Mo Gilligan: Beginning, Middle & End

This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most exciting and thoughtful actors, Hammed Animashaun.From growing up in East London to finding his voice through performance, Hamed reflects on his journey from youth theatre to Shakespeare, blockbuster fantasy (The Wheel of Time), and his BAFTA-nominated role as the unforgettable K in BBC’s Black Ops.They talk about discipline, identity, creative patience, and why not every success story needs a Hollywood relocation. Hamed opens up about the realities of stage vs screen, the pressure of awards season, the long waits between jobs, and the importance of staying grounded while navigating success.

David Larbi joins Mo Gilligan on the Beginning, Middle & End podcast for a warm, honest conversation about creativity, purpose, and finding happiness in everyday life. David opens up about his upbringing, early love for music and football, and how writing became a way to understand himself and the world around him. He reflects on growing up with big expectations, navigating university, and learning to trust his creative instincts — even when the path didn’t look traditional or secure.As the conversation unfolds, Mo and David dive into the realities of chasing a creative life: rejection, money pressures, vulnerability, and the emotional weight of being seen. David speaks candidly about writing Frequently Happy, the impact it’s had on readers around the world, and the responsibility that comes with sharing your inner world so openly. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human, this episode is a reminder that happiness isn’t something you arrive at — it’s something you practise, moment by moment.

In this powerful and hilarious episode, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the original architects of Black British comedy — the incomparable Rudi Lickwood. From his early days as an Eddie Murphy lookalike to becoming a razor-sharp social commentator who reshaped the narrative of Black British identity on stage, Rudi shares 38 years’ worth of stories, wisdom, and war wounds.Rudi opens up about navigating hostile classrooms, systemic biases, and rebuilding himself to become a headliner across the UK. He breaks down the birth of the Black comedy circuit and the ongoing fight with gatekeepers who shaped (and limited) British TV.Mo and Rudi go deep on craft, legacy, timing, audience psychology, and the power of standing on each other’s shoulders. From military tours in Afghanistan to the peak Jongleurs era, this is a masterclass in comedy, survival, culture, and purpose.A thoughtful, funny, and essential conversation with a true OG.

On this episode of Beginning, Middle, End, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most dynamic tech leaders — Dean Forbes — a man who went from growing up on a South London estate, juggling responsibility at home and dreams of playing professional football, to leading companies through multi-billion euro exits and championing social mobility at scale.Mo and Dean dive deep into the resilience, humour, and hustle that shaped Dean’s journey, unpacking how those early experiences fuelled his rise from telesales to the boardroom, and why he’s now using his platform to empower the next generation through the Forbes Family Group. It’s a powerful, inspiring conversation about identity, ambition, and breaking ceilings — all delivered with the honesty, vulnerability and laughs you’d expect when these two worlds collide.Companies mentioned in this episode: Forbes Vodafone Motorola Oracle HSBC Morgan Stanley Google Crystal Palace ACLT Partners Group Andy Warhol Basquiat Jamiroquai

Mo Gilligan sits down with the globally loved, relentlessly funny Russell Howard for a wide-open conversation packed with belly laughs, proper honesty, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.From touring the world to becoming a dad, to breaking down how comedy really works, Russell brings his trademark mix of warmth, sharpness and pure silliness. We dig into Bristol life, TV fame, Mock the Week battles, global touring chaos, and his brand-new tour “Don’t Tell The Algorithm.”If you love stand-up, creativity, or just want an hour where you feel good about the world again — this episode delivers.🔥 Expect: • Mo & Russell’s unfiltered chat about the grind, the glow-ups, and the gig disasters • Finding a balance with a career and family life. • Why laughter is STILL the best way to understand the worldTap in, laugh hard, and share this with someone who needs a lift.

This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of England’s most naturally gifted footballers: Joe Cole. From breaking through at West Ham as a teenage prodigy, to winning Premier League titles with Chelsea, to representing England at three World Cups, Joe has lived the full spectrum of the beautiful game.In this episode, Joe opens up about:⚽ Growing up in Paddington & Camden and learning football in London cages⚽ Why he didn’t play academy football until age 11⚽ The madness of Sunday League vs. stepping onto world-class pitches⚽ The pressure of debuting in the Premier League as a teenager⚽ Playing alongside legends like Lampard, Carrick, Rio & Wrighty⚽ Being a flare player in an era where you got kicked for it⚽ His new book Luxury Player and what he learned looking back on his careerJoe also reflects on how the game has changed—from grassroots culture to VAR—and what today’s young stars face on and off the pitch.It’s honest, insightful, funny, and full of unbelievable stories.Tap in and enjoy the conversation with the legendary Joe Cole.

This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with the one and only DJ Mak 10 — the original architect of the grime sound and heartbeat of the legendary N.A.S.T.Y Crew. From spinning vinyl in East London bedrooms to uniting Wiley and Dizzee Rascal two decades later, Mak 10’s story is pure UK music history.They dive into his roots growing up with five brothers, his dad’s reggae band influence, and the wild early days of pirate radio and sidewinders. Mak 10 opens up about taking grime back to the streets — literally — with his now-iconic outdoor sets across London. Expect raw nostalgia, laughter, and serious insight into what it takes to be a pioneer who’s still pushing the culture forward.

From girl group superstardom to carving her path as a solo artist, Leigh-Anne Pinnock sits down with Mo Gilligan to talk beginnings, balance, and being boldly independent. In this candid conversation, Leigh-Anne opens up about life after Little Mix, embracing motherhood, finding her creative freedom, and the lessons behind her powerful documentary Race, Pop & Power.They dive into her musical roots, the pressure of fame, her evolving identity, and what it really means to be an artist on her own terms. Honest, funny, and deeply human—this is Leigh-Anne Pinnock like you’ve never heard her before.

This week on Beginning Middle End, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most authentic and resilient comedians — the legendary Kane Brown. From growing up in South London and becoming a father at 22, to building a property empire and then losing it all in the 2008 crash, Kane’s story is one of grit, growth, and finding laughter through life’s hardest lessons.He opens up about rediscovering himself through comedy, the power of self-belief, and building his own lane when the mainstream wouldn’t open its doors. Expect real talk, hilarious stories, and sharp reflections on fame, family, and what it takes to truly own your craft.Whether you know him from Rated 18 or his viral videos this episode shows you the man behind the mic — raw, reflective, and funny as ever.

This week, Mo sits down with the iconic Angellica Bell, whose 25-year career has made her one of British television’s most beloved presenters. From CBBC to The One Show, Angellica opens up about her journey from paper rounds and McDonald’s shifts to primetime success.Mo and Angellica reflect on growing up black in British TV, breaking barriers, surviving live television, and staying grounded through it all.