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This week’s episode feels particularly special because Leigh Francis, my dear friend, steps out as himself for the very first time.  Starting from his school days in Leeds and early career, meeting his now-wife, Jill, his first forays as a hard-up comic, starting out working with Sacha Baron Cohen and Noel Fielding to how Celebrity Juice was conceived at my 30th birthday party!   It’s time to meet the man behind all the masks, it’s Leigh Francis. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re treating you to a special bonus episode featuring the insightful psychotherapist you may recognise from his Sunday Times best-selling book “Ten to Zen”, it’s the wonderful Owen O’Kane. Owen joins Kate for a candid conversation about his unique journey to becoming a therapist. From witnessing the troubles in Northern Ireland first-hand, struggling to accept his sexuality, to finally stepping into the spotlight. Becoming a therapist wasn’t a straightforward journey either. It began with Owen training to be a priest and later working in palliative care, until finally discovering his true calling as a therapist. Owen and Kate also tackle some listener questions, such as “Can you be in therapy for too long?” and “What simple exercises can help with worry and anxiety?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us today is an esteemed actor who you’ll know from the likes of Downton Abbey, Cold Feet, Toast of London and countless stage shows across the country: it’s Robert Bathurst! He joins us the morning after another night spent inhabiting the troubled but intriguing life of journalist Jeffrey Bernard as part of his latest run of the one-man play Jeffrey Bernard is unwell. He chats about that, some of the most haunting - and hilarious - times he’s died on stage and having the confidence to decline huge professional offers not truly suited to him. Even if it meant lying to Esther Rantzen! Make sure you're following us on Instagram @whitewine_questiontime! ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we thought it was the perfect time to celebrate some of our all-time favourite couples! And there's a big Strictly theme this week – from the adorable Janette & Aljaz who talk to us all about their feisty meeting and the moment they fell in love, to Strictly winner Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz Marsland who share what they admire most about each other. We've then got former Loose Women anchor, journalist and presenter Andrea McLean, who tells us all about the time she was two hours late to meet me after a blind date with her now-husband of 10 years, Nick Feeney. These stories will be sure to get you all giddy! You can listen back to these hilarious episodes in full here: Janette & Aljaz, Kelvin Fletcher & Liz Marsland and Andrea McLean & Nick Feeney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by the nation’s favourite grumpy comedian - the incredibly funny Jack Dee! Jack joins Kate to chart his journey through his unconventional path to comedy. Despite struggling through most of school, acting was the one thing that felt like home - so that’s where he set his sights. He tells us how while working in a bar, he discovered a newfound zest for learning and academia, which set the stage for an unexpected turn from acting to the world of comedy and a storied career ever since. He also remembers how he ended up doing his first gig: on a whim; one night, in the mid-80s, at 2am, standing in line at the Comedy Store, ready to show off his comedic chops... Listen in to find out more! ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve officially entered the month of love, so to get you in the mood we’re serving you some of our favourite tales of romance! From Monty Don’s declaration of love on the Yorkshire Dales to Sara Davies’ emotional speech to her husband in front of her entire staff. Or Michelle McManus’ chance meeting with her husband on a night out she was reluctant to go on - we’ve got heartwarming, funny and potentially tear-jerking stories for you. You can listen back to these episodes in full here: Monty Don, Sara Davies and Michelle McManus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us this week is an esteemed actress whose career across stage and screen has seen her become a staple for millions of viewers around the country - it’s the amazing Sue Cleaver! Ahead of returning to the stage in the new Sister Act musical next year, Sue joins us for a chat about how she looked to maintain a sense of anonymity while on the UK’s biggest soaps, how she met her biological mother entirely by chance and what it’s really like in the I’m A Celebrity... jungle. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we finally get to wave goodbye to the year's most notoriously miserable month and look forward to brighter days ahead, we’ve collected some of our favourite animal-related laughs to put a smile on your face as we shut the door on January! From Will Mellor cremating the wrong family cat, to Alastair Campbell telling us how his daughter involved the former prime minister in her campaign to get a dog, to even - erm - making a duck orgasm like Craig Doyle, it’s all in a day's work! You can listen back to these hilarious episodes in full here: Will Mellor, Alastair Campbell and Craig Doyle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by the witty funnyman you’ll know from the likes of 'The Apprentice: You’re Fired' and 'Bake Off: An Extra Slice' – it’s the incredibly charming Tom Allen. Tom joins Kate to take a delightful stroll down memory lane and reminisce about his Bromley roots. Growing up as a slightly awkward, top-hat-wearing teenager with a penchant for fine silverware and dinner parties, Tom’s journey through school wasn’t exactly focused on finding his tribe but rather on beating to the sound of his own drum. Describing himself as a 40-year-old man trapped inside a teenage body as he navigated those early years, we fast forward to his life today at that age he always felt he was meant to be and explore the full journey it took to get there. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you need some motivation to get back into the gym this month, we’re taking a trip down to our cellar to revisit some of our most inspiring, sweet and hilarious tales which will hopefully ease any apprehension you're feeling about your new fitness kick! Whether you’re interested in finding a community to support your fitness journey, like the brilliant singer Tom Grennan. Or on a mission to find the love of your life, like the lovely TV presenter Craig Doyle. Or you just want to find a private space to do a peaceful poo - like hilarious presenter and actress Fay Ripley - the gym is evidently a space for anyone and everyone! You can listen back to these great episodes in full here: Tom Grennan, Craig Doyle and Fay Ripley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is a familiar face from the Coronation Street cobbles, having spent over 7 years there - the delightful Catherine Tyldesley! Catherine joins Kate ahead of her upcoming venture into musical theatre, starring in the musical version of Bonnie and Clyde. Despite it being her debut, she tells us all about how musical theatre was actually her first love. She also chats about her chance romance with her now-husband (a tale of being each other’s opposite types on paper but a perfect match in reality) and her newfound love for dance. A surprising revelation for someone who had spent a lifetime avoiding even the lightest two-step! But with the magic of Strictly Come Dancing and the brilliance of her dance partner Johannes, she’s found a spring in her step and a sway in her walk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeing as we’re right in the thick of one of the toughest months of the year, we thought that anyone taking up Dry January might like some inspiration to keep them on track for the rest of the month! So on today’s episode, we revisited some of our best conversations about changing your relationship to alcohol. First up, we talked to the lovely Lisa Riley - television presenter, actor and Emmerdale’s beloved Mandy Dingle - about the hardcore partying that went on behind the scenes of the Strictly Tour and how this, alongside navigating her own grief, led her to give up alcohol altogether seven years ago. We also hear from ultimate funny man Brian Conley - a comic with 40 years of experience behind him who’s spent half of those sober! Plus, the brilliant journalist and broadcaster Adrian Chiles discusses his book 'The Good Drinker', and the lessons he’s learnt through understanding the importance of moderation and drinking less - rather than going entirely sober. You can listen back to these great episodes in full here: Lisa Riley, Brian Conley and Adrian Chiles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.