Tony Slattery's Rambling Club

Would you believe it? This week’s guest President is the wonderful Karen Ford — actor, writer and director, perhaps best remembered by millions as art teacher Miss Booth in Grange Hill, but with a career that has embraced theatre, television and film in equal measure. As ever, Tony’s enchanted bingo machine has no idea who our guest is… and somehow knows exactly where to take us.So pull on your wellies and join us for another ramble as President Ford guides us through three destinations selected entirely at random. Above it all, the reassuringly omniscient voice of Sir Stephen Fry keeps watch while the rest of us wander happily off the beaten track.Our first destination is 819: Not Used (818 – Writings, Miscellaneous). A gift for any actor. Karen takes us back to childhood, when her father first introduced her to Shakespeare through Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare, igniting a lifelong love of the Bard. We follow that thread through one of her earliest roles as Juliet, discussing how actors discover character, what separates a good script from a great one, and why precious rehearsal time has become such a rarity in modern television. Fond memories of the legendary Acton Hilton rehearsal rooms follow before we arrive in the present day with Karen’s acclaimed new play, All of Them Dead (TICKET LINK BELOW!), and ask the question that concerns everyone who loves live performance: how do we restore theatre to the heart of our cultural life?Next, the bingo machine presents 922: Travel and Geography of Europe. Naturally, we leave Europe almost immediately. Instead, we head for Japan, where Karen toured with Macbeth, before one delightfully tenuous conversational leap lands us at the White House. Somehow, this becomes the gateway to Britain’s most famous comprehensive school: Grange Hill. Karen reflects on seven memorable years playing Miss Booth, revisiting the programme’s groundbreaking storylines, including Zammo Maguire’s heroin addiction and the unforgettable “Just Say No” campaign. We also celebrate the joy—and occasional unpredictability—of working alongside young actors, remember the magnificent Michael Sheard as the fearsome Mr Bronson, and lament the passing of the days when television brought the entire nation together around a shared story.Our third and final destination is 132: Not Assigned (133 – Parapsychology). Theatre has always been rich in myths, rituals and superstitions. Never utter the name of the Scottish play. Never whistle backstage. And whatever you do, don’t leave knitting needles in the wings. Karen shares some of the rituals that have accompanied her throughout her career, before reflecting on a life spent performing across stage and screen. Is it possible to choose a favourite medium after such a varied and distinguished career? The answer, as with so much in the Rambling Club, proves rather more interesting than the question itself.And then it’s back to the Presidential shed, where the props have all been accounted for, nobody has tempted fate backstage, and the bingo machine is already plotting next week’s adventure.TICKETS TO KAREN'S SHOW----> www.linktr.ee/everybodypanicPresented by Paul Carmichael & Allan Lear Music composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesleywww.michaellivesley.com Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks!www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive Official Website- www.tonyslattery.comTwitter/X: @SlatteryLiveInstagram: tony_slattery_officialBlueSky: @ramblingclub Paul's Twitter: @PaulCarmichaelVPaul's Bluesky: @paulcarmichaeluk © Fanfaronade Productions 2026

Would you believe it? This week's guest President is the marvellously inquisitive Robin Ince — comedian, broadcaster, author and co-host of the hugely successful The Infinite Monkey Cage. Robin returns to the Presidential shed armed with an insatiable curiosity and the sort of mind that delights in asking impossible questions before wandering happily off in search of even stranger answers.So pull on your gloves and join us for another ramble as President Ince guides us through three destinations selected entirely at random by Tony's enchanted bingo machine. Above it all, the reassuringly omniscient voice of Sir Stephen Fry keeps watch while the rest of us attempt to keep pace.Our first destination is 121: Epistemology – The Theory of Knowledge. A gentle way to begin. Should we spend our lives theorising about knowledge, or simply acquire it for the sheer joy of doing so? Before long we're blagging our way through a wine tasting, discovering why Coca-Cola appears to light up the brain in extraordinary ways, and pondering how something can be both a myth and simultaneously true. William Blake joins the conversation, as does the surprising revelation that horse riding may be considerably more dangerous than recreational drugs... and, under the right circumstances, can even persuade you to resign from your job.Next, the machine presents 464: Not Assigned (Formerly Spanish Dictionaries and Grammar). Remarkably, none of the ramblers have ever been to Spain... until two of them suddenly remember that they have. This happy confusion allows us to revisit the gloriously ill-fated BBC soap Eldorado before wandering into tales of a cathedral whose architect met an unfortunate end at the hands of his own creation. Along the way we ask whether Christianity owes more than a passing debt to hallucinogenic mushrooms, leaf through The Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, and somehow uncover Franz Kafka's alleged collection of pornography.Our third and final stop is 417: Dialectology and Historical Linguistics. Wilfred Pickles gets the ball rolling before we discover why modern American English may actually be closer to Elizabethan speech than many realise. We also learn why people from Tokyo often think everyone in Britain sounds like Chaucer, and finally tackle one of civilisation's great unanswered questions: precisely how much money does it take for your chicken to become a fish?And then it's back to the Presidential shed, where the dictionary remains open, the bingo machine insists it knew exactly what it was doing all along, and knowledge—useful or otherwise—has once again increased considerably.Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan Lear Music composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesleywww.michaellivesley.com Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks!www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive Official Website- www.tonyslattery.comTwitter/X: @SlatteryLiveInstagram: tony_slattery_officialBlueSky: @ramblingclub Paul's Twitter: @PaulCarmichaelVPaul's Bluesky: @paulcarmichaeluk © Fanfaronade Productions 2026

Would you believe it? This week's guest President is the incomparable Don Warrington, one of Britain's finest actors, whose remarkable career has spanned more than half a century. Beloved by millions as the effortlessly cool Philip Smith in the classic sitcom Rising Damp, Don has graced stage, screen and radio with equal distinction, from Shakespeare to sitcom, bringing intelligence, warmth and unmistakable charisma to every role.So pull on your boots and join us for another ramble as President Warrington guides us through three destinations selected entirely at random by Tony's enchanted bingo machine. As ever, the omniscient voice of Sir Stephen Fry keeps a gentle eye on proceedings while the rest of us follow wherever the conversation chooses to wander.Our first destination is 374: Adult Education. Education, it seems, never truly ends. Don takes us back to his school days in Newcastle, where an early appearance in a school play changed everything. A local vicar became so convinced that Don's character had genuinely encountered a ghost that the young actor realised he might just have found his calling. From there we explore his family's rich musical heritage through The West Indian Mellotones, before drama school leads to the glamorous world of... sweeping stages in repertory theatre. Yet even that had its rewards, including the chance to watch the magnificent Leonard Rossiter command the stage as The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Before long, the conversation turns to Don's own experiences working alongside Rossiter on the much-loved Rising Damp, and the extraordinary talent behind one of British television's greatest comedies.Next, the bingo machine offers up 809: History, Description and Critical Appraisal of Literature. Which, naturally, opens the door to Shakespeare. Don reflects on playing King Lear, one of the theatre's greatest challenges, and shares his lifelong love of the Bard. We discuss the importance of unlocking Shakespeare's language, finding the humanity within the verse, and why these remarkable plays continue to speak to every generation that encounters them.Our third and final destination is 388: Ground Transportation. This could easily have become an extended discussion about the famously troubled BBC soap Triangle... but mercifully Don remembers almost nothing about it. Instead, we set off on a rather more enjoyable journey through his love of travel. Don admits he'd quite like the speed and energy of a predator on the hunt, although this ambition is somewhat undermined by one small problem: he possesses almost no sense of direction whatsoever. Fortunately, getting gloriously lost often makes for the best stories.And then it's back to the Presidential shed, where the kettle is on, the bingo machine is quietly plotting its next surprise, and the quickest route home remains, as ever, entirely open to interpretation.Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan Lear Music composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesleywww.michaellivesley.com Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks!www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive Official Website- www.tonyslattery.comTwitter/X: @SlatteryLiveInstagram: tony_slattery_officialBlueSky: @ramblingclub Paul's Twitter: @PaulCarmichaelVPaul's Bluesky: @paulcarmichaeluk © Fanfaronade Productions 2026

This week, in a feat of engineering that absolutely nobody signed off on, we've attached wheels to the Presidential shed and towed it all the way to the Leicester Comedy Festival. There, amidst the laughter and general confusion, we encounter actor, comedian, broadcaster and all-round raconteur Rowland Rivron.As ever, Tony's enchanted bingo machine is waiting for us.Our first destination is 747: Interior Decoration. Are professional interior decorators worth the expense? Does any man genuinely have a say in how his home looks, or is that battle lost before it begins? Is it perhaps simpler to live in a skip, provided it's facing a pleasant direction? Along the way we encounter a hungover DJ, a missing collection of records, and a morning that went catastrophically wrong.Next, we're off to 372: Elementary Education. What starts as a discussion about learning soon takes a sharp turn into the strange and unsettling world of The Wombles, where Uncle Bulgaria somehow finds himself defending the Channel Islands from Nazi invasion. Naturally, this leads us to ponder whether Madonna's infamous Sex book was groundbreaking artistic expression or simply the work of a particularly mischievous provocateur.Our third stop is 832: Literature of the Reformation (1517–1750). Astonishingly, it takes less than two minutes before things become alarmingly rude. We encounter the legendary Prickus and his quest for the Golden Dildo, wander through memories of a student production that culminated in a very real assault, and arrive at an interview with Gary Oldman concerning a film memorably described as "disgusting".Then something unusual happens with our magical bingo machine.Instead of another number, the voice of Sir Stephen Fry produces just three words:Lovely Tony Slattery.At that moment we are joined by Geoff Rowe, founder of the Leicester Comedy Festival and a man who knew Tony from the festival's earliest days. Together, the ramblers remember their dear friend, recalling the laughter, generosity, talent and warmth that made him such an important part of their lives and of the festival itself.And after that, there's only one thing left to do. Lock up the shed, wander into Leicester, and find a magnificent curry.Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club is a free-associating conversation, involving very special guests. It drops every Friday on every podcasting outlet known to man. We’d love it if you came along for the walk. If nothing else, it’ll help you get your steps in! Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan Lear Music composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesleywww.michaellivesley.com Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks!www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive Official Website- www.tonyslattery.comTwitter/X: @SlatteryLiveInstagram: tony_slattery_officialBlueSky: @ramblingclub Paul's Twitter: @PaulCarmichaelVPaul's Bluesky: @paulcarmichaeluk © Fanfaronade Productions 2026

This week's guest President is none other than the legendary Peter Purves, actor, broadcaster, presenter, teacher, explorer of television history, and one of the most familiar and beloved faces in British broadcasting. From travelling through time and space with the First Doctor Who to surviving the organised chaos of Blue Peter, Peter has accumulated enough stories to keep the Rambling Club supplied for several series!So lace up your walking boots and join us as President Purves leads us through three destinations selected entirely at random by Tony's enchanted bingo machine. As ever, the omniscient voice of Sir Stephen Fry keeps a watchful eye on proceedings while the rest of us do our best to stay on the path.Our first destination is 370.9: The History of Education. Peter originally trained as a teacher, which raises the obvious question: how did a future television legend find himself standing at the front of a classroom? Then we're transported back to the golden age of Blackpool, a town boasting no fewer than seventeen theatres, where young performers could learn their craft by doing it. Peter reflects on the education that shaped him, why he ultimately left teaching behind, and how the lessons he learned never really stopped proving useful. Next, the bingo machine delivers 070: Journalism. This leads us to an unforgettable encounter with the great Louis Armstrong, whom Peter found himself sitting remarkably close to at precisely the right moment. Peter recounts how he was rather cleverly hoodwinked into attending the first screening in sixty years of two long-lost episodes of Doctor Who, stories he had originally appeared in alongside William Hartnell. Naturally, this opens the floodgates for memories of his time aboard the TARDIS, working on one of television's most enduring programmes, and what it was like helping to shape those pioneering early adventures.Our third and final destination is 636: Animal Husbandry. Peter's lifelong affection for dogs immediately takes centre stage, and we're soon strolling across the Derbyshire hills with his first canine companion, the much-loved Rusty. Another dog who played a significant role in his life was Petra, the famous Blue Peter dog. How exactly did a television superstar end up moving in with the Purves family? Tales of live television and the formidable influence of the legendary Biddy Baxter await. Finally, the conversation brings us right up to date with Peter's latest venture, The Peter Purves Podcast, where he continues to share stories, memories and reflections from an extraordinary life and career. If this episode leaves you wanting more Peter Purves, and it certainly will, you'll know exactly where to go.Then it's back to the Presidential shed, where the dogs have settled by the fire, and somewhere in the distance a Blue Peter badge is probably being awarded to somebody for surviving the ramble.Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club is a free-associating conversation, involving very special guests. It drops every Friday on every podcasting outlet known to man. We’d love it if you came along for the walk. If nothing else, it’ll help you get your steps in! Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan LearMusic composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesley www.michaellivesley.com Series Researcher- Soula Carmichael Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks! www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive  Official Website- www.tonyslattery.comTwitter/X: @SlatteryLiveInstagram: tony_slattery_officialBlueSky: @ramblingclubPeter's Facebook: Peter John Purveswww.peterpurves.netAnd check out The Peter Purves Podcast. It's a wonderful show!

This week's guest President is the wonderful Jenny Seagrove, acclaimed stage and screen actor, passionate animal welfare advocate! So pull on your walking boots and join us for another ramble as President Seagrove guides us through three destinations selected entirely at random by Tony's enchanted bingo machine, a device that continues to demonstrate a remarkable ability to connect the seemingly unconnectable. Above it all hovers the omniscient voice of Sir Stephen Fry, keeping watch over proceedings as we set off into the unknown.Our first stop is 367: Clubs. Now there's a challenge, because Jenny has never been especially fond of rules. Clubs, committees and organised membership schemes all seem suspiciously restrictive to a woman who prefers to make her own path through life. Nevertheless, what begins as a discussion about astronomy and stargazing soon takes an unexpected turn toward Everton Football Club and the extraordinary legacy of the late Bill Kenwright, Jenny's beloved partner. Along the way we ponder what clubs really mean: communities, shared passions, and the people whose influence can be felt long after they've left the room. It's all dangerously close to anarchy, which naturally suits the Rambling Club perfectly.Next, we're off to 599.7: Wolverines. Fortunately, this turns out to be rather less niche than it first appears. Born in Kuala Lumpur and raised amidst the landscapes and wildlife of Malaysia, Jenny brings a lifelong love of animals to the conversation. Before long we're wandering through jungles, discussing remarkable encounters with creatures great and small, and hearing tales from a life spent championing animal welfare. There's also the small matter of Jenny once playing a nanny who turns into a tree, because this is the Rambling Club and such things must be accepted without question. Founder of the remarkable Mane Chance Sanctuary for rescued horses, Jenny speaks movingly about the animals she has cared for over the years, while somehow also finding time to extol the underrated pleasures of keeping chickens.Our third and final destination is 819: Literature and Rhetoric (Not Used). Here we find ourselves deep in the world of theatre. Jenny recalls playing Gertrude opposite a Hamlet portrayed by Sir Ian McKellen, requiring audiences to exercise a healthy degree of theatrical imagination. From Shakespeare we move to Chekhov, discussing the challenge of bringing great texts to vibrant life, and whether questions of age, gender and convention really matter when it comes to casting. Which naturally leads to Jenny's long-held dream role: Malvolio. The Rambling Club can think of few people better suited to torment yellow stockings into theatrical immortality, and sincerely hopes somebody is taking notes.And then it's back to the Presidential shed, where the chickens are roaming freely, the bingo machine is pretending innocence, and the rules, if there ever were any, have once again been quietly ignored.Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club is a free-associating conversation, involving very special guests. It drops every Friday on every podcasting outlet known to man. We’d love it if you came along for the walk. If nothing else, it’ll help you get your steps in! Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan LearMusic composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesley www.michaellivesley.com Series Researcher- Soula Carmichael Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks! www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive  Official Website- www.tonyslattery.comTwitter/X: @SlatteryLiveInstagram: tony_slattery_officialBlueSky: @ramblingclubJenny's Instagram: jseagrove2Jenny's X: @springmeister