Living The Life TV Series's Podcast

Fashion legend Mary Quant and the respected writer and long-term editor of Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, share stories of their lives spent at the forefront of the fashion world. Mary describes the setting up of her shop Bazaar on the King's Road, along with the vociferous reactions when unleashing the miniskirt and her other daring fashions on the public during the 1960s. Alexandra shares intimate stories of growing up with her famous parents, her short-lived career as a music journalist and the drive to bring up her child whilst building a successful career.

The iconic photographer David Bailey and art historian Tim Marlow discuss their respective creative influences. David talks about his tough childhood upbringing, his love/hate relationship with his mother and overcoming the difficulties and judgments of dyslexia. Tim recounts his circuitous artistic route into his current esteemed position in the art world. He also talks candidly about meeting and subsequently marrying his wife Tanya, and the poignant loss of his father.

53 years after Elliott Gould made his Hollywood debut and acted in over 160 films, making himself one of America’s prolific actors of the 70s, he sits down with music marvel, Dave Stewart. Dave has marked his legendary status in the world of music, mastering his incredible skills in the world of pop-rock and collaborated with a variety of impressive artists.

Lord Jeffery Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare and former Politian as well as best-selling author sits down with Sir Donald Sinden. Sir Donald established himself in theatre, especially as a Shakespearean actor and found his big break in 1950’s films that made him a household name around the world.

Accomplished actor, Robert Lindsay has proven time after time that he can conquer any role. The variety of characters range from Shakespeare’s dashing Lysander to Ben from the famous BBC sitcom, My Family. Find out more about him in this endearing interview with Hollywood breeding champion and acclaimed British actress Susan George.

This unique conversation brings together the acclaimed, Oscar award winning composer of over one hundred of our favourite films, Hans Zimmer, with Derren Brown, the illusionist who has been awing audiences with his incredible feats of hypnotism and striking mentalism for years. As two creatives so highly renowned for their innovation and talent, they sit down to discuss their childhoods, inspiration and the struggles of leading a normal life in the crazy world of fame

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys acting career spanned the globe and he now finds himself returning to the United Kingdom for his latest endeavour in the BBC series, Death Comes to Pemberly. The actor interviews with fellow Welshman Gareth Edwards, the legendary rugby player and commentator whose 1974 Barbarians try remains one of the greatest moments in sports of all time.

Marianne Faithful has been living life in the limelight for five decades as her talent has secured her a long lucrative career as a singer, songwriter and actress. Marianne sits down with acclaimed comedy writer Ian La Frenais, one half of the writing duo behind hit television shows such as The Likely Lads and Porridge, famous for his heart-warming comedic genius.

Composer, songwriter, producer and performer, A.R. Rahman is a worldwide sensation, best known for his unique sound and multicultural style. A.R Raham joins Andrew Lloyd Webber, the world’s most successful composer of musical theatre, also bringing his talent and visions to television. This episode emanates with the passion that both men share for the arts.

Elaine Paige is known for her powerful musical voice that stormed the West End and took her around the world. Elaine, who triumphed as a musical legend shares laughter and memories with style icon Twiggy. Twiggy became the world’s first supermodel, named ‘The Face of 66’ as well as becoming a successful actress in film, stage and television.

Playwright and actor Steven Berkoff has a passionate and controversial conversation with 80s pop legend and actor Martin Kemp. Bonding over stories of their upbringing, they talk candidly about their early dreams of heroism, a love of comics, and music idols. Martin also talks about his hedonistic lifestyle during his time in the band Spandau Ballet and how he suffered (and recovered) from two brain tumours.

Award-winning actresses Anna Friel and Brenda Fricker come together in this poignant and rewarding episode. It follows the highs of Anna’s joyful childhood and supportive family to the lows of Brenda’s revelation at being ostracised from the Irish television and film industries. Anna reveals how she had to live off her savings for fifteen years and describes how she now feels like ‘an orphan’ following the deaths of all her remaining family.

The eminent writer of The Horse Whisperer, Nicholas Evans, shares animated stories of his childhood with the television and movie star James Nesbitt. The episode includes rare footage from both contributors, bringing their stories to life. The pair’s similarities come to light during the conversation as they share the challenges of dealing with success and the consequent strains on their marriages.

These two heavyweights of the arts reveal intimate stories interwoven around legends such as Rudolph Nureyev and Richard Burton. Monica candidly reveals the shock of her father’s premature death, as well as her family’s subsequent emigration from South Africa to London to pursue her balletic dreams. Sir Derek talks of his theatre background and the true secret to being an actor.

Praised for his recent role in the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, John Hurt talks candidly to the renowned director, writer and actor Alan Parker. These two titans of British film and television have had long-established careers, having both worked together on the iconic film Midnight Express.John talks about method acting and his experience filming The Elephant Man. Alan explains his individualistic approach to directing and how he deals with the smorgasbord of egos involved in film creation.

Ken Livingstone shares how he dealt with the initial vilification he encountered when elected as head of the GLC, growing up with a liberal background and the ‘speech of his life’ in the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings. Timothy West describes his theatrical childhood and how he found himself being typecast as ‘real people’, as well as how he and his actress wife Prunella Scales built a long-term successful marriage.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… illustrious film and television director, writer and icon of British cinema, Ken Russell with Sir Peter Blake, the noted British pop artist, author and creator of iconic art images such as the album cover for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… multi talented, double Olympic champion, Member of Parliament and figurehead of the 2012 Olympic Games, Lord Sebastian Coe with Gary Newbon, one of Britain’s best loved and longest serving television sports reporters.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… renowned cricketing icon, sports commentator and prodigious fundraiser, Sir Ian Botham with Sir Tim Rice the famed lyricist, musical impresario and Golden Globe winner.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… illustrious television broadcaster, author and champion of the arts, Lord Melvyn Bragg with Joanna Lumley the Absolutely Fabulous television actress, movie-star, presenter and human rights activist.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the … quintessentially English, comedic and character actor, Leslie Phillips with Robin Gibb, the music phenomenon – singer, songwriter and part of the one of the most successful bands in history, the Bee Gees.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the…legendary Liverpudlian actress, presenter and 60’s singing sensation, Cilla Black with Daniel O’Donnell, the Irish singing phenomenon, television presenter and philanthropist.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… distinguished actor and director whose notable credits include the hugely successful ‘Jewel in the Crown’, Charles Dance with Paul McGann, the famed actor and film star, much loved for cult roles including the hit Withnail and I.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… formidable eighties actress and subsequent music star Brigitte Nielsen with Britt Ekland, the Swedish actress, Bond girl and former wife of Peter Sellers.

This episode of Living the Life brings together the… eminent comedian, author and television presenter Stephen Fry with Bill Wyman, the legendary musician, author and bass guitarist for the Rolling Stones and Rhythm Kings.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… flamboyant Times and Sunday Times columnist, former Young Reporter of the Year, successful author and renowned feminist, Caitlin Moran with Fay Weldon, the acclaimed writer, best-selling novelist, essayist and Professor of Creative Writing.

This episode of Living the Dream brings together the… celebrated journalist, author and award winning editor of GQ magazine, Dylan Jones with George Lamb, the inimitable radio and television presenter and fledgling fashion designer.