Ask Bigger Podcast

Comedian Simon Evans joins Simon Hood for a brilliantly open conversation about the making of a comic: from starting stand-up at 31 and finding his voice on stage to politics, free speech and being labelled a “right-wing comedian”.
Simon also talks about the DNA test that revealed he could have up to 1,000 half-siblings, his experience meeting some of them, and why he worries AI could do serious damage to creativity.

If you grew up in Britain in the 90s, Saturday night meant one thing: Gladiators. And today's guest didn't just enter the arena — he owned it.James Crossley became HUNTER at just 19, the youngest gladiator on the show, and stayed for all eight years of the ITV original. In this episode he tells Simon what the cameras never showed: the producer who told him he was rubbish after year one, the note pushed under his hotel door each night telling him which 50ft event he'd be doing, the game that broke a gladiator's neck, the fake tan that got them banned by the hotel, and the press office that was leaking the stories it was supposed to protect them from.And then there's everything after the arena: touring America with the Royal Shakespeare Company, winning Britain's Strongest Master at 40, breaking the Dinnie Stones grip world record in 2018 (with a little help from a psychic), and the injury that ended it all — leading him somewhere nobody would predict: gong baths, sound healing, and the London Handpan Academy.Oh — and Simon challenges him to a duel. It goes about as well as you'd expect.

What happens when you hand a microphone to Britain's most mischievous fox?
Absolute chaos.
In this episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood is joined by the legendary Basil Brush for a conversation packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected revelations and more "Boom! Boom!" moments than should probably be allowed.
From over six decades in showbusiness to life on stage, television and everything in between, Basil proves exactly why he's remained one of Britain's best-loved entertainers for generations.
Expect plenty of cheek, a few surprises, some proper laugh-out-loud moments and the kind of conversation that goes completely off the rails… in the best possible way.
Whether you grew up watching Basil or you're meeting him for the first time, buckle up. This one's a cracker.

This episode is brought to you by Angel Delight.

In this special Pride Month episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood sits down with the incredible Mama G - award-winning storyteller, author and advocate for kindness, confidence and inclusion.
Through the power of stories, Mama G has inspired children and families across the UK to celebrate what makes them unique and to embrace who they are.
Together, Simon and Mama G discuss the importance of representation, growing up, finding your voice, the role storytelling can play in shaping young minds, and why creating a world where everyone feels they belong matters more than ever.
A thoughtful, funny and uplifting conversation that feels particularly fitting as we celebrate Pride Month.
If you enjoy the episode, please follow, rate and share the podcast.

For 21 years, Tim Oliver has made a career out of looking like Ricky Gervais. He was the body double for Ricky on The Muppets Most Wanted. He performed stand-up as David Brent on Broadway. He has a story about Mr. T, a Prius, and David Beckham’s bony backside that you will genuinely not believe.In this episode of the Ask Bigger Podcast, Tim Oliver sits down with Simon Hood to discuss 21 years of impersonating other people and shares insane stories from his career, including: The Muppets shoot. The recent New York documentary premiering at Leicester Square. The Britain’s Got Talent days. The Mr. T Prius incident where David Beckham’s lookalike’s bony backside came through a windscreen. Interviewing Ricky Gervais in person for seven pages. Working with The Darkness. And why David Brent is a suit of armour that lets him walk into any room and say absolutely anything.