From The Vault: Dawn French

From The Vault: Dawn French

From the dislocated, sun soaked childhood of an RAF family to a life spent shaping British comedy, Dawn French’s story is one of resilience, warmth and hard won self knowledge. In this generous conversation with James O’Brien, recorded five years ago, she reflects on the moves that defined her early years, the confidence gifted to her by loving parents, and the shock of losing her father just as adulthood was beginning. She recalls her time at boarding school in Plymouth, the drama teacher who changed her life, and the year she spent in New York after winning a fiercely competitive debating scholarship.

Dawn speaks openly about stumbling into comedy by accident, her early days at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and the moment living with Jennifer Saunders set the course for their four-decade partnership. She revisits the wild beginnings of The Comic Strip, moonlighting as a teacher by day and performing in a smoky Soho club by night.

Along the way, she discusses the unusual pressures of fame, the introversion that sits behind the jazz hands, and the fierce, uncomplicated love that shaped her as both daughter and mother. Warm, candid and often very funny, this episode offers an intimate portrait of a national treasure who remains thoughtful, grounded and endlessly generous in spirit.

Jaksot(318)

Arabella Weir: At nine my mum said, “I can’t bear the sight of you”

Arabella Weir: At nine my mum said, “I can’t bear the sight of you”

Actor, comedian and bestselling author Arabella Weir grew up in a family that prized intellect and appearances but struggled to offer love. In this episode of Full Disclosure, she tells James O’Brien ...

12 Syys 20251h

Natalie Haynes: Greek Myths, Medea and the Comedy of Classics

Natalie Haynes: Greek Myths, Medea and the Comedy of Classics

Natalie Haynes has never been easy to categorise. A stand-up comedian turned broadcaster and best-selling author, she has built a career out of making the ancient world vivid, funny and urgent. In thi...

5 Syys 20251h 4min

From The Vault: Brian Cox

From The Vault: Brian Cox

From a childhood in Dundee marked by loss, poverty and resilience, to becoming one of the most respected actors of his generation, Brian Cox’s life and career have been defined by an unrelenting pursu...

29 Elo 20251h 9min

From The Vault: Miriam Margolyes

From The Vault: Miriam Margolyes

From a childhood in Oxford shaped by unconditional love, Jewish heritage and a keen sense of curiosity, to a career spanning stage, screen, voice work and bestselling memoir, Miriam Margolyes’ life ha...

22 Elo 20251h

Cariad Lloyd: Talking About Grief Changed My Life

Cariad Lloyd: Talking About Grief Changed My Life

Cariad Lloyd never set out to become the voice of modern grief, but after losing her father at just fifteen, the silence around death stayed with her. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien...

15 Elo 20251h 1min

Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen

Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen

From a shifting childhood split between Wolverhampton, rural Ireland and London, to fronting one of the most distinctive and uncompromising bands of the 1980s, Kevin Rowland’s life has been defined by...

8 Elo 202559min

Irvine Welsh: We’re More Addicted Now Than in Trainspotting

Irvine Welsh: We’re More Addicted Now Than in Trainspotting

From the high-rises of Muirhouse to the heart of countercultural Britain, Irvine Welsh has built a literary universe fuelled by punk energy, dancefloor euphoria, and radical empathy. In this episode o...

1 Elo 20251h 1min

David Lammy: I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life- until now

David Lammy: I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life- until now

From a working-class childhood in Tottenham to the Cabinet table, David Lammy’s path to becoming Foreign Secretary was anything but straightforward. Raised by a single mother after his father disappea...

25 Heinä 202554min

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