The Way They Were
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© 2025 The Way They Were
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The podcast where every celebrity split is the one that got away. Each week comedians Grainne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate take a deep dive into a celebrity breakup, chosen by a special guest, that still lingers in their hearts and minds. We scour interviews, over-analyse iconic pictures and search for meaning in post-breakup media statements. Celeb gossip hounds will feel right at home, but really anyone who's experienced a breakup can appreciate hearing how the rich and famous take heartbreak to a whole new level. They might uncouple ‘amicably with love and respect for one another’ - but we never get over these lost loves! Join us every Friday for a new episode.
142 Episodes
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In New York, love is everything — until it isn’t. This week on The Way They Were, Chantal and Gráinne celebrate the return of And Just Like That by taking a walk down memory lane. So pour the cosmos and let’s count down the top five Sex and the City breakups. From Post-it notes to wedding day bust-ups, we couldn't help but think: is Sex and the City the best TV show of all time? Let us know in the comments!
The full episode is available now on our Patreon — sip, listen, and support us here: https://patreon.com/TheWayTheyWere
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A whirlwind romance that burned bright, fizzled fast, and left the tabloids confused as to what just happened. Ashton and Brittany gave us chaos, comedy, and a very short-lived love story. This week, Gráinne and Chantal are joined by Chris De Rosa, cohost of Fixing Famous People, to relive the highs, the lows, and the red-carpet PDA of one of the naughty's best celebrity pairings. We may even get some special insights from Chris's conversations with the afterlife…
For extra episodes, ad free versions and early releases why not join our Patreon? You'll even get a shoutout on the show and a chance to chat with Gráinne and Chantel in our gossip room.
patreon.com/TheWayTheyWere
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She was the Vicar of Dibley and he the king of Comic Relief. Together, they were the King and Queen of British comedy. Dawn French and Lenny Henry were the nation’s funniest couple but behind the gags and the glitter, their marriage had ups, downs and an unforgettable night out with John Sessions.
This week on The Way They Were, Chantal and Gráinne are joined by broadcaster, campaigner and author Natasha Devon to unravel the love story that made us laugh, broke our hearts, and proved that even legends can’t always make it work.
Want our episodes ad free and early episodes? Fancy a shoutout on the pod? Howe about special bonus episodes every other week? Get all of this and more on our Patreon!
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Oh baby baby, how was she supposed to know that something wasn’t right? Britney Spears thought Kevin Federline was her happily-ever-after but soon turned into a one of the biggest breakups of the 00s.
This week on The Way They Were, Chantal and Gráinne are joined by guest of honour Claire Parker, co-host of Celebrity Memoir Book Club, to dig into the heady highs, the very public lows, and the sombre truths behind one of celebrity culture’s most chaotic love stories.
NOTE - If you thought Chantal was a little quieter than usual on this week’s episode, you’re right! Two Britney superfans took centre stage, while she kept some of her thoughts back. Now she’s recorded her own right to reply, a short solo take on the Britney narrative, and it’s up on Patreon’s free feed. if you fancy hearing what Chantz was really thinking.
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Before the Frasier reboot, before the Tony Awards, before the dinner party from hell - there was just Kelsey and Camille.
This week, comedian, agony aunt and Attitudes! host Bryan Safi joins us to revisit the unforgettable union of sitcom royalty and a dancer on club MTV who would go on to become "the most hated housewife in America".
Was it true romance or simply a love bomb that blew up on national television? Bryan helps Chantal and Gráinne dig through the drama, the showbiz, and the pegging allegations in this very special episode of The Way They Were.
Also if you're in Edinburgh this month you simply have to go watch Bryan's show: Are you mad at me?
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To get the latest episode of the podcast early and ad free, visit our Patreon here: patreon.com/TheWayTheyWere
By popular demand, Gráinne and Chantal dive into the unlikely, unbelievable, and utterly adorable romance between Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson.
With both stars carrying enough tragic backstory to write a series of novels, could this be the rare beam of romantic sunshine in an otherwise awful summer? Or is it all too good to be true?
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She’s the Queen of Pop. He’s the matinee idol who didn’t want to be filmed feeling things. This week on The Way They Were, Chantal and Gráinne are joined by comedian and lifelong Madonna fanatic Dane Buckley to relive the high-camp, high-conflict love affair between Madonna and Warren Beatty.
From the set of Dick Tracy to the iconic Truth or Dare documentary, the pair’s romance was equal parts glamour, ego, and deeply awkward silences.
You don't want to miss this one!
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This week on a very special The Way They Were, we’re lighting a black candle and cranking up the Sabbath, because Ozzy Osbourne has taken his final bow.
In honour of the man, the myth, the prince of Darkness, Gráinne and Chantal dive into his decades-long, chaotic, and somewhat violent marriage to Sharon Osbourne.
Was it true love or the ultimate power couple? We look at one of the longest rock 'n' roll romances of all time.
We'll be back next week with brand new episodes!
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Welcome to the very first edition of THE GOSSIP — where Chantal and Gráinne crack their knuckles, flip open the tabloids, and say the quiet bits out loud. You asked for it. And by asked, we mean demanded in the DMs.
This week: Katy and Orlando’s break-up comes under the microscope as our cupids try to figure out what has gone wrong between the interstellar popstar and the former elf/pirate.
Plus we announce the return date of The Way They Were! (5th of August, mark your diaries!)
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It’s the season finale, and it’s time for Bennifer! No, not that Bennifer. We’re talking about the sequel duo: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner — and things are getting messy. Gráinne and Chantal have called in Alias superfan and casual observer of all things Affleck, Stuart Laws, to help make sense of this rebound for the ages.
From Daredevil to that bizarre Oscars speech — and what was the deal with the nanny? We’re covering it all.
PLUS, we reveal our big end-of-season surprise: the brand new The Way They Were Patreon!
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STOP THE PRESS! Another celebrity breakup has rocked our world, so Gráinne and Chantal dropped everything to bring you this emergency episode on a Sunday morning. Karmas a bitch, and she's with us right now as we dive into the end of the relationship between 'gay pop princess' Jojo Siwa and influencer Kath Ebbs.
We cover all the ins and outs that led up to our star-crossed lovers publicly announcing their split after four months. Plus, we dig into Jojo's experience and personal growth in the Celeb Big Brother house — and her unlikely friendship with Chris Hughes.
So if a 14-minute TikTok wasn't enough to satisfy your curiosity about this breakup, this emergency ep is here for YOU!
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Put on your best powdered wig, pour a generous brandy, and brace yourself for scandal as we revisit one of history's messiest royal romances: the unholy matrimony of King George IV and Caroline of Brunswick. It’s a love story makes Charles and Diana look dull.
Gráinne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate welcome special guest Nikki Druce, the undisputed queen of macabre history podcasts, to spill the gory details. From odious first impressions to the most embarrassing coronation crash you don't want to miss this one.
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Light a pungent candle, get yourself comfortable perched on a jade egg, and prepare to consciously uncouple as The Way They Were dives into the iconic noughties love story of Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin. Just remember, nobody said it was easy...
Hosts Gráinne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate welcome BBC Radio 1’s early-morning queen Alice Hopkins to explore this revolutionary pair. From the most iconic child name in celebrity history to the ultimate euphemism for a breakup, this duo rewrote the rulebook for celebrity couples.
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They thought that love could keep them together, but not even a Captain could weather this romantic storm. So pour yourself a piña colada, weigh anchor, and yacht rock into the night for the spectacular 100th episode of The Way They Were!
Our very own centurions, Gráinne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate, are joined by comedy power couple Paul F. Tompkins and Janie Haddad Tompkins to explore the heartbreaking love story of Captain & Tennille.
So grab your elastic bands, slap on your skipper’s cap, and answer the question: will you do it with us one more time?
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In the final instalment (for now) of this off shoot series of the main show, Grainne and Chantal get to the heart of why love and politics DO mix... at least in the case of Bill and Hilary Clinton, a power couple in just about every sense of the word, despite a few ummmm challenges that is.
See you next week for The Way They Were Christmas special, maybe it's time to look at the lasting love of Mr and Mrs Klaus?
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In today's instalment of The Way They ARE, we are ALL amused at the right royal romance that was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as it's often held aloft as the quintessential fairy tale love story.. but perhaps other motives were at work behind the scenes, and that one of the party weren't quite as on board with it as legend suggests? This ep is an eyeopener in more ways than one...believe me....
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In our next instalment of our mini-series, The Way They Are, Chantal and Grainne explore the tempestuous - and ultimately tragic - love story of JFK Junior and Carolyn Bessette, which was as overtly passionate, as it was stylish. As we know the lives of this beautiful young couple were cut way too short, so our hosts imagine what this romance could have been if it was allowed to run its full course.
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Chantal is back in the chair for this episode of The Way They ARE - and what JOY she is spreading, as she presents to us the elusive, but very much celebrated and newish love that appears to have formed between two of showbiz's most loved stars ... Meryl Streep and Martin Short! Grainne nearly jumped out of her seat when the realisation hit that we would be revelling in this most well deserved happy endings, the likes of which most movies could only dream of!
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In the second outing of the little cousin of The Way They Were - aka, The Way They ARE - it's Grainne's turn to present us with a couple, who despite all odds, managed to keep their wedding vows.
And in this case 'till death do us part' was probably the promise that saved them from the scandal of the divorce courts.
And in Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd's day, it was probably easier to suck it up and hope they didn't have to stay wed in the afterlife!
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