Russell through his Wonderbox, including the dreaded call centres he worked in where he met the other People Just Do Nothing stars, and the perfect Banh-Mi Sandwich. Lots of fun. Really funny episode with proper energy, fascinating stories and some excellent digressions. Keep up with Allan on Instagram here. Watch him as Andy Peacock on ...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 55
US Comedy superstar Michelle Wolf is with us! And as well as effortlessly funny, Michelle is a wonderful big bag of fascinating contradictions. She's a glamorous comedy star who runs ultramarathons and attends Paris Fashion Week. She also can't think of anything better than getting a hot Wigan-style pie in her hands and face. Seriously mate. You haven't heard love until you've heard Michelle Wolf talk about pies. It's an absolute romp of an episode; a globe-trotting special covering Michelle's a...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 50
Why did a young Stephen Merchant sneak a boat onto a Devon beach under cover of darkness? It's all in this absolutely spankingly good podcast episode where Russell and Stephen sit down in a Bristol-born meeting of titans! Stephen is as brilliant as always, taking us through some less-covered areas of his life, talking through hilarious old family holidays, his experiences trash-talking with strangers in online chess and he also gives some incredible insights into his creative process. This is an...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 54
Secrets from the Pussycat Dolls tour bus! And more! Comin’ atcha in Russell’s absolutely delightful chat with Ashley Roberts. Find out what life is like being a pop mega-star, what kind of mischief happened backstage and an alternative, let’s call it unconventional, use for a burrito. You can hear more of Ashley by getting out your digital radio (or analog? Did they turn off the signal yet?) for she is on Heart FM every week. Ashley is a showbiz correspondent on the Heart FM’s breakfast show, an...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 53
Host of the Last Leg, Australian comedy royalty Adam Hills joins Russell in the studio this week for a warm and optimistic journey through Adam’s Wonderbox. There’s some fascinating and funny stories from Adam’s childhood, about his Dad who worked on Qantas airlines ✈️, about those hot evenings on Australian balconies 🌅, and about sharing a bath with twenty two other grown men in Warrington singing drinking songs 🤪🍻. Adam has been away from live comedy for a while, concentrating on the Last L...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 53
Did Linford Christie take part in the Dad’s race at his kids’s school sports day? Russell and Linford discuss what it’s like to be bloody quick, what it’s like to win an Olympic gold medal, and why Linford used to growl like a tiger at his competitors on the starting blocks. It’s a really interesting and intimate chat with a British legend, seeing a side to him that we rarely get to see. It’s really worth watching the documentary all about Linford’s career and life. It’s called simply ‘Linford’,...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 51
Never knew David O’Doherty used to be an underground DJ? It’s all here. Russell and David sit down in front of a live studio audience at the Edinburgh Fringe (yes, it was a few weeks ago but we recorded a few, OK!?) to discuss David’s DJ hinterland. Also there is when a 13 year old David offered to cycle around Ireland as a newspaper think-piece, and he tells Russell about hanging out with Taika Waititi. This episode bounces along with more energy than a demented space-hopper, with a huge amount...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 51
Is this simultaneously the most uplifting and heart-rending episode we've done to date? Matt Forde is Britain's foremost political comedian. Until the end of last year he seemed unstoppable, then from nowhere was diagnosed with a rare condition that saw him having to go through life-saving surgery. His story is astonishing and it's told with such verve, such humour and humanity that it's required listening. Make a little bit of time to consume this one properly because it will touch every part o...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 49
Live from the Edinburgh Festival! Irish story-telling powerhouse and ignorer-of-the-basic-format Jason Byrne is with Russell and a packed out audience at the Fringe. Jason is famous for his sprawling, gregarious, infectious irrepressible comedy and this podcast is no different. Who cares that he ignored the idea of the Wonderbox completely? It was a huge slice of fun. Stories of rural Irish madness abound. I’d mention specifics here but you wouldn’t believe me. Get it in your ears because it’s a...
Aug 21, 2024•58 min•Ep. 48
Live from the Edinburgh Festival! Recorded in front of a beautiful audience at the Fringe, Russell goes through the Wonderbox of the exquisite Scottish stand-up, Larry Dean! This podcast goes from the serenity of the hills of Bhutan, to tender intergenerational moments of true connection, to a terrifying home-made nightmare of a sex doll. If you’re a regular listener, you’ll notice that the live audience really adds a bit of spice to the occasion, and despite our afternoon time-slot, the show re...
Aug 14, 2024•59 min•Ep. 47
What’s the link between Tom Grennan and Peter Andre? It’s all in this fantastic episode of Wonderbox with British musical superstar, Tom Grennan. Tom talks about early life, how he made it, his surprising background in physical theatre (!) and what it’s like to play Glastonbury in front of thousands. It’s an amazing insight into the life of someone living his music superstar dream. And you know what’s the perfect chaser to this podcast? Go to see Tom this Saturday! Tom’s playing a massive outdoo...
Aug 07, 2024•56 min•Ep. 46
The world’s most exciting clown opens his Wonderbox, sort-of. Either you know who Zach Zucker is and you love his work, or you’re going to soon; he is one hell of a comedian. It’s worth mentioning that his healthy distain for rules makes him an insanely good comic but also makes him not exactly follow the rules of a podcast. So while most people turn up with an idea of the podcast, Zach brings some incredible stories about faking a broken leg at school, about trying to date someone while trippin...
Jul 31, 2024•56 min•Ep. 45
Does Rosie Jones have a wardrobe full of Nazi clothes? She wasn’t aware of it until she sat down for this podcast and opened her Wonderbox. This absolute rip-snorter of an episode has got absolutely everything you would want and expect from the ebullient Rosie - waxing lyrical about Scotch Eggs, a slightly controversial side-track into the Third Reich and the most eloquent, beautiful explanation of disability rights history that you’ll hear in a long time. Rosie has been touring her show for tim...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 44
It's Abi Clarke, comedian, Tik Tok sensation and viral bobbing-in-the-garden-with-parents superstar. Abi discusses her love of a plastercast of the female down-belows, her failed attempts to win back a man with Cherry Bakewells and Russell contemplates becoming a cheerleader. Abi is taking her solo show (Role) Model to the Edinburgh Fringe this August and you must cancel your existing plans, get up there and get in that show. Book your tickets, get the times, find out everything you need to know...
Jul 17, 2024•57 min•Ep. 43
He's a regular panellist on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, he gone done Taskmaster, he's a fabulous touring comedian and he's made some insane documentaries: Jamali Maddix is in the studio with Russell! Let's get straight to the meat and potatoes about this episode - there's a fantastic story about the time Jamali had his Megadrive confiscated by his Mum. Also find out about his history as a paintball referee. Proper funny stuff all over the timeline. It's just a great hour spent with one of those gu...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 42
Hawk Tuah! You've got to listen to this thang! Comedian Maisie Adam is in the studio. You'll have seen her on A League of Their Own or Have I Got News For You perhaps. It's a wonderfully thoughtful and funny episode; covering inspirational teachers, Victorian pornography and the time Russell bought a magic wand. Oh, and in case you didn't believe it, here's a photo of Jimmy Carr, Stephen Hawking and the cast of Book of Mormon. Get it in your ears! Maisie is a terrific comedian (and a handy footb...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 41
From Ghosts, from Stath Lets Flats, from Sewing Bee it's Kiell Smith Bynoe! Kiell tells Russell about being trapped by some weird Scottish children, about the importance of massive birthday parties and the one feeling he would bottle and sniff forever... A lovely, jaunty episode that zips along and covers a good amount, only getting side-tracked once for an in-depth discussion on feet and what can and can't be achieved... I'm talking in euphemisms. You'll have to listen to that bit. It's good. W...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 40
Does Joel Dommett have beef with Alan Titchmarsh? And how did Davina McCall make Joel cry? The answers are all in this week's Wonderbox! Joel and Russell sit down across a rather fetching table to talk about the things that makes Joel such a happy chap. It's a lot of fun and covers everything from pig orgasms to bogling. Have a listen. A really splendid way to spend your next fifty-odd minutes. Then come back and read the next bit. Hello again! I told you it was fun. You will now be thinking 'bu...
Jun 19, 2024•58 min•Ep. 39
How did Emmanuel Sonubi end up doing a shift as a bouncer in full drag? Emmanuel Sonubi brings his majestic legs and superb comedy into the studio and tells Russell about his gender reveal mistake and gives some handy tips on how to perform a slam dunk. Emmanuel has just finished his latest tour 'Curriculum Vitae' so you'll have to take our word for it that it was incredibly successful and very good. He's working up his new stuff now for the next outing, so please mosey on over to www.emmanuelst...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 38
When did Mo Gilligan have a kick about with Rod Stewart and Madonna's son? And what's it got to do with his most precious items? It's all in this week's Wonderbox. Mo takes Russell on a ride through his life and it's full of fascinating tidbits: How to sell a suit, how to curate a perfect collection of trainers. Also in a wild Antiques Roadshow rip-off moment, Mo finds out live on the podcast if his rare action man figure is worth thousands of pounds... Mo is currently touring his live show. If ...
Jun 05, 2024•58 min•Ep. 37
The golfer and comedian John Robins has plonked his behind in the studio this week to wax lyrical about the things that light up his life. These things include the Wikipedia page of snooker machine (and human if we're getting technical) Ronnie O'Sullivan, and John's massive bag of ketchup and mayonnaise, without which he never leaves the house. It's a podcast for the ages. Like a well-constructed swimming pool it has both deep and shallow ends, but it is better than a swimming pool because there...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 36
Why is Lou Sanders moving to a farm in Portugal? What noise does Lou Sanders make when she snowboards? The answers are all in her Wonderbox, as well as how to have meaningful interactions with a cat. This is one of the most entertaining Wonderboxes to have been filled in a long time. You know who Lou is, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this far; if you’re just here as an intrepid explorer of random blocks of text then we salute you, and would urge you just to listen to the first ten minutes of...
May 22, 2024•59 min•Ep. 35
If you find influencers ridiculous, this is the episode for you. TikTok sensation Shabaz Ali spends his time finding their most ridiculous promotions and videos and rips the piss out of them from inside his burrito hoodie. Shabaz sits down with Russell to talk about the most insane things he’s seen online (a café for gourmet water? Sellotape roll as a luxury bracelet?) and also chats about his day job as a teacher (including that class where they ate the glue sticks). It’s a fun chat that then d...
May 15, 2024•58 min•Ep. 34
It’s only bloody Joe Wilkinson! The Cats Does Countdown people’s favourite is in the studio to chat about his struggles with his high-tech hoover, the beauty of watching online cooking videos and how to embrace middle-age. It’s packed full of wisdom and comedy which is kind of why podcasts exist. Joe’s acclaimed podcast (with David Earle) is called Chatabix, and it’s a thrice weekly morning dollop of excellent nonsense. Search for it on your podcast app and subscribe hard. Here’s a link to it on...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 33
Podcasting royalty Richard Herring is here! Richard commits his dearest items to the Wonderbox; his stone cairn (with an incredible story about the fine line between art and insanity), his manky old ventriloquist’s doll and his purged bollock. You want a fascinating account of the last forty years of British comedy? It’s here. You want to hear which celebrity attacked Richard Herring when he was an 18 year old in Edinburgh? You got it. Alongside an incredibly poignant account of what it’s like w...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 32
Laura Smyth is a comedian who is going stratospheric, quick. She’s a brilliant performer with a wicked turn of phrase who’s going to be on all the shows and in all the theatres before you know it. Laura comes into the studio to fill her Wonderbox, and gives it both barrels. She talks about telling drunk lies to her kids and about the thrill of being given a secret gift from Stephen Fry. Laura is on tour-a! She’s on her first full tour of the UK, in theatres and arts centres near you. It's called...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 31
Russell Kane joins Russell in an all-Russell Wonderbox. And it takes in so much; why English people have such trouble dancing with freedom, some serious advice on making home curry taste like takeaway curry and just so many fascinating little pockets of information and chatter in this one. A podcast that just keeps giving. Russell Kane has just set out on his latest tour of the UK (and further afield). It’s called ‘Hyperactive’ and it’s a tour that is going everywhere with dates right up until t...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 30
Stand-up comedian Fatiha El Ghorri is in the studio to talk Russell through her Wonderbox offerings, including ramadan, baby fat and birds in the wind. It’s a fascinating chat that covers Moroccan family life, and what it’s like being a female Muslim comedian in the UK. It's a lot of fun; Fatiha doesn't hold back. Fatiha is currently working on her first novel ‘The Perks of my Hijab’ which is coming out in April 2025. It’s a YA book about a 13-year old growing up in the UK wearing her hijab, and...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 29
It's Seann Walsh! One of the most naturally talented comics of his generation, Seann tells us about choosing his flat so that he could still get to QPR while hungover. He explains why Blink 182 mean so much to him. And he reveals some of the people who were most helpful after the grisly business of Strictly. You want more Seann? You got it. He's touring his solo show 'Back from the Bed' around the UK now - tickets and dates are all at www.seannwalsh.com. Don't fanny about if you want to get thos...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 28
