Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

Join us for the second half of our walk with Josh Widdicombe!Josh tells us about changing as a person and how he tried to heal his toxic relationship with work. We also find out how Parenting Hell makes him feel a little like a Kardashian… and how sharing more about himself has made him a better comedian. We also find out how Josh is getting on getting ready for his appearance on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special - you can watch him on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day! Josh will be touring the UK with his new show Not My Cup of Tea across 2025 and 2026. Extra dates have been added due to phenomenal demand - so head to https://www.joshwiddicombe.com/ to get your tickets now!Listen to Emily and Ray’s first walk with Josh from February 2019Josh’s book Watching Neighbours Twice a Day...: How ’90s TV (Almost) Prepared Me For Life is available now!Parenting Hell with Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett is available on all podcast platformsFollow @Josh_Widdicombe on InstagramFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re in Hyde Park today with our old pal the comedian, presenter and actor Josh Widdicombe! Josh and Ray have a bit of backstory - the pretty much fell in love when Josh last appeared on the podcast in 2019. We were thrilled to go on another walk with him - because we have a LOT to catch up on…We find out what Josh thinks will be featured on his obituary, the effect of growing up in a very isolated place, and how life has changed thanks to his podcast Parenting Hell which he co-hosts with Rob Beckett. Josh will be touring the UK with his new show Not My Cup of Tea across 2025 and 2026. Extra dates have been added due to phenomenal demand - so head to https://www.joshwiddicombe.com/ to get your tickets now!Listen to Emily and Ray’s first walk with Josh from February 2019Josh’s book Watching Neighbours Twice a Day...: How ’90s TV (Almost) Prepared Me For Life is available now!You can watch Josh on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, which will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day!Parenting Hell with Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett is available on all podcast platformsFollow @Josh_Widdicombe on InstagramFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the second part of our conversation with musical powerhouse Marisha Wallace.Marisha tells us all about her interpretations of the iconic roles of Ado Annie in Oklahoma and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. She tells us about finding out she was nominated for an Olivier Award in the Celebrity Big Brother house. Marisha also speaks candidly about being a victim of a cruel financial scam, and how she has moved forward from that low point.We spoke to Marisha on the day it was announced she will be taking over the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret from January 2025. Marisha explains what it means to be a black woman playing that iconic role, and how hard she has worked to get to this point. On 11th March - Marisha is returning to the Adelphi Theatre for her biggest ever headline show. It's going to be an absolutely spectacular evening of music - and you can find out more information and get your tickets here!Marisha will be playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret from 28th January 2025 - get your tickets here!Marisha is also currently playing The Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood at The London Palladium - get your tickets here!Follow @marishawallace on InstagramFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re joined by the two-time Olivier Award nominated singer and actress Marisha Wallace!Marisha has the most incredible, powerful voice - so we spoke to her at home in order to preserve her precious instrument from the bad weather!Growing up on a hog farm in North Carolina, Marisha is no stranger to dogs... she tells us all about her favourite ever dog - a boxer called Chaos (who had a matching personality!) After starting singing at the age of five in the church - Marisha tells us about how she learned to use her talent as currency, before finding out she needed vocal surgery at the age of 17. Marisha's big break came in the US tour of Book of Mormon - before getting the call to make her West End debut playing Effy White in Dreamgirls, with only five days notice…On 11th March - Marisha is returning to the Adelphi Theatre for her biggest ever headline show. It's going to be an absolutely spectacular evening of music - and you can find out more information and get your tickets here!Marisha will be playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret from 28th January 2025 - get your tickets here!Marisha is also currently playing The Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood at The London Palladium - get your tickets here!Follow @marishawallace on InstagramFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re in Battersea Park with Lloyd Griffith! Lloyd tells us about his recent experience of having a hair transplant, his love for hi-vis and the importance of being ready to appear on TV as a comic. He also tells us the story of auditioning for a part in Return To Paradise - the second spin-off series of long-running crime series Death In Paradise - and what it was like to move to Australia to film the series. All six episodes of Return to Paradise are now available on BBC iPlayer, with the series airing weekly on BBC One from 8pm every Friday! Follow @lloydgriffith on Instagram Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Emily and Ray with comedian, actor, presenter and singer Lloyd Griffith - in his spiritual home, London’s Battersea Park! Lloyd tells us all about growing up in Grimsby with his mum and sister and then how is life changed when he got a scholarship to St James’ Choir School. Lloyd reveals what it's like to walk into a room knowing you can sing, being known for being ‘Diane’s son’ in Grimsby, and his search for this comedic voice. All six episodes of Return to Paradise are now available on BBC iPlayer, with the series airing weekly on BBC One from 8pm every Friday! Follow @lloydgriffith on InstagramFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back with the brilliant Luke Evans in St James’s Park! And guess what... he’s still carrying Raymond!Luke tells us how he went from being a jobbing actor to a Hollywood movie star - and he tells us an extraordinary story about one of the ways he made money when he needed it… We chat about how it felt to have his sexuality under scrutiny again after he broke through to stardom and what happened after left his religion. And, of course, we chat about Beauty and The Beast. Luke also treated us to a couple of bars of Gaston… much to the surprise and delight of the general public in St James’s Park!You can get your copy of Luke’s brilliant book Boy From The Valleys here!Follow @TheRealLukeEvans on Instagram Keep up with all things Luke at lukeevansofficial.com Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re in London’s St James’s Park with Luke Evans!Raymond and Luke pretty much fell in love with each other from the moment they met - Ray spent the entire walk cradled in Luke’s arms… lucky Raymond, eh?! Growing up, Luke had a collection of cats and an aviary of birds with his parents, who were Jehovah’s Witnesses. He opens up about how that affected his childhood, and how it feels to have written about it in his autobiography. He tells us how he came to terms with his sexuality in a religion which had no tolerance for homosexuality, and his rather brilliant grandma! You can get your copy of Luke’s brilliant book Boy From The Valleys here!Follow @TheRealLukeEvans on Instagram Keep up with all things Luke at lukeevansofficial.com Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back at home with Cherry Healey and her beautiful cat House Party!Cherry tells us all about how her brilliant career as a documentary maker started thanks to a conversation by a fridge at a house party, how she felt after throwing up on TV and how she navigated complicated feelings about losing her dad. We also find out all about series nine of Inside The Factory - with her new co-presenter Paddy McGuinness. You can watch their Christmas special over the festive period - and catch the new series on BBC One in early 2025. You can buy your copy of Cherry’s brilliant book Letters To My Fanny hereFollow @cherryhealey on Instagram Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Walking The Dog - we’re joined by TV presenter and queen of documentaries, Cherry Healey! Raymond is recovering from feeling a bit under the weather this week, so we spoke to Cherry from home… which meant we got to meet her spectacular Maine Coon, who is fabulously named House Party. Cherry grew up with dogs, but in her adult life she’s been a cat owner. She tells us the heartbreaking story of losing her beloved cat Party Time (yes, another fabulous name) and her childhood dog Mouflon, who she describes as a 'layered being'...We also find out how Cherry thrived at boarding school, how she feels about being popular and whether being beautiful can be a curse. The ninth series of Inside The Factory will be out on BBC One in early 2025!You can buy your copy of Cherry’s brilliant book Letters To My Fanny hereFollow @cherryhealey on Instagram Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re in Dulwich Park with the fabulous Layton Williams! Layton tells us all about levelling up his career by appearing on Strictly Come Dancing - and how he dealt with criticism about entering the show with a background in dance. He also tells us about his friendship with fellow former-Billy Elliot Tom Holland, how he dealt with rejection as a child star and how he met his partner in a mosh pit at Glastonbury. Layton’s next project is playing the Iceberg (bitch!) in Titanique - New York’s award winning hit musical that is debuting in London on 9th December. You can get your tickets here!Follow Layton on Instagram @laytonwilliams  Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time to Live, Laugh, Layton! This week - Emily and Ray are in Dulwich Park with actor, singer, dancer and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Layton Williams! Layton is quite possibly one of the most charismatic people that we’ve ever met. He’s immensely warm, authentic and knows his own worth - so even though he doesn’t have a dog, we’re pretty much in love!Starting life out on an estate in Bury, Layton went on to play the lead role in the West End production of Billy Elliot. Layton tells us about moving to London - LONDON ?! - and how it felt when he had his voice break while playing a young Michael Jackson in Thriller. Layton’s next project is playing the Iceberg in Titanique. When the music of Céline Dion meets the eleven-time Oscar®-winning film Titanic, you get TITANIQUE - New York’s award-winning splash hit that turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia. You can get your tickets here!Follow Layton on Instagram @laytonwilliamsListen to Emily and Raymond’s walk round Dulwich Park with Shirley Ballas from October 2021 here!Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re in Battersea Park with the brilliantly interesting and incredibly warm Amanda Wakeley - the legendary fashion designer! Amanda tells us about some of the extraordinary people that she’s dressed in her career - including the late Princess Diana. She also tells us how she averted a near-international incident by helping Theresa May choose the outfit she wore while taking office. We also hear the real story behind the infamous ‘trouser-gate’...We then discuss Amanda closing her label after the pandemic - and how she feels about entering a new chapter and navigating grief simultaneously.  We highly recommend you listen to Amanda’s podcast Style DNA - where she speaks to extraordinary people about their personal styles and the psychology behind the clothes they wear. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts! Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandawakeleyFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Emily and Raymond are taking a walk in Battersea Park with the legendary fashion designer Amanda Wakeley and her Labrador Luna (who was sporting a very stylish red bandana!) Amanda tells us about her happy and chaotic childhood with a succession of Labs and Jack Russells and her family in Cheshire. We find out what life was like for Amanda at Cheltenham Ladies’ College and how making clothes in the school holidays led her to creating her own label and pioneering her clean, glam and wearable style.We highly recommend you listen to Amanda’s podcast Style DNA - where she speaks to extraordinary people about their personal styles and the psychology behind the clothes they wear. It's available on all podcast platforms!Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandawakeleyFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re halfway through our walk with the brilliant Candice Brown as well as her three dogs Albus, Severus and Sibyl!Candice tells us more about her pre-Bake Off life working as a secondary school teacher in a special educational needs department and how she is driven by a strong sense of injustice. We also get a peek into the intensive process of getting on the Bake Off - and the positives and negatives that followed on from starring on that show. Follow Candice on Instagram @CandiceBrownWe highly recommend you take a visit to The Green Man in Eversholt - for a truly dog-friendly pub and the best bacon butty on earth as well as an amazing menu of fresh, local and seasonal food. Candice’s books Happy Cooking and Comfort are available now. You can buy your copy here!Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re on a delightful country walk this week with the legendary Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown! Candice has three dogs - Albus, Severus and Sibyl, and there are a plethora of other dogs in the Brown family! It’s clear Candice has a real passion for her dogs - and she tells us the story behind how she came to rescue each of them. After growing up in pubs run by her parents - Candice has gone on to run her own pub! It's called The Green Man in Eversholt and it’s absolute dog (and human) heaven! Candice tells us all about how her childhood gave her such a strong family bond and also gave her a passion for food. She also tells us how food helps her to deal with ADHD - and how it might have helped her to win Bake Off! Follow Candice on Instagram @CandiceBrownWe highly recommend you take a visit to The Green Man in Eversholt - for a truly dog-friendly pub and the best bacon butty on earth as well as an amazing menu of fresh, local and seasonal food. Candice’s books Happy Cooking and Comfort are available now. You can buy your copy here!Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're midway through our stroll in Regent's Park with the international bestselling author Cecelia Ahern! Cecelia tells us about what it was like to have her debut novel PS I Love You adapted into a film when she was in her early twenties.We chat about Cecelia's new novel, Into The Storm, which explores themes of unprocessed guilt, complicated female characters and the influence of pre-Christian rituals. It's a rather brilliant, suspenseful book and and you can get your copy here!Cecelia also tells us about dealing with panic attacks and how writing helped her overcome them, and her rather fabulous trip to The White House. Follow Cecelia on Instagram @official_ceceliaahernFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Emily and Raymond in London's Regent's Park for a walk with the international bestselling author Cecelia Ahern! Cecelia has a dog called Buddy, he's a standard poodle with a regal attitude, who is back at home in Dublin while Cecelia is in London working - but we think we need to plan a trip to Ireland because it sounds like he and Raymond would get on VERY well. Cecelia grew up in Malahide with her sister, mum and dad - before her parents divorced. It was an unusual childhood, because Cecelia's dad is Bertie Ahern - the high profile Irish politician who went on to become Taoiseach! We learn all about Cecelia's fascinating story - from when she attempted to get into Eurovision to writing her debut novel, PS I Love You at the age of 21 and the whirlwind experience of the book becoming a worldwide hit. Cecelia's new book - Into The Storm is available now! You can buy your copy here!Follow Cecelia on Instagram @official_ceceliaahernFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Emily and Ray are sheltering from the rain on the sofa in Battersea with the journalist, broadcaster, podcaster and author Bryony Gordon! Bryony tells us about how she got into journalism, why she chose to write about her twenties and how she feels about being raw and open in her writing. She also tells us about a very special friendship…You can listen to Bryony’s brilliant podcast The Life of Bryony on all podcast platforms!Bryony’s brilliant books - including Mad Woman, Mad Girl, The Wrong Knicker and Glorious Rock Bottom - are all available to purchase here!Follow Bryony on Instagram @bryonygordonYou can subscribe to Bryony’s monthly newsletter here!Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a rainy day in Battersea - so join Emily and Ray as we get cosy on Bryony Gordon’s sofa! Byrony is journalist, broadcaster, podcaster and bestselling author. She doesn’t have a dog - but we’ll forgive her because she let Raymond sit on her very fabulous tassled blanket. Our chat covers everything from Bryony’s legendary childhood dog Polo, to her stuggle with OCD and how she has learned to understand her intrustive thoughts. You can listen to Bryony’s brilliant podcast The Life of Bryony on all podcast platforms!Bryony’s brilliant books - including Mad Woman, Mad Girl, The Wrong Knicker and Glorious Rock Bottom - are all available to purchase here! Follow Bryony on Instagram @bryonygordonYou can subscribe to Bryony’s monthly newsletter here!Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.