Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

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.

Emily and Raymond are on Hampstead Heath with Bella Mackie and her labrador, Barney (who we can all agree is a bit of a national treasure) Bella tells us about her love story with Greg James and how a childhood obsession with Victorian true crime started her on the journey to writing her million-selling first novel How To Kill Your Family. We also chat about being direct - and whether that can be considered as a compliment and unfortunately, one of Barney’s toys meets a watery grave…Listen to Emily and Ray’s first walk with Barney (and Greg James) from September 2022 hereFollow Bella on Instagram @mackie_bellaBella’s new novel What A Way To Go is a gloriously funny and dark story about dysfunctional families in the shiny but cruel world of the extremely wealthy - you can get 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.

This week we’re on Hampstead Heath with the brilliant author Bella Mackie - and her labrador, Barney! Barney (aka Banana Head) is no stranger to Walking The Dog - he has previously appeared on this podcast with Bella’s husband Greg James! He’s a pretty special dog - and we were thrilled to take him out again. Bella’s always had dogs throughout her life and Barney came into her life after she and Greg went to Battersea with the intention of getting a small dog… he may not have been what she wanted to get but it’s clear Bella loves Barney a hell of a lot. Bella tells about her childhood in North London, how moderating an online comment board led to her to changing her name, and how running helped her to manage her anxiety and OCD. Listen to Emily and Ray’s first walk with Barney (and Greg James) from September 2022 here Follow Bella on Instagram @mackie_bella Bella’s new novel What A Way To Go is a gloriously funny and dark story about dysfunctional families in the shiny but cruel world of the extremely wealthy - you can get 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.

Join Emily, Mabel, Isla, Luna, Inca and Nala for the second part of our walk with James Middleton in Berkshire!James tells us about how his dog Ella helped him in the hardest time of his life and how she also led him to meet his wife Alizée. We also chat about that time which we all dread - losing a pet. James tells us how he coped with losing his beloved Ella and the gifts that she gave him throughout her life. … and we got to meet James’ tractor! To be honest, we never wanted to leave the farm! As a content warning, this podcast contains discussion of suicidal feelings. If you need support with you mental heath you can find support and resources with Samaritans and Mind. Follow James on Instagram @jmidy James' brilliant new book about the dog who changed his life is out now. Buy your copy of Meet Ella 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 Berkshire this week with the brilliant James Middleton and five of his dogs: Mabel, Isla, Luna, Inca and Nala. James *actually* has six dogs - but Zulu is currently staying with James’ parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, because Mabel is in season. But we had a lovely time with the fabulous five!We met on Bucklebury Farm - which is run by James’ family - and it was animal heaven. We met sheep, ginea pigs and even a friendly beehive at one point! James tells us about his lifelong pining for a dog - and then his unconventional decision to get a cocker spaniel called Ella while he was studying at Edinburgh University - and then how she went on to change his life immessurably. He also tells us the story of doing a reading at his sister Catherine’s wedding to Prince William - and how Ella helped him to overcome his anxiety. Follow James on Instagram @jmidy James' brilliant new book about the dog who changed his life is out now. Buy your copy of Meet Ella 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.

Yorkshire’s Pontefract Racecourse is the backdrop today for Emily and Ray’s walk with the brilliant Ed Balls. Ed tells us about how his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, encouraged him to go on Strictly Come Dancing - and the piece of advice that changed his atttiude towards the show.We also find out how he came to host a podast with his former political opponent George Osborne - we discover if they are friends, and whether or not George would be invited over to the Balls-Cooper household for lasagne. Political Currency is availble on all podcast platforms!Follow Ed on instagram @edballsYou can buy your copy of Ed’s brilliant book Appetite: a memoir in recipes of family and food here!Thank you to Handpicked Hotels for hosting us at their dog friendly hotel Wood Hall during our trip to Yorkshire. Raymond was throughly spoiled and he loved his mini break! 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’ve taken a trip to West Yorkshire this week to meet broadcaster and former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls for a stroll around the beautiful Pontefract Racecourse. Ed doesn't have a dog at the moment - but he's very much a dog person. He tells us how he was replaced by a dog when he went to university, and a dog has helped his family cope with his mother’s dementia. We also find out about Ed’s experience at Harvard (once he had worked out where it was located on a map) and whether he cried when he lost his seat in the 2015 General Election. Political Currency is availble on all podcast platforms!Follow Ed on instagram @edballsYou can buy your copy of Ed’s brilliant book Appetite: a memoir in recipes of family and food here! Thank you to Handpicked Hotels for hosting us at their dog friendly hotel Wood Hall during our trip to Yorkshire. Raymond was throughly spoiled and he loved his mini break! 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 Buckinghamshire with Gabby Logan and her dogs Milo, Maggie and Maverick! In this part of the chat, Gabby tells us about her career as a rhythmic gymnast, reluctantly competing in the Rose of Tralee - and she reminds us of some of her pre-Kenny romances. Gabby also tells us about her brilliant podcast The Midpoint - and how the podcast has helped her to navigate this point in her life, and some of the lessons she has learned from her guests.Listen to Emily and Ray's first walk with Gabby from April 2017Follow Gabby on Instagram @gabbyloganGabby’s podcasts The Midpoint and The Sports Agents are available wherever you get your podcasts!You can get your copy Gabby's autobiography of The First Half here!You can get your copy of The Midpoint Plan hereFollow 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.

Joining us on our dog walk this week is legendary broadcaster Gabby Logan!We met Gabby at home in Buckinghamshire and we then took a lovely walk around the woods with her three dogs Milo, Maggie and Maverick. Maverick is a new addition to the Logan household since Gabby was last on the podcast - he’s an absolutely delightful standard poodle, who is VERY enthusiastic about catching tennis balls. Gabby tells us about growing up in a family whose love language was sport and how being the daughter of a professional footballer in the 1980s wasn’t as glamorous as it might be today. We also chat about how Gabby has dealt with tragedies in her life and how she stays calm when life is chaotic. She also tells us a rather brilliant story about an incident with George Clooney and a moth-eaten coat… Listen to Emily and Ray's first walk with Gabby from April 2017Follow Gabby on Instagram @gabbyloganGabby’s podcasts The Midpoint and The Sports Agents are available wherever you get your podcasts!You can get your copy Gabby's autobiography of The First Half here!You can get your copy of The Midpoint Plan hereFollow 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 Raymond, Emily, Janette and Lyra for the second part of our walk around London’s Burgess Park! Janette tells us about some of the challenges of Strictly Come Dancing and how devastated she felt about being voted out on her first series. She also reveals what happened when she got the call to present It Takes Two…We also chat about Janette’s brilliant new book Tiny Dancer, Big World. Janette tells us about how Covid gave her a passion for wellbeing - and how writing the book with her sister helped her to share some of the lessons she has learned in life with the world. Tiny Dancer, Big World: How to find fulfilment from the inside out - is out now. You can buy your copy here!Follow Janette on Instagram @JManaraFollow 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 in South London’s Burgess Park with television presenter, choreographer and professional dancer Janette Manrara - and we have a very special bonus guest - her daughter Lyra! Janette is best known for appearing as a professional dance on Strictly Come Dancing - and since 2021 she has co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two! Janette is married to her Strictly co-star Aljaž Škorjanec and their daughter Lyra was born in July 2023 - we think she was pretty taken by Raymond (and the geese!) Janette has a history with dogs back at home in Miami - but life as a performing family means that she doesn’t have a dog at the moment… but there may be one in the future! After her family immigrated from Cuba to Miami, Janette tells us about being a happy child in a happy household and how that gave her a positive outlook on life. She tells the story of how she went from working in a bank to becoming a professional dancer - and what happened when she met Aljaž for the first time… was it love at first sight?! Tiny Dancer, Big World: How to Find Fulfilment from the Inside Out is out on Thursday 12th September - you can buy your copy hereFollow Janette on Instagram @JManaraFollow 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.

Emily and Ray take a walk with Phil Wang in Peckham Rye Park for the second part of this week’s Walking The Dog! Phil tells us about being the president of the Cambridge Footlights, how he feels about celebrating his successes and making the decision to spend more money on his haircut. He also tells us what it was like to record his new Netflix special by candlelight... Phil’s absolutely hilarious new special Wang In There, Baby! is available on Netflix nowOrder Phil’s book Sidesplitter: How To Be From Two Worlds At Once hereBudPod with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie is available wherever you get your podcasts!Follow Phil on Instagram @wangpixFollow 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.