Episodes

  • Basil Brush: The Fox. The Legend. The Boom! Boom!
    Jul 12 2026

    What happens when you hand a microphone to Britain's most mischievous fox?

    Absolute chaos.

    In this episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood is joined by the legendary Basil Brush for a conversation packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected revelations and more "Boom! Boom!" moments than should probably be allowed.

    From over six decades in showbusiness to life on stage, television and everything in between, Basil proves exactly why he's remained one of Britain's best-loved entertainers for generations.

    Expect plenty of cheek, a few surprises, some proper laugh-out-loud moments and the kind of conversation that goes completely off the rails… in the best possible way.

    Whether you grew up watching Basil or you're meeting him for the first time, buckle up. This one's a cracker.


    This episode is brought to you by Angel Delight.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Mama G: Storytelling, Inclusion and the Power of Being Yourself
    Jun 21 2026

    In this special Pride Month episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood sits down with the incredible Mama G - award-winning storyteller, author and advocate for kindness, confidence and inclusion.

    Through the power of stories, Mama G has inspired children and families across the UK to celebrate what makes them unique and to embrace who they are.

    Together, Simon and Mama G discuss the importance of representation, growing up, finding your voice, the role storytelling can play in shaping young minds, and why creating a world where everyone feels they belong matters more than ever.

    A thoughtful, funny and uplifting conversation that feels particularly fitting as we celebrate Pride Month.

    If you enjoy the episode, please follow, rate and share the podcast.

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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • Tim Oliver: The UK’s Ricky Gervias/David Brent Lookalike Tells All
    Jun 3 2026

    For 21 years, Tim Oliver has made a career out of looking like Ricky Gervais. He was the body double for Ricky on The Muppets Most Wanted. He performed stand-up as David Brent on Broadway. He has a story about Mr. T, a Prius, and David Beckham’s bony backside that you will genuinely not believe.In this episode of the Ask Bigger Podcast, Tim Oliver sits down with Simon Hood to discuss 21 years of impersonating other people and shares insane stories from his career, including: The Muppets shoot. The recent New York documentary premiering at Leicester Square. The Britain’s Got Talent days. The Mr. T Prius incident where David Beckham’s lookalike’s bony backside came through a windscreen. Interviewing Ricky Gervais in person for seven pages. Working with The Darkness. And why David Brent is a suit of armour that lets him walk into any room and say absolutely anything.

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    57 mins
  • John Altman aka Nasty Nick Cotton from EastEnders: Threats from Charles Bronson, June Brown & Unfiltered Stories
    Apr 30 2026

    Nasty Nick. One of the most iconic villains in British TV history.

    In this episode of Ask Bigger, John Altman joins us for a completely unfiltered conversation and nothing is off limits.

    From a surreal story involving Charles Bronson, to his real-life bond with June Brown, this episode dives deep into the moments that defined both the man and the character.

    We cover:

    • Life on EastEnders and playing Nick Cotton
    • What it was really like being killed off (and coming back)
    • His unexpected connection to Star Wars
    • Winning Rear of the Year
    • Behind-the-scenes stories and EastEnders gossip you won’t hear anywhere else

    Raw, funny, and full of stories, this is John Altman like you’ve never heard him before.

    🎙️ Follow Ask Bigger for more honest conversations with iconic names.

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    42 mins
  • Mr Blobby: First Ever Podcast, Noel Edmunds, Politics, Chaos, Mrs Blobby and more.
    Mar 31 2026

    Mr Blobby joins Ask Bigger for his first ever podcast appearance. Yes, really.

    What follows is exactly what you’d expect… and somehow worse. We attempt to ask serious questions, get life advice, and hold a normal conversation. Mr Blobby responds the only way he knows how.

    It’s chaotic, nostalgic, slightly painful, and oddly compelling.

    This might be the strangest podcast episode ever recorded.

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    22 mins
  • Iain Lee: The 11 O'Clock Show, Cocaine & Saving a Life on Live Radio
    Mar 23 2026

    In this episode of Ask Bigger, we sit down with broadcaster, comedian and late-night radio icon Iain Lee.

    From The 11 O’Clock Show to RI:SE, and years behind the mic on some of the most unpredictable live radio in the UK, Iain has built a career on moments you simply couldn’t script.

    This conversation goes everywhere. We talk about:

    • The early days of The 11 O’Clock Show and crossing paths with Ricky Gervais
    • The reality behind fame, addiction and cocaine use
    • Mental health, recovery, and rebuilding
    • The responsibility of live radio… and the moments that really matter

    And then there’s the stuff you definitely didn’t expect:
    - The story behind “Minty Biscuit”
    - The time he was attacked by an owl
    - The chaos of late-night callers and completely unplanned moments

    There are funny moments, uncomfortable truths, and one story about saving a life on live radio that puts everything into perspective.

    This is raw, honest, and at times completely unpredictable - exactly how great conversation should be.

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • The Maka Twins: How Two Brothers Turned Cleaning into 500K Followers & Millions of Views
    Feb 13 2026

    John and James, the identical twins behind the viral cleaning sensation Maka Twins, join Simon Hood to share their extraordinary journey from starting a commercial cleaning company to becoming social media stars with over 500,000 followers and videos reaching 5-10 million views monthly.In this honest and inspiring conversation, the twins reveal:• How they built their viral presence by "cleaning places nobody asks you to clean"• The moment they almost gave up (1st February 2024) – just weeks before their breakthrough• Why they focus on people's reactions over view counts• How being themselves transformed their content and business• Their unique approach to commercial cleaning that values team members as individuals, not just "cleaners"• The philosophy that "somebody always has it worse" that keeps them grounded• Their vision for the "Unsung Heroes" series – giving back to overlooked workers across industriesFrom playground equipment to bin lorries, the Maka Twins have redefined what cleaning content can be. But beyond the viral videos lies a story of resilience, brotherhood, and a mission to change how society views the cleaning industry.The twins share practical wisdom for content creators and entrepreneurs: why they value engagement over vanity metrics, how variety keeps cleaning interesting, and why the hardest moments often come just before breakthrough.Their goals? Become the number one office cleaning company in London, then the UK, then the world – whilst championing their team and highlighting unsung heroes everywhere through experiences they'll never forget.If you're one bad month away from giving up on your dream, this conversation might just be what you need to hear.

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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • THE FUNHOUSE TWINS - Full Interview | Behind the Scenes of the Iconic 90s Show
    Jan 29 2026

    Remember the bright colors, the go-karts, the gunge, and that theme song that still lives rent-free in everyone's head? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Melanie and Martina, the legendary Funhouse Twins who co-hosted one of the biggest children's TV shows of the 90s.In this extended interview, the twins take us behind the scenes of Funhouse, sharing untold stories about what it was really like to be young women hosting a major TV show for a decade. From their early beginnings performing in West End shows at age seven, to their time as the cheerleading twins that defined a generation's Saturday mornings, to their lives beyond the cameras.We explore their childhood in Kent, their journey into performing, the intense filming schedules, memorable moments from the show (including some that went hilariously wrong), their music career in Japan, and what life is like as mothers navigating the challenges of raising children in today's social media age.This is more than just nostalgia - it's an honest, raw conversation about fame, family, bullying, resilience, and the reality behind being icons of 90s children's television.

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    2 hrs and 2 mins