We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

Tom Read Wilson reflects on life after I’m A Celebrity and the private story behind the voice, warmth and eccentricity that made the nation fall in love with him. He opens up about growing up feeling othered, the secret that once felt like a ticking time bomb, and the anxiety that affected his relationship with food for many years. Tom also reflects on coming out, the sister who became his safe place, and why the jungle helped him lose his ego and feel truly seen. In a conversation shaped by nearly nine years of friendship, Paul and Tom look back on Celebs Go Dating, the moments that brought them close, and the bond that has quietly become one of the most important relationships in both of their lives. Funny, tender and unexpected, this is Tom Read Wilson on queerness, friendship, family, self-acceptance and learning to celebrate the parts of yourself the world once made you question. Tom Read Wilson, We Need To Talk A heads up this conversation includes discussion of mental health and eating disorders. We’ve included links to support resources below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Tom here: https://www.instagram.com/tomreadwilson (00:00) Intro (05:55) Tom’s Upbringing (07:25) Becoming Aware of Prejudice (08:51) Tom’s Identity in His Teens (16:18) How Tom Came Out (18:31) Paul Shows Tom a Photo of Him and His Siblings (23:46) Tom’s Struggle With Eating (30:43) Tom’s Career as an Actor (34:51) Tom Appearance on The Voice (40:57) Accusations About Tom’s Voice (45:51) Cast on Celebs Go Dating (48:41) Which Celebrities Stood Out to Tom on CGD? (51:08) Paul Shows Tom a Photo of Him and Gemma Collins (53:21) Paul’s Appreciation For Tom (55:57) Tom on His Romantic Life (58:00) Tom Has Made Paul Officially ‘Naughty’ (01:01:11) Why Tom Went on I’m a Celebrity (01:02:59) What Is the Environment Really Like on I’m a Celebrity? (01:04:33) What Tom Loved Most About I’m a Celebrity (01:08:46) Who Did Tom Get on With Most on I’m a Celebrity? (01:17:06) Tom’s Final Bushtucker Trial (01:23:18) Surprise Letter From Campmate Ruby Wax (01:26:20) Tom’s Relationship With Paul’s Family (01:28:11) Tom’s Talent for Accents (01:37:26) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ArrDee reflects on the story behind Oliver Twist, Body and his rise as one of the UK’s most recognisable young rappers. He opens up about growing up in Brighton, being raised by his mum, and the complicated relationship with his father that shaped his need for attention, fame and approval. ArrDee shares how music became his way of expressing pain, why he first hid behind the “cheeky” persona, and what really happened when his career exploded during lockdown. He also speaks candidly about the darker side of early fame, from spending his first major advance to partying, addiction, ketamine, alcohol and the moments where he was trying to numb himself behind the success. ArrDee reflects on the guilt he carries around his brother’s psychosis, the pressure of being labelled an industry plant, and how becoming a father has changed the way he sees himself. From music and addiction to fame, family and fatherhood, this is ArrDee on the boy behind the bravado, and the man he is trying to become. ArrDee, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow ArrDee here: https://www.instagram.com/arrdeegram/ https://www.tiktok.com/@arrdeetik (00:00) Intro (03:33) How ArrDee’s Name Was Born (04:46) Growing Up in Brighton (06:12) ArrDee’s Relationship With His Mum (07:59) Growing Up Without His Father (14:52) The First Song ArrDee Wrote (17:43) The Song That Changed Everything (20:36) How ArrDee Signed His First Record Deal (26:09) What ArrDee Did With His First Record Deal Money (28:02) The Story Behind ArrDee’s Feature on “Body” (33:24) How ArrDee Wrote “Oliver Twist” (35:08) ArrDee Reads a Letter From His Mum (39:53) ID Mobile Ad (41:03) How Fame at 19 Changed ArrDee (44:57) Making “Oliver Twist” Music Video (50:34) Did ArrDee Struggle With Addiction? (52:19) ArrDee Addresses Industry Plant Accusations (54:35) Being a White Rapper in the Music Industry (01:01:58) ID Mobile Ad (01:04:26) ArrDee’s First Time Meeting His Dad (01:24:32) Why ArrDee Became an Independent Artist (01:34:09) ArrDee’s Relationship With His Brother (01:40:16) Fatherhood and Relationship With Ocean (01:46:05) Fatherhood and Sobriety (01:49:38) ArrDee Receives Letter From Ocean (01:53:31) Most Memorable Conversation (01:57:05) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akon reflects on the life behind some of the biggest songs of the 2000s, and the choices, controversies and turning points that shaped him long before global fame. He opens up about growing up between Senegal and the US, the criminal world he entered before music, and the prison sentence that he believes saved his life. Akon shares how ‘Locked Up’ began behind bars, why music became his way out, and how he learned to turn pain, business instinct and controversy into worldwide success. The conversation also explores his views on polyamory, having multiple wives, and why he believes honesty, rules and communication are essential in that dynamic. He also reflects on his friendship with Michael Jackson, the side of him the public rarely saw, and the questions he still has about his passing. Akon looks back on the moments that made him, the mistakes that nearly ended him, and the legacy he is still trying to build. Akon, We Need To Talk Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Akon here: https://www.instagram.com/akon/ https://www.tiktok.com/@akon (00:00) Intro (01:38) Akon Addresses The Hamster Ball (06:29) Touring With Ne-Yo (07:52) Why Akon’s Audience Isn’t Who You’d Expect (15:11) Opening The Door For Artists Like Wizkid (20:15) Every Song Had To Be Ringtone Friendly (22:26) Mr Lonely Changed Everything (26:53) The Blackout That Changed Akon’s Purpose (30:53) ID Mobile Ad (33:06) Akon’s Relationship With Michael Jackson (45:20) Growing Up Between Senegal And America (48:13) Selling Stolen Cars To Fund Music Career (55:50) How Jail Changed Akon’s Life Forever (01:04:58) Huel Ad (01:06:06) What Still Pains Akon Today? (01:08:12) “I Say Ignorant Things On Purpose” (01:11:32) What Is Akon’s Real Name? (01:16:43) Akon Explains His Polyamorous Life (01:32:22) Akon Talks About His New Album (01:36:46) Most Memorable Conversation (01:42:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Huel - http://Huel.com/WNTT with code WNTT for £10 off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Heaton reflects on the reality of 2000s fame, from competing on Popstars to forming Liberty X and stepping into a pop world that was often chaotic and intense. She opens up about what was really happening behind the headlines: the pressure to look a certain way, the shame she carried around her body, and the early patterns of addiction that followed her long before she could name them.Michelle speaks candidly about alcohol and drug addiction, hiding the truth from her husband and children, and the painful moments where part of her wanted to be caught. Michelle also reflects on the friends who tried to help, the conversation with Katie Price that helped lead her to rehab, and the impact her addiction had on her marriage, motherhood and sense of self.Michelle also shares the emotional toll of her BRCA2 diagnosis, preventative double mastectomy and early hysterectomy, and what it meant to go through menopause in her early 30s while losing her sense of identity.Now five years sober, this is a conversation about fame, shame, survival, family, recovery and learning to give yourself grace.Michelle Heaton, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of suicide, addiction and eating disorders. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below: Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Beat Eating Disorders https://linkly.link/2dx8y Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Michelle here: https://www.instagram.com/wonderwomanshel/ https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleheatonofficial (00:00) Intro (01:26) What Makes Someone a Geordie? (06:28) Body Image Struggles (08:44) Being Cast on Popstars (12:53) Going Back to a Normal Job After Popstars (16:47) How Liberty X Was Formed (23:53) Hear’Say vs Liberty X (27:04) The Highs & Lows of Life in Liberty X (35:02) Paul Surprises Michelle With a Letter (37:40) ID Mobile Ad (38:53) Relationship With the Press (42:00) Relationship With Andy Scott-Lee (47:58) ID Mobile Ad (50:45) First Experiences With Substance Abuse (56:10) Addiction to Alcohol and Binge Eating (01:04:33) Impact of Hysterectomy (01:11:55) Hiding Addiction From Everyone (01:15:19) How Addiction Affected Her Marriage (01:28:53) How Michelle Eventually Went to Rehab (01:40:24) The Reality of Mastectomies & Hysterectomies (01:57:11) Surprise Message From Her Children (01:58:14) Paul Reads a Letter From Michelle’s Husband (02:01:34) Most Memorable Conversation (02:06:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you think: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abbey Romeo became one of the most recognisable faces on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, but her journey to finding love, identity and a voice was anything but simple. In this conversation, Abbey opens up about growing up with autism, the reality of feeling isolated and misunderstood, and what life was really like before the show. Abbey shares what autism feels like from the inside, describing it as living between two worlds, while Abbey’s mum Christine reflects on the challenges of raising a child in a system she believes is often broken. They speak honestly about the early years, from communication struggles and emotional breakthroughs to the moment Abbey first understood her diagnosis and how that shaped her identity. Christine also shares the unseen side of parenting, the survival mode, the lack of support, and the turning points that slowly gave them hope. Abbey also reflects on finding love with her boyfriend David, what their relationship means to her, and the quiet ways he makes her feel safe, understood and seen. From building a successful hat business to discovering her voice through music, Abbey demonstrates how purpose, creativity and connection have transformed her life and why representation matters more than ever. Abbey Romeo, We Need To Talk (00:00) Intro (01:50) The Success of Love on the Spectrum (02:39) How Abbey Felt When She First Joined the Show (03:46) Why Hannah Montana Is Important To Abbey (04:50) Abbey and Christine on Becoming Public Figures (06:04) Why Christine Didn't Think Abbey Belonged On The Show (08:17) Abbey’s Emotional Connection to Mermaids (10:22) Abbey Gifts Paul One of Her Hats (12:32) When Abbey Discovered She Was Autistic (14:12) Abbey’s Experiences Across Different Schools (17:59) Christine’s View on the Origins of Autism (18:45) How Abbey Defines Autism (19:23) Paul Shows Abbey a Photo of Her as a Baby (21:00) What It’s Like Filming Love on the Spectrum (25:10) What Abbey Likes About Her Boyfriend David (28:31) Does Abbey Love David? (32:45) Shopify Ad (33:51) When Abbey and David Became Official (36:16) How Much Time Christine Has to Herself (37:11) Christine on Parenting an Autistic Child (41:47) What Abbey Loves Most About Christine (45:56) Abbey’s Musical Ability (47:50) Abbey’s Favourite TV Shows (49:03) David’s Ability to See Numbers as Colours (52:15) Paul Surprises Abbey With a Message From A Celebrity Guest (58:16) What Abbey Wishes People Knew About Autism (58:48) What Abbey and David Like to Do Together (59:21) The New Series Of Love On The Spectrum (01:00:03) Most Memorable Conversation (01:03:16) Paul’s Takeaways Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Follow Abbey here: https://www.instagram.com/hatsbyabbey https://www.tiktok.com/@hatsbyabbey Sponsored by: Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder were at the centre of one of the most talked about relationships in modern music history. In this rare conversation, Blake speaks openly about their relationship, addiction, fame, blame, and the headlines that followed them both. He reflects on meeting Amy in Camden, the intensity of their connection, and what their relationship was really like away from public view. Blake also revisits the chaos of the 2000s tabloid press, the pressure of sudden fame, and how Back to Black captured the pain of their breakup in real time. Blake speaks candidly about addiction, the long-standing accusations that have followed him for years, and the darkest chapters of his life, including learning of Amy’s death while he was in prison. He also confronts one of the biggest questions that still surrounds her death: who was responsible? Blake Fielder, We Need To Talk. This conversation includes discussion of suicide, addiction, self harm and eating disorders. Please watch with care. If you need support, we’ve included helpful resources below: Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Beat Eating Disorders https://linkly.link/2dx8y (00:00) Intro (01:59) Why Does Blake Want to Speak Now? (03:57) Blake Describes His Upbringing (05:26) Blake’s Life in London as a Teenager (06:04) How Blake Ended Up Working On Music Videos (07:16) What Was Blake’s Relationship With Drugs and Alcohol in His Teens? (13:16) Blake’s Self-Esteem as a Teenager (15:28) When Did Blake’s Drug Use Change From Casual to Addiction? (17:49) Blake Addresses Whether He Was an Addict Before Meeting Amy Winehouse (20:30) Blake Talks About His Mental Health Challenges as a Child (24:57) How Blake Met Amy Winehouse (40:09) Why Blake and Amy Winehouse Initially Broke Up (41:37) The Huge Popularity of ‘Back to Black’ (51:00) Blake’s Thoughts on the ‘AMY’ Documentary (55:12) How Blake and Amy Rekindled Their Relationship (57:07) Paul Shows Blake a Photo From His Wedding Day With Amy (01:02:07) The British Media in the Early Noughties (01:09:33) Blake’s Relationship With Amy’s Father Mitch (01:14:31) Amy’s Addiction While Blake Was Incarcerated (01:21:40) Did Blake and Amy Talk About Getting Clean? (01:23:15) Blake and Amy’s Interactions With Big Stars (01:27:11) Shopify Ad (01:28:13) How Did Blake and Amy Finally Separate? (01:35:53) Blake’s Final Time Seeing Amy (01:39:58) How Blake Found Out About Amy’s Passing (01:51:21) When Blake First Realised Amy Suffered From Bulimia (01:54:38) Statistics Around Drug Abuse and Bulimia (02:00:28) Blake’s Thoughts on the ‘27 Club’ (02:04:25) What Does Blake Think Amy’s Legacy Will Be? (02:07:03) What Would Blake Say To Amy Today? (02:11:32) Most Memorable Conversation (02:13:39) Paul’s Takeaways Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sponsored by: Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices