Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe - S6 EP4: Alesha Dixon

Episode Date: January 20, 2023

 Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant singer, dancer, author and presenter - Alesha Dixon. Alesha's latest book 'Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard ' (published by Scholastic Children’s Books) is out 2 March and available to pre-order now. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luna-Wolf-exciting-magical-perfect/dp/0702324108 Thanks, Rob + Josh. We're going on tour!! Fancy seeing the podcast live in some of the best venues in the UK? Of course you do, you're not made of stone! Tickets available now on the dates and at the venues below. We can't wait to see you there... ON SALE NOW  14th April 2023 - Manchester AO Arena 19th April 2023 - Nottingham 20th April 2023 - Cardiff  21st April 2023 - London (The O2) 23rd April 2023 - London (Wembley) 28th April 2023 - Birmingham Utilita Arena  If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: [e-mail] TWITTER: @parenting_hell INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, I'm Rob Beckett. And I'm Josh Winnockham. Welcome to Parenting Hell, the show in which Josh and I discuss what it's really like to be a parent, which I would say can be a little tricky. So, to make ourselves and hopefully you feel better about the trials and tribulations of modern-day parenting, each week we're chatting to a famous parent about how they're coping. Or hopefully how they're they're tha th hearing from you the listener with your tips, advice, and of course, tales of parenting woe. Because let's be honest, there are plenty of times when none of us know what we're doing.

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Hello you're listening to Parenting Hell with Cardi. You can't say Rob Beckett. Abbasick. And Josh, Whibigum. Rob Beckett I'm from Bessick Josh Wibiggin. I was

That was. Okay so Here is my 21 month old Caddy attempting the intro I've waited so long for her to do decent enough job to send in Can Rob guess the language and where we're from? Well, I think that's Welsh. I'd say Southern Wales. No, we live in North Wales, so she speaks mainly Welsh and some English as taught by Dougie and Bluey. I had a bad experience in North Wales,

did you? Well, a woman in a shop refused to speak English and I just had... And I knew she could speak English and then in the end I just that I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I that I just that I just that I just th. that I just th. th. that I just that I just th. that I just th. that I just that I just that I just that I just that I just that I just that I just th. that I just that I just that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. I th. I thi. I thi. I thi. I thi. I thi. I thi. I thi. I th. I th. I to speak English to me and I just didn't know what I was buying and I just had and I knew she could speak English and then in the end I just left because I couldn't purchase anything because I didn't know what it was and what was he was trying to buy? Lube. Absolutely love the podcast been listening for about a year trying to catch up while listening to the new episodes just getting to the Josh newborn days. It's bringing back memories of a shit sleeper roaring back. Thanks for your laughs, you sexy beasts. Leo 425 months and Gary 392 months, Leadbiter from Canarfan in North Wales. Canarvon, that's where I was. And the the theatre manager only spoke to me in Welsh as well. Oh, right. And I was just like, what are we doing here?

Like, surely, if the audience can only speak Welsh, I'm in real trouble here. Well, I was just like, look, I've not, I've not applied for a job in your theatre and move to Wales and refusing to intagrate. I'm here for one night. Please, just please answer me in English. All I want, just basically I just want to change their lighting slightly. And I'm not going on Google Translate. We're up against it. It took me five hours to get it from crew. For fuck sake, Canarvon.

And there's Cnarvon, nearly by accident. Yeah, that's in South. Beautiful up there though. No, it, anyway. Don't worry, I love the Welsh. I've just had a frosty reception in North Wales and I have in South Wales. I think they're a little bit calmer in South Wales, isn't they? I'm not getting into that kind of discussion. Is that because you agree or not? It's because I think all of the Welsh are great. I know I love the Welsh but I find it's more that that that that that that that th going that th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th th th the th th th th th the th th th th th the to to to the the the to to to to to to to the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I the Welsh. I th. I the the th. I the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. I the th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I tho tho th. I tho tho to to th. I tho tho to tho to tho tho tho tho tho the Welsh. I th. I think all of the Welsh are great. I love the Welsh but I find it's more laid back. It's more laid back in South Wales I think. Well get Ellis on and ask him, he's from South Wales, he's very laid back.

Yes, a lot of my friends lose family from South Wales and my mate's from Swansea. And they're very chilled. He's a Swan Swan Swan, yeah. Big Swansea fan. He was a fan of Ellis James when Ellis James was on the forums. Oh my word. I know he went, he actually went, I listened to Alice James, I get a little, I saw him at a game once, I wanted to say hello because I remember him on the forums. This was before Alice, Ellis was famous on Swansea-I, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, to to, to, to, to, to say, to to, to say, to to to to to to to, to to, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, th, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, to thi, to to to to thi, was, was, to to to to to to to thi, thi, thi, this was before Alice, Ellis was famous on Swansea Forums before he even did comedy. I know, he used to have an office job and he'd just argue on Swansea forums. What a loser.

I thought he loved all the Welsh. I don't. I tell you where though, have you ever been Aberystwyth, the windiest place after Aberdeen. It's the windiest place in the world, isn't it? And when I went there, there was some sort of council problem where there was no parking attendance, you can park where you want. It was absolute carnage.

Rob, make your mind up on parking attendance. Last week you don't like them? Last week you don't like need to tell me about, um... Where did your parents take you that you don't think they'd have wanted to go to? Yes. As a child, yeah. Where did you go? After we spoke at Holly Willoughby

and Louis and Rubin dragged along to go to the games, which I think is above and beyond. I think that's fair enough. Oh, that's fine. Yeah, we went to a Panini swap shop. Oh, okay. Yeah, I like the sound of this, yeah. Before you could like do it online. Before you could do it online, there was an Exeter West Point Arena. It was like a Paneany event where you went and you

swapped your Premier League stickers. Yes. And I didn't know anyone there and I was too nervous to go up to anyone so we left without me doing any swaps. Oh Josh that is, oh my god, that's like the start of like a, you know a bad in a superhero film, that's a the swa'er, you know a bade, tha that's a bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad that's a bad bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad bad bad that's that's that's a bad that's that's a bad that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's like that's like that's like that's like that's like that's like that's like that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad that's a bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad, that's a bad, that's a bad, that's like a bad, that's like a bad, a bad, that's like a bad, a bad, that's like a bad, a bad, that's like a bad, that's like a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad, a bad that's how it begins. What the swapper? The swapper? He kills people and then leaves a sticker on their forehead? Yeah because he was too scared and then got laughed at by the bully boys and you was like I'll show them and you'd kill people and stick a sticker on their head. They'll just be

like a Gary Cahill sticker on their forehead. So that this is even more nerdy. Go on for a year I was into into a to to to to the game to to the game to the game to to the game the game to th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. their the thi th. the. their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their. He th. He th. He th. He th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the thee theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the the the the this is even more nerdy. For a year I was into games workshop, Rob. Oh my God. Do you know what though, like, because I'm into little figures to a point, but that like, the actual playing a game with them. Yeah, my mum used to drop and run. Even she was ashamed. She wasn't ashamed, she wasn't.

She just wanted to leave me to play with my lead figures. She didn't stand in a call over all that mate's chatting, like you. With some men in their 20s with ponytails who talked to us about our lead figures. Do you know what though? I think that's nicer because like... It was a lovely... I loved it. I absolutely loved it. It got an unfair rap where actually I would actually I would liked that, like not all like the fantasy ones, but like I've like my little micro-style figures, like a bit of leg.

I collect a few little like wrestling figures and I've got these back to the future ones I got from when I was over in Orlando. I quite like it, but like you couldn't like that without getting beaten up in my school. No, in fact, a friend we both know, Will Briggs, who's a comedy promoter, he got mugged coming out of Games Workshop when he was a teenager. Oh my God. What did they take loads of unused condoms out of his wallet? I remember my mom also taking me to see the teenage mutant Ninja Turtles film.

Yes. I loved it. And then about 10 years later, I remember having a discussion with her. I was like, oh yeah, it was really good, wasn't it? She was like, no, it was terrible. And I was like, oh my God, for all those years I thought she had a great time at the teenage room and she did well. Yeah, she did really well. That's definitely what she did aspire to. What? What did we do? What must that have been like for room? I don't know. I'll have to ask Mick Watts, but let us know.

Let us know. Let us know. Let us know. Well, Rob, should we bring on our guest? So this week we have got Star of Britain's Got Talent and Extrickly, Judge. It's Alicia Dixon, welcome to the podcast. We're very excited to have you on Alicia. Hello, how are you? We're good, don't we, Josh? You're alright? Yeah, very excited.

Do you know what? We've never met, have we, Alicia? But, but my wife used to work on Chattyman, and when I said I was interviewing you, she said, she is one of the nicest people I've ever, we ever had on the show. Really? Yeah. Yeah, so so so so so so so, to to to th so, th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th thi th thi, th thi, to to to to th to to to to to thi, to to to to to to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to have to to to to to th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi. thi. thi. the, the, thi. We to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the nicest people I've ever we ever had on the show. Really? Yeah, so, I'm not saying there's a lot of pressure, but what I'm saying is that's a good sign. Because it's, you know, it's a good sign when one of the production team says that as opposed to someone else who's, do you know what I mean? It's always a good sign I think. that yes exactly they're the ones that will normally just slag them all off but yeah yeah oh she's hated a lot of people I'll tell you that Alicia but not you you're on a pedestal oh that's very nice tell her thank you I will do I

will do well you do I'd say Alicia you because you are you've been on some the biggest shows on tell tell tell to proper like to like to the to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to like to to like to to to to to to to to to to the to the the to the to the to the to to the to to the the to to the to to the to the to to to the to to to to the to to to to So how do you achieve that? Because there is a level of telly. Are you worried? Are you worried? Can you swall on this podcast? Say what the fuck you want to the fuck you want to leave? Oh, I was to say you just don't be a dick. It's really serious. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Just be nice. Treat people how you want to be treat, to be to be. It goes a long way, especially with Brits, right? Yeah, how is working with Simon Cow? Nice.

That's actually great fun, I have to say, before I worked with him, I had this idea of what he might be like, but actually in reality, he's a bit cheeky, he likes a laugh, he likes rebels, he likes people, you know, with an opinion, he just loves people and actually he treats people really well and he's always very warm so yeah it's good fun. There we know. Oh that's got out. That was a good answer to what was to be honest a bit of a facetious question that I shouldn't have opened the interview with. We should always start with what is your situation Alicia at home? What's the kid's situation? Well I've got a nine year old who's downstairs on the sofa poorly right now and a three-year-old who is a nursery.

Yeah okay that took a bit too long, Alicia. I forgot where she was. And I have a lovely partner called Azuka. Nine and three, that's quite a difficult gap, isn't it a little? Because my brother was six years older than me, that the nine-year-old want to be doing almost nearly teenagery things, and then the three- the gap was smart right because my in my mind I thought okay if by the time I have the second child the first one will be able to assist me she can fetch the nappies she can do all of you know

I'll give her a job. But my nine-year-old likes to be pampered so that kind of backfired and also I thought oh the nine-year-year-year-year-year-year-year-year-year-year-year-you-you-you-you-you-you-you-you-you-you-you-so-so-so-so-so-so-so-so-so-so-so-sold-sold-so-soean that that that's that's that's that's that's that that that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's thi thi thi thi thi the the thi-old will be more motherly and, you know, big sister, look after her younger sister, they argue a lot. So, yeah, like, there's a lot of clash in between them. But when they're great, you know, they are amazing. But they have those moments where they go at it, and I just have to leave the room and let them. Just walk away and let them. Someone said to me, because I'm always trying, you know, I used to intervene quite a lot and then when we were away at Christmas, someone said to me, you know, their kids had grown up and they said, you know what, when they argue, just let them

get on with it, just let them figure it out between them. So that's what I've started doing. That's good. That's what I've I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've what I've th I've th I've th. I've th. I've that I've that I've started I've that's what I've started I've started I've started I've started I've started I've started I've that I've that's I've that's I've that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's what I've I've I've that's what I've I've I've I've that's what I've I've that's what I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've started I've started I've started I've started to start I've started doing I've started doing I've started to start I've started doing I've started to start I've started. I've started. I've started. I've started. I've started. I've started. I'veturns a physical though, surely the nine-year-old's got the upper hand? Which with my three-year-old it does sometimes. Come in, the three-year-olds holding down the nine-year-old. Even turns on me. So, yeah, you have to, the younger one rules the house, period. Really? Really? Okay. Yeah, she is the boss.'t mess with her yet. Do you feel like because you've had a big distance do you feel like you're a different person like? Yes and I've got more grey hairs and I'm exhausted. Yeah I look different. I've had to practice the art of patients and it's a daily practice. My goodness going from one to two was a massive shock to the sister. It's so mad, isn't it? Yeah, because when I was pregnant with my first daughter, you

know, towards the end I'd lie around watching box sets, you know, chill out, but you can't do that, can you obviously with a second? Because you're coming around after your other child. Yeah, you're looking after a six-year-old excited by the idea of becoming an older sister? She was, because she came home one day and asked for a sibling. Yeah. And you got to do it.

Got to it. Bonner in our first born. So cute, actually, the first time we told her that we were having a baby. And she didn't believe us. She kept saying, what, there's a th. the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea, the idea the idea the idea thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, the idea thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi.... thi. thi. thii. thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiia. thia, thia, thi, told her that we were having a baby and she didn't believe us. She did not believe us. She kept saying, what, there's a baby in there? Are you sure it's not just food mummy? Really excited, always wanted a sister, she got her sister, and then when her father and I said to her, about a year ago or so, how would you feel about having another sibling? She's like no. She's over it. She's over it. I'm not going back to university to be your friend. I'm going so I can get Uber one for students. It saves you on Uber and Uber eats.

I'm there for zero dollar delivery fee on cheeseburgers, up to 5% off smoothies and 5% Uber cash back on rides. Just to be clear, I'm there for savings, not whatever you think university is for. Get Uber one for students. A membership to save on Uber and Uber eats. With deals this good, everyone wants to be a student. Join for just $4.99 a month. Savings may vary. Eligibility and member terms apply. Did you, was it nice? So because she was in school your eldest, wasn't she then I imagine when you had your baby? Yeah, she was still in, yeah, she was in six.

So she was in school. So did you have a bit more time in the day to sort of properly a nursery. So it was a bit like, you was a bit split down the middle. That's full on. But when I had the second baby, I have to be honest, it was a bit of a well-win because I was working right up until my waters broke. Yeah, sure.

Yeah, whilst I was working. that why Simon Cow looks so shocked all the time? And I honestly, yeah, towards the end, I was quite stressed and I ended up having a four weeks earlier than she was supposed to be. Oh wow. And then I had to fly to America to film America's Got Talent after five weeks of having her. Oh my God. Oh my word. It was a bit mental the first couple of months. Fortunately, I've got a very supportive mom, amazing partner, and we just all, you know, we just got on with it and just made it work. So we were in America for the first couple of months of her life.

And then yeah, when we came back, I had the Christmas period to kind of relax. Azura was at school and then it was straight back into BGT in the January. So it was quite full on with it. And then was that COVID? Well, actually, yeah, we came back from doing the promo trip in the Jan and then I think we went into lockdown in the March. And actually that period of time when we had that amazing summer, that beautiful weather and we spent a that that that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing that amazing the the the the the the the the the the the the the the tha. thamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamama. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to to to to to to to tooomom, to to to to to th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And th. And the the the th. And the th. th. th. th. th. th. th. toe. toe. the. the. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. And toe. And to, the. And the. And the. And and we spent a lot of time together, quality times of family. And that's when you know, that's the test, isn't it, when you feel forced to be

with each other, if you can still like each other at the end of it. And I had a very, dare I say, successful lockdown. Yeah, the fact, we just got on with it. And it was great. But I have to say my eldest daughter, even to my to my eldest daughter to to to my eldest daughter, to to to to to to to thian daughter, to thian, thian, thian, thian, thian, thian, thian, that that that thi, that that that that that that that the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the to be to be to be to be to be the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. th. th. th. th. th. th. te. te. te. tea, tea, tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea, te. to say my eldest daughter, even though she, you know, doesn't want us to have any more children. She loves her sister. She's very protective. She, you know, she's been super helpful. She's proud of her. She loves showing her off. You know, it's that thea.

Are you panicking now because you said Was that a safety sentence there, at least? No thing. But she's, you know what, she changes every week. I mean, even the other day, she said to us, oh, I think we should have 10 siblings. And you just go, uh, do you know, uh? Do you know what? I prefer the first answer of none. Yeah. Last month, you said no, you said no, absolutely no way. I thii. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi's, thi's, the the thi's, their, their th. their the the their she's th. th. She's their she's their she's their she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's she's the the the the the the the the the the the the the the thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi thi thi thean theanananananan't changes, she's, she's, you's, you thean thean, she's, she's, she's, so she's like I'd rather not, you know, chance. Yes. You can split, yeah, you can get a couple more girls to back her up in case there's a little boy running about. Yeah, but honestly, I think we're okay actually with two. I think, you know, I'd take my hat off to anyone with more than two.

Well, yeah, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because you, because, because you, because, because you, because, because, because, because, the, the, the, the, I don't know what the correct term is, Edmonds, because I've got like half brothers, as it were, was it quite, was there a lot of kids around when you was growing up, or did you you not see them all, or how was that? Because I find that, because there was a lot of us, I quite like it, just having two kids, where Josh was sort of, you know, you had half siblings, but you know, I'm quite like like it being like it being like it being like being like being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being being busy, I'm being busy, I'm being busy, I'm busy, I'm busy, I'm busy, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, I'm, the, the, the, the, the, the, th. I, the, the, th. I, their, their, their, sister you know grew up with a lot of noise so yeah yeah I'm probably more leaning towards the quieter side. Yeah I've had enough of people being in the house. Fuck off and leave you alone. Rob's had enough people before the age of 20 he's done with people. Oh Jesus. There were so many people in my house I remember once my auntie come to stay and my mom went, I was about 14, she went, can you find somewhere to stay this weekend around your mates or something because she's coming down?

So I got shipped out to my mate's house for two nights. I mean, I grew up in a very dysfunctional family. I mean, most of us did right. And I think I always dreamed of having I theeeeea thea thea thea thea thea thi always always thi always thea thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi the the thi the thi to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the to the the to to the the the to the thi. the. the. the the the. the the the the. the the the. toe. the toe. toe. toe. to to to to to always dreamed of having the classic 2.4 children scenario, you know, just something very simple, not too noisy, you know. And it, I mean it's exhausting in the most beautiful way though, isn't it? Well I mean, still tyrann with two, but I do the thought of having like four, five, six, seven kids running about. And some people and some people make it look easy. Yeah, oh there's a... Some people are just born to do it aren't they? Like they're just born for that life and they just make it look so easy but I think when you're working full-time as well and then trying to be present as a parent that's when it gets a bit challenge. How do you juggle it?

How do you split the parent too?, he's a choreographer, isn't he? Is that right? He's a writer, choreographer. We actually have a production company together. We work a lot together and separately. And we just, you know, we've got great support. You know, my sister works with me, you know, the treats. And I guess I just just just just just just just just just just just just just just just just just just just, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, the the the the the the the the the thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thr.. And, throooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I guess because I, you know, I represent myself, I don't, I'm in control of my diary

and what's coming in. Have you not got an agent or a manager? Well, I had a manager for 14 years and we departed ways just over a year ago. Because I just, he was a good friend and we worked really well together. the idea of taken care of my own business. Yeah, and the 15% back. Yeah, I really like the idea of that, more money. You know what, honestly, I've always, that's very funny. But that's not what it was.

No, no, I'm messing. That was very funny. I love the idea of Rob looking after himself. I hate it. The thought of Rob, that's their tho- the idea the idea the idea the idea the idea thiiiii, the idea the idea thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I really really really really really the idea, I thi, I really like, I really like, I'm really like, I'm really like, I'm really like, I'm really like, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I the idea, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I really really really really really really thi, I thi, I thi, really that, really thi, really that, really that, really that, really that, really really that, I really that, really thatthat's the best money I've ever sorted out his own diary. It would be, your career would have collapsed within a fortnight. Within a week, I'd be in Leicester Square looking at my phone screaming and crying. Really? Well, see, even since I was a little girl, I always used to write a diary for myself in terms of what I would do throughout the day. It was a very very very very very very very very very very very thr. I would thr. I would thr. I would would thr. I would would thr. I would would would would thr. I would thr. I would would thr. I would thoe. I would thoe. I would tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. to do to do thr. tho. tho. tho. to do to do to do to do to do to do tho. to do to do to do to do to do tho.. tho. tho.. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. thee. theee. thee. the. theee. the. the. the. nine years old. But I've always been very independent. So yeah, it feels quite natural. So yes, so I can kind of dictate the diary

where if I've got intense periods, I can make sure I pull back and then I'm there for the kids. And we have quality, you know, good time together. So it hopefully balances itself out in some way. So what's quality good time with the kids? If you've got three weeks off, because you've just come back from America's got talent. Three weeks on? Well, no, a week. Oh, God, you need a manager.

That's what happened if Rob was like an to look at his own diary. Yeah, we have three weeks off. Yeah, it's about balance. I'll have three weeks off. That's amazing. Rob is like a the that's like a the the that's like the tho. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. Rob. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to. to. to. to. to. the the the to. to. to. Well, to. Well, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well. Well's how it works. I'm a deep sea fisherman. But okay, you've got a week off or something, you've got some time off with. Are you going on holiday and doing something big or you'll just indoors when they're coming from school and trying to do really normal, sort of almost just like being cozy indoor stuff. What you're doing? At Christmas time I always like to go away, need to, you know, follow the sun.

We were in Jamaica at Christmas, which is where my family are from. And it's the first time I got to take the girls there, you know, I think it was very important for them culturally to see, you know, where their grandparents are from. So yeah, they had an amazing time there. We always chase the summer, we try try try try try try to to to to to to to their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, to be. to be. their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, th. And, tho, their, thoomorrow, tha. We. We. tha. tha. tha. tha. tha. their, their, their, their, their, their, but then in the summer, we try not to go away as much, because it's the only time in England where you get lovely weather, so you don't want to then be away and miss that. So we always, and yeah, I love just doing the simple things, like on Sunday, you know, it was raining, but I forced the girls to put their well baking with them, cooking, we'll pick a family movie to watch together, play games, like all the normal simple things, they're the nicest things. They just want your attention, don't they? They just want to know you're tuned into them and you're not, because obviously when you know in our industry, you're always

on the end of your phone, you're they've got your full attention and you're invested in whatever they choose to do even if they're sitting there you know coloring in and playing between themselves they want you to see what they're doing they want to know you're invested in them that we try as much as we can and like I say to a zook all the time when always know that you know we're working. Sounds like you need an agent. I'll do it for you. Do not get Rob as your agent. Your career will be over. I think 15% of just Britain's got talent. I'd probably retire on that. And they should just be your agent is that's all right. When you were doing America's got talent with a baby. Yeah. How did you do? Where was the baby? Was she in the their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. th. I. I. I. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. I. I. th. th. th. th. th. to. th. th. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. the. to. I. I. I. I. did you, where was the baby? Was she in the studio? Like, were you running off to breastfeed, how did it work? How we did it was, so the four of us went and my mom joined us, and then I literally, so we were in a hotel around the corner from the

studio and I literally would have her, I would be breastfeeding her whilst having my hair and makeup done. I'd go over, do the show, my mum would take over, and then I'd come back from work and I'd wake her up and put her back on my boobs. Amazing. What existence? And it worked really well and actually the schedule was very, very, it was very easy like it wasn't every single day. It was spaced out quite nicely. And, you know, I don't know if you like LA, but I love LA. It's like blue sky, beautiful weather. And that really, actually in a weird way, kind of helped with recovery,

because we were quite happy to be there. And so everyone was in a very nice mood and we could just like relax and you know I it didn't feel too overwhelming it was more the idea of it that felt overwhelming but the reality of it it was quite smooth so you were never knackered and taking out on the buzzer on the act just just get a fast buzz come on let's get this over with I want to go to bed no it's more tiring once they start walking when they're a baby I mean it's a breed right I tho to the the the the the the the the the the the the the they I the the the the they I their their their their their their I'm their I'm their I'm their their I their their I their I their I their I'm their their I'm their I their I their I their I their I they they they they they they they they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they their their their their their their their their their their their their their to their to to to te so so so so so try try try try try to try to try to to their they. their their their their their their I thought he meant the act. It's much more tarry once to start walking off the stage. Just put them through, golden buzzer, next. I need to get a feed on, let's go. Honestly, I was so happy to be working on television in America

that nothing was going to get in the way of that. So you're having a baby. The old American big break. Now, how did you feel about going there though? Because obviously, as a man, you don't sort of think about that. You're having a baby, but you don't actually physically need to be there if you're not breastfeeding and things like that. So was you a bit nervous? Oh God, am I gonna slough the production? Am I gonna be a hindrance? Or was the vibe quite welcoming? Or was the vibe? th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi? thi? thi? thi? thi? thi? thi thi thi thi thi thi thi. thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi you you you you you you you you thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi. You thi. You thi. You thi. You thi. You're having a thi. You're having a thiul that you know for every minute it's delayed and slowed down does it as a sort of impact how did you feel it's a good question because if I'm being honest when I first got the call that the NBC wanted to you know have a zoom meeting with me and discuss possibly

joining the show the first thing I thought was oh my gosh they know I'm pregnant because I thought if they know I'm pregnant, they're not going to want me to join the show because as you know anything could happen, they might not want to take the risk. So we jumped on the Zoom meeting and I hid my bump. But the first thing that the producer said wasthat was a release. So then obviously they were very supportive in making sure that I could have my family with me and yeah, they didn't put any pressure on me. And as I said, the schedule was very, very well paced out so nothing was too strenuous. And they were very understanding and I'm sure if there was a moment where I needed to go back to see the baby they would have allowed that to happen............. And, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, the, the, the, to, the, the, to, the, the, the, to, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, their, their, their, their, their, their, th. And, to, the. And, to, to, to, they. And, their, their, they. And, their, their, their, their, their, there was a moment where I needed to go back to see the baby, they would have allowed that to happen. So, you know, a lot of women working on the show that have got children, so there's that understanding and everything as well. Also you did, Australia's got talent as well. It's a long way to go for what I can imagine is about half an hour show. Yeah, that one's actually, that flight was actually... That th. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. That was actually, the the the the the the the the the the the the the that. That was actually, the the that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, their, that's, their, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that. That's that. That's that. That's that's their. That's their. That's their. That's, their. That's, their. That's, their. That's, their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their. their. their. the did you go? So the first time we went, Australia, well we came out of

quarantine and then the day we came out of quarantine, Australia went into lockdown. We spent five weeks in Australia, two weeks quarantine, three weeks lockdown and the show was cancelled. Oh God, talk us through this, Alicia. Oh my fucking God. I'm getting stressed and it's happened already. I feel like it's happening now. I took I had to take my to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the the to the their out out their out out out out out out out of their out their out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the their their their their their their their their their their the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th of quarantine th. the tho the thothis, Alicia. Oh my fucking God, I'm getting stressed and it's happened already. I feel like it's happening now. I took, I had to take my daughter out of school three weeks early. I wasn't happy about, but they put work together for us so she could do some homeschooling. Obviously, Anaya was very, very young at the time. And that flight to Australia, I literally had a meltdown on the plane. tapapapapapapapapapapapapapap, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was literally, I was, I was, I was, was, was, was, was, was, was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I was, I, I, I, I, I was, I was, I, I, I, I was, I, I, I, I, I, I was, I was, I, I, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was literally, I was literally, I was literally, I was literally, I was literally, I'm literally, I'm literally, literally, literally, literally, literally, literally had literally had literally had literally had a literally had literally had literally had a literally had a literally had a literally had a literally had a literally had a literally had a melt, literally, literally, literally, literally, literally, literally had a melt down, literally had a meltdown on the plane. I don't know if you've ever traveled how far you've traveled with a child, but when you've got one that doesn't want to sleep on a 24-hour flight, you don't, you start to lose your mind and it got to that point and I was feeling quite hormonal and I literally was chasing

around this flight, walking up and down and at one point I thought I can't chase her anymore and I sat down and the minute I sat down she falls over hurts herself starts coming it was just one of those never-ending like hellish moments where everything you could imagine that would go wrong with a toddler went wrong oh my word did you get any sleep in the 24 hours oh oh no and it could about to make your mind. So then- And then you have to go into quarantine? And you've got a mask on the whole time as well.

Oh, mask on the whole time. But the whole time you're having this internal conversation with yourself going, don't moan. This is a great opportunity. be doing this, should not be miserable or crying right now. Obviously I'm there, cry my eyes out, but it's a... Oh man, a life. That is intense. And then a year later we went back and did it all again.

But luckily we didn't have to quarantine, didn't have to do lockdown. The show was a success and my toddler slept on the flight, so it was all good. There we go. It's got a happy ending. Another let's let's get away from the every nation's got talent. You've sold you've sold over a hundred thousand books. Yes. You've got new book a hundred thousand. Is that good? Yeah. It's good. That's a lot of people. Oh good. I think it's good. It's good. Either that or me and Rob are bad. One of the two. the the the the the the th. the th. the the th. the th. the th. th. the the th. the th. the th. the th. th. th. th. the th. th. th. th. th. th. Let's. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let's th. Let. Let. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. Let. th. Let. the the th. Let. the the the the the th. Let's the the the the tho. Let's the the the the the the the the the the thoo. Let's the the thooo. Let's the the. Let's tho. That's a lot of people. Oh, good. Yeah. I think it's good. It's good. Either that or me and Rob are bad, one of the two. I think we're doing all right, but we haven't done that, I don't think.

Yeah, exactly. Oh, thank you. I mean, it goes us David Wally him sells probably about 100,000 books in a week. Yeah, yeah. I suppose you've got, the problem is you're sat next to someone who's the biggest selling, but to give you, you're, you are the biggest selling middle grade debut author of 2018. Can David Wallym is it? Yeah, that's quite cool. And now you've got a new book, lunar wolf animal wizard, which is for, so middle grade, does that mean kind of early teen? Is that what we're looking at? Seven plus. Seven plus. So between, I would say between about seven and 12, like my daughter is nine and she only just picked up my first book, which was Lightning Girl,

which I wrote back in 2018 obviously, and it's only now she's just starting to get interest. But obviously if you've got like young readers that are really interesting books from the age of you know seven, then yeah they can get into these books. It's that really, it's a really cute age actually because they're very inquisitive and their little imaginations are still running wild and they're, you know, they're at that lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovely that lovelythey're at that lovely sweet spot where you can kind of have fun with that age group. Yeah, and what did it feel like when your daughter picked up your book?

Do we nervous? Was it exciting? Yeah, it was like job done. She was part of the inspiration why I wanted to do children's books in the first place. Reading to her every day, looking at the kind of characters she's into, you know, not feeling like she's reading books that really reflect who she is and her culture. And that was a big deal for me and I'm very much one of these people that's like, if you don't like it, just get on with it and do it yourself.

So I'm going to create characters that that to their children and hopefully, you know, thousands of other young children, thous....... And thous and thousand thousand thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousands, thousand, thous and thous, thous, thous, thous. And, thous and thous and thousand, thousand, thousand, thousand, thousands, thousands, and thousands, and thousands, and thousands, and thousands of thousands of young, and thousands of other, and thousands of young, and to, and to, and to to, and thousands of thousands of thousands of thousands of thousands of young, and thousands of young, and thousands of young children conceive themselves in, feel represented, feel included, and you know what, it's kind of surpassed that now. It's really just about writing good stories that connect with people. That's very inspiring that you know your daughter can pick up a book that you've written and it sort of, you know, speaks to her sort of culture and identity and things like that, whereas my children picks up my autobiography and learn the word piss. Oh my thousand kiss. How old is your daughter? 23. No, I'm joking. She's seven.

In Eldings, I've got you there. I was thinking, wait a minute, I thought you were young. I'm youngish. Oh, that's funny. Yeah, that's amazing though. This one, your new one's Lunar Wolf. And it's sort, andthat's funny. Yeah, that's amazing though. This one, lunar, your new one's Lunar Wolf. And it's sort, and you love animals, you've got rescue dogs, is that right? You've got a couple of spaniels? Oh, yeah, well, we used to have seven at one point. Whoa. Yeah, I know.

I thought you liked to acquire a house. Apart from the dogs. We've always been in the house and the reason we were able to have seven dogs is because my mom lived with us in the annex and we kind of split the dogs between the two houses but they kind of meet in this middle area. And we bought this big van and we ripped out the insides and we called it the wolf wagon. And all these dogs were jumping and we'd go on on big warts and dog ho a dog holiday. I mean, we're very much like dog lovers in this house. And we all of our dogs are rescue dogs, you know, and that's important to us. So yeah, it was only a matter of time really before writing a book that put, you know, animals front and center. And I've also done a lot of work with animal charities over the years and been on rescue missions. So sothe themes in the book are very much inspired by things that I've seen and also just

those lovely little subliminal messages to the younger audience to really respect animals, treat them with kindness. You know, it's really important because a lot of them as you know are exploited so we toucest. But at the same time, the book's very action-packed, it's an adventure, and it's an exciting read. It's really interesting, you said when you were growing up, like you didn't have people of your kind of heritage or that you can identify within books, was it like that? I think when I was in primary school,

and I used to read like Judy Blume and En, I didn't really give it much thought. I kind of just accepted as a kid, oh, people that look like me aren't in books. Like it wasn't even, you know, you're young, you're not really, not thinking of it on that deep level. It was just something that I was aware of, but it, you know, I guess in a way it's a little bit sad in reflection. And I think it only really dawned on th Azura started bringing books home that I kind of thought a second. Why are there no book, like, why are there no like main characters in these stories that look like her, reflect her? And that's what got me thinking and the reality is, as we know, no matter who you are where you're from, what your background is, whether you're watching something you want to feel included. And I think that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's thi thi thi thi thi thi, thi, thi, their their thi, thi, their, thi, thi, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, tho. And, thoomoomorrow, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, like you're part of something, you want to feel included. And I think that's really important for kids.

Yeah, because I think it's definitely like, you know, as well as from like a race point of view, but even from a class point of view, the books are, you know, we read like Enid Blind and the fantastic, well famous five, what the windmill. And I know, what the fuck is that? We're just like, we're getting in Southeast London. And that's a really important point, because there are subject matters in Luna Wolf Animal Wizard where, you know, we're dealing with, like, she loses her mom when she's young. So there's, you know, there's subjects that are touching on real life, families a new step-mom growing up obviously without a mom like lots of real issues which I think is important because we shouldn't dumb down the fact

that there are millions of kids out there going through serious issues at a very young age and they have to emotionally figure out how to handle that and deal with that so I don't like to shy away from it even though I'm writing something that is escapism and it's action-packed and it's fun, I want to make sure that there's a touch of realness to it too. Love it. Yeah, that's great. At least, can I go back to the Wolf Wagon quickly? Yeah, the Wolf Wagon?

Oh, I love the roof wagon. I should have put the the the the the the the the they's. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I the, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the you know you had the seven dogs? Could you name all dogs and breeds off the top of your head now? Yes. Can I get a picture of these dogs please? What we've got looking at? So teggy was a very, very little, actually in my book I've actually named checked all the dogs. So you know when you do your thank you's. Yeah, goodthank you.

I gave that Rob. Good old mom. So in tell to the seven that were living with us, so there was Teggie who was a little rescue dog from the Blue Cross and she was black and she was, she was mixed but mainly with Jack Russell. Then there was Bobby, a little Bijon, he was white, he was from the Blue Cross as well. Then we have Prince and Paris who are still with us to this day. We love them very much. They're naughty brothers, they're two golden cocker spaniels. Then we've got Daisy who was my beloved

rescue dog. I got her from the RSPCA. She was a bit like a pointer, but we never quite knew what her the breed was because she was mixed, but she looked like a point and the artwork in the book is actually based on Daisy because I had her for 13 years and unfortunately had to say goodbye to her last summer. She was my baby. And then we had another dog who I rescued from a horrible household where there was a lot of abuse going on and're all characters in their own right. Well, you can hear you lighten up when you're talking about the dogs and how much you love them. And what a big part of your life they are.

So, how was it though, having, because obviously you had some of these dogs before we had children? Yes. Were you sort of, you getting out a sort of maternal energy to ards them. The reason why ended up with the naughty brothers, Prince and Paris, who we named after Michael Jackson's children, which is really random. That's because one day I was like... You can't call a dog blanket though, can you? Where's Blanket's Blanket's Blanket's Blanket? Where's Blanket's Blanket's Blanket's little brother, Chew Toy. I'm going to go and Britain's got tell and I reckon you'll buzz me through.

I'm fucking smashing. You've got the gold buzzer written all over you, mate. So basically, one day, I think I said to my partner, I think I really would love to have a baby, and he was a bit on the fence. And then I just thought, well, you know what, if you're not thi, if we're thi, if we're th th th th th th th th th th thi, if we're not thi, if we're not thi, if we're not thi, if we're not thi, if we're not thi, if we're not thi, if we're not to to thi, if we're to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to th. I, I's th. I's thi, I's thi, I'm thi, I'm thin, I'm thin, I'm thin, I'm the. I'm the. the. I'm the. I'm the. I'm the. I'm to to to to to to to to to to have a baby and he was a bit on the fence and then I just thought well you know what if you're not gonna if we're not gonna have children now I'm gonna go and get some young dogs to look after so I can give them all that motherly love and that's basically what I did yeah yeah yeah yeah it's kind of a stopgap have you have to have a dog I'm Rob I'll be a to the. I'm Rob I'll the the the the the the the to to to to to to to the to the the the to the to to the the the to to the the the to to the the to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the too. be honest with you. He's got a very different relationship to his dog to you. Okay.

Because I was going to say having a puppy is like having a newborn baby because you have to take them outside every 15 minutes. They keep you awake all night and they are hard work. Yes, and I actually find they basically stay as toddlers for the whole life don't they? Exactly. That's the issue. No I like having the dog I love it through gritted teeth. No I don't love dogs do I you love dogs Alicia however Lou really wanted to dog? Who's got a whip it? I've got always got to whip it. They're so cute. They are lucky. It's a lovely dog. they're so cute. It's. It's so. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's a lovely. It's. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's a lovely. It's athis, but I feel like there's a lot needed from me energy-wise from my wife and children and then going out and do my job. I don't need something else on my case. On my life, full panitone. Chocolate on my case. He always wants something. He eats everything.

No, I get it. He ate a panatone the other day. Alicia. that's the whole pan atone chocolate one not raising no panic. That says so much about your life now Rob these days. You've got a wagging a panatoni. You've changed me. No I haven't because I get delivered the panatone but I don't eat fucking panatone. That's why it sat on the side. I don't know if he enjoyed it. He absolutely.

They're proper scavengers whip it's. . And is he super quick? Really quick, very agile. I love walking him and watching run. I've not walked him for ages to be honest, actually. But yeah, I love the idea of walking him. Who's walking him? I've got a dog walker this week. Oh, do you? Well, like, because I can't, I'm working and I've got the kids,

because lose away. I haven't got the time to properly walk. We do walk in when we're not both but when it's too much in a week to give a dog a proper walk. So who's your mom walking the dogs? My mom is amazing. Honestly I would not have been able to have had these dogs without her support and thankfully she's as obsessed with animals as I. Yeah that helps in. My mom hates all animals. My mom hates all animals. Honestly she's not into it at all. Yeah that's quite nicely. It's quite, it's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nicely. It's quite nice. It's quite nice. It's quite nice. It's quite nice. It's quite nice. It's quite. It's quite. It's. It's. It's quite. It's. It's. It's quite. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's quite. It's. It's quite. It's. It's. It's quite. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. No! Honestly, she's not into it at all. She's, yeah, it's quite weird actually. Really? Yeah, she's not into animals. Yeah, it's a huge statement, isn't it? How do you say you're not into animals?

It's like saying I'm not into trees or I'm not into the sky. She's not a big tree fan either to be honest. We're quite our ecosystem and our world and our planet. How do you hate them? She's astroturf the garden. I think she's... What, my mom's, um, Susan? Susan, come on Susan. I know, she's very loving with humans though.

She loves humans, but humans can be assholes. Well, you know what? So good some dogs,, you know what I mean? In the panatoni. But no, she- Bad owners, Rob. Yes, okay. Yeah, but then some humans have bad parents. It all goes back that way. My mom's a bit unsteady on her feet, got a bad knee, bad eyes.

I don't think she likes anything quick. I don't think she'd get on a grandchildren. Anyway let's get older let's move on for my mom's cold heart and get back into. Alicia. Now Alicia can I ask you a question you're writing books and you've got a nine-year-old now. My daughter's seven I'm already struggling with the maths. How are you at the homework side of things? I passed the math's homework over to her dad. Nice. All his family are accountants and they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. tho. thoes. thoes. th. thoes thoes thoom. I'm to to to to to to thoom. thoom. tho. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. I th. I th. th. I tho. I's tho. I's thooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I's to th. I's th. homework over to her dad. Nice. All his family are accountants and they, you know, they're great. I mean, he's not an accountant, but he's really good at math. Yeah. Annoyingly good at math. So I let, he takes care of that.

I'm more the English homework. Sure. Creative. we've got a nice balance in the house but she's really independent actually quite a bit like me and she just gets on with it and she's she does really well and very rarely asks us for any help which is very good. That's not good so she cracks on with it fair enough. It's on with it yeah it's on with it yeah it's great and is that what you were like could you see yourself as a child because obviously you're quite a driven person can you see that in her? Yeah definitely that w w w w w w w w w w w w w I that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that th I th I th I th I th I th I th. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. that's well you like that as a child and can you see that in her? Yeah definitely and I see it in my three-year-old as well, like it's down to the smallest things like if you try to help her put her shoes on or a coat everything's, no no no I want to do this.

And my mom said I was very much the same, just kind of that independence and know, they're going to be self-sufficient and they're, you know, going to be able to look after themselves and not need to be babied up until their teenagers, you know. It's very important to me that they, you know, I'm trying to get my, you know, my nine-year-old cooking. Yeah. Yeah, come on. learn how to cook so once a week you can take over. Oh wow and what she like? I'm only joking but I do want her to learn how to cook and be self-sufficient so that stuff's important because they're very privileged they have a great life but we don't let them you know sit around thinking that they're just going to be waited on we're like we everyone has to get involved and that's

everyone has to get growing up and your child and things like that. Do you have to bite your tongue to go, well, what I was a kid and stuff like that or you're a bit more chill living because it's hard not to sometimes. We talk to them about this all the time, you know. For example, the other day she was doing her homework and her father he was born in athe UK but he went back to Nigeria and he went to school in Nigeria and he said that some days they'd come home and they wouldn't have electricity right for for hours on end maybe it would last a few days and they'd have to sit and do their homework and candlelight and she's sitting there doing their homework. And he said, he's sitting there doing their homework like this and off all the lights and he said, and he put the candle nearer, he said, try doing your homework like this, he said, because this is what daddy used to have to do. She lasted a minute.

And it's just, we just have that, but we do it in a fun way, but we just try to remind her and show her, you know, don't take anything for granted. You know, the fact that you have that you have that you have, that you have, that you have, that you have, that you have, that you have, thu, thu, thu, thu, thu, that, that, that, that, that, that, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their. their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, that, that, that, that, today, too, too, today, today, today, today, today, their. their. their. their, home, parents that love you, you know, you're very lucky and you deserve this, but we want you to be grateful. So we constantly have that conversation and remind her, you know, show her what the real world is like, because that's important, because I want my children to grow up, mindful and aware of the world and how privilege they are. What's it like for her to have, you know, one of the most famous people people people, to be, to be, to be, to be, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, their, their, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, their, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, and, and, and, and, to, and, and, to, and, and, and, and, and, and, the, the, and, and, their, and, and, their, their, and, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, to, to, to, their, to, to, to, to, their, to, their, their, their, their, to have, you know, one of the most famous people in the country as her mom? Does that come up or she bored of it now? The kids at school don't really care.

Because it's a big show as well. It's a show that kids watch. Yeah, she's asked, well, someone actually asked her that in front of me the other day and she went, it's kind of cool. That's kind of cool. that. that. that. that. that. that. that. that. that she's, she's, she's, she's, th. th. th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. thi. thi. It's kind of. It's kind. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. It's, thi. It's, thi. It's, th. It's, th. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's th. It's thi. It's kind. It's kind. It's kind. It's kind. It's kind. It's kind. th the the the th the th the the the th the talent is is Amanda's kids going to be there, is Simon's son going to be there. She's more interested in organizing the play date and what their video games they can all play or what they can you know when they're hanging out. So do you take them to record dates then? Yes. Yes. So not the live shows or when you're like the live live live live live live live live. the live live live live live. the live live. the live live live live. the live live live. the live live. the live live. the live. the live live. the live live. the live. the live. the live. the live. the live. the live. the live live live. the live. the live. That's live shows. the live. the live. the live. the live. the live. the live. their live. their live. their their their their their their their. So, their. So, their. So, their. So, their. So, their. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That. That's. That. That's live. That's live. That's live. That's live. That's live. That's live live shows. Like the live shows. the live shows. the live shows. the live shows. the live shows. the live shows. the live live shows. the live shows. the live live shows. the live live shows. They. They're like. They're like. They're like like the live shows or when you're in the country? Try and coordinate it so that all the kids come on the same day so they can all hang out. Usually once and you know once we do like six live shows so they'll maybe come to the final or something like that.

And then maybe an audition day as well they'll come and hang out. And do they have a room that like is sort of like the playroom for all the kids. No but we did use to say to the producers can we when they were really little we used to say can we get a crash but obviously they're older now they could sit and watch the show and there was actually one day that we all brought our dogs in as well it was mental. I've seen a I've been a photo of that. What what Fragon turned up? What Fagam turned up? I only their their their, you know, Simon's got squiddly and Didley, you know, David's got two dogs, Amanda's got a dog, Anton Decker got dogs and I, you know, it was chaos, but in the best way possible, you know, very funny. I feel like they could give the kids a little dressing room to hang out in.

Because have you ever worked with Jerry Halliwell, Alicia? I haven't, no. So I worked I the the the the best, the best, their their their their their their their their their their their, she their, she their, she their, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th. S, th. Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon's, th. Simon's, th. Simon's, th. Simon's, th. S, th. Simon, th. S, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. S, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, th. Simon, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, thi. Simon, th hang out in. Because have you ever worked with Jerry Halliwell, Alicia? I haven't, no. So I worked with her on a show and her son there was about 18 bumps and he had his own dressing room. Easy! It was slightly bigger than mine. I need to work that into my contract. That's so fascinating. As your daughter ever disagreed with a decision you've made on Britain's got talent? Always, always. Yes, I constantly get told off to press in the buzzer. She has a very strong opinion on every single thing I say and do. And you think I get criticized. And I'm thinking, is this normal?

For a nine-year-old to be so critical, why is your hair like that? I'm not sure about that outfit. Why did you press th you press your buzzer for that person? That was a bit mean, mummy. And I come home to a judge. So, you know, I find it quite funny and I do ask her opinion on a lot of things because she's quite sassy, she's very funny. She's actually put a lot of input into to the recent book as well. Like I let her to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the to the to the the the to to the th. I. I'm, th. I'm, th. I'm, th. I'm, th. I'm, thi. I'm, thi. I'm, to be to be th. I'm, thi. I'm, thi. I'm, thi. I'm, thi. I'm, thi. I's, I's, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I. I. I. I. I. I, I. I. I. I. I. I's, I's, I's, I's, I's, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, the thi. I'm, thi. I'm, thi. I'm, th. I'm, th.eea. I'm, th.e.ea.ea. I'm, th. I'm, th. I'm, th. I'm, to the recent book as well. Like I let her choose a couple of the character names in the book and you know she'll sit and do sketches for outfits that she thinks will suit characters. So I try to let her in on my little world somehow because she's you know she's got very strong opinions even at nine. Do you know what though? I'd say it's really reassuring because like if she thinks I don't know I don't like your outfit mom or what you're doing that for and

stuff like that because you and your husband there's a I've found a photo you're the LGBT tear walls I think you two look so cool you're in like this pink like jacket jacket your husband's got sunglasses on and a black so you look like the coolest people I've ever seen. So if your children think you look silly or you're wearing the wrong stuff, then that gives us hope for us. Does it make you feel better, Rob? Yeah, because I look at you look unbelievable. So basically the bottom line is, your kids, our kids, everyone's kids, no, fuck all.

Because you to look unbelievable. She's not happy with that. Jesus Christ. We say to all the the the the time all the time all the the time all the the the the the the the the the the the. We say to all the time, listen girl, you've got some cool parents, right? I'm actually quite cool, but then if you say I'm actually quite cool, you know? Then you don't sound cool, do you? When you're really cool? And then you go, are we? Yeah. But you're a bit more glamorous on tele. I've been on tell's not the only time when you didn't look cool on TV. Like you've never looked cool on TV. You have not done that. I've had a colonic on tellie. Are you joking? No, for your life with Romish. I watched that. On sky, on demand Robin Romesh versus basketball weirdly and that I had a clear out on that. I'm fascinated with them. Have you never had one? I have had one. I had one. I had one. I had one. I had one. I had one. I had one. I th. I th. I th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've theded. I've the th. I've th. I've the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've to. I've th. I've to. I've to. I've th. I've to. I've the. I've the. I've thee. I've thee. I've thed. I've thed. I've the. I've thed. I've thed. I've the. I've never had one. I have had one. They're great, aren't they? Oh, I'm not sure, Ali. Do you know, my problem is what? What's it meant to achieve?

Elish, do you know? You're supposed to draw out all the toxins and, you know, it depends on what your diet's like, things get stuck don't they? And they just help out. Yeah, no, let's keep up like this. No, basically, Romesh, I don't, Romesh, so basically, they put like a tube up your bum, Josh. And I thought that would be the, that bit, I know the headline. I'm looking more for the... I assume that would be the worst bit, but I don't know if you found this. It was the water everywhere inside you so that then it all dislodges.

Yes, Alicia. I think that a colonic is the closest a man will get to experiencing what a contraction kind of feels like. Oh, really? I'm glad you brought it back to the subject as well. So it means we can talk about it more. Yes, I tell you why, because you know that fit when your stomach completely feels up and then it's like a really achy feeling, you know like when you got a bad tummy in your tubes? Yes, yes, yep. That's a fraction

of what a contraction feels. Yeah, it's because I think I think you probably get the uncomfortableness with it without the sort of pain and pressure of the baby. Yeah, you have to really breathe through it don't you? Yeah, well I was really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really. I was th. I was th. I was really really really really really but I was laughing at a butter mushroom coming out hold from Romish. I sat and watch my friend have it done once the first time I saw I have it done. It's fascinating, isn't it? When you see a bit of tomato or something come out like, oh no, you need to chew your food girl. Yeah, that fucking was sun dried would it? Was you sat and had, were you having yours done that day or did you just go along as a spectator? I was just with her and she allowed me to sit in the room with her because I'm strange like that. Like I find me fascinating. Yeah, and she let me watch it and I thought

it was very interesting. Yes, it's very uncomfortable but I think it does have a good old clear out but it's um, it takes a few, I found it, it took, it, it took, it took, it took, it took, it to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the the the the the the the the the the the. the. the. the the. the the. the the. the. thro. to to to to to to to to to to found it, it took a few days for full recovery down there personally. I can still feel a breeze getting out of shower. I think it really, I think that was the wrong tube. Don't. Anyway, how were your births? Let's get back to that as you brought up, giving birth to a child. First one was lovely. Yeah, I didn't listen to any stories from anybody else. I wasn't interested in any horror stories. I just tried to stay in a really positive place. I did the Hibnipna birthing thing. Got myself really calm. You know, it wasn't perfect.

There were moments where I was very challenged. But overall, my first birth was a natural birth and yeah. No drugs? I did have an epidural at last minute. Yeah, it was very painful but my overall feeling when I look back at the first birth was a really positive one. Okay, that's good. It's good to hear because sometimes it is all drama stories where it can just be quite sort

of textbook in a way, can't it? So it's good to hear that side of it. But how about your second? Second one because I was a bit, I was more stressed looking after obviously a young child. I was working as I said before right up into the point where my waters broke and then my waters broke but baby wasn't ready to come out. And I was a very, very long process in them trying to induce me and this way, and by that point, when you've not slept for, you know, 24 hours and you're exhausted and you've been pumped with so much stuff to try and get things moving and she didn't want to play ball, in the end I had to have a C-section, but it wasn't planned, I didn't want it. and I found the whole the whole the whole the whole the whole the whole the whole the whole all all all all all. I the whole all. I tha. I was. I was th. I'm th. I'm th. I'm th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've th. I've though, I've toe. I'm, I've to have to have to have. I've to have. I've not. I've not. I've to, I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I've. I'm, I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm to. I'm to. I'm to. I'm toe. I'm toe. I'm toe. I'm toe. I'm not toe. I'm not toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe. toe found the whole, I found all of that very uncomfortable. Like I've spoken to women that have chosen to do that

and they've had no issues with it, but for me, I don't know if it was a psychological thing because I really wanted a natural birth, but I did not like it. And that feeling when your body goes numb, I hated it and it felt strange to me. There was a moment, the moment, the moment, and a a, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, th, th, th, I, and I, th, and I, I, I, th, th, I, and I, th, th, I was, th, I was, I was, I was a, that, the, thoom, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I was, I tho, I, I tho, I, I, I, I, th, th, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, th, th, I, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th. th. th. th. th. than, than, than, than, than, than, than, than, thananan, than, thananananan, thanananananan, that, that, and, funniest moment, they said to me it won't hurt, you won't fear a thing, so they numbed my body and then when they started to like move my stomach around and open it up or whatever, I started shouting at them. I was like, you said it wasn't

gonna hurt. I can't see me a lot. So I'm shouting at them. I'm shouting at them. I'm shouting at them. And my poor partner, he's like, it was like a horror movie was happening over the curtain and he watched the whole thing. So in the end, they gave me gas and air because I was like telling them off. Yeah. Just to shut you up.

I had the gas and air. there he said then I was cracking up laughing. He said he's so come shouting at them to literally laughing my head off. And he's looking over the curtain he can see all this blood and it was like he said it was like something from a horror movie and I'm laughing my head off. And that's his memory of it. So it was a bit more dramatic and then I was seeing baby came she was amazing. We were in floods of tears. But then even afterwards you know I I I I I th. I I I th. I th. I was very th. I was very th. I was very th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to th. to to to to to to to to be to be told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. told. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He was. the the the the the the the the to. to. to. to me. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. ars. It was brilliant. But then even afterwards, you know, I was very sick, I kept being sick, I felt horrific for days. It's a long recovery because my wife had an emergency secession and you just, it's just a long, you're recovering for an operation. Exactly, exactly. And all I'm worried about is can I get on an airplane and go into America's got talent. Oh God!

Yeah, so how soon after was you doing that? Five weeks after? Five, fuck. So it wasn't meant to be a week after then? Yes. Yes. Oh wow. I don't know what I was thinking to be honest and then part of me thought maybe my little baby knew I needed more recovery time and that's why she came early for me. Yeah.. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. the the to to the to to to th. th. th. th. to th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. th. the the the the th. the the th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. to. to. to. to. the. to. the the the the. the the. the the. the. th. Or you was thinking the extra 15% get me on that plane. Mama's earning in America. I was going to have a manager then Rob. Oh right, okay. Yeah, it was a well win. But you know what?

Interestingly, they pumped you with so many drugs don't they when you have a C-section. And they're like, you know, you can't you can't do can't do can't do can't do you can't walk, blah, blah, blah. I stayed in hospital for a few days. I came home, I stopped taking all the drugs that they gave me. And yeah, it was very painful getting up in the morning. But I was hoovering like the day after I came out of hospital. I was up and I was walking, yeah, I was walking around the garden with the buggy. I felt fine. I think sometimes the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, the drugs, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, the, the, the, the, the, the, the drug, the drug, was, the drug, the drug, the drug, the drug, the drug, the drug, was, the tha, was, tha, tha, was, thaugh, was, was, tha, was, was, the the thogui.a, was, was, was, was, was, was, sometimes the drugs kind of suppress you and dumb down what your body is actually capable of doing for itself. So it was great.

And then I spent four weeks in, you know, at home, strolling around the garden, going out for lovely walks, eating good food, relaxing. So by the time we got on that airplane, I was ready to rock and roll. You're going to be one of those people that's like, when they're like, their, you, you, you, you, you, you, thapapapapapapapapapapapap, you, you, tho, tho, tho, tho, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, th, th, th, th, th, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, thin, thin, thi. And, thin, thii. And, then, then, thin, thi. And, then, thi. And, thi. And, thi. And, thin, th. And of those people that's like when they're like 97 that you're like great grandchildren are going to go around and you've ordered a shed and you're trying to put it up. And like, Nan! What? What you're doing? My mom is like that.

Really? Okay. It's been like, I do get a bit of that. And I think, to this day. And I always say to my mom, mom, you know, we can pay someone to do that. And she's like, why pay someone when I can do it myself? So she's always been like that, very creative, gets on with it. But you're right, I will probably be building a shed or 90. I hope I'm still going out for runs and going to the gym. That's my, my dad. I don't don't I don't I don just sack it off at that 83. Oh my, I'm down at 60.

My tradition man used to go to the gym. I used to get people coming up to me saying, your nan's a legend, I saw her in the gym. And she was like, thank you. Oh my word. So you're never important to work hard, but you've got to play hard and relax. And the rest is just as important as other stuff. So I'm learning that more and more.

This is terrible news for anyone that's iron up a judge job on a move on somewhere's got talent, because you're not letting it. Well, you're going to be going to be their their their going their going their going their going their going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going their going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to to to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going their going to be going to be going to be there 200. Yeah. We say you have to crack so fingers crossed. You need to take your foot off the pedal, get lazy so I'm starting a week someone else can sneak in. Come on Alicia. Oh, don't. I'm going to try and create opportunities for other people Rob. That's the plan.

Yes, but just not on the show you're on. Our approach. As long as they want they they they they they want they they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they want they're they're they want they want they want they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they're they they're they're to be to be to be to be to be to be to be want want want want to be want to be want want want to be want want to be want to be want want to be want to be to be to be to be to be to be the. tothey don't want to be one of four judges. Great, loads of ops. Alicia, thank you so much. We've got our final two questions, if that's all right. Yes. So this basically, we ask this to all our guests. And it's what's the one thing, so there's a positive and negative spin on it, is two questions.

What's the one thing that really the the positive, the way they parents and some of the drives you a bit mad? And then what's the one thing that they do as a dad that you're just like, oh my God, they're so amazing that I'm so thankful that they're doing what we're obviously more interested in the first one, but get through the second start? And he'll probably be listening to this, so there's a lot of pressure here. It's a bit of pretty popular show, actually. Probably we'll just by chance. I mean, to sum it up,

if you said to Azura, what do you love about your dad, she would literally say everything, I swear. They have that beautiful father, daughter relationship.. I love watching how present he is for her, how caring, considerate, patient. But he's, you know, like the dads are so good at being strict, but then they're so loving as well. And he's got that lovely balance. And he's just a very hands-on parent,

and they love and respect their dad so much. And I love, I love watching that, that brings that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that that that that that that that that that that thi, thi, thi, that that that that that that that's thi, thi, thi, to thi, to tho, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to, to, to, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi, thi, thi, thi, that, that, that, thooooooooooooo., tha., ta., tooo. tha, too. tha, tha, tha, love I love watching that that brings me a lot of joy so I'd say nice it makes me worry about how little my children respect me but there we go really no no I'm fine I'm fine I just don't think that's limited to your kids I think in general Josh you just got that kind of vibe I think the worst thing about him in terms of him okay okay okay he's never's never wrong. Right. He's right. And when you're quite a stubborn person too, yeah, that we definitely, you know, we have to get to a place sometimes where we agree to disagree because he has his beliefs and I have my beliefs so we can clash sometimes in that respect but he overall I hate the fact

that I can't find anything bad to criticize about him. Right but he's always right I can't because I can't imagine you to arguing because I think I'd I'd find you quite intimidated. No what would we argue about? Go ahead. The heating? Because I he has it so there is like Jamaica and Nigeria in the house all the time and I like it it, you know, I like a nice happy medium. So we're constantly fighting over the heating. It's the silly things that we bicker about. But yeah, the heating is one of the most annoying things.

But as far as the kids are concerned, that's the one area we don't really argue. Right. OK. Because you'd be quite intimidicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicicic. the the the the the the the thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the one the the thi. thi. the thi. the thi. thi. thi. thi an argument, Alicia. Well, I think because you're very articulate and very intelligent, but also you've sort of lived a real life and you know, using mystique. I feel like you could fuck me up if you wanted to. Do you know, I feel like, you know, you've lived a real life, there's an edge, if you want to go, outside of spoons. I think we've lasted for 12 years because he can outsmart me sometimes which I secretly love but I also hate it. He's very smart himself and very sharp but then we you know there's a lot of banter and a lot of

laughter in our house and I think that's the best medicine for every. Really? Oh lovely. Thanks Alicia it's been absolutely amazing. Good luck with your own new book. Oh thanks guys. What's the title again? Lunar wolf wolf wolf. It's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's th. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. Thank. the. the the the the the th. the the the. Thank. Thank. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. Thank. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. the th. th. tothank you guys. What's the title again? It's Luna Wolf Animal Wizard. Yes. Let's get that to 200,000 sales Rob. Yes. Perfect. It's coming out in March 203. March the 2nd but you can pre-order it now. Oh, free order. Thank you, Alicia. Dixon, there we go. What a lovely woman. Oh, I love her. She's great. I met her once before some sort of awards do. She's really, she's really normal. It's good, like, even though she's like, she's on these big shows, she's a really normal, hard-working person that's lived like a proper life and she's worked really

hard and had, you know, and now doing really well. it's really it's nice when you see someone nice doing well. Exactly it's so rare in our industry but Josh I wanted to shout with a one-son ship so much but it's too late now Rob I know but I couldn't it would have been disrespectful to do it to her it wouldn't it would want to want to miss Degar would want because she can sort of garage emce and she doesn't really do it much anymore, but I think she's really good at it. I think what's more disrespectful is just doing it once you know she's not on the zoom call. But there we go. No, I think talking about people behind their backs very under their backs very under they're taken.

I think it's something that really helps. That's what we should call eded Mystique the group. Oh, right, yeah. I'm glad you stuck with the questions you weren't with. Yeah, fair enough. Right, see a Tuesday. Bye. All the ones on ship.

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