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PODCAST by SARAH SHANNON
Rosebud
Broadcaster, author and novelty-jumper connoisseur Gyles Brandreth can now add ace interviewer to his lengthy CV. His podcast series is called Rosebud and – as the Citizen Kane reference suggests – it takes Brandreth’s guests back to their beginnings, from their first memory to first love and so on.
Brandreth tackles each episode with his trademark intelligence and considerable charm and his guests respond with some surprising revelations. Nicola Sturgeon discusses rumours about her marriage; Rupert Everett discloses his childhood penchant for cross-dressing; Charles Dance reveals his marriage ended after ‘succumbing to temptations’; Keir Starmer’s voice chokes as he recalls the saddest time of his life.
The guests are top dollar, helped by the fact Brandreth has always been a celebrity magnet from childhood encounters with TS Eliot and Laurence Olivier to a friendship with Queen Camilla. His phone book would be the envy of any celebrity booker. It’s only a matter of time until our new Queen settles down for a chat…