Comfort Eating with Grace Dent

The Guardian
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Oct 7, 2025 • 40min

S10, Ep11: Sally Wainwright, TV writer

This week, TV writer, producer and director Sally Wainwright OBE is pulling up a seat at Grace’s kitchen table. Sally’s love for words started at the age of nine, when she and her sister would stage plays together in their bedroom, a passion that would one day see her writing for beloved British soaps like The Archers, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. But the road to writing royalty has not always been so smooth, and Sally and Grace discuss the foods that have seen her through it all — from spaghetti pie, canteen stodge during her bus driving days, boozy lunches at Corrie, and Sally’s own concoctions in the kitchen
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Sep 30, 2025 • 42min

S10, Ep10: Mary Portas, broadcaster

This week, broadcaster, businesswoman and retail consultant, Mary Portas OBE pulls up a chair at Grace’s dining table. Mary initially set her sights on acting and was awarded a place at Rada, but then had to give it up after both her parents died. She was left homeless and she had to look after her younger brother, but she went on to blaze a trail through the world of retail and earn the moniker Queen of the High Street
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Sep 23, 2025 • 46min

S10, Ep9: Miriam Margolyes, actor

Sound the klaxon … we’re in National Treasure territory today as Miriam Margolyes joins Grace to discuss the joys of Jewish food, breaking wind and, of course, being naughty on national TV. Miriam is one of Britain’s most beloved actors, with her career spanning seven decades. But life hasn’t always been easy for Miriam, from her early years in wartime Britain, to coming out in the less-accepting 1970s. With her new The Little Book of Miriam just published, one thing’s for certain: no matter what, Miriam always has something to say
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Sep 16, 2025 • 45min

S10, Ep8: Mariella Frostrup, journalist

This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by one of Britain’s most beloved broadcasters – Irish-Norwegian journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup. Speaking to Grace, Mariella opens up about her early food memories growing up between Norway and Ireland with a Scottish mother, shares a cringe-worthy dinner faux pas involving Prince Charles and reflects on the perils of being a little too honest with her kids
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Sep 9, 2025 • 42min

S10, Ep7: Alan Davies, comedian

Today, Alan Davies pays Grace a visit, a dish of his favourite comfort food in hand. The Essex-born comedian has spent more than 30 years making us laugh and his third memoir, which shares the highs and lows of his comedy career, is out soon. But what food does he turn to for energy? • The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331.
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Sep 2, 2025 • 51min

S10, Ep6: CMAT, singer songwriter

This week, Grace is joined by a woman who has described herself as the unwashed ITV version of Taylor Swift – CMAT. With her third album, Euro-Country, out now, a summer calendar packed full of festivals and a tour on the horizon, what is this stunning, Irish superstar eating to fuel the ride? Warning: this episode contains descriptions of drug use and disordered eating
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Aug 26, 2025 • 42min

S10, Ep5: Nicola Sturgeon, former politician

This week, Grace is buzzing to meet former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Over the past few years, Nicola has weathered an independence referendum, Brexit, a pandemic, countless press briefings and parliamentary spats, an arrest and a divorce. So what food does she turn to when she needs some comfort?
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Aug 19, 2025 • 44min

From the archive (season 6): David Baddiel, comedian

As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to February 2024, when legendary comedian and author David Baddiel rocked up to Grace’s house. With a career spanning 40 years on TV, stage and radio, not to mention coining anthemic football songs and writing multiple bestselling books for adults and children, David has a unique place in our nation’s popular culture. He brings Grace his favourite comfort snack and, while demolishing this cherished chow, opens up about family, relationships and an obsession with telling the truth
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Aug 12, 2025 • 38min

From the archive (season 4): Jayde Adams, comedian

As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to November 2022, when Grace welcomed one of that year’s stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Jayde Adams. Jayde and Grace discuss Jayde’s Bristolian beginnings, what it takes to become a fishmonger, and what makes the perfect dinner party. And as always, the comfort foods that have seen Jayde through it all
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Aug 5, 2025 • 45min

From the archive (season 4): James Norton, actor

As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to January 2023, when Grace welcomed actor James Norton into her home. Grace realised there’s a lot more to learn about James, from his idyllic early years in Yorkshire, to a stint at a very religious boarding school, his breakthrough on the West End and, of course, the food that has been with him through it all

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