BEST OF LONDON

From designing the world's best structures to music videos and winning international swing competitions with only one shoe! A hilarious strategy for Pickle Roulette, the brutal aftermath of winning a chilli-eating contest, and the brilliant, completely free life hack for experiencing London in a whole new way.We are joined by the incredible Lesta Woo, a world-class architect, award-winning jazz dancer, and talented artist. She also happens to be visually impaired. Lesta shares her extraordinary journey.Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including Apple, Amazon music, Audible, Instagram, Twitter / X / Facebook. Click here for links to all of those :⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Highlights:The Power of Echolocation: How Lesta uses the continuous rhythm of jazz music to "see" the dance floor, avoid collisions and more.Dancing with The Stars: Behind the scenes of a massive three-day music video shoot with one of the world's most successful recording artistsWinning International Dance Competitions: Taking first place at the Upside Down Festival in Ghent—despite her shoe flying off mid-routine.Pickle Roulette & The Ring of Fire: Lesta’s fearless approach to buying mystery £1 pickles in Chinatown, and the terrifying realities of the Red Dog Saloon spicy wing challenge.The Ultimate London Life Hack: The best way to uncover the hidden magic, smells, and textures of the city.EXCLUSIVE BRAND NEW PARODY TRACKS THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE INCLUDING IN THE OUTRO AND AT THE VERY ENDPeople Mentioned in This Episode:Ed Sheeran: Global music superstar whose Azizam music video featured Lesta shaking her bum.David Attenborough: Legendary broadcaster, mentioned for featuring the Gardens by the Bay Supertrees on Planet Earth.Mike Figgis: Oscar-winning director of Leaving Las Vegas, who directed Lesta in the film London Tango.Romano Viazzani: Musician, producer of London Tango, and former Best of London guest.Amir Giles: Choreographer Kate Flatt: Artistic director and the original choreographer for Les Misérables.Jay Adegbenro: Lesta’s dance partner.Shivangee Agrawal: Audio describer for the contemporary dance show Plieu.Chris McCausland: Comedian and Strictly Come Dancing winner.Rosie Jones: Comedian whom Lesta spotted at the Scope Disability Awards.Sir Robin Miller: The blind chair of the disability equality charity Scope.Alice Gregory: Lesta’s dance partner for the disability and nightlife exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands.Best of London Picks include: The Crystal in Royal Victoria, Pleu The Place London School of Conemporary Dance, Jamboree in King's Cross (where Lesta teaches) and the inspiring Scope Awards at the Kia Oval. Her mum’s kitchen for unmatched wontons, Peppers & Spice in Dalston for incredible Caribbean patties and goat curry. Chinatown supermarkets (for Tiger Paw buns!), and K-Miso in Greenwich Market for Korean product, Clissold Park for chilling under a tree, grabbing a coffee, and saying hello to the deer.Lesta Woo:Instagram: Follow Lesta at @dis_swing_thingExhibition: See the new disability and nightlife exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON we have great shows coming up. For links click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E-mail:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I read and reply to all your e-mails.Intro and Outro music lyrics and compositions by Ben HollandBest of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.Ben's instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/benpodz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ben's TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben’s X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://x.com/benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Logo by the brilliant [email protected] and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including Apple, Amazon music, Audible, Instagram, Twitter / X / Facebook. Click here for links to all of those :⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hidden Gem: How to find PEACE and CALM. Bus that goes on land AND WATER. And how to TUBE SURF with comedian Tom Ward. Plus Shepherds Bush Empire and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever.Includes parody tracks which can only be found on this episode and nowhere else!This is a Hidden Gem (🫣💎 ) episode of Best of London including an interesting section from a previous full length episode.Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE TO  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠For the full episode this is taken from click below:⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/1chrFEeLNbWYL3W8J7UZjo?si=xf2zhmuwTtK7IPNgth4JWw⁠You can listen to the FULL episode which this HIDDEN GEM is taken from by going to the previous edition of BEST OF LONDON. In which the guest tells us their favourite places to go and things to do in London.My guest this week is Tom Ward, one of the UK’s funniest comedians. He performed a storming set on BBC’s LIVE AT THE APOLLO and he’s been on TV shows like QI and ROAST BATTLE. He hosts a show called Abandoned Engineering where they visit breathtaking places all over the world like Abandoned Olympic Villages, Huge Space Rocket Facilities, Ghost Towns and Jungle Cities. Time Out said he has fine jokes and star presence and Best of London gives him 5 stars and says he is a hilarious comedian, he’s wonderful, warm, funny, loveable and relatable. For Tom's Linktree click here:⁠https://linktr.ee/tomwardcomedianWe're kicking off the post-summer run with a Hidden Gems edition, digging into the archives with comedian Tom WardIn this episode:• Vintage Venues & Indie Rock: Why Shepherd's Bush Empire holds the crown for old London vibes, plus Tom's love for Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever.• The Windsor Water Vans: Duck Tours are relaunching. We break down the chaotic joy of driving a duck bus straight into a river.• Victoria Line Surfing: The high-stakes, zero-handhold underground sport we're trying to pioneer.• Burner Phones & Brain Space: Tom's radical method for ditching the smartphone, embracing the grayscale screen, and actually talking to strangers.• Exclusive Audio: Stick around until the very end for a brand-new parody track you won't hear anywhere else.Catch the clips and say hello on Instagram, TikTok, and X: @BenpodzConsider doing something genuinely great and register to become an organ donor today: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE TO  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Email us: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ Best of London is hosted and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.You can follow / subscribe to BEST OF LONDON on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Pocketcasts and everywhere else you get podcasts.Once a series we do a Q&A episode so please send in questions on any subject. E-mail: [email protected] OF LONDON Instagram/x is:@bestolondon with NO F ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bestolondon/⁠and has just joined TikTok at bentiktoks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of recolodesign.com. If you or your company would like to work with him email: [email protected] - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.For the full episode this is taken from click below:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1chrFEeLNbWYL3W8J7UZjo?si=xf2zhmuwTtK7IPNgth4JWw

How to move abroad, get robbed, and end up in a big movie wearing oversized men's shoes? Discover how to hire a secret private room with a massive karaoke screen for FREE in an iconic music venue, the Michelin-starred dessert you have to try, and the insider hack to scoring front-row London theatre tickets for just £10. Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You'll hear:* The Blockbuster: How volunteering at a women's health NGO led to Megan getting her purse stolen on night one, before accidentally getting cast as a journalist in a big budget film.* PhD Shortcut: How she managed to earn a doctorate while keeping her full-time job, and why her approach meant she could afford to do it.* Risky Business: Why taking a massive risk to work abroad might just allow you to get your dream job* The culture shock: Of moving from a tiny village to the big city. * The Free Birthday Hack: How to score a secret, private playroom with a massive karaoke screen and your own personal bar for absolutely nothing in one of London's most iconic music venues.Megan’s Best of London Secrets:* The Venue: The legendary Camden spot where you can catch up-and-coming stars up close, and the Nunhead vermouth bar that will instantly transport you to Madrid.* The Food: The secret Italian restaurant disguised as a tiny deli, and the Michelin-starred vegan dessert in Shoreditch that will blow your mind.* The Shopping: Forget the high street. Megan reveals the Peckham charity shop that comes with its own DJ.* Comedians in Bookshops: The tiny Bermondsey bookshop where you can catch big-name comedians like Nish Kumar and John Kearns performing up close — plus book clubs, life drawing, and craft beers.* The Area: The iconic golden Thames route from Tower Bridge to Waterloo that makes you realise how lucky you are to live in London.* The Hack: How to completely game the system and score £10 Friday rush and lottery tickets to National Theatre and Young Vic.Global health researcher Dr Megan Devonald joins Ben to share one of the wildest travel stories we've ever heard and some amazing tips.Plus Ben chats about surviving the hottest London May on record, mingling with Rose Ayling-Ellis, and Rosie Jones at the Scope Disability Awards.People Mentioned in this Episode:* Laura Willoughby* Amy Winehouse* Joy Crookes* Eddie Redmayne* Nish Kumar* John Kearns* Harriet Kemsley* Stuart Laws* Idi Amin* Hans Zimmer* Christopher Nolan* Elton John* Charlie Chaplin* Kalliopi Fouseki* Sara Al Maliki* Maria Manona* Rosie Jones* Rose Ayling-Ellis* Sir Robin MillerPlease FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E-mail:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I read and reply to all your e-mails.Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.Intro and Outro music by Ben HollandBest of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.Ben's instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/benpodz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ben's TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben’s X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://x.com/benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BEST OF LONDON logo by the brilliant [email protected] for all your logo, artwork and design needs.Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including Apple, Amazon music, Audible, Instagram, Twitter / X / Facebook. Click here for links to all of those :⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hidden Gem: Where the best Italian restaurants and cabaret clubs are in London. Includes parody tracks which can only be found on this episode and nowhere else!This is a Hidden Gem (🫣💎 ) episode of Best of London including an interesting section from a previous full length episode.Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE TO  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠You can listen to the FULL episode which this HIDDEN GEM is taken from by going to the previous edition of BEST OF LONDON. In which the guest tells us their favourite places to go and things to do in London.In this episode we hear from Romano Viazzani, a world-class musician with deep London roots and a story unlike any other who's recorded with Oscar winning directors and worked with huge music legends like Grace Jones. He's also one of the world’s finest accordionists.He grew up in the heart of Soho, one of the rare few raised within its tight-knit Italian community. As a child, he recorded a song at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles made history, and his track went on to be heard by millions around the world.He's toured the world with bands and written breathtakingly beautiful albums and soundtracks including one which was part of a film by a director who's films have won Oscars and as you'll find out it was a film that I was in.He's performed alongside musical greats like Grace Jones, Sir Bryn Terfel, and members of Roxy Music. He also won the BBC Album of the Year award as part of a renowned jazz septet.You can visit his website here: https://romanoviazzani.com/You can buy his London Tango CD with detailed liner notes here:https://zzmusic.uk/accordionshop/recordings/the-romano-viazzani-ensemble-london-tango/Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE TO  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email us: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ The show is hosted and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.You can follow / subscribe to BEST OF LONDON on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Pocketcasts and everywhere else you get podcasts.After every 10 guest episodes we do a Q&A episode so please send in questions on any subject. E-mail: [email protected] OF LONDON Instagram/x is:@bestolondon with NO F https://www.instagram.com/bestolondon/and has just joined TikTok at bentiktoks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of recolodesign.com. If you or your company would like to work with him email: [email protected] - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Award winning actor, writer and star of stage and screen Jessica Regan. You'll hear:The Fleabag Beginnings: Jessica Regan was in the room when Phoebe Waller-Bridge performed a very early version of Fleabag . She reveals the original opening line that grabbed her attention and made her laugh. The Peep Show Confession: How Jessica got to be in the cult show and another big TV show by the same writers.The 18-Month Secret: Auditioning for a role in a made-up language, getting the job, and not being told what the project is for 2 years! Franchise surprise: Jessica explains how she accidentally ended up in one of the biggest franchises in history.Ben’s Techno No-No: Why did Ben end up in a concrete basement listening to two big dogs fighting in a metal bin.Jessica’s Best of London Secrets:The Venue: A hidden gem that feels like a David Lynch movie set, that you’ve probably walked right past.The Food: The dessert in Pimlico that is so good, the staff will stop working just to watch you eat it.The Shopping: Forget Oxford Street. Jessica reveals the specific road in West London where the charity shops are better than designer boutiques.The Walk: The "Golden Hour" route that beats the South Bank every time (and has better pubs).The Hack: Why you may avoid Members' Club and the secret free alternatives that are better.Jessica Regan's amazing new show 16 Postcodes is running at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington from 25th February to 8th March. It's had 5 star reviews so get your tickets NOW. There are some £10 tickets for every performance so hurry and click this link:https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/16-postcodes-jhbyPlease FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E-mail:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I read and reply to all your e-mails.Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.Intro and Outro music by Ben HollandBest of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.Ben's instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/benpodz/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ben's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben’s X:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://x.com/benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠BEST OF LONDON logo by the brilliant [email protected] for all your logo, artwork and design needs.Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including Apple, Amazon music, Audible, Instagram, Twitter / X / Facebook. Click here for links to all of those :⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica's website: https://jessicaregan.com/big-speeches/People Mentioned in this Episode:John Kearns (Comedian & Taskmaster star)Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Creator of Fleabag)Sam Bain & Jesse Armstrong (Creators of Peep Show & Succession)Lizzy Caplan & Chris Geere (Stars of Ill Behaviour)Jenny Agutter (Star of Call the Midwife)Sarah Snook (Star of Succession & All Her Fault)Andrea Mara (Crime Thriller Author)Zoë Wanamaker (CBE, Stage & Screen Legend)Lesley Manville (CBE, Star of Mum & Phantom Thread)Conleth Hill (Star of Game of Thrones)Millie Thomas (Playwright & Screenwriter)Ruth Everett (Artist & Illustrator)Claire Regan (Musician, Cordless)Natasha Jenkins (Set & Costume Designer)Lizzie Winkler (Actor)Maggie O'Herlihy (Producer, Avex Classics)Ludovico Einaudi (Composer)Tom Salinsky (Producer of 16 Postcodes)Deborah Frances-White (Host of The Guilty Feminist)Sarah Solemani (Writer & Actor)Nat Luurtsema (Author, Screenwriter & Comedian)Seán Burke (Comedian & Sketch Artist)Jamie Oliver & Nigella Lawson (Chefs)Lena Dunham (Writer/Director)Alan Rickman: Jessica mentions serving him Campari while working at the RADA bar Ian McKellen: Jessica mentions sneaking him rosé at the RADA barIra Mandela Siobhan Movement Director