Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

One of our best-loved children's authors, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, is our guest today. Jacqueline has changed the lives of many young readers by introducing them to characters and subjects which reflect the complicated lives of real children. And in this conversation with Gyles, Jacqueline talks about her own childhood, which has informed a lot of her later writing. She grew up with two parents who didn't really get along - a mother who was a narcissist, and a father who was often angry and distant - and who had violent rows with each other, but gave Jacqueline rich material for her books. Jacqueline tells Gyles about being a bookish schoolgirl who liked to daydream, about a disastrous encounter with some orange hair dye, and about writing her first novel for a school teacher. Gyles and Jacqueline talk about her first job, at DC Thompson, and about her marriage and the birth of her daughter when she was only 21. They talk about writing, and about Jacqueline's relationship now, and new-found status as a gay icon. Our heartfelt thanks to Jacqueline Wilson for her delightful company, wonderful stories and wisdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're honoured to have Sir Ian Rankin, one of the most successful authors in the world, as our guest today. If you love to read, you'll almost certainly have read one of Ian's novels - and in John Rebus, he created one of the most enduring, complicated and loved central characters in modern fiction. In this really absorbing conversation, Ian describes his childhood in a working class home in Fife, where his parents taught him the value of "thrawn" - resilience and determination against the odds. Ian was a quiet and bookish child, who spent hours at his desk in his tiny bedroom making up stories and imaginary pop groups who would compete each other in an invented top ten. He became a punk, started to be interested in girls, and realised that he didn't want to be an accountant - but instead wanted to defy his family and study English at university. He went to Edinburgh, met his wife, and discovered a world beyond his home town which has captivated and inspired him ever since. Ian also talks to Gyles about his son, Kit, who has a chromosomal defect and is severely disabled. He talks about his writing process and philanthropy. And finally he talks about his new novel, The Heights, which is out now. Ian's book, The Heights, is available here. It is Ian's first standalone thriller in two decades, and tells the story of the dark underbelly of a luxury apartment block in London. It is highly recommended. Our thanks to Sir Ian for his time, energy and charming conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don Black, the legendary lyricist, brings his gorgeous and sunny energy onto Rosebud today. He and Gyles talk about Don's life and work, beginning with his extremely happy, but humble, childhood in Hackney, going with his starstruck mother to the Empire to watch Max Miller and other big names of the day. He talks about his father, who worked as an Underpresser, ironing clothes for the local elite. Don then takes Gyles to Denmark Street, or Tinpan Alley as it was known, the heart of London's music scene, where Don began to get work as a promoter and then as a lyricist. There he meets Matt Monro, and Don writes the song for Monro which changes his life, "Walk Away". Five James Bond themes, "Born Free", Michael Jackson's "Ben" and numerous other hits and hit musicals follow. Don is multi-award-winning and has met everyone from Quincy Jones to Henry Mancini, but remains delightfully modest, down to earth and funny. He says he was grounded by his long and extremely happy marriage to Shirley, who never let them get carried away with fame and fortune - and this episode contains many stories and lessons about love. This is a really charming conversation which will make you smile and remind you of what really matters in life. Don's show From the Heart is on at the Garrick Theatre, London, from October 8. Tickets are available here. Our thanks to Don Black for his delightful company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gyles's guest today is Francis Rossi: the lead singer, guitarist and one of the founder members of the legendary British rock band Status Quo. Francis tells Gyles about his childhood in Forest Hill and Balham, South London, where his family ran ice cream stalls and sweet shops. He talks about his Italian heritage, and his love for the language and culture. Francis talks about his parents' complicated marriage, and his mum's increasingly fervent Catholic faith. He talks about secondary school, where he hid behind a jack-the-lad persona, and made friends with Alan Lancaster while playing trumpet in the school orchestra. They started playing music together, and eventually went on to be called Status Quo. Francis also talks about his friendship and musical chemistry with Rick Parfitt, and about Live Aid, and about marriage and children. This is a fascinating conversation with one of the UK's most enduring rockers. We hope you enjoy it. And our deep thanks to Francis for sharing his wit, wisdom and stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's 1980, a momentous beginning to a momentous decade, and Gyles is here to guide you through his own personal - yet universal - 80s experience as he reads selected extracts from the genuine diaries he kept at the time. He's now in his thirties, father of three, owner of two houses, businessman, and all-round powerhouse. In this episode we hear about Sooty and Sweep, pumpkins, Margaret Thatcher and golden moments. Enjoy this, diary fans!Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Lamb joins Gyles for a really unique episode of Rosebud. For the past few years, Larry has been telling the story of his life in poetry, and that's what you'll hear in this edition, interwoven with a Rosebud conversation about his early memories and upbringing. Larry's poetry is original, powerful and has a rhythmic punch which takes you right into the turbulence of his childhood: he was born into a loveless marriage and spent years watching his parents argue, and when he was only nine years old his mother left the family home never to return. This trauma left a lasting mark on Larry, and through poetry he has begun to make sense of the legacy of his past. This is a fabulous episode which we hope will move and inspire you. It was recorded at the Fleet Festival of Words earlier this year. Larry is appearing at the Queen's Reading Room Festival at Chatsworth this weekend. Our thanks and admiration to Larry Lamb for this tour de force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a treat: our guest today is the much-loved actor and star of Doc Martin, Martin Clunes. In this gorgeous conversation, Gyles and Martin discuss Martin's childhood - and Gyles's admiration for Martin's actor father, Alec Clunes, who died when Martin was only 8 years old. They talk about Martin's unhappy time at boarding school in the years after his father's death. They talk about a visit to a psychic, and about the importance of animals in Martin's life. And finally, Gyles and Martin talk about Martin's latest book, his life on his westcountry farm, and burials for dogs. Martin's book Training John and Murray, about training two terriers, is out now and available here. Our heartfelt thanks to Martin Clunes for this fascinating conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Scanlon joins Gyles for an open and honest conversation full of wit, wisdom and insight. Angela talks to Gyles about her childhood in Ireland as one of four girls. She remembers early attempts at individualism - styling her First Communion outfit when she was only seven. She talks about inner conflict: being both a sensitive child, and someone who had the "craic" - and how the feeling of never being quite ready led her to developing an eating disorder as a teenager. She talks about love, travel and finding inner peace. Angela's hilarious podcast "Get a Grip" is well worth a listen. Our thanks to Angela for her warmth, fun and zest - which, as you know, is a favourite quality of ours at Rosebud Towers! Enjoy this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.