Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

Former Home Secretary who chose principle over position, Amber Rudd has spent much of her life at the centre of power. From banking to frontbench politics, her career has spanned the high-stakes worlds of business, government and Brexit-era turmoil.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Amber to reflect on the decisions, mistakes and tensions that shaped her time in office. From her alliance with Theresa May to her public resignation from Boris Johnson's Cabinet, Amber offers an unusually frank look at what it means to hold power- and when to walk away from it.She speaks candidly about the human cost of leadership, the moral complexity of the Home Office, and the fallout of political compromise. And she reflects on what it takes to recover- personally and professionally- from being publicly vilified.Grounded, introspective and refreshingly sincere, Amber revisits the pressure points of her political life, the people who've shaped her, and why disagreement doesn't have to mean disloyalty.She also shares why she's returned to public conversation with The Crisis Room- a new podcast co-hosted with journalist Mark Urban and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos. Each week, the team unpicks the biggest crises shaping the UK and the world. With insider perspectives drawn from the gritty underbelly of investigative reporting, the corridors of Westminster and the shadowy realm of intelligence, they break down what's really happening behind the headlines, and what's at stake for our future.Listen to The Crisis Room here

Actor, activist, and unapologetic truth-teller, Jameela Jamil has lived many lives and survived every single one of them with grit, wit, and an unwavering sense of justice.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Jameela to explore a journey that defies expectation. From a childhood shaped by illness, isolation and relentless bullying, to becoming a pioneering British radio and TV presenter, to an accidental breakout in Hollywood with roles in The Good Place and She-Hulk, Jameela's story is one of extraordinary reinvention.She speaks openly about how trauma shaped her values, why comedy became her lifeline, and how she built I Weigh- a platform and podcast that champions mental health, challenges toxic norms, and encourages people to question what they've been taught to value.Candid, sharp and disarmingly funny, Jameela reflects on the cost of speaking out, the privilege of being heard, and how embracing chaos has often led her to exactly where she needed to be.Find out more about Jameela Jamil's podcast Wrong Turns here

Known to millions as Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, Larry Lamb has lived a life far more complex than any character he's played. From a fractured childhood in postwar London, to becoming one of Britain's most familiar faces- his story is one of survival, resilience and transformation.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Larry to explore the lesser-known journey behind the fame. Larry speaks candidly about the trauma of growing up with an abusive father and shares the unexpected twists that took him from oil rigs and sales jobs to amateur theatre and eventual stardom.Moving, measured, and full of reflection, this conversation offers a rare window into how we carry our past, and how it can shape- without defining- the people we become.Find out more about Larry's debut novel All Wrapped Up and national book tour here

In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with cricketing icon Jimmy Anderson to trace the arc of a record-breaking career- from growing up as a shy kid in Burnley, to becoming the most successful fast bowler in Test history. Jimmy reflects on the early self-doubt that plagued him, the physical toll of a 20-year career, and the inner battles he faced behind the scenes.They discuss everything from the fierce rivalries that shaped him, to being dropped from the England squad after nearly two decades. Jimmy also shares personal revelations about his mental health, the strength he drew from family life, and how loss, resilience, and therapy helped him endure some of his darkest moments.As he steps into retirement, Jimmy opens up about what the game has taught him, why he's still not finished giving back, and how he plans to navigate life off the pitch. Reflective and candid, this conversation reveals the human side of a sporting great who's spent his life finding calm amid the chaos.Find out more about Jimmy Anderson: Finding the Edge: The Autobiography here

From the war zones of Bosnia to the frontlines of Gaza, Christiane Amanpour has reported from the epicentres of global upheaval for over three decades. Her commitment to being “truthful, not neutral” made her one of the most respected correspondents of her generation and a sharp, unwavering voice in the age of misinformation.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Christiane to explore the emotional and political terrain of her career. They trace her journey from Tehran to CNN's international anchor desk, discussing the deep personal impact of motherhood, the shifting challenges for women in journalism, and the influence of her high-profile marriage to diplomat Jamie Rubin. From candid reflections on the media's role in Trump-era America to her evolving understanding of clarity, empathy and leadership, this is a conversation shaped by the past but rooted firmly in the turbulent present.Christiane also opens up about her new podcast, The Ex Files, co-hosted with her ex-husband Jamie Rubin. Told through the prism of their 20-year marriage and subsequent divorce, the series explores the biggest issues of the day and the historical moments that shaped them- from Donald Trump's return to office, to the escalating global economic crisis, the war in Gaza, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine- all examined through lived history on opposite sides.Listen to The Ex Files here

From founding the Everyday Sexism Project to unpicking how AI is entrenching misogyny, Laura Bates has become one of the UK's most unflinching feminist voices. In this episode of Full Disclosure, she joins James O'Brien to explore how one devastating week in her early twenties sparked a lifetime of activism- and why storytelling, statistics, and school visits remain central to her mission.Laura traces her path from a bookish childhood to acting ambitions, before recounting the moment a string of seemingly “everyday” experiences of harassment triggered a wider awakening. The conversation spans her battles with media hostility, the evolution of digital misogyny, and the personal toll of online abuse. With clarity and urgency, she discusses how sexism is coded into everything from CV-sorting algorithms to deepfake pornography, and why AI may be the next great battleground for gender equality.Honest, analytical, and deeply human, this conversation delves into what drives Bates to keep going, and what gives her hope for the next generation.Find out more about Laura Bates book,The New Age of Sexism, here

There was once hope in the Middle East, but does it now feel further away than ever? In this first episode, unparalleled insight into groundbreaking peace deals left dangling, a recent covert negotiation effort in the West Bank, revealed for the first time… and what it's like having Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat hang up on you live on air.As President Donald Trump lands in the Middle East – for the first major trip of his second term – Christiane and Jamie ask: could he be the person to broker peace between Israel and Hamas?We take a look back at Oslo's shredded promise, America's failures that led to Hamas' election victory, and Jamie's secret wrangling at the heart of the Middle East peace process. Christiane asks, could Trump's unpredictability bring peace, or deepen the divide? What's at stake for civilians, and is lasting peace still possible?Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

From dominating the UK airwaves to starting over on the other side of the world, Christian O'Connell is a broadcaster and writer who has built a career out of connection, candour, and comedy.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Christian to trace the path from his childhood in Hampshire to becoming one of the UK's most celebrated radio voices- and the breakdown that forced him to confront what success really meant. They explore the roots of Christian's anxiety, the healing power of storytelling, and the courage it took to walk away from it all to begin again in Australia.Warm, unfiltered and often profound, Christian opens up about family, fame, fear and finding clarity in chaos- a conversation about reinvention, honesty, and what it takes to truly come home to yourself.Discover more about The Heart of Speaking here

From the world of variety to the West End stage, Brian Conley has built a career around his infectious energy, unique humour, and remarkable talent. In this episode of Full Disclosure, Brian opens up about his journey, from growing up in a working-class family to finding solace and confidence in showbiz. He reflects on the highs of performing with legends like Tom Jones to his struggles with dyslexia and alcohol. With his trademark wit, Brian shares how his love for comedy, musicals, and warm-up performances led to a stellar career, while touching on the personal challenges that shaped him along the way. Insightful, raw, and full of laughter, Brian's story is a testament to resilience and the power of finding your true calling.You can buy tickets to The Prat Pack tour here

Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, has spent over three decades at the forefront of the global human rights movement, challenging abusive governments and fighting for justice. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Kenneth to discuss his extraordinary career, from his early years learning his father's refugee story, to his pivotal role in shaping international human rights advocacy.Kenneth reflects on the strategies he employed to push oppressive regimes into compliance, from leveraging international pressure to navigating the complex geopolitics of the world's most powerful autocrats. He offers a candid look at the personal and professional challenges he faced while battling dictators like Putin, Xi Jinping, and Assad, and the lessons he's learned along the way.Insightful and unflinching, Kenneth shares stories of victories and setbacks, the evolution of the human rights movement, and how he remains motivated by the belief that positive change, however incremental, is always possible. This episode explores the sacrifices, triumphs, and complexities of a career dedicated to exposing injustice and holding the powerful accountable. Righting Wrongs: Three Descased on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments, by Kenneth Roth. Available to order now.

Ash Atalla, the creative mind behind some of the most beloved British comedies, sits down with James O'Brien to explore his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in Northern Ireland to becoming a powerhouse producer in television. From The Office to The IT Crowd, Big Boys and more, Ash shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including the unexpected path that led him to comedy and the challenges he faced along the way.In this episode of Full Disclosure, Ash opens up about his early years, including contracting polio when he was just a baby, and how his parents decision to move from Egypt to Belfast in the 1970s impacted his life. He reflects on the lessons his father instilled in him, his rise from a failed stockbroker to a major figure in the TV industry, and how he helped bring The Office to life against all odds.Thoughtful, candid, and full of wit, Ash discusses his work, his family, and what drives him to create stories that resonate deeply with audiences.

Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, takes us on an extraordinary journey from the tough streets of Bradford to becoming one of the world's most celebrated magicians. In this revealing episode of Full Disclosure, Steven opens up about his transformative life experiences- growing up in a single-parent household, dealing with adversity, and finding magic in the most unexpected places. From overcoming bullying and a challenging childhood to battling a life-threatening illness, Steven shares how these personal struggles led him to redefine what magic truly means.James O'Brien speaks with Steven about his path to success, the emotional complexities of his public persona, and his decision to step away from the Dynamo name to embrace his true self. Touching on themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of reinvention, Steven reflects on how magic has helped him navigate life's obstacles and find purpose.Engaging, introspective, and filled with wisdom, Steven's journey offers a poignant look at how embracing one's vulnerabilities can lead to extraordinary transformations.You can buy tickets to Steven Frayne's Up Close and Magical show here

Carol Vorderman is best known as the queen of Countdown, but there's far more to her than just numbers. From growing up in a single-parent household to becoming one of the most recognisable women in British television, her journey has been anything but ordinary.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien explores Carol's path from excelling in mathematics to navigating the world of television, her deep passion for education, and her outspoken activism in politics. With strong views on social justice and a fearless approach to calling out inequality, she shares how she found her voice.Unfiltered, passionate, and refreshingly honest, Carol opens up about the power of speaking out and the causes closest to her heart.

From investigating the minds of psychopaths to examining the impact of public shaming in the digital age, Jon Ronson is a journalist and author who has built a career exploring stories that reveal the complexities of human nature.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Jon to unpack the experiences that shaped his unique outlook- from growing up in Cardiff to embedding himself with fringe groups and conspiracy theorists around the world. They discuss the emotional weight of documenting turbulence and the personal moments that led Jon to seek out the humanity in the most unexpected places.Insightful, sharp, and deeply empathetic, Jon reflects on life at the margins, the characters he's encountered, and what it truly means to understand those who challenge the norm.You can buy tickets to Jon Ronson's Psychopath Night here

David Harewood is one of Britain's finest actors, but fame found him late in life after he was cast as CIA Director David Estes in smash-hit show Homeland. In this fascinating episode of Full Disclosure, join James O'Brien as he takes a tour around David's life, from his early childhood, racist abuse from theatre reviewers, his psychosis diagnosis and how he's become first black president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada).This episode deals with issues of race and racism and strong language is used from the outset and throughout.

Alistair McGowan is a man of many talents, as well as being one of the UKs most beloved impressionists. From award winning performances on the West End Stage, sell-out pianist shows and dominating the 90s and 00s sketch TV scene, he is a man that never disappoints to entertain.In this episode, James O'Brien goes back in time to Alistair's school days, his warm upbringing in Evesham and to the moment where he got his big break at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The pair discuss the nuance of a great impression, why Gen-Z may struggle to understand the humour and what 2025 and beyond has in store for Alistair too. We will give you a hint, it's busy, very busy.You can book tickets for on of Alistair's many ventures here

From busking on the streets to topping the charts, KT Tunstall has carved a career defined by resilience, reinvention, and raw talent. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien dives into KT's journey from growing up in Scotland in a family with no musical background, to discovering her biological father's Irish singing roots, and ultimately shaping her own unmistakable sound.KT shares the story of her breakout Later… with Jools Holland performance, the moment that catapulted her to stardom, and how she has navigated the challenges of hearing loss and living with tinnitus as a musician. She also talks about her latest passion- musical theatre, including composing the original score for the West End musical Clueless.Funny, inspiring, and deeply honest, this conversation explores how KT Tunstall keeps pushing creative boundaries, proving that reinvention isn't just possible, it's essential.You can buy tickets to Clueless The Musical here

Matt Forde is an eternal optimist. From growing up on a council estate to a single mother on benefits, to playing sold out nights at the London Palladium, he's a comedian and broadcaster with a very different story to most.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien takes a tour of Matt's formative years from the industrial city of Nottingham in the 1980s, his time working for the Labour party in Stoke-on-Trent to moving to the countries capital to begin his journey in stand-up Comedy. At the age of 9 he fell in love with politics and became obsessed with equality and justice, which led him on the journey of joining the SWP before finding his policial home in Labour. After finding his funny bones he took his time in politics to the stage and started performing in comedy clubs up and down the country, mixing political activism and jokes.Funny, moving and honest, Matt has lived a varied life that was tested massively in 2023 when he was diagnosed with cancer and told he would never walk again. In the open conversation, he shares how hard the last 18-months have really been.You can see Matt on tour or buy tickets to his Party Political Podcast here

Zoe Lyons is a comedian that has graced our screens for over two decades, being a regular panelist on Mock the Week as well as numerous appearances on Have I Got News For You and Live at the Apollo. She grew up in rural Ireland, with a peripatetic childhood that would see her move to England, America and Scotland all by the time she reached 10-years-old. In this episode, James O'Brien takes a tour through Zoe's adolescents and hatred of school & school bullies, her parents divorce and her love of the Peter Sellers & Dick Emery. The pair navigate Zoe's slow-burn career and delve deep into why it takes her three years achieve her goals and what the future looks like for her too. You can see Zoe Lyons tour dates here

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is a British physician, author, television presenter, and podcaster, known for his alternative approaches to health and wellbeing, aiming to find the root cause of disease rather than simply treating symptoms. During this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Dr. Chatterjee to find out how his childhood shaped his career path, how he deals with criticism from the public for his methods and his brilliant new book 'Make Change That Lasts' which looks at 9 simple ways to break free from the habits that hold you back.The pair also sit down and discuss how culture has impacted Dr. Rangan Chaterjee's view of himself and the techniques that we can all add to our daily routines to help us relax.Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is embarking on his first ever UK live tour, The Thrive Tour: Be The Architect Of Your Health And Happiness, in March 2025. Tickets are available at here

It's the podcast that trawls social media so you don't have to. Join political commentator Marina Purkiss and broadcaster Jemma Forte to find the most interesting, hilarious and sometimes ridiculous takes of the week's trending news. Here's a segment from some of their recent episodes on Trump ‘saving' TikTok (and why we should be very worried) and whether Labour have just become Tories 2.0? Listen to The Trawl wherever you find your podcasts.

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, James asks how the dehumanisation of an entire group of people can happen. He interviews Laurence Rees, historian and BAFTA winning documentary maker, who's latest book is “The Nazi Mind: Twelve Warnings From History”. James also reminisces on a conversation with his late friend and Holocaust survivor, Lili Pohlmann.This episode was recorded on the 27th January. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Israel has freed 90 Palestinian prisoners, after the first three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. James asks how this conflict has changed listener's perception of the region's geo-political landscape.On the day of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, why are liberals and much of the media have gone soft on Trump and the shocking behaviours that would normally prevent re-election.And James hears directly from Liverpool Crown Court as LBC's reporter Liam Gotting shares the details of today's breaking news that Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance event in Southport last year.This episode was recorded on the 20th January. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

With the government readying to set out plans on how it can use artificial intelligence across the UK to boost growth and streamline public services, James calls on his most AI-qualified listeners to tell us exactly how this can change our lives, and whether we should fear its rise.He also speaks to NHS patients and professionals about the troubling normality of “corridor care” following the advertisement from a North London Hospital for a 'Corridor Nurse'.This episode was recorded on the 13th of January. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Full Disclosure is taking a short break over Christmas but don't worry, we'll be back at the end of January with a line up of exceptional guests.If you can't wait until then, why not catch up on some of the episodes you might have missed. It's been a vintage year with incredible guests including Rob Brydon, Sir David Jason, Sally Lindsay and lots more.Every episode of Full Disclosure is available on Global Player. Download it from the App Store or go to globalplayer.com.See you soon.

As we take short break for Christmas – here's a selection of some of our favourite conversations from 2024.Full Disclosure will be back in the new year with more brilliant guests. In the meantime, why not listen back to your favourite episodes or catch up on the ones you might have missed. You can find them all on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks, as always, for listening.

Rob Brydon has done pretty much everything you can. From radio DJ & Voice over artists, hosting one of the UKs most loved panel shows to being the star of Gavin & Stacey and acting alongside Margot Robbie in smash-hit Barbie. Rob is a comic that has never lacked ambition, but his success came later in life, during one of his darkest personal moments. In this episode, James O'Brien goes back in time to Rob's school days, charting his self-taping and repeated rejection from acting agents and discovering how he teamed up with Steve Coogan to finally land his big break.

Shaun Keaveny is one of the UKs most beloved broadcasters, having spent 11 years presenting one of the countries biggest music breakfast radio shows. His journey began upon leaving college, where he knew he wanted to work in a creative industry with a passion for writing skits, listening to the radio and playing music. Shaun soon got his first break at XFM London, presenting overnights to a miniscule audience where he could flex his creative flair before moving with the times and fronting a digital only breakfast show at the newly formed 6 Music.In this episode James sits down to explore Shaun's childhood and the close bond he has with his family, his late diagnosis of ADD, how Terry Wogan took him under his wing and how leaving the BBC had a heavy impact on him.You can listen to Shaun's excellent Community Garden Radio show and become a fully fledged member here

Alex James is the bass player in one of Britain's biggest bands, Blur. With millions of record sales and 2 sold-out nights at Wembley in 2023, he sits down with James O'Brien to discuss his early childhood, the emergence of Blur, cheese making and his brilliant new book 'Over the Rainbow'.With a self-confessed short attention span, Alex failed his A-Levels and was worrying what was next to for him. All that changed when he met his soon to be bandmates. From touring America to going on a health kick after lockdown, in this episode we find out what Alex's gateway to music was? How he kept the secret of Blur's comeback from his own kids? And what's in store for him in the future. 'Over the Rainbow' is out now.

"As I grew up, I realised I had to look after myself because no one else was going to do it for me."Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey joined the House of Lords in 2004, becoming one of its first Black female members. But from the age of eight weeks old to eighteen years old, she moved between foster care placements and care homes in north London. In this episode, she tells James about her upbringing and her recent journey to discover more about her childhood. Eight Weeks: Looking Back, Moving Forwards, Defying the Odds by Lola Young is out now.

Dan Snow makes history exciting. Whether it's through his award-winning documentaries, bestselling books, or popular podcast History Hit, he has a gift for bringing the past to life and showing us why it still matters today.Coming from a family of celebrated journalists—his father is broadcaster Peter Snow and his mother is Canadian journalist Ann MacMillan - Dan was immersed in storytelling from an early age. But what sets him apart isn't just his passion for history, it's his ability to look ahead. Spotting how storytelling and broadcasting were changing, he launched History Hit, a streaming platform that's redefined how we engage with history. In this episode, Dan talks about growing up in a journalist household, his dad's attempt to steer him away from broadcasting and why he decided to break away from traditional media. Dan's new book The Story of England: The Making of a Nation is out now.

For thirty-six year, James has been chasing this interview and now, he's finally secured it. Actor, writer and director Rupert Everett joins him to talk about the highs and lows of his extraordinary 40-year career in show business. Rupert discovered performing when he was a young boy and got a thrill from showing off in school plays at Ampleforth College - so much so, that he left school at 15 to pursue a career in acting. His breakout role came in 1981 when he was cast as Guy Bennett in Another Country. He went on to find fame in Hollywood, starring opposite Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding. Despite his success, Rupert admits he lacked the confidence to fully embrace Hollywood. He continued working in films and theatre but started to concentrate more on his writing. After a decade in the making, he released his first screenplay The Happy Prince in 2018 - a deeply personal project which he also directed and starred in.

Growing up on a Lake District farm that had been in his family for centuries, James Rebanks always knew his place in the world. School wasn't for him - he felt his teachers looked down on farming and his grandparents worried education might lure him away from the land. By the age of 15, he had left school with just two O-Levels to work full-time on the family farm. But in the evenings, a new world opened up to him as he read through the books on his mum's bookshelves.Inspired, James began reading everything he could. In his twenties, he went to night school and then got a place at Oxford University where he graduated with a double first in history. Today, James is a bestselling author, telling the stories of the "nobodies" - ordinary people living extraordinary lives, who like him, are deeply rooted in the land. A farmer and a writer, James has managed to carve out a unique space as both a man of letters and man of the soil.His latest book, The Place of Tides is available now.

"I really need a future. What happened to me is so dark and so depressing that I've got to believe in something." On Boxing Day 2022, Hanif Kureishi's life changed forever. The acclaimed novelist and playwright had a fall that left him paralysed, a single, shattering moment that split his life in two. In this episode, Hanif tells James about the life he lived before the accident and what's happened since. Hanif has written about this extraordinary experience in his new book, Shattered, a deeply personal account of the accident and its profound aftermath. Shattered is available to buy now.This episode contains offensive language and sensitive topic discussions including racism. Listener discretion is advised.

One of Britain's most celebrated French chefs, Michel Roux Jr is restaurant royalty. Born into the legendary Roux family, his father and uncle, Albert and Michel Roux Snr founded Le Gavroche, the first British restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. Determined to follow in their footsteps, Michel left school at 16 to begin a pastry apprenticeship in Paris and later trained under the legendary Alain Chapel. Despite his father's attempts to bring him into the family business, Michel initially resisted working at Le Gavroche. When he finally joined, it proved to be extremely tough but rewarding. In this episode, Michel talks about growing up at Fairlawne - grand country estate, the pressures of living up to his family's legacy and why he's left behind his "angry chef" persona.

"I wasn't driven by being famous, I was driven by being successful. I wanted to be recognised by my peers, people who I considered ‘posh actors'”.Award-winning actor and bestselling author, Sir David White, is better known by his stage name David Jason. His career has spanned over 50 years, and is best known for his iconic roles Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses and Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost.His childhood dream of becoming an actor was ‘crushed' by his father, who couldn't afford to support his acting career after his brother was accepted to RADA. David spent years as an electrician, whilst learning his craft in amateur theatre. In this episode David talks about his passion for performance, the heartbreak of losing a role in Dad's Army and why he's addicted to making audiences laugh.His latest memoir This Time Next Year is out now.

"I'm that lucky guy who found his hobby and was able to turn it into a job." William Dalrymple is a multi-award winning and bestselling historian. Growing up on the Dalrymple family estate in North Berwick, with an almost Edwardian childhood, William was sent off to Ampleforth College at just eight years old. It was there that his passion for history grew and he spent his free time on archaeological digs and getting lost in history books. William has gone on to turn that childhood fascination into an incredible career. He has written numerous bestselling books including White Mughals and The Last Mughals. His latest book The Golden Road is out now.

Graeme Park is a legendary DJ and one of the founders of the UK's house music movement. Best known for his nine-year residency at Manchester's iconic superclub, The Hacienda, Graeme's journey into DJing was far from planned. In fact, he stumbled into it almost by accident. However, his passion for sharing the music he loved had a huge impact on the dance scene of the 80s and 90s, influencing a generation of club-goers, including sixteen year old James O'Brien.Today, Graeme continues to perform to fans old and new around the world. He also DJs alongside the Manchester Camerata Orchestra as part of the Hacienda Classical shows, which have been touring the UK since 2016 and even opened the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2017.You can find out more details about Graeme's upcoming gigs on thisisgraemepark.com

"Britain is nowhere near as bad as America but let's not get complacent about the risk."Jon Sopel is a journalist, broadcaster and author who launched the hugely successful The News Agents podcast with Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall in August 2022. Previously, he was the BBC's North America Editor, covering U.S. elections including Donald Trump's presidency. He is the author of several books including: If Only They Didn't Speak English and A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump's White House. His latest book: Strangeland is out now.

James is back with another incredible guest from the Full Disclosure vault. Angela Rayner is a politician you simply can't ignore, Her story is as inspiring as it is unlikely. She grew up in poverty in Stockport, left school at 16, pregnant and without a single qualification to her name. And yet through sheer grit, she's fought her way up to become Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.Angela joined James on Full Disclosure back in 2021. She talks about everything from her chaotic childhood to how she raised her own children out of poverty and her remarkable rise in politics. If you haven't heard it yet, it's a brilliant conversation with one of the most vibrant voices in British politics and if you have, it's well worth another listen…

James revisits one of the most memorable episodes of Full Disclosure with none other than the current Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Sir Keir's journey to Downing Street was far from straightforward. In fact, for a long time his life was headed in a completely different direction. He joined James for a live recording of Full Disclosure back in 2022, when he was still Leader of the Opposition. Sir Keir talks about his childhood, the values that shaped him, his time as a human rights lawyer and how he handles the intense pressure and scrutiny of life in the public eye. Whether you're listening for the first time or revisiting the episode, this is a chance to gain real insight into the man now leading the country.

Radio legend Tony Blackburn has spent the past 60 years entertaining listeners with his cheeky charm and passion for soul music. His journey in broadcasting began in 1964 on the offshore pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London. Just three years later, he made history as the first DJ to be heard on BBC Radio 1, launching the station with his exciting new music show. Tony quickly became a household name, hosting iconic shows like Top of the Pops, the Top 40 and Capital Gold's award-winning Breakfast Show. In 2015 he made history again, becoming the first person to receive two Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Radio Academy. Still going strong, he continues to entertain on the airwaves, with no plans to hang up his headphones just yet... Tickets for his UK tour, Sounds of the Sixties, are available here.