Class Clown

One of Northern Ireland's finest, Shane Todd joins Seann Walsh to talk about his unique upbringing that saw him navigate both working and middle class family set ups, with no religious grounding and why he had an intensity when it came to early friendships. We get into his experiences at an all boys school and how he knew upon leaving he wouldn't remain in contact with anyone from school... Part 2 Available now on Patreon where we discuss his Hip Hop inspired teen dress sense, a very funny first drinking experience story that involves a sinful Guinness faux pas, meeting the producer of his hit podcast Tea With Me, overcoming his bad first gog experience and how he managed to land gigs with comedy legends like Bill Burr, Kevin Hart and John Mulaney! Check out Shane's podcasts Tea With Me and LazyBoyz and catch him live on his latest tour Hold Me Back And Seann Live on his This Is Torture tour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Class Clown, Josh Widdicombe reflects on growing up, doing well at school, and where his observational comedy skills come from. He talks honestly about how childhood shaped his outlook, his knack for creating hit comedy formats and how this can be all traced back to his marble club at school! Josh discusses the comedians and cultural influences that shaped him including Frank Skinner and Stewart Lee and the We also chat about Josh’s brand-new Museum of Pop Culture show, where comedy, nostalgia and modern life collide, plus his latest UK stand-up tour, Not My Cup Of Tea, currently on sale now. A thoughtful, funny and revealing episode with one of Britain’s most loved comedians! 00:00 Hits and Misses ratio in showbiz 09:20 TV of the 90's 16:29 - Podcast Native Generation21:26 - Watching TV with parents27:30 - Seeing Stewart Lee and Josie Long34:00 Performing in Clubs, Professional Jealousy43:20 Frank Skinner47:30 Writing With His Brother51:00 Not Enjoying Acting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The incredible Josh Widdicombe (The Last Leg, Parenting Hell) joins us to talk about how consuming 90's entertainment and culture shaped his view on entertainment and alcohol consumption, the influence of his retired actress Grandma, hippie parents and the effects of going to a primary school with only 4 kids in his class. Check out Josh's new podcast, The Museum Of Pop Culture and catch him on his Not My Cup Of Tea tour Watch Part 2 right now on The Class Clown Patreon! Credits Exec Producer: Adam Horton Episode Producer: Simon Winkler Graphics and Titles: Ben Toms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hilarious Jamie Hutchinson is back for part 2 where we learn about how his mum adopting another family threw his household into chaos, falling into a gambling addiction and heavy cocaine use and how he fell into comedy - we also hear about a very misguided theatrical production he put on in his teens and how he got kicked out of a drama club for miming an unspeakable act! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Hutchinson joins Seann Walsh to talk about how his unique childhood shaped the man who is fast becoming one of the most powerful comedy voices in the North. He talks how his wild imagination got him in trouble with the police, how his early writing prowess writing scenes from The Simpsons earned him the respect of his teachers and class mates and how his parents divorce and moving schools lead to him "Re Branding" as a Bad Boy. Part 2 coming next week! 00:00 Intro 01:12 Odd Conception 03:40 Gorton Childhood, Anxiety 08:50 Stage Persona, Imagination 20:58 Simpsons, Building Confidence 32:45 Moving Schools, Becoming Naughty 36:06 Police Trouble 40:11 First Heartbreak 47:22 Tramp Of The Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Romesh Ranganthan, Stewart Lee, Ross Noble, Adam Rowe, Boy George, Russell Kane, Vittorio Angelone, Red Richardson and Joanne McNally reveal the key moments from their childhood that shaped their character and influenced the success they each have enjoyed in their career. Don't forget to catch the brand new YouTube specials from Red Richardson and Vittorio Angelone Catch Seann live on tour in 2026! We'll be back next week with an all new Class Clown interview! 00:00 Intro 01:16 Romesh Ranganthan 10:01 Stewart Lee 14:01 Adam Rowe 21:46 Ross Noble 26:51 Boy George 35:33 Vittorio Angelone 42:34 Red Richardson 46:02 Russell Kane 55:11 Joanne McNally 01:07:44 Adam Rowe - Advice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Higson co-created the Fast Show, wrote on Harry Enfield & Chums and Vic Reeves' Big Night Out. He is a celebrated author having written the best-selling Young Bond novels and Enemy series. His latest book Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee is a an irresistible, family-friendly deep dive into the murky lives of the British monarchy, illustrated by Jim Moir, AKA Vic Reeves. Check out the book here. Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/classclown⁠ or use code CLASSCLOWN at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! See Seann On Tour in 2026! 00:00 Intro 01:28 Early Years, Signs Of Creativity 10:05 Starting A Band, Dealing With Shyness 15:44 Finding Peace On Stage 22:58 The Fast Show character inspiration 29:10 Monty Python, Dad's Army, Benny Hill 38:26 Meeting Paul Whitehouse at University 40:20 The Philosophy Of The Fast Show's Writing 43:30 Love Of Creativity 48:44 Aristotle 50:00 Meeting Vic Reeves, Harry Enflield 54:55 New History Book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head to ⁠SurfShark.com/ClassClown⁠ for our exclusive VPN deal - save money, enhance your streaming options & secure your sensitive data! Britain's Got Talent winner and viral comedy juggernaut Axel Blake talks struggling with his early private school education, how undiagnosed Dyslexia and ADHD affected his behaviour, how he ended up getting into a physical fight with a teacher, being suspended multiple times and how it all culminated in him doing a prison sentence. He talks about how he was determined to never end up back in prison and how that stint helped him really ask fundamental questions that lead to his later success, wowing Simon Cowell, winning Britain's Got Talent and achieving major social media success. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head to ⁠SurfShark.com/ClassClown⁠ for our exclusive VPN deal - save money, enhance your streaming options & secure your sensitive data! In the second part of Seann Walsh's interview with Russell Howard, Russell explains how he dodged the temptations of hedonism, despite achieving incredible success in his 20's, developing his work ethic alongside his peers Michael McIntyre, Daniel Kitson and Ross Noble. He reveals how he's battled with, and been motivated by, negative internal thoughts, why he relates to Rugby hero Johnny Wilkinson and how he sees himself as "more Ronaldo, than Messi" when it comes to comedy. He gets into the details of how he made Russell Howard'd Good News & The Russell Howard Hour and how working with Frankie Boyle during his Mock The Week years trained his approach to generating material. He also recalls a very funny early comedy story about Johnny Vegas! Need a Christmas present? Get Tickets For Seann's new tour This Is Torture here. https://www.seannwalsh.com/ 00:00 Trail 01:02 Early Success 05:00 Hedonism, Daniel Kitson 09:02 Parental Motivation 12:02 Frankie Boyle, Mock The Week 17:02 Good News, Topical Comedy 22:45 Work Ethic 29:12 Johnny Vegas, Fear of Failure 33:42 Stardom, Live Mishaps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head to SurfShark.com/ClassClown for our exclusive VPN deal - save money, enhance your streaming options & secure your sensitive data! The incredible Russell Howard sits with Seann Walsh to discuss why he loved school, growing up in the West Country, the value in kids who lie, how losing his cousin at a young age lead to a fear of death which haunts him to this day. We also get into his love of football, his positive outlook on life and why his love for jokes is the key factor in his success as a comedian known for topical material. Check out Part 2 on Patreon! Need a Christmas present? Get Tickets For Seann's new tour This Is Torture here. 00:00 Trailer & Intro 01:32 West Country 06:55 Fear Of Death 10:30 Football Success 15:30 Teen Years as Comedy Training 20:33 Robbie Williams 'Better Man' Biopic 26:06 Michael Jackson & Early Creativity 29:23 Lee Evans, Billy Connolly, Comedy Influences 34:28 Topical Comedy 36:40 Positivity 42:30 Starting Comedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices