Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with the wonderful Bridget Christie, comedian, actor and writer.Bridget has won a huge following through her acclaimed stand-up shows and memorable TV appearances on Taskmaster and Have I Got News for You. More recently, she wrote and starred in the brilliantly funny Channel 4 comedy-drama The Change.Bridget also shares her fascinating origin story, from growing up with eight siblings and leaving school at 15, to finding her way into stand-up comedy after struggling to land acting work. It turned out to be a very good decision, leading to critical acclaim across live comedy, radio and television, as well as winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award.If you haven’t seen Bridget live yet, the good news is she’s heading out on a brand new tour, Jacket Potato Pizza, starting in January 2026 and running through to May. Tickets and dates are available at https://bridgetchristie.co.uk.It’s a warm, funny and genuinely joyful conversation with someone Emily and Ray instantly adored, and a woman who clearly has a very special bond with dogs too.Follow Emily:InstagramXWalking 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 Charlotte Church, joined by her dogs Selma and Holly, the conversation continues with more reflections on life, music, fame and finding a slower, more grounded way of living.If you haven’t already, make sure to catch part one, and if you’d like to explore Charlotte’s beautiful wellbeing retreat The Dreaming in Wales, or book a stay, you can find all the details at https://thedreaming.co.uk.Follow Emily:Instagram XWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray travel to Wales for a beautiful beach walk with the wonderful Charlotte Church, joined by her two dogs Holly the Cavapoo and Selma the Spoodle.They met on Barry Island Beach, which might look familiar thanks to Gavin and Stacey, and Emily chats to Charlotte about her extraordinary life. From her childhood in Wales, to singing Pie Jesu on This Morning at just 11, becoming Voice of an Angel, and going on to sell more than ten million records, Charlotte reflects on the incredible highs of those early years and the surreal moments that came with worldwide fame.Charlotte also talks about her recent appearance on Celebrity Traitors, where she was reunited with Jonathan Ross, who played a key role in her early career after showcasing her talent on his Big Big Talent Show.Charlotte also talks about turning her attention to a very different kind of project in recent years, transforming Laura Ashley’s former home in Wales into The Dreaming, a magical wellbeing retreat offering nature immersion, meditation, sound healing, yoga and even night-time forest bathing. You can explore retreat packages and find out more at https://thedreaming.co.uk.It’s a warm and joyful conversation with someone who became globally famous as a child, yet has somehow remained grounded, funny and wonderfully down to earth. Emily and Ray absolutely loved spending time with her.Follow Emily:Instagram XWalking 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 Stephen Mangan, the conversation continues with more stories from his life, career and comic imagination.If you haven’t already, catch up on part one, and don’t forget to treat any young people in your life to Stephen’s brilliant new children’s book Barrie Saves Christmas, a heartwarming and hilarious festive tale about a St Bernard who becomes an unlikely Christmas hero.Pick up your copy of Barrie Saves Christmas hereFollow Emily:InstagramXWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll on Hampstead Heath with the wonderful Stephen Mangan, actor, writer, presenter and all-round comic genius.Stephen talks to Emily about his childhood in Enfield with his Irish-born parents, studying law at Cambridge, and ultimately deciding to become an actor. It turned out to be a very good decision, as he went on to appear in some truly iconic shows, from I’m Alan Partridge (as the unforgettable Dan) to Green Wing, Episodes, and the hugely popular legal drama The Split.Stephen is also a best-selling children’s author, and has just released his latest book Barrie Saves Christmas, illustrated by his sister Anita. It’s a brilliantly funny and heartwarming festive story about a giant St Bernard dog on a mission to stop an elf sabotaging Christmas, the perfect gift for young readers who love dogs, humour and the magic of the season.It’s a warm, funny and wide-ranging conversation with one of the most likeable and talented figures in British comedy and drama. And yes, he and Ray definitely bonded over their suspiciously similar hairstyles.Pick up your copy of Barrie Saves Christmas hereFollow Emily:InstagramXWalking 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 Ania Magliano, the comedian continues their warm, funny and open conversation about life, comedy, cats, and everything in between.If you haven’t already, make sure to catch part one, and don’t miss Ania’s nationwide tour Peach Fuzz, heading across the country from February next year. You can grab tickets at aniamagliano.com.Follow Emily:Instagram: @emilyrebeccadeanX: @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll through Regent’s Park with the brilliant Ania Magliano, comedian, writer and the youngest ever contestant to appear on Taskmaster.Ania admits she’s more of a cat person (her cats Chicken and Ricken sound wonderful), but given that Ray is essentially a cat disguised as a dog, Emily suspected they’d get on perfectly, and they absolutely did.Emily chats to Ania about her childhood in Buckinghamshire, her university years at Cambridge where she became part of Footlights, and how she’s used social media to shape and grow her comedy career. They also talk about Ania’s much-loved appearances on Taskmaster and why she’s become one of the sharpest, funniest voices of her generation.The great news is you can see Ania live on her nationwide tour Peach Fuzz, running from February next year. Tickets are available now at aniamagliano.com.It’s a warm, funny and open conversation with someone Emily adored the moment they first met, even if Ray isn’t entirely ready to accept her pro-cat stance.Follow Emily:Instagram: @emilyrebeccadeanX: @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 Michael Fox, actor, musician and Downton Abbey favourite, the conversation continues with more stories from his life on and off screen.If you haven’t already, make sure to catch part one, and don’t miss Michael’s beautifully atmospheric new solo EP Bones, available now on all major streaming platforms.Follow Emily:Instagram: @emilyrebeccadeanX: @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 the brilliant Michael Fox, actor, musician and all-round delight.Michael is best known for his role as Andy the Footman in Downton Abbey, who rose through the ranks to become butler at the great house. Emily chats to him about what it was like being part of such an iconic show, the magic of working with legends like Dame Maggie Smith, and how he met his partner, Lady Edith herself, Laura Carmichael, on set.Michael also talks about his love of music and his new solo EP Bones, a beautifully atmospheric, Nashville-inspired collection that showcases his talent as a songwriter and performer.It’s a warm and funny conversation filled with brilliant stories, from mistaken identities involving Michael J. Fox to behind-the-scenes moments from Downton. And yes, Ray adored him, even if he wasn’t thrilled about being told he’d belong downstairs.You can listen to Michael’s new EP Bones now on all major streaming platforms and follow him on Instagram hereFollow Emily:Instagram: @emilyrebeccadeanX: @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett