Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

The great actor Sir David Suchet is Gyles's guest today: and this conversation gets behind Hercule Poirot - Sir David's most famous role - and delves into David's childhood, his schooldays and his early acting career at the National Youth Theatre and the RSC. Gyles finds out about David's difficult relationship with his father, the great doctor, Jack Suchet. He finds out about his close relationship with his mother and his grandparents, and the influence they had on him. He finds out about David's schooldays, his prowess on the rugby pitch, and how a teacher at school spotted his acting talent. Gyles also hears about how David's work ethic and attention to detail has sometimes led to tricky moments in rehearsals. The episode ends with a surprise which you won't want to miss! This is a fascinating, candid and sometimes very touching interview - thank you very much to Sir David for your time and for your honesty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

This edition of Gyles's diary takes us up to the end of Gyles's final year at Bedales in the summer of 1966; so this really is the end of an era. And Gyles finds it very moving to look back at these closing moments of his schooldays. He says farewell to the 101 year-old founder of the school, Mr Badley, and makes plans for his university years and the future with his headmaster, Mr Slack. There is the usual whirlwind of activity - somehow, while revising for his A-levels, Gyles manages to fit in two school plays, some research on the French prison system, and a trip to Paris. Plus Gyles and Harriet discuss relics, cloning and piano playing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Our guest today is Rachael Stirling: the brilliant theatrical actress and one of the stars of BBC comedy Detectorists, who is currently on stage in London in Giant, about the writer Roald Dahl. Gyles and Rachael begin by talking about a memorable conversation Gyles had with Rachael's mother, the great actress Dame Diana Rigg, when he interviewed her 25 years ago. And this interview with Rachael is no less memorable: it's a fascinating discussion of her childhood, her complex relationship with her mother, and her parents' divorce. It's a frank discussion of her first sexual experiences and her boarding school days (NB this episode is more graphic than our usual, with sexual refs and some swearing). And, finally, it's a moving discussion of Rachael's experiences as her mother's carer in the final months of her life. This is a special and very touching episode, thank you so much to Rachael. Rachael Stirling is currently playing Felicity Crosland in Giant, about the writer Roald Dahl, at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London. It's on for the rest of the summer and tickets are available here [https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/43398-giant?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignid=11060757766&utm_adgroupid=179801502907&utm_adid=740230962957&utm_term=giant%20tickets&utm_matchtype=e&utm_campaign=TTG_LT_g_uk_acq_search_shows&utm_adgroup=Shows_MJ_The_Musical_All&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11060757766&gbraid=0AAAAADQb_Bmlb4JYRVofuVYaHVS0StxEm&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt8zABhDKARIsAHXuD7Y15CyEcLLaEHTdOtwcLhNFz1omErhSkitFAshUl-bF2RulTx_1t_oaAmboEALw_wcB]. Enjoy this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Lynda La Plante - the writer, producer and creator of landmark dramas Widows and Prime Suspect - is Gyles's guest today. Lynda is the powerhouse behind some of the UK's most watched television, and she's also the powerhouse behind this episode of Rosebud - which is full of brilliant stories to make you gasp, laugh and cry. From her childhood growing up on the outskirts of Merseyside in a family tainted by tragedy, to her days at Rada and her first career as an actress, to her experiences trying to conceive and finally adopting her son - Gyles hears the full story of Lynda's remarkable life. Lynda's memoirs, Getting Away With Murder, are out in paperback, and the audiobook is also out now - with star turns from Dawn French and Helen Mirren. Her new novel, Crucified, is also just out. Thank you to Lynda for this wonderful interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

It's the week of William Shakespeare's birthday, so Gyles has poetry on his mind... and we thought we'd celebrate with a special conversation recorded with Simon Armitage, who has been Poet Laureate since 2019. Gyles finds out about Simon's childhood and early days, when he played out on the moors with his friends, watched TV and read comics... long before he became turned on to poetry by reading Ted Hughes. Gyles hears about Simon's parents, his love of indy music, and his first career as a probation officer. Gyles and Simon talk about poetry, about Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney. We hope you enjoy this episode, and that it inspires you to read some poetry today - Simon's most recent book, Blossomise, it out now - it's a celebration of blossom and is well worth reading this springtime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]