Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

This week Emily and Ray take a (slightly blustery) stroll with a very special guest: Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats.What starts as a walk with a politician quickly becomes something much more personal, as Ed opens up about the experiences that have shaped his life. He talks candidly about losing his father to cancer when he was just four years old, helping to care for his mother through her own illness before losing her as a teenager, and how those experiences led to a lifelong passion for supporting carers.Emily and Ed also chat about his time at Oxford, the surprising moment MI6 tried to recruit him as a spy, and life today with his wife Emily and their son John, who has severe disabilities. These themes are explored in his book Why I Care: And Why Care Matters, which is now available in paperback.Away from Westminster, Emily discovers a very different side to Ed, including his love of ABBA and Adele, and a willingness to let her scroll through his playlist.It’s a thoughtful, moving and surprisingly relaxed conversation that offers a rare glimpse behind the public image of one of Britain’s leading politicians. And yes, Ray managed to secure a cuddle from Sir Ed, which he has since described as a major diplomatic victory.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Christopher Hall, the conversation turns to the realities of internet fame, performing live after going viral, and the joy and chaos of creating comedy with his sister Elizabeth. There’s also plenty more pop nostalgia, musical theatre chat and general silliness along the way.If you haven’t already, do catch up on part one. And if you’d like to see Christopher live, his show Pizazz will be at the Edinburgh Festival from August 5th to 31st before touring across the UK later this year. Tickets and dates are available at https://mickperrin.com.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with comedian, choreographer and social media phenomenon Christopher Hall.Christopher first found a huge audience online through his brilliantly funny background singers sketches with his sister Elizabeth, lovingly parodying the gloriously overcommitted backing vocalists secretly desperate to become the star of the show. The videos have now racked up more than 50 million views and led to collaborations with the likes of Shania Twain and Sophie Ellis Bextor.On the walk, Christopher chats to Emily about his childhood obsession with 90s pop music, growing up as a young gay man, and how attending musical theatre college gave him a real sense of confidence and belonging. They also talk about his years performing on cruise ships, the realities of building an online following, and working creatively with his sister, with whom he co-hosts the podcast Stay Hydrated.Christopher’s live show Pizazz heads to the Edinburgh Festival from August 5th to 31st before touring the UK later this year. Tickets and dates are available at https://mickperrin.com.It’s a joyful, funny and wonderfully heartfelt conversation with someone who radiates warmth and charisma, and who quickly discovers he and Ray share a deep emotional connection via S Club 7.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Victoria Pendleton, the conversation turns to fear, resilience and the mindset shifts that helped Victoria navigate life after elite sport.Emily and Victoria also talk more about her brilliant new book The Fear Opportunity, which explores how doing things that scare us, even in small ways, can lead to a richer and more fulfilling life. Emily found it hugely inspiring, and highly recommends giving it a read.If you haven’t already, do catch up on part one. And be sure to order your copy of The Fear Opportunity, out now.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton.Victoria was in London for the recording, meaning her beloved Belgian Malinois, Valor, stayed back home in the West Country, but the conversation quickly turns to dogs, including the Rhodesian Ridgeback Victoria met while appearing on The Dog House.Emily chats to Victoria about her extraordinary life and career, from growing up in Bedfordshire with a cycling-mad dad, to becoming one of Britain’s most successful Olympians. Victoria speaks candidly about the pressure of elite sport, the impact it had on her mental health, and the importance therapy has played in her life. She also opens up movingly about the loss of her twin brother Alex to brain cancer and how she’s learned to live alongside grief.Since retiring from cycling, Victoria has continued to seek out huge challenges, from training as a jockey for the Cheltenham Festival to attempting to climb Mount Everest. Her new book The Fear Opportunity explores how embracing fear and stepping outside our comfort zones can change our lives for the better. It’s out on May 21st and available to order now. It’s an incredibly open, thoughtful and inspiring walk with someone who has achieved remarkable things, but speaks about life with huge honesty and warmth. And yes, Ray was completely adored.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Jodie Kidd, the conversation heads further into Jodie’s life away from modelling, including her love of dogs, country life and the projects she’s most passionate about now. There’s also more from dachshunds Dave and Dutton, who very nearly stole the show entirely.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you fancy a brilliant day out with your dog, Jodie will be taking part in Goodwoof at the Goodwood Estate on May 16th and 17th, celebrating all things canine. Tickets and information are available at https://www.goodwood.com.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray head to the Surrey-Sussex border for a countryside stroll with supermodel, racing driver, businesswoman and pub owner Jodie Kidd, joined by her two adorable dachshunds, Dave and Dutton.Jodie chats to Emily about being discovered on a beach at just 15 and suddenly launched into the world of high fashion, going on to work with the likes of Alexander McQueen and Chanel. She also opens up about stepping away from modelling at the height of her fame and throwing herself into a completely different passion: motor racing.They also talk about Jodie’s love of dogs and her involvement with Goodwoof, the annual dog celebration held at the Goodwood estate. This year’s event features everything from dog yoga and behavioural talks to the gloriously named Ministry of Hound disco, with Jodie joining the judging panel for the stylish dog-and-owner competition, Chien Charmant. Goodwoof takes place on May 16th and 17th and tickets are available at https://www.goodwood.com.It’s a warm, funny and wonderfully relaxed walk with someone who’s clearly lived several fascinating lives already, plus two dachshunds who nearly gave everyone a heart attack when one briefly wandered off mid-walk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Nikita Kuzmin, the conversation moves from the Strictly spotlight to what really drives him, his discipline, his love of dance, and the mindset that’s taken him from training as a child to performing on some of the biggest stages in the UK.There’s also more of Mabel, who is clearly being trained to an exceptionally high standard, and Ray doing his best to keep up with proceedings.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you want to see Nikita live, his brand new show Supernova is touring the UK this June and July. Tickets and dates are available at https://nikitasupernova.uk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray take a South London stroll with Strictly Come Dancing favourite Nikita Kuzmin, joined by his adorable Chihuahua, Mabel.Nikita chats to Emily about his journey from growing up in Ukraine to moving to Italy as a child to pursue dance with his sister, and the moment his life changed when he got the call to join Strictly. They also talk about his partnerships on the show, including his much-loved routines with Layton Williams and Amber Davies, and how he’s navigated the sudden attention that comes with it.On the walk, it quickly becomes clear just how popular Nikita is, with fans stopping to say hello throughout. Ray, meanwhile, receives exactly one comment, from a child who thought he looked like a cloth.Nikita also shares his excitement about his brand new live dance show Supernova, which is touring the UK throughout June and July. Tickets and dates are available at https://nikitasupernova.uk.It’s a warm, open and genuinely charming conversation with someone who clearly loves what he does but keeps his feet firmly on the ground (apart from when dancing), even if he’d prefer not to be called famous.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett