Class Clown

Stewart Lee gives his characteristically honest takes on the performers who chose to play the Riyadh Comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, why he's not into the Oasis reunion despite liking their work, why the current state of Marvel is in direct opposition to what the brand once stood for, why Star Trek is superior to Star Wars (and why Star Trek is better for people with autism). He also shares a story about getting beaten up by teenagers a few years ago, his love of Top Trumps, why you'll soon be able to buy an action figure of him and why you shouldn't use Chat GPT to write interview questions. Safe to say, this episode is an all timer! Access Part 2 right now on the Class Clown patreon 00:00 Intro, Chat GPT 04:05 Panini Stickers V Top Trumps 09:02 Riyadh Comedy Festival 10:46 Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel 20:26 Modern Comedy Industry 22:30 Oasis Reunion 26:19 Only Fools & Horses V Blackadder 27:48 Bad Behaviour 31:20 Being Beaten Up Recently 39:30 Early Drinking Stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The phenomenal Russell Kane talks to Seann Walsh about growing up in council housing, the pluses and minuses of having a scary "Ray Winstone"- style Dad, playing Dungeons & Dragons, the dangers of being a self proclaimed "Jester Bellend" and what makes someone statistically more likely to find success in comedy, and what makes you more likely to find success in Football and sports. We do our usual nostalgia-drenched either/or quiz where Russell makes the case that The Prodigy are the dance music equivalent of Oasis. To hear Part 2 immediately (and Ad FREE!) go to the CLASS CLOWN Patreon To help you ditch Vaping and Smoking, check out our sponsor, FUM. 00:00 - Episode Preview and Intro 01:17 - Nostalgic Either/Or Quiz 03:59 - Russell's love for Dungeons & Dragons 07:26 - Childhood Foolishness and Having A Scary dad 16:29 - Life in Council Housing in Enfield 22:45 - Family Heritage 27:07 - Aristotle, Early Performing and School Popularity 32:58 - What makes someone likely to be a Comedian vs a Footballer 37:20 - Intelligence, Power of a Strong Father Figure 49:39 - Russell Kane Part 2 Preview SHOW DESCRIPTION Part nostalgia trip, part confessional, part masterclass in unconventional success—this is no ordinary interview podcast. In Class Clown, Seann Walsh chats to the boldest rule-breakers in entertainment, uncovering the wild tales of childhood chaos, brushes with disaster, and the personal battles that shaped them. But beneath the mischief lies a powerful thread—how the very traits that caused trouble early on became the unexpected fuel for their biggest achievements. Expect laugh-out-loud memories, raw moments of vulnerability, and the kind of hard-won wisdom you won't hear anywhere else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel flips the the format on it's head and puts Seann under the spotlight for a moment as the pair discuss their early days gigging together. They then dig into Joel's teen years in a band, how his step Dad became a hugely influential force in shaping his psychology around work and effort, the meritocracy of the comedy circuit, how he adds his own comedy perspective into his presenting scripts (including some fun banter with Jonathan Ross when he appeared on The Masked Singer). To use our 10% Discount code foe Better Help head to ⁠BetterHelp.com/ClassClown Next week's episode will feature the hilarious Russell Kane - access 48 Hours early head to patreon.com/classclown⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to hear/watch Part 2 straight away head to patreon.com/classclown In Part 1 Joel Dommett chats about being dumped for being frigid, how he learned comedy from the Class Clown's around him and how a misjudged comment landed him a confrontation with the hardest lad in school. We get into why he was never into Blur or Oasis and he feels that he has never really fit neatly into any group. To use the 10% Discount code foe Better Help head to BetterHelp.com/ClassClown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adoption, anorexia, bulimia, drinking on parks, kiss chase gone wrong and school plays. Seann and Joanne cover a lot of ground in this funny, insightful and touching episode of Class Clown. Host: Seann WalshProducer: Adam HortonProducer: Marc PageCover Design: Ben TomsPhotography: Jack MargerisonMusic: Mike J Benwell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The amazing Josh James tells Seann Walsh about the effect being from Essex has had on his outlook growing up, why he got banned from the FA, his first gig impersonating Bill Clinton, how drugs and alcohol almost derailed his career and why he got suspended 4 times from school.This episode is sponsored by FIXR. Class Clown Listeners get £50 when hosting their first event. Head to fixr.co/p/class-clown for more info! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

amali Maddix joins Seann Walsh to chat growing up in the 90's and the 00's, almost being kicked out of school multiple times, having Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, a heartbreaking story about how a teacher's insensitive comment altered him as a person and how he overcame low expectations to achieve massive success as a comedian and documentary maker. Also covered: how his love for Biggie and Tupac evolved since he was a kid, why he is neither into Oasis or Blur and a very funny story about breaking a car window by accident. Our sponsor this week is Sheath underwear. Use discount code CLASSCLOWN for 20% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The brilliant Laura Smyth talks to Seann Walsh all about grwoing up in 80's and 90's East London, losing her father at a young age, her bad teenage years which lead to her underperforming at School. We get into her experiences as a young mum, a chance meeting with an old teacher which lead to her going back to uni and eventually pursuing a career as teacher, which she dropped in her late 30's to take on a career in comedy. Check out Laura's new pod Shouldn't Laugh But... launching August 4th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Viral comedy sensation and regular Ricky Gervais tour support Red Richardson talks to Seann Walsh about being suspended 8 times, a misguided attempt to become a life coach, his teenage love for rapping, his thoughts on comedy and being inspired by South Park, The Office, Alan partridge, Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller.Stay toxic! Host: Seann WalshProducer: Adam HortonDigital Activation Producer: Alfie DundasCover Design: Ben TomsPhotography: Jack MargerisonMusic: Mike J Benwell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The incredible Vittorio Angelone reveals how he deals with a crippling anxiety that can cause him to hallucinate, tells us about the current status of his autism evaluation and how being part of sports teams and music groups made sense to him, in a way that the rest of his school life did not. We get into house party mischief, his failed bid to be "head boy', his admiration for his schoolmates who were the Class Clowns and how being from Belfast has influenced his comedy and career. Catch Vittorio on tour by purchasing tickets here:https://vittorioangelone.com/tourAnd come see CLASS CLOWN LIVE! at Top Secret Comedy Club on July 27th with the wonderful Josh James. Tickets below:https://fixr.co/event/seann-walsh-x-josh-james-class-clown-live-podcast-tickets-938680080?lang=en-US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YouTube pioneer Max Fosh discusses the impact of his parents' divorce, playing female roles in school plays, the creative methods of bullying at private school, the keys to his content creation success, why he considers himself a comedian but not a "stand up."Host: Seann WalshProducer: Adam HortonDigital Activation Producer: Alfie DundasCover Design: Ben TomsPhotography: Jack MargerisonMusic: Mike J Benwell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop Legend Boy George chats with Seann Walsh about his distrust of authority, determination to get suspended from school, a tough upbringing, the homophobia he experienced growing up, forming Culture Club on a whim, developing his iconic look, twitter spats and how his views have matured with age. Check out Boy George's new album SE18 out now on Vinyl and CD! Host: Seann Walsh Producer: Adam Horton Digital Activation Producer: Alfie Dundas Cover Design: Ben Toms Photography: Jack Margerison Music: Mike J Benwell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hilarious Mike Rice talks us through his troubled teen years, growing up on a farm in Ireland, being suspended 5 times(!), his smart mouth getting him into all sorts of trouble, school riots, fighting, hitting puberty late, writing his own lines in the school play, panic attacks, depression and the realisation he came to that made his career possible! Host: Seann Walsh Producer: Adam Horton Digital Activation Producer: Alfie Dundas Cover Design: Ben Toms Photography: Jack Margerison Music: Mike J Benwell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jill Scott tells Seann Walsh the surprising ways she stayed focused during big football matches, how bullies taught her resilience that lead to her later success and how her love for people is what lead to her being crowned Queen of The Jungle in I'm A Celeb. Plus she delivers the untold story behind losing her temper in the Euros 2022 finals that makes Seann cry! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instagram superstar turned stand up comedy sensation Kyla Cobbler joins Seann for a hilarious chat about growing up in Cork, how she went from feeling stupid at school to learning several languages and what made her give stand up a go at 31 years old. She chats about how one of Ireland's finest new comedian's Mike Rice encouraged her and why she thinks school isn't the environment for creatives. She also chats about her love for Limp Bizkit and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, living in Italy and Spain and details how she blew up on Instagram by being authentic. Get Tickets to Seann Walsh Live at The Hackney Empire on Oct 23rd 2026 here. 00:00 Intro 00:43 Pogs Or Panini Stickers 02:23 Oasis, Blur, Limp Bizkit 04:20 Favourite Spice Girl 05:26 Weed, Booze, Love For Reading 06:36 First: Drunk, Kissing 13:40 Cork Council Estate 21:24 Dyspraxia, Little Mermaid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 37:50 Kya's "X-Men Moment" Discovering Her Ability 47:43 Dealing With Adversity, Positive Outlook 51:00 Discovering Stand Up, Living Abroad 55:00 Mastering Instagram Comedy 57:36 Mike Rice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Noble continues his interview with Seann Walsh, sharing hilarious tales about his early days as a juggler and accidentally setting people on fire and how failing at school and dealing with abuse from classmates helped make him the resilient comedian he is today. He also shares stories of his early gigs with Lee Evans, sharing a car with Rolf Harris in which Rolf revealed his not-so-kid-friendly side. Seann meanwhile shares a very funny story about his early days bonding with Jack Dee. Looking to get off the Vape? Check out FUM 00:00 Supportive Dad & Comedy Influences 05:25 Grandad's Practical Skills & Charity Work 08:25 Street Performers & Ugly Juggling Company 12:20 Setting Punters On Fire 16:40 Funding His Circus Ambitions 20:20 First Live Comedy Experience, Jack Dee, Jo Brand 30:55 Lee Evans, Rolf Harris 32:50 Bullies and Bad Reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The incredible Ross Noble joins Seann Walsh on Class Clown to discuss his savvy career moves, why saying " No" is more powerful than saying "Yes" and the influence of Eddie Izzard, Jasper Carrot & Billy Connolly. Ross talks about his surprisingly strong performance on Celebrity Apprentice, achieving incredible success despite being dyslexic and achieving only two GCSE's. Watch Part 2 Now on the Class Clown Patreon Get Tickets to see Seann Walsh Live at The Hackney Empire in 2026 00:00 Panel Shows and Saying "No" 04:17 Building His Comedy Audience 08:18 Career Savvy 13:25 ADHD, Evolving Language 16:58 Labelled "Bonkers" 21:40 Early Comedy Inspirations & Career Goals 28:08 Life Philosophies 30:51 Celebrity Apprentice 36:47 Confidence & Responsibility 42:20 Terrible Grades, Amazing Parents 51:20 Growing Up In Cramlington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of our Horatio Gould interview he talks first fights, first kisses, the significance of his early crush on Jennifer Lawrence and how Monty Python, Stewart Lee and Michael McIntyre influenced his comedy career. He also shares the story of how putting a play on for his school might be the highlight of his career so far and shares why he's glad he didn't go to film school. He also gives advice on what he would say for anyone who wants to pursue a creative career. Our episode is sponsored by Better Help - for 10% off click here. Support Class Clown on Patreon for early ad free access and a chance to ask Seann your Class Clown related questions. Catch Horatio on Fin VS History and the Boys Gone Wild podcast and on tour here. See Seann Walsh live at the Hackney Empire on 23rd October 2026 here. 00:00 Being Punched 06:20 First Time Drunk 08:30 Jennifer Lawrence & Not Driving 10:36 First Kiss 11:23 Monty Python, The Life Of Brian 13:00 Michael McIntyre & Stewart Lee 24:16 Writing A Play & Ambitions 34:20 Advice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Natalie Cawley joins Seann to dissect all the themes from our live Class Clown Podcast record with Essex's best boy, Josh James - Childhood Guilt, Bullying, Flow State and Denial! It's all covered here! Plus, Seann reads a very funny story from one of our Patreons! And don't forget to check out Dr Natalie Cawley's book Just About Coping! 00.00 Denial 06.23 Flow State & Creativity 16.59 Childhood Guilt 23.45 Listener Stories - Bad Lunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The phenomenal Horatio Gould, co-host of Fin Vs History & Boys Gone Wild and behind the scenes creative of Fin Vs Internet, joins Class Clown and reveals his comedy origin story which occurred in French class, how his love for History birthed one of the UK's biggest podcasts and how the combination of having an aspirational working class father and a middle class mum gives him a unique perspective on class. He talks about the dynamics of private school, and being on the receiving end of anti-semitism despite not being Jewish and tells a very funny story about starting a teenage Fight Club. Check our part 2 straight away on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ClassClown See Horatio Gould live https://www.mickperrin.com/tours/horatio-gould-return-of-the-space-cowboy/ 00:00 Intro, Horatio and Seann's Early Achievements 02:00 Panini Stickers V Pokemon 03:28 Oasis, Richard Ashcroft 08:40 Weed v Booze 14:00 Playing Out v Computer Games 17:05 Harry Potter v Super Hero Films 18:13 House Parties, Smoking, Hip Hop 23:04 Attitude to being in Trouble 26:28 Early Life, Class, Private School 39:28 The Future, Hating School 41:12 Dyspraxia 48:31 Class Clown, Bad Behaviour 55:22 Fin Vs History Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices