
Rylan: How to Be...
How to Be in the Spotlight – Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of what it's like to be thrust into the public eye – with those who've lived to tell the tale. Over 12 episodes, Rylan will be joined by guests who will share how they have learned to navigate the spotlight, reflecting on what they did right – and what they did very wrong… A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds.
Latest episodes

Aug 20, 2024 • 38min
12. Francis Bourgeois – On viral fame and dealing with criticism
Rylan is joined by trainspotter Francis Bourgeois to discuss becoming an overnight internet sensation. Francis tells Rylan about his tricky teenage years and growing up as an outsider, confronting accusations that his train persona is “fake”, and trainspotting with Joe Jonas.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Satema Tarawally
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Aug 13, 2024 • 39min
11. Ekin-Su - Navigating fame and the personal impact of reality TV
Rylan is joined by Love Island winner Ekin-Su to discuss her mixed experiences in the spotlight. Ekin tells Rylan about her high-profile break-up with Love Island boyfriend Davide, her fall from grace after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, and the psychological damage of reality TV.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Satema Tarawally
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Aug 6, 2024 • 39min
10. Will Young - Leaving Strictly and homophobia in the music industry
Rylan speaks to pop sensation Will Young about life in the spotlight. Will discusses facing homophobia in the music industry, his experience on Strictly and facing mental health struggles in the public eye.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Satema Tarawally
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Jul 30, 2024 • 34min
9. Big Zuu - On classism in TV and stealing delivery food
Rylan sits down with Big Zuu to talk about his unique rise to fame - from rapper extraordinaire to double BAFTA award-winning TV presenter. They discuss making grime mainstream alongside Stormzy, Dave and AJ Tracey, his viral BAFTA acceptance speech for 'Big Zuu's Big Eats' and dealing with classicism in the TV industry.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Satema Tarawally
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Jul 23, 2024 • 29min
8. Matt Goss - On Brosmania and fans under the bed
Rylan is joined by singer and frontman of iconic 80s band, Bros, Matt Goss. With fedora in place, Matt and Rylan chat about finding fans under the bed at the height of Brosmania, having an 11 year-long Las Vegas residency, and wanting to reconcile with his brother and bandmate, Luke.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Maisie Williams
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Jul 16, 2024 • 39min
7. Charlotte Church – Being a child star and weird fan encounters
Rylan is joined by singer and host of ‘Kicking Back with The Cardiffians’ Charlotte Church to discuss her mixed experiences in the spotlight. Charlotte tells Rylan about growing up as a child star and singing for the Pope as a 12-year-old, press intrusion in her rebellious years, and being accused of anti-Semitism.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Monetta Pierre
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Jul 9, 2024 • 32min
6. Andy Coulson – Launching the Spice Girls and being arrested
Rylan speaks to Andy Coulson, former editor of News of the World and host of the ‘Crisis What Crisis’ podcast, about the highs and lows of his career in tabloid journalism. They discuss his role in shaping the careers of some of the biggest names in the spotlight, including the Spice Girls and The Beckhams, as well as his arrest in the wake of the infamous phone-hacking scandal.Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Satema Tarawally
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Jul 2, 2024 • 38min
5. Ainsley Harriott - Racism in the food industry and becoming a meme
Rylan speaks to TV chef and national treasure Ainsley Harriott about life in the spotlight. Ainsley tells Rylan about dealing with racism as a chef, providing in-flight entertainment for Richard Branson, and how he’s enjoyed becoming a Gen-Z meme.How to Be in the Spotlight - Rylan explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Monetta Pierre
Edit Producer: Katie Grant
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

6 snips
Jun 25, 2024 • 40min
4. Jameela Jamil – Online feuds and problematic Vogue shoots
Actor and activist Jameela Jamil shares her journey from T4 to The Good Place, online feuds, and challenging beauty standards. They discuss fame, backlash, and resilience in the entertainment industry. The podcast delves into eating disorders and offers support resources.

Jun 18, 2024 • 35min
3. Leigh Francis – Bo' Selecta! and shedding his personas
Rylan speaks to comedian and star of Celebrity Juice and Bo' Selecta!, Leigh Francis. Joining Rylan in the studio, Leigh discusses the origin stories behind his most iconic characters, reappraising his portrayals of celebrities in Bo' Selecta!, and shedding his personas and becoming himself in the public eye.Rylan: How to Be in the Spotlight explores the good, the bad and the ugly of being thrust into the spotlight - with those who've lived to tell the tale.Host: Rylan
Assistant Producer: Monetta Pierre
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Executive Producers: Barnaby Coughlin and Arron Fellows
Music: Miguel d'Oliveira
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.