Avoiding My Anxiously Attached Boyfriend

Smoggie Queens is the chaotic, camp and heartfelt BBC comedy following a group of queer friends navigating life, love and absolute mayhem in Middlesbrough and in this episode, we’re joined by creator and star Phil Dunning alongside actor Elijah Young to talk all about it.

From the inspiration behind the show and how the characters came to life, to filming inside real queer spaces in the North East, the pair share the journey of turning a lockdown script into one of the BBC’s funniest new sitcoms. They also tease what’s to come in season two, including weddings, football episodes, disastrous dates and even more chaos at the local gay bar.

Alongside the comedy, the conversation gets deeply personal as Phil and Elijah open up about growing up queer in Middlesbrough, coming out, family expectations and the emotional realities that shaped both their lives and the stories within the show. From sneaking through basement windows to hide relationships at university, to finding chosen family and learning to finally feel comfortable in themselves, this episode is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.

We also get into dating horror stories, attachment styles, queer nightlife, masculinity, friendship dynamics and the pressure of navigating identity within both small-town life and the queer community.

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We’re joined by choreographer and creative director Claud for a deeply honest conversation about identity, healing, relationships and what it means to truly come home to yourself. From growing up in Angola and moving to the UK at a young age, to navigating queerness, family expectations and life in the spotlight, Claud reflects on the experiences that shaped him into the person he is today. 
In this episode, he opens up about the emotional impact of therapy, the patterns he uncovered within himself and the heartbreak that forced him to finally slow down and look inward. He shares how journaling, meditation and self-reflection helped him reconnect with his identity, while also unpacking masculinity, people pleasing and the pressure to perform within both the queer community and the entertainment industry. 
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We’re joined by Zelah, a Trans man, content creator and online coach, for an open and honest conversation about transitioning, identity and what it really means to navigate masculinity in today’s world.
In this episode, Zelah shares his journey from growing up as a queer woman to transitioning later in life, reflecting on how identity can evolve over time rather than arriving as a single defining moment. From navigating family dynamics and cultural expectations to unpacking internalised ideas of masculinity, he offers a deeply personal insight into the realities of self-discovery.
He opens up about the physical and emotional experience of transitioning, including the parts people don’t often talk about, and challenges common misconceptions around gender, dysphoria and what it means to feel at home in your body.
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We’re joined by Shaden, a fearless Arab comedian and outspoken voice on identity, politics and freedom of expression, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about queerness, culture and resistance.
In this episode, Shaden opens up about growing up in the Arab world and navigating the tension between cultural identity and personal freedom. From challenging taboos around sex, religion and language to confronting censorship and societal expectations, she shares what it really means to speak openly in environments where silence is often enforced.
She reflects on the complexity of being both Arab and queer, pushing back against the idea that queerness is a “Western concept” and exploring how colonialism, politics and religion have shaped modern narratives across the Middle East. 
Alongside this, she opens up about mental health, relationships, identity and the realities of living between cultures, offering a deeply honest perspective on what it means to exist, resist and find moments of joy in a complicated world. 
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We’re joined by Cliff, Editor-in-Chief of Attitude Magazine and Rolling Stone UK, for an honest and insightful conversation about identity, media, community and what it really means to create cultural impact.
In this episode, Cliff reflects on his journey through the media industry. From working in queer nightlife magazines to leading some of the most influential publications in the UK. He shares how his early experiences in the LGBTQ+ scene shaped his perspective, and how community, activism and storytelling became central to his work. 
We explore the evolution of representation in media, from a time when covers were dominated by a narrow idea of masculinity, to a more diverse and inclusive landscape today. Cliff opens up about the responsibility of storytelling, why representation still has a long way to go, and how small shifts in perspective can create real cultural change. 
He also talks about identity and belonging, growing up in a working-class immigrant family, finding his place within the queer community, and the power of chosen family. From chaotic club culture to quiet moments of “doing nothing”, Cliff reflects on how his relationship and personal life helped him find balance. 
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