Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe

Katherine Ryan, a Canadian comedian, writer, presenter and actor, returns for a candid, hilarious conversation about life with four children. She discusses giant nursery co-sleeping, reclaiming her identity beyond motherhood, pregnancy losses and body changes, cosmetic surgery, parenting disagreements, and supporting her daughter’s ambitions. She also explores the pressures facing firstborn daughters, the subject of her book, First Born Daughter.

Rob and Josh swap tales of punishing travel, bleak hotels, overnight drives and overloaded work schedules. Rob plots an ambitious family road trip through Antwerp and the Netherlands, while both debate pizza disasters, cold leftovers and sensitive stomachs. They also explore missed family moments, late-night chauffeur chats and the small routines that make parenting life feel manageable.

Manchester United’s supposed reset comes under fire as Carrick’s future, recruitment problems and potential replacements are debated. The conversation turns to Manchester City’s unresolved charges, Arsenal’s title challenge and beloved foreign cult heroes. Plus, a hilariously sluggish penalty, football shirts inspired by Welsh bands and the psychological warfare of changing-room design.

Matt Willis, Busted musician, songwriter and advocate for recovery, joins for an honest, funny chat about raising teenagers, smartphones, independence and family boundaries. He discusses sobriety, relapse, fatherhood and his new book Mending, alongside fame, marriage and finding balance through golf. There’s also plenty on Busted’s breakup, reunion and triumphant return to rock.

Josh recounts the disastrous night he locked himself out and ended up sleeping in the car, while a beeping headphone adds to the morning chaos. Rob and Josh discuss Strictly family outings, motorway diversions, Lego cities, the return of wired headphones, Roblox bans, wellness treatments, dad football, Traitors spoilers, stubborn jar lids, and a truly long-term porch-window repair.

Manchester City’s alleged financial misconduct sparks a proposed punishment involving relegation and a player draft. Tottenham and Manchester United’s draw earns the nickname “El Sackio,” while Spurs’ missed chances and relegation worries take center stage. There’s also a bizarre Cristiano Ronaldo statement, questionable manager rankings, and plenty of footballing chaos.

Rob and Josh debate whether home, routine and family life matter more than luxury, private jets or space travel. They tackle billionaire football dreams, disastrous affairs between family friends, questionable parenting methods, and a child’s painful bike accident. Expect bizarre sandwich confessions, monkey mishaps, parking-space arguments and plenty of awkward family stories.

A sprinting toddler leads to Manhattan mayhem and a longing for British banter. Rob and Josh dream up a competitive banter championship, revisit six years of chaotic house renovations, and recall a questionable journalism ruse involving Bobby George. There’s golf, fake-tan evidence, school election politics, awkward parent socials, and siblings finally recovering from the summer holidays.

The international break drags on as England win 7-0, prompting debate over whether anyone still cares. Manchester City’s legal troubles fuel arguments about Pep Guardiola’s achievements, sponsorship money, stripped titles and fan fallout. Ronaldo’s refusal to accept decline, football’s overseas money moves, disastrous snacks and the idea of abolishing managers round out the chaos.

Nina Conti, the acclaimed comedian, actress, writer, director and ventriloquist behind Monkey, shares candid stories about raising two sons. She discusses parental guilt, the emotional upheaval of a child moving out, online extremism, smartphone-free family life and touring with babies. Nina also explores her film Sunlight, growing up around performers, improvisation, and life beyond Monkey.