Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

Shaun Keaveny is one of the UKs most beloved broadcasters, having spent 11 years presenting one of the countries biggest music breakfast radio shows. His journey began upon leaving college, where he knew he wanted to work in a creative industry with a passion for writing skits, listening to the radio and playing music. Shaun soon got his first break at XFM London, presenting overnights to a miniscule audience where he could flex his creative flair before moving with the times and fronting a digital only breakfast show at the newly formed 6 Music.In this episode James sits down to explore Shaun's childhood and the close bond he has with his family, his late diagnosis of ADD, how Terry Wogan took him under his wing and how leaving the BBC had a heavy impact on him.You can listen to Shaun's excellent Community Garden Radio show and become a fully fledged member here

Alex James is the bass player in one of Britain's biggest bands, Blur. With millions of record sales and 2 sold-out nights at Wembley in 2023, he sits down with James O'Brien to discuss his early childhood, the emergence of Blur, cheese making and his brilliant new book 'Over the Rainbow'.With a self-confessed short attention span, Alex failed his A-Levels and was worrying what was next to for him. All that changed when he met his soon to be bandmates. From touring America to going on a health kick after lockdown, in this episode we find out what Alex's gateway to music was? How he kept the secret of Blur's comeback from his own kids? And what's in store for him in the future. 'Over the Rainbow' is out now.

Baroness Lola Young, a pioneering Member of the House of Lords and author of 'Eight Weeks: Looking Back, Moving Forwards, Defying the Odds', shares her inspiring journey from foster care to a life of purpose. She discusses the emotional challenges of navigating her identity amid complex family dynamics and trauma. Lola reflects on her school experiences, the impact of race, and the struggle for acceptance. Now a mentor and advocate, she emphasizes the importance of empathy and the quest for societal change through her work in the arts and politics.

Dan Snow makes history exciting. Whether it’s through his award-winning documentaries, bestselling books, or popular podcast History Hit, he has a gift for bringing the past to life and showing us why it still matters today.Coming from a family of celebrated journalists—his father is broadcaster Peter Snow and his mother is Canadian journalist Ann MacMillan - Dan was immersed in storytelling from an early age. But what sets him apart isn’t just his passion for history, it’s his ability to look ahead. Spotting how storytelling and broadcasting were changing, he launched History Hit, a streaming platform that’s redefined how we engage with history. In this episode, Dan talks about growing up in a journalist household, his dad’s attempt to steer him away from broadcasting and why he decided to break away from traditional media. Dan’s new book The Story of England: The Making of a Nation is out now.

Rupert Everett, a versatile actor, writer, and director, reflects on his remarkable 40-year career in the entertainment industry. He shares his early love for performance, starting from school plays to his breakout role in 'Another Country'. Despite his success in Hollywood, he candidly admits to struggling with self-confidence and societal expectations. Everett also discusses the impact of his childhood and the transformative power of theater, alongside the challenges he faced as an outsider navigating identity and the complexities of his experiences in both film and theater.

Growing up on a Lake District farm that had been in his family for centuries, James Rebanks always knew his place in the world. School wasn't for him - he felt his teachers looked down on farming and his grandparents worried education might lure him away from the land. By the age of 15, he had left school with just two O-Levels to work full-time on the family farm. But in the evenings, a new world opened up to him as he read through the books on his mum's bookshelves.Inspired, James began reading everything he could. In his twenties, he went to night school and then got a place at Oxford University where he graduated with a double first in history. Today, James is a bestselling author, telling the stories of the "nobodies" - ordinary people living extraordinary lives, who like him, are deeply rooted in the land. A farmer and a writer, James has managed to carve out a unique space as both a man of letters and man of the soil.His latest book, The Place of Tides is available now.

Hanif Kureishi, an acclaimed novelist and playwright, discusses his life-altering experience following a fall that left him paralysed. He shares insights from his new book, Shattered, capturing the duality of his identity as both a writer and a tetraplegic. The conversation delves into the emotional upheaval and existential fears following his accident, the challenges of documenting personal trauma, and the role of community support in healing. Hanif reflects on his vibrant creative journey and the transformative power of storytelling amidst adversity.

Michel Roux Jr, one of Britain’s most celebrated chefs and a MasterChef star, shares his journey in the culinary world. He recounts the rigorous path from his pastry apprenticeship in Paris to the pressures of living up to his family's legendary restaurant legacy. Michel discusses shedding his 'angry chef' persona, the impact of modern dining dynamics, and the nurturing role of food in family bonds. He also reflects on significant life changes like quitting smoking post-fatherhood and the balance between ambition and fulfillment in the kitchen.

"I wasn’t driven by being famous, I was driven by being successful. I wanted to be recognised by my peers, people who I considered ‘posh actors’”.Award-winning actor and bestselling author, Sir David White, is better known by his stage name David Jason. His career has spanned over 50 years, and is best known for his iconic roles Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses and Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost.His childhood dream of becoming an actor was ‘crushed’ by his father, who couldn’t afford to support his acting career after his brother was accepted to RADA. David spent years as an electrician, whilst learning his craft in amateur theatre. In this episode David talks about his passion for performance, the heartbreak of losing a role in Dad’s Army and why he’s addicted to making audiences laugh.His latest memoir This Time Next Year is out now.

"I'm that lucky guy who found his hobby and was able to turn it into a job." William Dalrymple is a multi-award winning and bestselling historian. Growing up on the Dalrymple family estate in North Berwick, with an almost Edwardian childhood, William was sent off to Ampleforth College at just eight years old. It was there that his passion for history grew and he spent his free time on archaeological digs and getting lost in history books. William has gone on to turn that childhood fascination into an incredible career. He has written numerous bestselling books including White Mughals and The Last Mughals. His latest book The Golden Road is out now.