This week Emily and Ray take a stroll in Stratford with comedian Mark Simmons, widely regarded as one of the sharpest one-liner comics around.

Mark chats to Emily about growing up in Canterbury, his time working in a gym, and the spontaneous decision to try stand-up comedy that ended up changing his life. Since then, he’s picked up the prestigious Joke of the Fringe Award at the Edinburgh Festival, appeared on Mock the Week, and supported the likes of Rob Beckett, Seann Walsh and Rob Brydon on tour.

It was a rainy walk, made all the more memorable by Mark insisting on carrying Emily’s handbag the entire time, a small gesture that said a lot. The conversation also turns to their mutual friend, comedian Gareth Richards, with a moving and heartfelt moment as they remember him together.

Mark is currently touring his show Jest to Impress, and you can book tickets at https://marksimmons.co.uk. You can also listen to his podcast Jokes with Mark Simmons.

It’s a funny, thoughtful and genuinely lovely walk with a brilliant comic and an even better human.

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Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Lucia Keskin, the star and creator of the award-winning comedy series Things You Should Have Done, the conversation continues with more warmth, honesty and laughs.

If you haven’t already, make sure to catch part one. And do yourself a favour and watch series two of Things You Should Have Done, now streaming on BBC iPlayer. It really is a thing of total joy.

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Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with the brilliantly talented comedy actor and writer Lucia Keskin, best known to many as Chi, the star and creator of the BAFTA-winning BBC series Things You Should Have Done.

Emily first discovered Chi through the show and was instantly blown away by its originality and warmth. Series two is out now on BBC iPlayer, and Lucia talks about creating the series, growing up in Margate with her mum and hands-on grandparents, and why she considers herself a bit of an old soul. They also chat about Chi’s journey into comedy, including how a video of her opening her GCSE results helped kickstart her career online.

Lucia also speaks movingly about losing her beloved Pomeranian last year, and how spending time with Ray brought unexpected joy. There’s a gentle discussion of pet loss in this episode, so just a heads up for listeners.

It’s a funny, heartfelt and wonderfully open conversation with one of the most exciting voices in British comedy right now. Ray fell completely in love with Chi, and may already be planning a move.

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Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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