Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball - Bonfires, Bird on a Perch and the Barry White of Gardening

Episode Date: November 5, 2025

Jo relives the wild bonfire bash that ended with her “cool mum” status in tatters, while Zoe swaps party mayhem for peace in a walled garden retreat. Plus gardening wisdom from Adam “the Barry White of Gardening” Kirtland and bonfire safety tips from gardner and fireman Johnny Hinks.   GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [e-mail] 📱 Text or Voice Note: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp:⁠ ⁠https://wa.me/447477038795⁠⁠ SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS This episode is brought to you by QVC & EE ✨QVC - Click below to discover QVC’s range of menopause products and support. And don’t forget to use the code QDIG10 for £10 off your first purchase (minimum spends apply, see QVC website for full terms and conditions) - https://www.qvcuk.com/content/menopause-your-way.html?cid=PR-PR-Digit&e22=Digit 📶 EE - Whether you’re hosting or guesting this Christmas, stay connected with EE. Their broadband and mobile keep you covered with superfast speeds and rock-solid reliability - perfect for streaming, FaceTiming or gaming. Get ahead of the festive chaos and sort your connection early. For more, just search ‘EE Does More’. CREDITS Exec Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Video Editors: Danny Pape and Jack Whiteside Dig It is a Persephonica production

Coming up on Digit, the lodger said to me, is that not an insult that someone goes to a fancy dress party dressed as you and Joe? And I was like, absolutely not. Hey, guys, do you think you could just like calm it down a little bit? And then the next morning, Coco was like, I can't believe you shouted at my friends. Yes, fine, I haven't turned the music down. Yes, and then you just get to that point of all of that right after this. This episode of Digit is sponsored by QVC. Zoe, do you ever feel like this time of year just flies by?

Oh, absolutely. One minute it's bonfire night, the next minute you're frantically wrapping presents at midnight. There is so much to do for everyone else that you forget to stop for even five minutes. Exactly. That's why menopause your way at QVC is such a game changer. It's not just shopping. It's about reclaiming a bit of time for yourself and finding small ways to feel more like you again. I ended up finding my new favourite Evada shampoo there. It's rosemary and mint. The

centre alone feels like self-care and Liz Earle's super skin range. My skin just drinks it in. And what's great is that QVC make it simple. Their shot by symptom tool helps you navigate the noise whether you're struggling with sleep, mood or dry skin. They've got expert advice on confidence, relationships, even relaxation techniques. Plus, Everything comes with QVC's extended money back guarantee, which means you've got until the 31st of January to decide if it's right for you. To explore more, search menopause at QVC UK.com. And don't forget to use the code QDig 10 for 10 pounds off your first purchase over 30 pounds. That's QDig 10, QDIG10 for 10 off your first order over 30 pounds. For full terms, visit the QVC website. Whether it's gifts for you or your friends,

carve out a little time for yourself this Christmas with QVC. Hey, Joe, remember, remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plots. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot. Is that right? Have I remembered that right? You know so much more than I do. Very good.

Bravo. Thanks. Oh, how are you, darling? How was disco? Steve's incredible firework display. It was incredible. It was amazing. And the way it works is that we tell all our neighbours

and all our friends who are coming to the party to bring either a rocket, a bit of food for the table or a bottle, or all three if they want to. They can bring whatever, but it gets ridiculously competitive. Amongst the men, I'll be honest with you. I don't want to be sexists, but it just seems to be this way.

So they all turn up with their massive rockets trying to outdo each other. And that means that we have an amazing firework display. and it was the best ever this year. It was so good. What is it with boys and fireworks? I know. It's such a funny thing. I have always been really happy not to be involved in the lighting of fireworks because I think since I was really young, I've always been a little bit scared of them, to be honest with you.

Yeah. But having said which, you are then spoiled to a proper ooh-ar wow display. And some of the rockets you can get now are just bombastic, aren't they? It was so impressive. What people do these days bring along boxes. So you just have your box and you light it and then you just get this, you know, full-blown firework display. I think the Punisher was the finale of our bonfire party. And that was brought by Ollie. And Ollie's dad, Tim, was always Disco Steve's co-pilot when it came to doing the bonfires and the fireworks. So Ollie is very much carrying on his dad's legacy. We missed him to him so badly when it gets to bonfire night. But Ollie is there and he stole the show this year. It's always one of my favorite parties because there's a point. So as we've talked about before, when you have parties, there's a lot of social anxiety, people get nervous about coming along and there are always dropouts. And I know now, since we've started doing the podcast, I understand better those messages that I get like an hour before

the party of people just going, oh, I can't make it tonight. And now I know that it's because they just can't face it and that's fine. Yeah. But the bonfire and the fireworks just gives people something to focus on and to chat about. And the minuscule of sound was going until at 6.30 in the morning, apparently. Oh, that sounds like a record. because of course it would still be dark, wouldn't it? So you just keep going. I remember my friend Nick always used to bring the best rocket at my friend Helen's celebration of her birthday.

And I was convinced it was called the embalmer, this rocket. But maybe it was called the Punisher. But he would bring five, and they probably would cost him a small fortune. And they were insanely impressive. We had this amazing bonfire, which India's boyfriend Alex and India built over the course of the week. and we had pallets and it was it was lovely and we made sure that there were no small creatures in there we were very, very careful about that

and it was an amazing bonfire and then the next day because they are such I don't know how to describe them but they are amazing cooks and they're really into food and so they took up a pumpkin and they took of a cauliflower and some sweet potatoes.

They wrapped them in foil and they laid them on the embers of the bonfire and then throughout the day they cooked and then we ate them on Sunday evening we had a big feast. I mean it's not part of my world but I enjoyed eating the food. I didn't know you could do that.

What a great idea. So you leave them overnight and as the embers are dying, it's roasting. Your pumpkins, this is a problem, isn't it? Because after Halloween, you're left with all these pumpkin inids and you don't know what to do with them. I saw a really lovely thing where the ones, especially the ones you've already carved, because often mine didn't get carved. I was going to do Burton Ernie from Sesame Street, which I think, frankly, would have been above my capabilities creatively. But next year, I'm going to try it.

I even bought the olives of their eyes. And I bought this sort of funny stuff to do with their hair. I never know which one's burnt and which one's Ernie. But so I've got a load of pumpkins that weren't carved. But if you've carved them, I've noticed a lot of people, you just cut the top bit off and then fill the lower bit or just leave it whole with loads of bird seed and put out out at the garden. And the birds, obviously, at this time of year, you know, the weather's getting colder.

They're really looking for food. And then they'll eat a bit of the pumpkin and the seeds around it. And there you go, if you're wondering what to do with them, before they rot, you know, because they can get quite smelly, can't they after a while? Oh, stinky, yeah, yeah. That's a good tip. I know. You've never heard of that before. I'm going to do that, yeah. Woody came over, not actually on Halloween, but he was laughing at the amount of pumpkins I had. And the fact is that on Halloween night, I was on my own at home. And he was a bit like, Mom, you've got so many sweets. I was like, I know. And last time we were living in the middle of the countryside. No one came. And I would always have sweets. And no one ever came. Anyway, Woody don't need to laugh at me anymore. because on Halloween, I was a very popular house. I had tiny vampires. I had a miniature Claudia Winkleman.

I had little baby pumpkins, giant pumpkins. A lot of very tiny Mike Wozowski's from Monstersink. They were some really scary masks, actually. Terrifying teenagers. And I ran out. I had to rummage through Nelsrum for some sweets that I need to replace, actually. I gave away my favourite Halloween biscuits. But it was a huge success.

And I cannot tell you how much pleasure it bought me to see all the kids in their little outfits. I was so chuffed. So next year, Joe, remind me, I'm going to go big. I'm going to do decorations in the window and everything. And because I ran out of treats, I'd had these amazing light-up googly eyes that once I was sort of dry, I was thinking, I can't hand out apples, you know. Oh, God, no, don't be that person. You know, they're just going to be like, going to egg your door. So I took the googly eyes in and I turned the lights off.

so that I wasn't false advertising. But can I say, kids, thank you so much. You made an old lady very happy. So you weren't alone. I wasn't alone. It was really lovely. Don't forget, if Digit makes your week a bit brighter, hit subscribe on YouTube or hit follow on Apple or Spotify.

And that way, brand new episodes will be ready and waiting for you as soon as they're out. Also, on the subject of Halloween, David, who pops by and gives me a blowy, sometimes. I was careful what I say. He does my barnet. He was at a Halloween party on Saturday night where he met a Zoe Ball and a Joe Wiley.

And I have a picture of David. There's Joe Wiley. Look. Oh, my God. We're Halloween creatures now. We are. I don't think she looks massively unlike you. And that's my lovely friend, David.

We've got similar eyes. Yeah, kind of like almond eyes. And it's funny. Because the lodger said to me, is that not an insult that someone goes to a fancy dress party dressed as you and Joe? And I was like, absolutely not. I think it's like a massive, massive compliment. You didn't get dressed up this year. There was no dressing up at all.

I didn't get dressed up. You look, you make a very cute witch. Look at you in your hat. You look fantastic. Obviously, as an ex-goth, all I did was going to my wardrobe, put on all my black clothes, my black lacy tights and some black boots. But then, and then got Maisie to get me a hat. And she got such a cool hat. I really enjoy that. That is a great hat.

Yeah. There's a disco ball in our hallway, which was sending out all kinds of beautiful shapes and, yeah, making it look gorgeous. What a fantastic night. So hang on, minuscule of sound was going till 6.30 in the morning. What time did you get to bed? I went to bed at 2 o'clock. So I think disco actually went to bed before me this time because he did, we played bird on a perch, which is this stupid game where you were either a bird or a perch. And we do it every time we have a party. But this year, I actually took part in the game. and I was with my friend Andrew who's the vet and we were a pair I was the bird, he was the perch so hang on a minute

have I not explained this before what happens you were the bird or a perch this is bonkers okay so it's like you know when you're doing here we go around the mulberry bush and you hold hands and you just go around a circle so you have a circle of people like that on the outside they are the perches

and then you have a circle of people on the inside and they are the birds and you have partners so you choose your partner and then you go around in alternate circles or, you know, the other way around. So disco, Steve's playing the music. We had lovely to Labor who was choosing who was out. And when the music stops, it's like...

The bird sits on the perch. The bird sits on the perch, yeah. Okay. And so you have to find your perch. And it's carnage. It's carnage. There was all kinds of injuries because it was... And it was in my freshly painted kitchen as well.

You can imagine the heart attack I was having. Oh, but it was brutal. They were like, you know, nearly broken noses. There were cuts. There were aches and pains the next day, I can tell you. But it's a good game. It's a really fun game. That sounds like a great game. Obviously, because everyone's had a couple of shandies by this point

and everyone gets highly competitive. So people get more boisterous. Yeah. Kind of throwing themselves at the perch, the birds. No longer like little creatures. Yeah. No, just knocking people out of the way. I definitely thought, I am the oldest one in this game

and I definitely, I'm too fragile to be doing this now because you've got like 19-year-old, 17-year-old girls and boys and then 25-year-old girls and boys just desperate to get to their bird or their perch and just will, yeah, take no prisoners. Do you know what? You guys, the Wiley Mortons, come up with the best games. I don't know where that came from.

I really don't. I'll try that at Christmas. Oh, but do it outside as well. It's much better played outside because then you have more space and you don't worry about knocking things over. Yeah. But if people have got other party games,

I'd love to know. If there's something like Bird and Perch that you do, then let us know because then we can play that at our next party. We had great success throwing the toilet brush, toilet brush challenge. We did that for a couple of years. years. Remind me of this. Yeah. And you have to buy a new toilet brush. Obviously, you don't want to be lobbing a dirty toilet brush. But that became very competitive in our family. And I'd bought these

toilet brushes that their holders were ducks. And you just, I caught loads of listeners doing it one year. And people got so good at it. It's really hard. But obviously, you need to do new toilet brushes. And you have to stand behind a line and you have to throw the brush into the holder. And it's much harder than you think. You can actually land it. Yeah. you can land it. You can land it. It gets so tense that when someone lands it

is like everyone goes absolutely crazy. Woody always says to me, it's like, I love parties with your gang, mum. And I was like, I love parties with your gang because we're the old school and we were crazy ravers and none of us can really take the pace anymore. But occasionally, in fact,

at a couple of weekends time, it's my birthday and my mate Snowy's birthday. We're a sort of joint together and we always get together with all our kids and we've started planning that now and I'm really looking forward to it because it usually kicks right off. We get, we, there's, I think there's about 35 of us in total, and we've got various plans. There's plans to go and have saunas on the beach, swim in the sea.

I don't know if I'll, I don't know if I'll be doing that, Joe. And then we'll go for, we're going to my friend's pub for a big meal and then we're all coming back here for a party. That sounds lovely. I reckon we could get bird and a perch in the lounge for just clear. The sofas that move somewhere. Yeah, clear all the breakables. My house afterwards, the Monday morning after the party, it's like Glastonbury when everybody has left. So there are bottles and cans of Smirnoff and there are costumes and there are body parts and all kinds of things.

And I don't know if anyone listening to this or watching that feeling, you look around and you're like, okay, oh, they've all gone back to work and they've gone back to school and it is just me that's going to be doing this and doing all the clearing up and the tidying up and the finding bits, people cans. I did lose it at one point. It got to, I was in bed and everyone's obviously having a really great time running around and all of Coco's friends were here and they all, they come in the room where we do the podcast. So this is the one that has the most devastation. But it's that they traditionally, this has always been their room. And then I realized that, oh my God, the camera and the equipment, everything is in there. So I had to kind of pack it all away. Anyway, it got to about, it was about 420 in the morning and there were voices. And I kept thinking, be the cool mum, let them make a noise. It's absolutely fine. And they got to 425 and I was like, I'm done, I'm done. So I had to get my clothes on and I came downstairs. And all the time, I I'm thinking, channel cool mum, channel cool mum, do not shout, do not raise your voice. So I said, in the calmest, nicest voice I could possibly say, I was like, hey, guys, do you think you could just like calm it down a little bit? And then the next morning, Coco was like, I can't believe you shouted at my friends. And I was going, I was going, I swear I was so, I was trying so hard not to shout.

That was me being really nice. But still, still, she went, oh, they're all just really scared of you now. It's that thing, isn't it? You think, oh, because we are, we kind of, we love our kids having a good. time and I'm always like that. I'm like, yeah, fine. Yeah, fine. They're crashing all the doors. Yes, fine. They haven't turned the music down. Yes. And then you just get to that point of like that. Like that. It's like that bin with now and I when he goes, get in the back of the man. It's sort of like that. I'm so sorry that I had to do that. But it's like, I'm my patience.

And I'm not good if I don't sleep. For someone who used to, you know, live for the party and stay up for four days on end, I now, I need my sleep. And I'm all fine. certain point, especially when they're their age. So you're like, they kind of have got to go to school on Monday. They do need to keep it down. See, while you were having that lovely party, I escaped to the country this on Saturday. I went and stayed in this amazing place. I don't know if you've got a place that you escaped to. I think it's always really lovely to have somewhere that was quite near. I just schlep across the top of the downs to a place called Maidhurst, which is above Arandall. And they've got the pig hotel there.

And my favorite place to stay there is they have these beautiful, they're effectively shepherds huts like wagons and they're in, and it's the dream, Joe, they're in a walled garden where they grow, all the produce that you can then eat in the amazing restaurant. And oh, it's just heaven. And I was so lucky because it was a clear night. Then this crazy rain came. Then there was lightning. But then it was a clear morning.

so you are sort of sleeping under the stars because there's no light pollution up there it's just the middle of nowhere, it's beautiful and had this amazing meal and everything you're eating half the stuff's been grown in the garden and then in the morning I did a little tour of all the brassicas and the onions

and the carrots and oh it's just you've never said the cabbages oh god they're just huge and heavenly it is the dream a walled garden I mean, it's a little bit like you've got a tiny little walled garden. Yeah, I mean, you've got a little, your little mini one. But it's the dream. Have you, so have you still got produce growing now?

Yeah, I have actually. The beech root is still in the ground. Some of the potatoes are, but then also the kale. And yeah, there's a couple of things, cabbages possibly. I don't know. I haven't been out in the garden. I haven't been into that area of the garden for quite a long time. But I did walk through it the other day and I was like, oh, God, I really need to harvest some of this and cook some of this.

Yeah. Oh, so you had college. time, like with the lodger, I presume, and you went away and you just had a really lovely escape. Yeah, drag the lodger away from his desk. It's important though, right? Yes. It was really heavenly. And it's funny how just like a little mini break like that, it just came back, I felt really, really refreshed and ready for the week ahead. And also, I'm really excited because I've made two new discoveries this week. One being Uniclo. Oh my God, have you been to Uniclo? No, I had to get a very, very.

brilliant young person to tell me about the sizing system. But they have got, like J.W. Anderson did a collection for them. And a couple of people have said to me, if you want jeans and you know, and jumpers and stuff, they're really good prices and they're really good shapes. And they're quite, I mean, I don't know, everyone's probably been shopping there for ages. But I went to the one in Manchester and it was fantastic. And I got loads of jeans. I got this jumper and really good prices.

So I'm probably late to the game So I just wanted to tell you about that Because I'd like to share when we find new discoveries I think they do good jackets In the past I've bought jackets Like those Yeah the padded jackets That are very light and warm

And amazing thermals Really lovely thermals Lovely fitted tops And you just need someone to explain the sizes to you And then the other discovery That I've made this week With my ageing skin I sigh and cry

over my constant battle to find foundations. Yes. Because I find so many of them just dry up in my face and get dusty and crusty. Creepy. Yeah, crepey. Anyway, I have discovered this week. It was advertised online.

The fabulous Victoria Beckham. I love that girl. She does make amazing makeup. Has teamed up with Augustinius Bader. I may be saying his name wrong because I just always call him August. Bader. And he makes the, you know, the fantastic moisturisers, like the rich cream and stuff. She's teamed up with him. So she's made this moisturiser. And I swear, I don't know, it might just be

me, but it is so brilliant. It's really light. I'm not being paid. I paid for this, by the way, with my own money. But it's got some of the cream in it. And it's really quite light. It doesn't feel like you're wearing loads. And I had a picture taken on Saturday night. And I thought, oh, my, God, I look alive. My skin looks dewy. So I'm just saying, girls, anyone who struggles with finding good foundations, I think it's pretty brilliant. So it's a foundation, not a moisturiser. It's a foundation, but it's got the moisturiser in it. And it just doesn't look too heavy on your face. It lasts all day. Looks quite light. It's quite reflective. And then over the top of that, I use the old Jones Road like balms for a bit of colour. It seems to be

working. So I just had to share these things. This is good. Because I get through a lot of these things trying different products out. And it costs your fortune sometimes. Oh, it does. Yeah. Yeah. No, you do want to know what works. Next, we'll take a quick break for some ads. If you'd like these episodes ad-free, then why not become a member of the potting shed? You'll get longer episodes, bonus content, and most importantly, you'll be supporting the show. For details on how to join, check out the show notes. We've got an expert now who's going to be here to help us because we've got a dog and two cats now.

And when it comes to bonfire night, obviously it's really important to look after your pets and make sure that they're safe. And ours have never been bothered. They've been absolutely fine. I know a lot of people have dogs and cats who get very distressed by fireworks. But ours just seem to love the company and the lights and they're okay.

But we've got Johnny, Johnny Hinks, aka Garden with Johnny. And he's on hand with some bonfire night safety tips. So let's hear from Johnny. Because he's also a fireman, isn't he? It's brilliant. Hi, Joe. Hi, Zoe. Johnny Hinks here. I think last time you saw me, I was in the garden. I was probably wearing short shorts as well.

But this is my other gig. I am a firefighter. So let's talk about staying safe this bonfire night. First up, bonfires. Keep them well away from sheds, fences and trees, at least five metres. Also, never use petrol or accelerants. You'll go from Guy Fawkes to Gone Wrong Forks in seconds. Always have a bucket of water or a hose pipe close by, just in case.

When it's over, make sure you douse it with lots of water. If it's still steaming, it's still potentially dangerous. And now fireworks. Always buy them from a reputable cellar and follow the instructions. Light them at arm's length and never go back to a lit firework, even if it looks like it's fizzled out. Pets. Fireworks can be absolutely terrifying for them.

Keep them indoors with the curtains closed and the TV or a radio want to muffle out the noise. So whether you're in your garden with some sparklers or at a display, stay safe. Look after your furry friends and make sure you have an amazing bonfire night. Oh, I love Johnny. I love garden with Johnny.

You know, this is a man who's massively into his garden and is also a firefighter. I mean, he couldn't, firefighters are some of my favorite people. You know, whenever I still wave at fire engines whenever I see them, if I see firefighters out and about. I'm always like, ooh, they are such incredible humans who keep us safe and their job is so dangerous. And sorry, Garden with Johnny, how do you get those guns?

They're insane. His muscles are like, it's sort of, how, he's sort of like a superhero, a Marvel hero or something. Like Mr. Incredible. He reminds me of Mr. Incredible. That's what he's got similar kind of hair colour and the, yeah, the physique. So he's a superhero, gardening superhero slash fireman. He's like the perfect man. Yeah, thank you, Johnny. We love garden with Johnny and we also love Adam Kirtland, who is also known as View from the Potting Bench, and he's here to give us some tips for the wet and frosty winter months. Well, hello there, Joe and Zoe. And just because Joe said she liked my voice last time,

I'm going to do this one for you in an extra saltry. way. What is my life? Things have really cooled down in the garden this week and yes I'm out here in the jillet but some of your plants will still need some extra TLC, tender loving care. Now being serious for a moment there are some plants that will need your extra help over winter and when frost hits you do run the risk of losing them but I'm going to show you exactly how to protect them.

It's almost impossible to go through all the plants that need protecting but I'll put a list to them in the comments for you. You may have some of these plants in pots, and there are two things that you can do right now to protect them from the cold and wet. Let's start off by making sure your plants aren't too wet. Potts like this one have drainage holes in the bottom, but in autumn and winter when it's exceptionally wet,

sometimes it doesn't drain away properly, so we need to lift that pot up. You can buy expensive specialist terracotta pot feet, or you can just use some large stones. It really is just the case of lifting your pot up, putting those stones underneath, and that lets the water drain away freely. So how about the frost then? There are plants that need that extra bit of care over winter

and I haven't got many of them in my garden purely because life is dramatic enough but I've got one that does need that extra care and I'm going to show you how I do it. Now this here behind me is a begonia and chances are I could lose it to the frosts but I'm going to show you the simple method that I use to protect it and keep it snug and warm. This might look like the remnants of a Halloween costume but it's actually something called horticultural fleece and you wrap it around your plant to protect it from the harshest of frosts it's as simple as wrapping it around a plant when a frost is forecast and pegging it in place this stuff really isn't that expensive it was about one pound 50 for this

two meter piece from the garden centre but you could easily use an old blanket or even bubble wrap and there you have it two super simple ways to protect your pots and plants from cold and wet this winter if you've got any other questions about gardening in winter pop them in the comments and i will answer them for you and joe i hope you enjoyed the extra effort that i put into my voice just for this video. They don't call me the Barry White of gardening for nothing. Oh, oh, Adam. You were the best. Oh, God, I appreciated that, Adam. Now I'm talking in a deeper voice just to try and match you, the Barry White of Radio. Just to try and match him. So, oh, he's brilliant. He, isn't he? He's wonderful. Adam, thank you for always teaching his stuff and really

making us laugh as well as you're standing there, a man in a garden in a jule. It's got amazing tattoos as well Also during that you were visited by Nemo Who has gone down an absolute tree Everyone is loving Nemo The kitten is our little dig-it kitten Oh he's yawning Oh he's too gorgeous

I think I'd seen a couple of comments From people saying yeah His fluffy is he is a main coon Yeah I think it's definitely elements of main coon Which is showing right now He's sitting on the little table by the side of us We've got our little dolls of you and me but he's grown already. It's unbelievable how much he's grown. And quite a few people were saying,

oh, you've got a ginger cat and they watch out because they are characters. And that's what we're discovering with him. He's so fun and sociable and just lively. I mean, he's a kitten, so kittens are lively. But honestly, he doesn't mind anyone handling him. We're having challenges at the moment introducing him to Django, the dog and also Kiki, our cat, who's a rag doll. They're a little bit A bit wary. A little bit put out. A little bit kind of like, what the hell have you brought in and how long is it going to stay for? When is he leaving?

Yeah, exactly. Django's terrified of him. Django's like a massive golden retriever. And he won't even come in the room if the kittens in there. He's just like, whoa, take it away. How funny. Kiki is the older cat is being very disdainful. Well, you can understand that.

I know. My family were all disappointed that Nemo is not living here. I was like, no, you live at Joe's house. Because they were all like, oh, we're coming over. We want to meet Nemo. I was like, no, Nemo's at Joe's house. house. But he's very gorgeous, but it has started the conversation amongst us about whether Wilbur would like a friend or not. So, yeah, I'll blame you if there's, if we've got, I know,

it's quite exciting. Crate digging, yes. My crate digging this week is Brandy Carlisle. Because last it was so busy talking about Lily Allen. And I've really loved being on trains this week and hearing everybody, everywhere, discussing Lily's album. And I think it's gone down an absolute treat. And I couldn't help but notice on Halloween that she was dressed up as the book character, Lynn, which is absolutely brilliant. And Amelia from chicken shop was dressed up as Lily Allen's divorce, I think. I think she was in an outfit dressed as David Harbour in Stranger Things and holding a phone with Lily Allen on it. And so I think so much fun to be had with that. Yeah. So much fun to be had. I think it's the gift that keeps on giving. But also out last week was

another of our favourite, Brandy Carlisle. I love this girl so much. I think she writes the most beautiful heartfelt music and this is her first solo album in quite a while because she was busy doing a project with Elton and she was doing the Joni jams and she's just what I've been producing other artists as well and this is called returning to myself and she wrote a lot about the fact that she you know after everything that's been going on her life and having kids and being so busy she had to do that thing of going off on her own and and working on her album on her own. And it is absolutely beautiful. A couple of tracks on here in particular that I love. Church and State is an absolute banger. A long goodbye will break your heart. There's an amazing

song on here called You Without Me, which is about watching your kids growing up and suddenly seeing how they're going to be, you know, without you, that they are their own characters. And, you know, they need you always, but they're going to be great on their own as well. And as a pair in it really breaks your heart. And a woman overseas as well, which I think she's written about her fabulous wife, Catherine. This is an absolute beauty. I love this girl. And she's doing loads of dates next year.

I've trying to talk my friend into going to New York to watch her in Madison Square Gardens. She is playing in London. She is playing up for all Paris. You know, sometimes it's really fun to go to a gig somewhere else. I make a little weekend of it. So Brandy Carlisle's new album. That's my crate digging. I'll be honest, I've been mega busy this week with.

all kinds of things. And I was desperate to get to a record shop, but it just didn't happen. So I was looking for Tame and Parlor's album, which I think you've managed to get on my behalf. I've got your copy. Here is your copy. Okay, thank you. Thank you for that. I'll put it in the post. Yes. Dracula, obviously, very topical release. That's been the current single as well. And it's just in time for Halloween. But Kevin Parker is something of a demigod in this house. Cass absolutely worships him. They played, they headlined at Glastonbury a couple of years back now. They're coming to do some dates next year and they're just really great.

I just love the world that they inhabit. So this album has been something I've been very excited about. I don't know it terribly well, so I can't select tracks. It's just one of those records that I am going to turn my attention to and listen to, but I really rate them.

And I also wanted to mention, in terms of stuff I've been playing on my show, a new artist, there's a girl called Siena Spiro, who is amazing. I mean, she's only young, she's only about 20, I think, but has an incredibly, incredible voice. Like, really dramatic. she's got a beautiful song out at the moment

and it's very it's like a torch song it's very very bombastic inspired by Queen and she's just one to look out for so if I'm going to drop names for you to be aware of to look for next year Sienna Spiro is one of those people and also Mumford and Sons have just announced

that they are going to have an album out next year and I had the pleasure of being sent a copy so I've listened to that already and it's really good it's really really good Marcus Mumford's really good friends with Brandy Carlisle, isn't he? Exactly. Full Circle. Yeah, she's on the new album.

She's, I think she sent him a text or wrote him some lyrics, which are on the song that he's, I think. Is it the song he's done with Hosia that you played on your show? And I was like, oh yeah, all ties in. There you go. Yeah, no, she's on the album. And she's on the album as well. You lucky thing. You get to hear things early.

I think I got to hear it because Marcus was really, really excited about it. I just was like, oh my God, what do you think? What do you think? And it is really good. And yeah, they've just done this track with Hosia But very, very much looking forward To be able to play that some more If people are fans, then you've got a real treat in store

So Siena Spiro, Tame Impala, Mumford and Sons But that's a little way in the distance for now I'm just being eaten and attacked by a kitten Oh, it's fallen off the chair, it's gone now Oh no They don't hurt themselves when they're like that though, do they? They just bounce They just bounce

If you ever want any more information about things we talk about on the pod be our crate digging choices, clothes we wear, makeup we might recommend, any brands and stuff like that. Just check out our substack letter, which drops every Friday, and you can find how to get that by checking out the show notes.

Yeah, there are lots of pictures there. It's really kind of obvious all the stuff that we talk about. So, yeah, if you ever have any questions, it's there for you to enjoy. It's great. It's really good. I love it. And don't forget, on Monday, it's one I think a lot of people

are going to be really, really interested in and probably have lots of their questions. answered. We have Dr. Naomi Potter joining us to talk about menopause, anything menopause related, so covering all different aspects of it, and that'll be Monday's dig in. All right, darling, have a good week, and I'll speak you soon.

Hey, do you know what, I'm coming your way, I'm coming to Brighton for the weekend. Are you playing? No, I'm not, no, and I'm not even doing a gig. I'm coming to Brighton to play. I'm staying with some friends, and we're going to have a really nice time, and we're going to try and go in the sauna and the sea lanes and all that sort of stuff. So maybe tell me that pub that you go to that your friend owns

and I'll try and eat. there. Have fun. Take care. Love you lots. Bye. Lots of love.