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Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

Written by: Gyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media
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About this listen

Legendary British writer, broadcaster, ex-MP and TV star Gyles Brandreth hosts “Rosebud”, in which he talks to famous and fascinating people about their first memories and first experiences. Expect laughter, nostalgia, memorable stories, revelations and, of course, the odd name-drop from Gyles. We want to hear about your first memories - email us at hello@rosebudpodcast.com And you can follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @therosebudpod Artwork: Freya Betts. Music: Phil Lepherd. Producer: Harriet Jaine. Rosebud is a 'Plain Jaine Media' production. Creator: Gyles Brandreth/Plain Jaine Media

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Gyles Brandreth
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • More Rosebud Special - Kenneth Williams at 100, with David Benson
    Feb 22 2026

    In this special edition of Rosebud, we celebrate the late, great, self-proclaimed cult that is Kenneth Williams. One of the greatest British entertainers of the twentieth century, Williams was revered for his unique voice, his impeccable timing, his virtuoso storytelling and his brilliant appearances on Parkinson, in the Carry On films, and in series from Hancock's Half Hour to Round the Horne to Beyond our Ken.


    In this conversation, Gyles talks to the actor David Benson, who has been performing shows about Kenneth Williams for thirty years. Gyles and David talk about their own relationships with Kenneth - and they each give their own unique perspective about this complicated and gifted man. We find out about his childhood, his difficult relationship with his father, and his tortured relationship with his own sexuality. We hear about his working life, and the end of his life. Interwoven with this story are anecdotes from David Benson's life - whose life in some ways mirrors that of Kenneth Williams. This is a fascinating and unusual edition of Rosebud which we hope gives you a fresh insight into a household name.


    David's show, My Life with Kenneth Williams is currently touring, tickets are available here.


    Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Julian Fellowes
    Feb 20 2026

    Julian Fellowes, the creator and writer of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, The Gilded Age - among other brilliant television series and movies - is our guest today. You'll know Julian's work - because he is one of the most popular, and prolific, screenwriters of our times. What you may not know is that he and Gyles lived under the same roof as toddlers, and shared a bath on a number of occasions; Gyles's family rented the basement flat from the Fellowes family in the early 50s, and the boys played together and have known each other ever since. So this is a friendly conversation filled with warmth, intelligence, humour and great stories. Julian tells Gyles about his family, his first night at boarding school, and his days as a Debs' Delight at Cambridge. He talks about his somewhat unpopular decision to become an actor, and meeting and marrying his wife, Emma. This is a brilliant edition of Rosebud, thank you so much to Julian Fellowes for his time, energy and fabulous conversation.


    We're back this Sunday, with a special edition to celebrate the late, great Kenneth Williams. And we're releasing a special royal edition of More Rosebud on Tuesday next week, with Gyles reading from his diaries.


    Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • More Rosebud - Gyles's Diaries episode 35
    Feb 17 2026

    It's 1973, and Gyles is still working hard: putting on his star-studded son-et-lumières, appearing on Opportunity Knocks and... getting married. Yes, in a low-key and very private ceremony in London, Gyles Brandreth and Michèle Brown become husband and wife. They have a delicious lunch out and then go to Rome for their honeymoon, where they see the Pope. This is another fun, revelatory and nostalgic dip into the unmissable diaries of GDB.


    Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    53 mins
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