Ask Bigger Podcast

If you grew up watching Grange Hill, you’ll remember Zammo. And you’ll almost certainly remember three words: Just Say No.In this episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood is joined by Lee MacDonald, the actor behind one of the most memorable characters in British children’s television.As Zammo McGuire, Lee was at the centre of a heroin addiction storyline that shocked viewers and helped take the Just Say No campaign far beyond the school gates.Decades later, he’s still Zammo to a generation. Now it’s time to meet the man behind the character.Settle in for a dose of 80s nostalgia and an Ask Bigger catch-up with a familiar face from the television we grew up with.Follow Ask Bigger on Spotify so you never miss an episode, leave us a rating and share this one with someone who remembers that theme tune.

Imagine opening your front door to find Squeaky Mike McClean and a camera crew on the doorstep. That was life on The Big Breakfast.Mike joins Simon Hood on Ask Bigger to talk about his remarkable television career, from Nick AM, It’s Not Fair and Mad for It to The Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy. Along the way, he interviewed some of the biggest names in the world, including Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Britney Spears.Hear the stories behind the shows, the famous faces and that unmistakable voice. Listen now on Spotify and follow Ask Bigger for more.

Comedian Simon Evans joins Simon Hood for a brilliantly open conversation about the making of a comic: from starting stand-up at 31 and finding his voice on stage to politics, free speech and being labelled a “right-wing comedian”.Simon also talks about the DNA test that revealed he could have up to 1,000 half-siblings, his experience meeting some of them, and why he worries AI could do serious damage to creativity.

If you grew up in Britain in the 90s, Saturday night meant one thing: Gladiators. And today's guest didn't just enter the arena — he owned it.James Crossley became HUNTER at just 19, the youngest gladiator on the show, and stayed for all eight years of the ITV original. In this episode he tells Simon what the cameras never showed: the producer who told him he was rubbish after year one, the note pushed under his hotel door each night telling him which 50ft event he'd be doing, the game that broke a gladiator's neck, the fake tan that got them banned by the hotel, and the press office that was leaking the stories it was supposed to protect them from.And then there's everything after the arena: touring America with the Royal Shakespeare Company, winning Britain's Strongest Master at 40, breaking the Dinnie Stones grip world record in 2018 (with a little help from a psychic), and the injury that ended it all — leading him somewhere nobody would predict: gong baths, sound healing, and the London Handpan Academy.Oh — and Simon challenges him to a duel. It goes about as well as you'd expect.

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.

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.

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.

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 CottonWhat it was really like being killed off (and coming back)His unexpected connection to Star WarsWinning Rear of the YearBehind-the-scenes stories and EastEnders gossip you won’t hear anywhere elseRaw, 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.

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.

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 GervaisThe reality behind fame, addiction and cocaine useMental health, recovery, and rebuildingThe responsibility of live radio… and the moments that really matterAnd 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 momentsThere 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.