Great Company with Jamie Laing

JASON DONOVAN on Dr*gs, Partying in the 90s & Why Having His Daughter Changed His Life

Jason Donovan is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. I grew up knowing him as the golden boy from Neighbours so, it was surprising to hear how desperate he was to shake off that teenage heart throb image. Fame hit him young and fast, and before he’d had chance to figure out who he was, Jason found himself trapped in a world that expected him to stay the same blue eyed, blonde haired version of himself that everyone had fallen in love with. In the ‘90s, he pushed back hard: three-day bender, a coc*ine overdose at LA’s Viper Room and using dr*gs to escape the squeaky-clean persona that followed him from Neighbours to the West End. He doesn’t regret those years, but says they taught him a hell of a lot about himself. We cover: * His need to shake off the teen heartthrob image and be “cool” * Bingeing on coc*ine at the height of his fame * How becoming a dad changed everything and led him to quit dr*gs * His relationship with Kylie and how it’s followed him throughout his career * What it’s like to age in the public eye This conversation is a reminder that even the brightest stars carry shadows and that facing them can be the most powerful comeback of all. Jason Donovan is Great Company.  This episode contains sensitive topic discussions including substance abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by anything in this episode and need support, please see the suggested helpline and website links below. Coc*ine Anonymous UK 0800 612 0225 [tel:08006120225] helpline@cauk.org.uk [helpline@cauk.org.uk] Frank talktofrank.com [http://talktofrank.com/] If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett Social Media: Laura Coughlan   Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

MARY PORTAS: My Mother Died, My Father Disappeared & I Was Left Homeless At 19

Mary Portas is a retail expert who has built her career on instinct, creativity and a drive to do things differently. She redefined Britain’s shopping culture in the 1990s, transforming Harvey Nichols from a tired department store into the ultimate shopping destination and later, became a household name through her hit TV series, Mary, Queen of Shops. I first met Mary a few months ago and she completely blew me away. What I didn’t know then were the circumstances that pushed her into retail in the first place. By 19, Mary had lost both her parents and found herself homeless, suddenly responsible for supporting herself and her younger brother. What began as a search for a ‘proper’ job turned into the beginning of an extraordinary career. We cover: * Losing both her parents by the age of 19 * Becoming homeless and finding her unexpected start in retail * Her game-changing years at Harvey Nichols and the magic behind her iconic shop windows * How her brother, Lawrence, became the biological father of her son * The significant loves of Mary’s life In this conversation, Mary reminded me that identity isn’t inherited, it’s created. And sometimes it’s only after losing everything that you learn how to build a life that feels like home. Mary Portas is Great Company. If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Executive Producer: Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Editor: Dan King Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett Social Media: Laura Coughlan   Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

KATE GARRAWAY: I'm No Longer Afraid To Seek Joy & Love After Losing My Husband

Kate Garraway is a woman who has lived several lifetimes. There’s the broadcaster we all know: bright, curious, endlessly warm. And then there’s the Kate who has weathered unimaginable change, held a family together through crisis, and somehow emerged with her hope and positivity intact. This episode isn’t a retelling of headlines - it’s the Kate we rarely hear: a woman learning how to breathe again after six years of being on high alert and re-discovering her joy. We cover: * Losing her husband and life after grief * Kate's wild years in her 30s * How she met her late husband Derek * Growing up with low confidence * Starting out in the TV industry * Celebrity Traitors Kate showed me that strength isn’t about being unbroken, it’s about allowing yourself to be broken and choosing to rebuild. Kate Garraway is Great Company. You can find out more about Kate's new project, The Sharing Life, HERE [https://thesharing.life/] If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone  Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett Social Media: Laura Coughlan   Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

JOANNE MCNALLY: The Identity Crisis of Being Adopted, Finding Success In My 30s and Why I’m Single

Joanne McNally is a hilarious woman. Her comedy has resonated with people all over the world, with her tours selling out wherever she goes, making history as the first Irish female comic to headline Dublin’s 3Arena. And with her podcast, ‘My Therapist Ghosted Me’, Joanne has become one of the most compelling, unfiltered voices in comedy right now. What I love about Joanne is that she didn’t follow the “perfect plan”. She built her comedy career in her thirties after realising she wasn’t living the life she actually wanted. Feeling unfulfilled and eager to tap into her creative side, she took the most vulnerable parts of her past - being adopted and recovering from an eating disorder - and turned them into comedy that’s honest, fearless and completely her. And that’s why people can’t get enough of her. She’s witty, she’s brutally truthful and genuinely hilarious. We cover: * What is was like being adopted in Ireland in the 1980s * How Joanne used humour to get through tough times * Her journey recovering from an eating disorder * Her career shift from publicist to an international comedian * Searching for love on dating apps * Why her therapist actually ghosted her My conversation with Joanne reminded me the story we’re born into isn’t the one we’re meant to stay in and that embracing your true voice can change everything. Joanne McNally is Great Company. You can listen to the Jo Brand episode HERE [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BHk5fGEZ5E5goLlXelj6T] If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone  Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Riley Kirby Social Media: Laura Coughlan   Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

ALEX JONES: Having Kids Later In Life, The One Show and Davina McCall Invigilating My University Exams

Few presenters feel as instantly familiar as Alex Jones. For over 15 years, she has been the heart of The One Show and her warmth, wit and natural connection with people shines through. In real life, she’s an even brighter star, lighting up every room she enters. What stands out about Alex is her disarming honesty. Despite decades in the spotlight, she speaks so openly about self-doubt and what it truly takes to stay grounded in an industry that’s always moving. In our conversation, she shares some of the parts of her life rarely seen on camera. From growing up in West Wales with a ‘small town big dreams’ mentality to building a long-lasting career and supporting her husband through his mental health struggles. We cover: * The importance of making mistakes to succeed * Sitting her university finals on the set of a reality TV show * How she broke into the TV industry * How Alex’s view on mental health changed after supporting her husband through his mental health battles * Her thoughts on Jermaine Jenas getting axed from The One Show Alex reminded me that success isn’t just about talent it’s about consistency, empathy and courage. Alex Jones is Great Company. You can listen to the Rylan episode of the show HERE [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VbjWXzEaf4ouKQrP5FnA4?si=d32f392e0174453d] If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone  Producer: Helen Burke Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett Audio: Rafi Amsili  Social Media: Laura Coughlan   Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.