The Scummy Mummies Podcast

We've got a live one! This special episode was recorded in front of a lovely audience at the Soho Hotel. We talk about our relationships with fitness - everything from Helen's epic running to Ellie's dodgy knees. We discuss how we both hated exercise at school, and why that changed as we got older. Helen explains how getting out of her marriage led to a change in mindset, and Ellie confuses herself with a complicated analogy about hobs and saucepans, or something. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Sweaty Betty. We've been wearing their exercise gear for years, so we're very happy to be working with them. Sweaty Betty’s mission for the past 25 years has been to empower women through fitness – and for 2025 they’re doubling down on this by encouraging women to release that inner pressure and move in a way that makes you feel good. You might be strong today but struggle tomorrow. Or you might train for success, or to shut out the noise. Working up a sweat looks different to everyone; it’s about finding a fitness that fits you.We're doing another live podcast with Sweaty Betty on 12 February, in Liverpool - tickets are available now. You can sponsor Helen for completing all the World Major Marathons in Tokyo in March for the Borne Charity here.And our new show, Hot Mess, is almost ready for its world premiere! Our first few shows have already sold out, so get your tickets now... scummymummies.comThanks for sponsoring us, Sweaty Betty. And thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the secret to a happy marriage? Which one of us didn't know what a reacharound is until today? Are bouquet garnis worth it? We answer all these questions, along with the most important one of all: why are people still listening to this nonsense, 300 episodes in? Joining us is the brilliant Rob Deering. He tells us about his 25 year career in comedy, and what he believes has kept him and his wife together for so long. Ellie also shares her top tip for staying married (spoiler: it involves a lot of WhatsApp groups.)As this is our 300th episode, we thought we'd bring back our fave game of yesteryear, Handbag Surprise. Plus, a daft quiz! And, of course, some Scummy Mummy Confessions, involving sex, burping, and a Christmas present fail. Do check out Rob and Paul's excellent running podcast, Running Commentary, wherever you get your podcasts. Rob's book is called Running Tracks and it's out now. The other podcast Ellie mentions in this episode is called The Swinging Palm Trees. Rob is directing our brand new show, HOT MESS! Tickets are now on sale for billions of gigs all over the country throughout 2025. Come and see us in Horsham, Stockport, Wrexham, Birmingham, Farnham, Leeds, Sheffield, Stroud, Harlow, Dunstable... And that's just March and April! Check scummymummies.com for more dates and tickets. Huge thanks to all the amazing guests we've had over the last 300 episodes. It has been such a joy and a privilege to meet so many interesting, clever, funny people, and also Steve Hill. But the biggest thanks of all goes to everyone who has listened to and left lovely reviews for our silly old podcast. We never thought we'd still be here 300 episodes later, but we're so happy that we are. Thank you, so much, for listening. x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's some full-on honest chat in this episode as we talk about all things downstairs with Kelly Newton and Coni Jefferson-Longden, the founders of NIXI Body. Kelly tells us how pissing herself inspired her to become a pioneering inventor and engineer. We also hear about her experience of fostering 28 children over a period of 19 years. Coni shares some fascinating facts about cervical mucus, and we learn why the gussets on our pants sometimes go a bit orangey. She discusses her challenging journey to becoming a mum, and tells us what not to say to anyone dealing with fertility issues. There's a bit of chat about post-partum exercise versus taking it easy. Plus, find out why Ellie smacked Helen on the bum, and whether she liked it. Many thanks to NIXI Body for sponsoring this episode. We are massive fans of their excellent knickers - they're so comfy, stylish, and amazingly leak-proof. We can run and wiggle about in them as much as we like, with no worries about periods or bladder business. Plus, no VPL! Head over to NIXIbody.com  to have a look at the full range. We are bringing our BRAND NEW SHOW, Hot Mess, to theatres all over the country in 2025! The preview shows are in South East London this February. Then it all kicks off in Horsham, Stockport, Harlow, Birmingham, Wrexham, Salisbury and Farnham in March. In April we're coming to Leeds, Sheffield, Stroud and Epsom. Then we're off to Dunstable, Chelmsford, Worthing, Cardiff, Worcester, and many more... Visit  scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What mistake do all would-be novelists make? What's it like to be nominated for the Booker prize? And what's the best drink to pair with a Greggs Steak Bake? Helping us answer all these questions is the brilliant novelist Charlotte Mendelson! We discuss Charlotte's latest book, Wife, plus her work as a creative writing teacher. She tells us what all her students have in common, reveals her top tips for finishing your novel, and shares the best piece of writing advice she was ever given. We also discuss the economics of being a writer, and accidentally have a serious debate about AI. Then it's time for relationship chat as we look at how people end up in bad partnerships, and why they stay. Charlotte talks about the pressure of being a poster family when you're a gay parent, and what it's like to have adult kids. Plus: book recommendations if you're going through a divorce, why Calpol syringes are better than turkey basters, and that time Charlotte saw Keir Starmer in a Gail's.  Wife is out now, and it's a great read for anyone interested in breakups, jokes, lesbians and/or Australians. We are bringing our BRAND NEW SHOW, Hot Mess, to theatres all over the country in 2025! The preview shows are in South East London this February. Then it all kicks off in Horsham, Stockport, Harlow, Birmingham, Wrexham, Salisbury and Farnham in March. In April we're coming to Leeds, Sheffield, Stroud and Epsom. Then we're off to Dunstable, Chelmsford, Worthing, Cardiff, Worcester, and many more... Visit  scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time for the filthiest, silliest and sweariest episode of the year - it's the Scummy Mummies Christmas Podcast! We are joined by our old friends Miserable Steve, Nurse Jessie and Sam Pamphilon. We discuss our highs and lows of 2024, and find out what Steve means when he talks about getting his balls drained. Of course, our festive Scummy traditions return - join us as we wish Linda a happy birthday, and find out if Jessie has a new job. Plus: who will win this year's Ham Review? There's a hilarious story about not defrosting some gammon, a warning about the dangers of Chinese laxative tea, and a deep dive into the origins of our 2024 slogan, "No tuna, no vape." And not one, but two stupid quizzes!We also share the strongest Scummy Mummy Confession we heard this year, and enjoy a heated and graphic debate about the best way to unblock a toilet. Trigger warnings: sexual deviancy, toilet "humour", guinea pig death/exhumation. Ellie used Felicity Cloake's ham recipe, while Helen went with one by Sarah Rossi. Her brilliant book, What's for Christmas Dinner?, is out now. Thank you for listening. And a special shoutout to all those who have listened to every episode of our podcast for the last 11 bloody years. We really appreciate your support and tolerance. As always, this Christmas Special is for you. See you in 2025 with our brand new show, Hot Mess, and massive UK tour! Some tickets on sale now via scummymummies.com.Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, lots of love from Helen and Ellie xxx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are modern mums more stressed than their predecessors, and if so, why? What's the best way to deal with anger, and what should you do if you've shouted at your children? How do you accept that you're just not good enough? Answering all these questions is the amazing psychotherapist Anna Mathur! She tells us all about her brilliant new book, The Uncomfortable Truth: Change Your Life By Taming Ten Of Your Greatest Fears. We discuss everything from death and rage to phone addiction and crap holidays. Then we round off with some Confessions involving coping strategies, lentils, and Miserable Steve and his enormous hose. Anna's latest book is out now! You can follow her on Instagram @annamathur.*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Many dates are sold out but there are still a few tickets left for Twickenham tonight and tomorrow, and Finchester on Friday. Then next week we're off to Winchester, Wells and Leatherhead. And we round off the year on 17 and 18 December, followed by Kent on the 19th. Plus look out for tickets to our brand new 2025 show, Hot Mess - they make great xmas presents! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we answer all the burning questions we've had recently about the theft of Ellie's wedding rings. How did they get nicked in the first place? What was the piece of advice that helped her get them back? Is the vow renewal still going ahead??? Listen in to find out! It's just the two of us for this one, live from the glamorous setting of a Premier Inn hotel room in Norwich. As well as discussing the ring drama, we take the opportunity to say some nice things to each other, and even get a bit weepy at one point. But don't worry, there's plenty of pisstaking and swearing too. Thank you for listening. And thank you to everyone who liked Ellie's posts, made lovely comments, and gave helpful advice. The internet can be a dreadful place, we all know that. But it's lovely when you discover little pockets of love and joy, and we're very grateful to have found one here. Love Ellie and Helen x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we keep children safe when they're playing games online? What's the best way to manage screentime? What is Fortnite, why is it so popular, and what age should kids be allowed to start playing it? Helping us answer all these questions is the awesome author and video games journalist, Keith Stuart!This special episode is sponsored by Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. We talk about some of the positive aspects of gaming, including why games can be a lifeline for neurodivergent children. We also offer some tips for parents for getting involved in their kids’ gaming and avoiding arguments about screentime, or at least reducing them.Then it's time for a chat about Fortnite specifically - we explain how it all works, and take a look at the wide range of experiences on offer within the game, such as LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and thousands more. We also discuss Epic’s approach to safety and some of the parental controls available for you to use. There's also a bit of book chat - Keith is now writing his fifth novel, and we find out about his writing routine. His latest book, Love is a Curse, is out now.Do have a look at the websites we recommend - askaboutgames.com and familygamingdatabase.com. Check out Epic’s Safety and Security site for more info. And check out Andy Robertson's great book, Taming Gaming.Thanks again to our sponsors, Epic Games.And thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the best brand of air fryer? How can bad bakers get better? And why does the This Morning baking expert hate making wedding cakes? Answering all these questions is the fabulous Juliet Sear! She tells us all about her amazing career, from making the world's first edible Christmas jumper to becoming a daytime TV star and ending up with eight air fryers in her house. We share some of our culinary disasters, and find out what went wrong the time Juliet tried to make a red velvet cake for Mel B. She reveals the truth about celebrity chef cookbooks, and gives us her top tip for the best chips ever. Plus: can she convince Ellie to give in and get an air fryer? Tune in to find out! Juliet's brilliant book, Air Fryer Baking Magic, is out now (and all the excellent recipes can be made without an air fryer, FYI.) Check out her gorgeous fashion line at sugarhillbrighton.com, and head over to laineslondon.com for a look at her super sexy and unbelievably comfy slippers. She's on Instagram @julietsear.*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Very soon we're coming to Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead... And then it's our Christmas tour! Harrogate, Newcastle, Twickenham, Colchester, Finchley, Winchester, Wells, Leatherhead, Cambridge and Benenden. Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is having ADHD like being a butterfly? Why are women still being defined by what their husbands do? And do sharks really love heavy metal? Helping us to answer all these questions is the awesome Lliana Bird! She tells us about her children's book, Baboo the Unusual Bee, which she wrote while breastfeeding. We share our memories of being new mums, and reveal the advice we wish we'd had back in the day. Lliana talks about her shock at discovering that women's pages are disappearing from wikipedia, thanks to some good old fashioned misogyny. We also have a good old chinwag about everything from her time as Xfm's longest serving woman DJ to female friendship, the mental load, and why mice sing when they want a shag. Baboo the Unusual Bee is out now. Follow Lliana on Instagram @llianabird. *WE ARE ON TOUR!* Very soon we're coming to Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead... And then it's our Christmas tour! Harrogate, Newcastle, Twickenham, Colchester, Finchley, Winchester, Wells, Leatherhead, Cambridge and Benenden. Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a special LIVE podcast, recorded at the awesome Big Feastival this summer. Our guest is Cat Sims, known on the socials as @notsosmugnow. We cover a host of topics in this podcast, from starting school to managing teens, coping with WhatsApp groups and dealing with nits. We chat about the three things you should never talk about with other parents, and have a heated debate about laundry. We bring back the classic game Handbag Surprise and of course we share some Scummy Mummy Confessions. There's even a cameo from a special guest at the end. And all in front of a live audience! In a tent! Huge thanks to Big Feastival for having us, and to Cat for being such a great guest - follow her on all the things @notsosmugnow, and check out her excellent honest baby book, The First Time You Smiled (Or Was it Just Wind?)*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Very soon we're coming to Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode is the hilarious Michael Akadiri! He tells us why he switched from junior doctor to comedian, but always wanted to be a footballer. We find out how he's enjoying being a new dad, and laugh at the ludicrous extravagance of his son's first birthday party. There's some advice for anyone about to start medical school, and Michael shares how working as a psychiatric nurse helped him become a better doctor. Plus: is it OK to push your kids towards sporting excellence? What's Ellie's top tip for potty training? And what would our wrestling names be? Tune in to find out. Michael's latest stand-up show, Trust Me, I'm a Daddy, is coming to London this week, then he's in Cambridge, Aberystwyth, Bristol, Birmingham and many more... Go to michaelakadiri.com for dates and tickets. *WE ARE ON TOUR!* Very soon we're coming to Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How come different people find different things funny? Why is When Harry Met Sally a better film than Love Actually? And can dogs laugh? Helping us to answer all these questions is award-winning comedy writer Joel Morris! He tells us about his new book, Be Funny or Die: How Comedy Works and Why It Matters. We find out what it's like to write jokes for Charlie Brooker and Philomena Cunk, and why Joel hasn't got a BAFTA, even though he won a BAFTA. Plus - how does Joel feel about his books ending up in charity shops, and is it OK to give up gardening if you're crap at gardening? We finish off with some top Scummy Mummy Confessions, including a triple whammy from Ellie involving an Italian wedding. Joel's brilliant book is out now, and as mentioned he has a great substack. The gaming podcast he made with Ellie is called Extra Life, the other one we talk about is Comfort Blanket, and they're both available wherever you found this. *WE ARE ON TOUR!* Very soon we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you really need to follow fashion when you've just had a baby? What's the best way to work on self-esteem? Is it still OK to wear skinny jeans? And why is Ellie in trouble with her Dad even though she's 46? Helping us to answer all these questions is stylist extraordinaire Sophia Lorimer!Known on the socials as @finedtunedwardrobe, Sophia is a fashionista with a difference. She's all about shopping your wardrobe and sustainability - in fact, she hasn't bought anything new from a shop in five years. We talk about that, along with how Sophia's attitude to clothes was shaped by growing up as one of eight sisters. She tells us about her experience of having post-natal depression, how she managed to get through it, and why it changed how she sees fashion forever. We discuss comfort versus style, and Sophia gives us some practical tips for feeling better about our bodies and breaking an addiction to fast fashion. She reveals why she's not a big fan of Vinted, and shares her own biggest fashion disaster. Do check out the services Sophia offers and her fabulous fashion sense @finetunedwardrobe, and her website - finetunedwardrobe.com. And have a look at our main Instagram feed for a video of Sophia judging our ghosts of fashion past...*WE ARE ON TOUR!* In the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's it like to perform a hilarious comedy show about death? Here to tell us all about it is stand-up legend Ed Byrne.We discuss his 30 year career in comedy and how he got started. Then there's some chat about his latest show, Tragedy Plus Time. We talk about the loss of Ed's brother, Paul, and Ellie explains why his was the funniest funeral she's ever been to. We also discuss the difference between dealing with family and friends, and Ed offers some advice for what to do when sibling relationships go wrong. It all sounds a bit serious, doesn't it? But honestly, we manage to have a right laugh along the way. We end with a shared Scummy Mummy Confession from Helen and Ellie, plus an account of some terrible behaviour by Ed in a hotel. *WE ARE ON TOUR!* We will be at Big Feastival in August, doing a show and a podcast on the Sunday. Then in the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode is the hilarious comedian Helen Lederer! We talk about how she helped pave the way for slags trying to be funny like us. She tells us what it was like to do stand-up in the eighties, alongside the likes of Ben Elton and Ellie's Dad, and we discuss what's changed since. Lederer tells us all about her brilliant book, Not That I'm Bitter, which is out now. She explains what it's like to write a memoir that's honest and funny without being mean, and we touch on some of the sexier bits (for the full saucepan story, you'll need to buy the book - it's a good one.)There's also some chat about dealing with bad reviews and self-doubt, and whether life gets better after 50. And of course, there are some Scummy Mummy Confessions - this week involving vag eye and shouting. You can follow Helen on all the things @helenlederer. *WE ARE ON TOUR!* We will be at Big Feastival in August, doing a show and a podcast on the Sunday. Then in the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the best thing to say to someone who's in mourning? Is the second year of grief really the hardest? And who was the lead singer of Westlife? Helping us answer all these questions is the amazing Stacey Heale! She tells us what it was like to lose her husband, Greg, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer on their daughter's first birthday. Stacey explains what life is like now, nearly three years after his death. We discuss Widow's Fire - the phenomenon of bereaved people who turn to sex for comfort. Plus, the best and worst ways to help someone you love through the grieving process. It all sounds a bit dark, doesn't it? But honestly, we have loads of laughs along the way. We also take a deep dive into the live advice of Ireland's greatest philosopher-king, Ronan Keating, and discover Helen knows nothing about boy bands. We finish with some Scummy Mummy Confessions involving wee and a close encounter with a member of Bros. Stacey's brilliant book, Now is Not the Time for Flowers, is out now. Follow her on insta @stacey_heale.*WE ARE ON TOUR!* We have one more show this summer, in Sevenoaks on 19 July. Then in the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special bonus episode was recorded on Saturday 6 July, just two days after the general election. We got to interview Jess Phillips MP in front of a live audience at the Birmingham MAC, and she was brilliant. We covered loads of topics including Jess's work in the areas of women's rights and domestic violence, what she wants the new Labour government to prioritise, and what she thinks of Starmer's cabinet appointments. We also talk about the abuse suffered by Jess and her staff in the run-up to the election, and why she thinks it was the worst campaign she's ever been involved in. Plus: fancying Stanley Tucci, why becoming an MP is like joining the NCT, and parliamentary hairdressers - do Tories have better hair? After all that we had some questions from the audience that were so brilliant we ran out of time (forgot) to do the Scummy Mummy Confessions. But if that's your favourite bit of the show, have no fear - we have something special coming soon. Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you don't miss out. Huge thanks to Jess Phillips, and a massive thank you to the Birmingham MAC for having us. If you're round that way do check out their Motherhood Season - there are loads of amazing talks, exhibitions, workshops and more running right through September. *WE ARE ON TOUR!* We have one more show this summer, in Sevenoaks on 19 July. Then in the autumn we're coming to Barnard Castle, Darlington, Sturminster Newton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Hertford, Canterbury, Blackburn, Tenbury Wells, Newport, Norwich, East Grinstead, Harrogate, Newcastle... And then it's our Christmas tour! Go to scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode is best-selling author, dear friend and Saturday Kitchen wine expert Helen McGinn! She tells us what wine we should be looking for in the shops this summer. We discuss whether Whispering Angel is worth the money, and McGinn gives us some suggestions for budget rosés, cheap fizz, picnic wines, and what to stick in the fridge if you fancy a nice chilled red. We find out what goes on behind the scenes at Saturday Kitchen, who McGinn's favourite celeb guests have been, and which one she got told off for staring at.There's also some book chat as McGinn tells us how she's managed to write four bestsellers and counting. She explains how her creative process has changed, and reveals the biggest lesson she's learned about writing fiction. We round off with some Scummy Mummy Confessions involving a hamster, lying to children, and al fresco rumpy pumpy.This episode was recorded at the Park Lane Hilton - huge thanks to them for having us.Here are McGinn's wine recommendations.Majestic Agapi roséM&S Asti SeccoSainsbury's rosé cavaWaitrose SusumanielloMcGinn's brilliant new book, Island of Dreams, is out now. Do check out the Knackered Mother's Wine Club, Homemade Cocktails and Helen's other novels, too. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you get a book deal? Is Michael Buble's music for life, or just for Christmas? What's it like to watch your husband simulate anal sex with one of Britain's leading actors? Answering all these questions is the brilliant Beth Morrey! She tells us how her first novel ended up in a bidding war after facing loads of rejections, and how her writing process works now. We hear her top tip for avoiding procrastination, and learn why she doesn't read her own reviews. Then yes, it's a bit early, but we discuss Ellie and Beth's shared love of all things Christmas. Are they insane, or just organised? You decide! (NB There is a bit of Santa chat here, so maybe skip ahead if there are little ones around...)Beth talks about the hilarious back to school photos she does every year with her husband, Magic Radio's Tom Price. We brainstorm some new ideas for her. And if you remember Tom's Billie Piper story from previous episodes, get ready to enjoy a whole new layer of hilarity. We end with Scummy Mummy Confessions - you may never eat cherries again. Beth's fantastic new book, Lucky Day, is out now. Find her on Insta and X @bethmorrey.*WE ARE ON TOUR!* Come and see our live comedy show in Exeter, Redruth, Newbury, Watford, Sevenoaks... Big Scottish tour in October... And new dates are being added all the time! Keep an eye on scummymummies.com for announcements and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY!   We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.