Spinning Plates with Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Episode 178: Fran Cutler

Episode Date: March 2, 2026

Fran Cutler is famous for organising wild parties attended by A-listers. Things really took off in the 90s when she started organising parties for Oasis albums with Meg Matthews. She’s a self-confessed technophobe and she’s using this fallow Glastonbury year, to write a memoir which she promises will be both salacious and funny.She brought up her daughter Mercy on her own, after the father left 3 months into her pregnancy. She resolved at that moment to work twice as hard as anyone else to support her daughter who she is super close to, along with her mum, sister and nieces. Fran told me about her dubious claim to fame: projectile vomitting! And she shared her tips for getting rid of problematic party guests. Let’s I hope I never prove to be one of them! Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm Sophia Lestepster and welcome to Spinning Plates, the podcast where I speak to busy working women, who also happen to be mothers, about how they make it all work. I'm a singer and I've released eight albums in between having my five sons, age between seven years old and nearly 22. So I spin a few plates myself. Being a mother can be the most amazing thing, but it can also be hard to find time for yourself and your own ambitions. I want to be a little bit nosy and see how other people balance everything. Welcome to Spinning Plates. You know what, if you say one thing about me,

you can say that I get around. Greetings from New York. How you doing? I, last boat you were not, was in San Francisco. Since then, I've been to the Alps, and I've been home. And now, today I've just flown to New York.

I left this morning, it's Saturday morning. I said I left. Got here, actually Saturday morning, American time and found myself in a very, very pretty New York and not even cold. The snow here, but it's all cleared in the streets. It's just snow in Central Park. And oh, do you know, it's really cute. I'm just walking past where I did the Tonight Show with a Jimmy Fallon show. That is adorable. I didn't actually realize I was about to walk past that. Memories. I'm here for a little thing tonight and then I fly home tomorrow, back to work.

I do actually have... It's a very New York sound, isn't it? Very Manhattan. I actually have a whole week where I sleep in my own bed every night for a week. So nice, can't wait. Anyway, no mind about me. How are you?

How's everything been with you? Hope it's all been good. Hope it's feeling good about the fact that spring is on its way. There's time, isn't it? I need a little bit of that. And this week's guest, oh, so much fun. I have no.

well, I've known of Frank Cutler since I was a teenager. So I used to pour over all the music press and there'd always be tales of what parties that Frank Cutler was at or throwing. So she sort of this woman of myth, really. She sounded cool, she sounded connected. And then I think we first met when I was in my early 20s.

I went to a party. There she was. And I really warned to her. She is loyal. She's pragmatic. She is exuberant and fun. She's interesting. And she's also really resourceful.

Fran's world and the way she lives her life is all of her own hard work and grit and determination. She organizes parties primarily. She's really good at it. She knows what works. She cares about the details. Started off with her organizing parties for Oasis back when her very good friend Meg Matthews started moving in those circles and dating Nall Gallagher and then getting married. And now she runs, does parties and events all the time.

She also has a daughter called Mercy, who is in her mid-20s, and they're super, super close. And from our conversation, you're going to hear about the rest of France family and get a sense of why that family really matters and where her instincts of who to trust and who's sad to sod off come from. So lots of fun for you this week while I'm walking around enjoying the sights and sounds in my... I mean, I've literally got less than 24 hours in the city,

but isn't travel, fun? I'm a lucky girl, actually. It's a good giggle and sleep can wait. All right, see you on the other side. Fran, it's so lovely to see you. And you, my darling. And as often, I basically use the podcast as an excuse to hang out with you for a little minute.

No, that's lovely. I love that. I love that. Last time was I beat that. I know. When you sang with Robbie Williams. Oh my word, yes. That was really fun. That was amazing. How do you keep a memory of that when you must have a hundred billion events since then? I've literally got a memory like an elephant. I can remember my third out nursery school. I can remember so many things and my family are like, how do you remember that?

I was in Thailand for New Year and Tim Walker is an amazing, amazing photography. I remembered a boyfriend from like years ago you're like, how do you remember his name? And I don't know. It's just I don't know if it's my job, which probably could be that I have to remember people's names and things. Or it's just, I've not got a photographic memory, but it's just that I remember certain things.

I actually think that's probably part of your DNA as well because I think how your memory works, how good it is. I'm being a host. You know you're hosting. You're like, hi! Yeah. There are times when I don't remember and I say, Hi, baby, I haven't seen you for ages.

So that's quite a good boy, I'll. Darling, have you been? So if I say darling or baby, you know that I've sort of forgotten, you know. I've given my bloody secret away there. Shouldn't have done that. But anyway, anyway, at least I do it with a nice welcome. I think actually probably more people will be worried about the fact you remember everything. Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, that is true. Yeah, that is true. Yeah, that is true. She's keeping hold of all of that. Yeah, that is true. Because when I met with a literary agent, because they want me to do my book, they're like, have you written everything down? I said, well, it's funny, I've got diaries.

She said to me, if you've got diaries? And I said, oh, my God, yeah. And she said, did you write them like diaries? I said, no, I just wrote them like meetings, but I know if I look at them, I'm going to remember. Wow. Yeah, I don't doubt it. So it's quite a good thing.

I don't know if I'm going to, I'm supposed to be. starting writing the sort of synopsis of it. So then the literary agent goes away and sells it. It's going to take a lot of work. I'll bid for it. I bet it'd be amazing. Well, you know why? Because I haven't got Lassenberry this year.

Oh, right, okay. It's given you a fallow year to write your memoir. So I thought maybe I will. I want it just to be no nasty, just really funny and salacious. It's a bit like what that Miriam Margolis does. Yes. You know, she writes really funny stories and I've got a lot of funny, funny, really funny stories.

Like one book could just be on Glastonbury funny stories. I'm sold. It would just be hilarious and a woman that works. Absolutely. I mean, firstly,

regular listeners are going to be confused by how silent this room is because usually when I record it my house, we've got trains going by, we've got cats jumping up on the table, so we are inside a beautiful cinema

which is gorgeous. So thank you. I'll tell the viewers, your listeners, sorry, not viewers, your listeners that it's not my, I suppose it is mine cinema, but it's in a block.

So the residents get to use it. And you can just come and watch beautiful movies or watch the football or the World Cup next year. I think it would be great to host friends. Of course. Well, hosting is kind of the name of the game, is it not? Yes, I do love to host. So what is going on in your working life at the moment, Fran, apart from starting to get your memories of the moment?

Working life, January is always, always the prep. I might get a curveball and someone said, right, we've got an event next week and you've got to do it. I can do an event probably in three days. I could turn it around if somebody asked me. And so January is prepping, getting everything in, doing the white board, which is all of planning right up until December. Okay. And deciding what's going on there, putting everything in, doing all my meetings, just doing all of my prep. And I actually really enjoy it. Really enjoy it because you've come back. I came back

from Thailand where we spent two weeks, Mercy and I. And that was great because I have to be in the heat as well. I have to be somewhere where it's really, really hot and I can chill. And I'm an overthinker. My head's like a roller decks. It just goes round and round and round in circles. So I love that. I think write notes. Think right notes. And I'm technophobic. So I don't own a computer or I don't look at any of my emails. My assistant does that all and then relays them all to me. I write notes on everything. So I can write notes when I'm on holiday.

I can think. I can just have little dreams about what I want to do. And it's really nice. And typically how many events do you think you get involved with per year? Well, say three a month times 12. Okay. Could be more. Yeah.

It could be less. Obviously, COVID didn't do a thing, which was really strange for me. Yeah, that must have been a tricky time. Not meeting people and not doing anything. I managed to get a little job that paid some money, but I couldn't do anything. And people were doing weird stuff. I mean, some funny things were going on. But I didn't do anything.

I stayed at home and cooked loads of vegan food because my daughter's a vegan. and that was quite exciting and looked after mum and it was really relaxing and I must have put on about five stone but taking some time like that must have felt very unusual for you I guess It was really unusual

I had a really fun neighbour who's a really great photographer because Marianne Over Vanco who does a lot of famous people and great covers and he lived in the next street so we could get paralytic together most days which was great

there was a lot of wine drinking and a lot of fun and a lot of walk and he was great to go and just pop round too. I mean, I'll probably wore my pyjamas for two years. Pajamas and just like a little gown. Yeah, it's relatable. Yeah, it was so nice to be sloveny.

But now that things are like normal pace. So it's interesting the idea of three a month because in my mind I really didn't know how many you were going to say. Yeah. Because I think the perception I had on coming to meet you today is that, because obviously I associate with you lots of socialising. Yeah. And so I guess there's events that you plan and then other events you be part of too.

Yeah, it's really weird what I do because I invented a job that never existed. You know, no one had ever got paid to do a guest list for a party. So it started with Meg and I, who was Noel Gallagher's first wife. We met and worked together in a shop in the King's Road called Jones. which people from the late 80s, 90s will know of. And it was very famous. And we literally had everyone in there, from Boy George to George Michael,

to Fat Tony, to Susie Sue, to everyone you could think of shocked in there. And it had every designer that was cool, from BodyMap to Gaultier to John Galliano, to everyone. And me, Meg, and my friend Chris, we loved it. we just had the most amazing time and had most amazing fun. Worked in shops and I was a makeup artist and I was a model booker. I just went around doing anything and everything.

And then I started with Jeremy Healy, who was a really famous DJ in that scene, starting in that scene as a little assistant that were going twice a week and just do his diary. I made him huge. Well, he made himself huge, but I helped. and Meg in the meantime was doing her thing and she said, I met this guy, he's in a band called away, she said, oh, I'm not going to see a band.

I'm a raveer. I go to rave. So, you know, that's where I go. I go to the cross and to Bagley's and to all these amazing clubs. I'm not going to come to see a band. You're joking. She went, no, you've got to. They're amazing.

Anyway, went to the band with her. She started going out with Noel. Then it got to the point where they were bringing out album. And she said, why don't we do their parties and organise it all? Well, cut through. We did backstage at Network. Amazing. That was our like events.

Yeah. And our first paid big event was Lockstock and two smoking barrels with Guy Ritchie. I remember that. That was our first big party in an event. Yeah, yeah. So we did that together. Alan McGee at Creation, who looked after Oasis, gave us an office in Brumrose Hill. We had an amazing office.

and we were doing everything, everything together. But unfortunately, she got pregnant, and then I think she didn't really want to work, and she didn't really have to do bless her. You know, she wanted to look after a baby. And she went, you can do it. I said, what? She went, no, you can do it all.

I said, oh my God, what on my own? She went, yeah, I said, okay. And I think, because I didn't have time to think about it, and I didn't have a job, and that was my job, I just took it on. But it's interesting because obviously before that you'd worn different hats and try different things. I think the DJ thing gave me a good start because that was organisation and booking stuff in and doing things. So that was actually really good.

And people and nightlife. And people and nightlife and hanging out. I was always a girl on the scene. So that was really good knowing everyone growing up in London. My mum and dad run a pub called The Spice of Life in Soho. And so I had that background. So did you grow up when they were doing that? Yeah.

Yeah, always in pubs. That's quite a specific type of childhood, I would imagine. Oh, very specific. Yeah, I mean, you saw everything. Yeah. Everything and anyone and, like, you knew. There was no secrets in my family about drugs and gays and sex changes. My parents were so open and really cool about everything.

And they paid for like two of our barmen to have transitioning. It was amazing. It was so cool. It's also what I'm thinking about with that pub life is actually about. You're entertaining again. You are, but you're also learning how to read people get really good at that. Good people and not good people. That is really funny because I don't know what I was talking to.

It might have been a podcast that somebody said to me, how did you know, how do you know you to let in and do not? I said, that's my job. Yeah. You have to have a second, like you have to think. you don't always get it right. Come on, let's be honest. You're always going to get one oddament that gets into a party.

It's usually, and I'm not putting anyone that's the assistant of the assistant of the assistant, but it's usually someone that just gets bit giddy. Definitely. You know, that works as an assistant to the assistant to the assistant and can't believe they've got in and they've had four cocktails and they've gone crazy. And then they got to everyone pissed out their heads going, I love you. I'm such a big fan.

And then you're looking and you're thinking, oh my God. And then I have to be a bad cop and got to them say, hi, darling, do you mind coming over here? And then getting the security to ask them to leave because they're too drunk. And that has happened probably every single party. Actually, I was doing something for the time style and they said, how do you get rid of people like that? Because you're always going to get one. Yeah, yeah. Always.

It's sod's law. Yeah. It is. But then I think that, as I said, like that pub culture would be just like people in, people, and you've got to be able to kind of get a bit of a little bit of, yeah, a little bit of read. Do they seem trustworthy? And I guess when people are, well, with alcohol, it changes people so considerably that you're in the same business. You see people and you're out.

You can see them turn on a sixpence with alcohol. Some people could have two glasses of Prosecco and they turn in someone totally different. I mean, I'm not perfect and I can, but it doesn't, I don't. necessarily turn, but you can see people turning into angry or then you get them super loving and they won't leave you alone. Oh, I love you. Oh, I've loved you for years. Oh, aren't you great? I mean, you get that. And I've got that certain times and you just want to say, I go, okay, yeah, thank you very much. I've just got to pop over there because the lighting desk isn't working, you know, you just run off. And how do you keep calm in the party? Because

I imagine for you, is it being necessary that you're there? I've got to be there because I am a perfectionist and I have to look. Well, you can ask my daughter and my sister, I'm never really calm at my event. And also, I don't drink anymore at my parties. I might have a drink after, but during I'm too anxious. So I'm looking, I'm watching. Remember, you've got to see other DJs on the decks at the right time. What's the door looking like?

Are they managing that well? Do the doorman know what they're doing? Do my people know what they're doing? Is there anyone famous stuck outside? Is there any fights? What politically is someone got in that shouldn't have got in that doesn't get on with someone? How do I keep them apart?

How's the drinks going? The drinks flowing. The VIP is getting drinks when they should be getting drinks. Are people worried? Is the music actually going well? Do people like the music? So you're literally thinking of 101 thing. Is a drink's going to run out?

Now. Yeah. So you're literally up, down, round. I can do 10,000 steps in one event. Amazing. I've clocked myself. You know, and also, are the people in there that are underage, I've really got to watch that nowadays because they really try and sneak in with older

people are younger and I'm really on that. And I've got to be careful of myself and I've got to be careful of the venue. And, you know, you don't want to tell 17-year-olds that are nearly 18, they've got to go, but they can't. You really can't have the minimum. No. And how have you kept your enthusiasm for the energy of that world? Right. That's another question. A lot of people ask me, it's because it's always different. I may work for the same client every year like Lassenbury. You know, and I've had that area and worked in that area for 25 years. And it's called

Moonbo, but a lot of people call it Frantanamo Bay, which I think is hilarious. And, it's never ever the same. And I think that's what keeps anything exciting. Yeah, it's kept your relationship with it fresh. Yeah, with my relationship's fresh with it all and the same with events. It's never the same twice if I do it even at the same venue. Yeah. Never the same. Yeah, I completely get that. Different. And also with a guest list, you can invite a very similar type of people, but I guarantee people that say they're coming never do. And the people that said they're not coming, they do. And it's always a twist of fate that you're going to get someone amazing turn up that you didn't expect. And you're like, oh my God, wow, that's so great. And I get

super excited about that, you know. Halloween's the funniest, because you can't recognize people. And you get all these people coming. Like we got, I think, a lot of the actors from the House of Guinness, because it was like the biggest show at that time. And quite a few people came from that. And my sister didn't tell me until the next day that that gorgeous Luripartridge was there and I didn't know. And I was like, so angry. I was like, why didn't you tell me?

She went, I thought you'd know. I said, how would I know he was in disguise? He was in Halloween costume. He's probably another one. He said, hi, darling, golly, baby. Happy been, baby. I'd have gone up to him. So I was so upset.

So those little things are quite funny. Yeah, well, I'm sure there's a moment like that. And then you get your blaggers. Oh, yes. The stories of so-and-so said and that's that. And, you know, they're famous. You should let them in. That I don't like.

I don't like you should let them in because they're famous. I was with my, when I went to see Oasis that gigs they did recently, my friends and I started this WhatsApp group while I was watching the gig that I was crying, laughed and reminiscing about the 90s. Yeah. And the stories that got told to us. It was like impressionable young girls. One of my mates got off with a bouncer because he said he was Johnny from Men's Wear cousin.

Yeah, well, everyone would have done. I don't think he was saying the truth. You know, I mean, I met, I remember with Goldie, that's when him and David Bowie become really, really good friends. And Goldie was doing these co-labs with David Bowie. And we all went, me, I think, Noel, Meg and everyone. And I met David Bowie. And he said, oh, so how do you know everyone? I said, oh, I'm no sister.

He said, but you've got a totally different. accent. I said, oh, I went to private school. Private school with my Cockney accent. I mean, the bullshit that we came out with was hilarious. And it was only just recently in Thailand that I met with Goldian, we were reminiscing about that. It's like, so the people we met. Yeah. And also the confidence of youth to come out as tough. Yeah, because when you're not a fan of the band, you're with the band, you're treated with super respect. Yeah. And so it's a different sort of entrance and access you get being with the band.

Absolutely. You know, like, you know, if you're with Richard and they're playing, it's totally different than being a band. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, fans get stopped at a certain door. When you're with the band and you've got your AAA, you go everywhere. Yeah, yeah. I know.

And I think you never forget those times when that's happened to you for like the first time. Oh my God. And you think, oh my word, that felt that little rush of like, I've got into that door. Oh, it's like winning the golden ticket on Willie Wonka. Exactly. It really, really is. And I remember Jay Jagger giving me, it was when the Stones played at, I think it was Olympic Park. And she gave me a gold pass that said, this will get you wherever you want, whenever you want. And I'd never seen it for in my life.

And I was just running around on my own backstage down at the bottom at the top. here, there and everywhere. And I'd never felt so privileged in my life. She'd just put it on me. Bless her. And it was the best night in my life. Yeah. And you know what I did?

Got people into the mush bit that were in really bad tickets. Did you? You know, in seats. Yeah. So I had some friends that said, oh, I see it's really bad. I said, look, I'll come and get you. And I walked them through and got them in. That's nice.

So you could share it with people. Well, it's very important about sharing. Yes. What's the fun if you're doing it on your own? Well, Talking of that, I was thinking, because you've worked a lot with your sister. Yeah. Yeah, for years.

Yes. And also, you've mentioned Mercy, your daughter. So she comes. Yeah. It's because I think if you involve family, it transforms everything. Well, family, like yourself, we're very similar because of both areas, but we both are very, very into our family. We're family people. Family means the world to me.

I mean, I would be nothing without my family. I'd be the first one to say that. My daughter and I is super close. My mum, my sister, all her girls. We're just really, really tight. And you can really see the difference in life with people that they've got different morals, different compass when you've got a good family behind you. I would totally agree with that.

It's like just a whole different way of being. And, you know, I'm not judgy, but you see, you meet a lot of people. And you just think, God, you've just really not had the same. same upbringing I have. You know, you really haven't, not, and it wasn't, we didn't have a rich upbringing, we didn't have a really poor upbringing because my parents are publicans, but it was a family upbringing, it was about family and really looking after each other, you know, and just being super close. And so with that in mind, did you always think that you would be a mum one day? Was that something you hoped for? Didn't really think about it because, you know what, I was too busy working.

Yeah. I was too busy working. Yeah. I was too busy. working and being a party girl and I think what happened was when I did get pregnant and it happened I was like oh my god I've got to work twice as hard now because I've got a baby and my her father left me when I was three months pregnant sadly is no longer with us and so I literally had to do it all on my own but what did I have a great family behind me yeah so we're thinking it sounds like you've very close to your mom and my mom and dad were Absolutely excellent. And so they lived in Bedfordshire and they were childminders. So that was really helpful. So say, for instance, I had a really busy week. I had a flat in Tuffnell Park. I'd drive Mercy down to them.

And they could have her for three days while I did my job. And then I'd go and pick her up at the weekend, maybe stay down there and bring her back. When I was making enough money, I could have a nanny that lived around the corner. This is a really funny story. She worked for us for 13 years. And on Thursday, I was just going to my doctors in Harley's, street, bumped into her. Right. After all this time, I mean, we follow each other in Insta, she started crying. She was like, oh, I just remember you and mercy.

And I just show everyone pictures of mercy and say, look at my mercy. She's amazing. Look how grown up she is. And it was just, you know, I'm very much into those relationships. Saying that, I'm quite weird about boundaries.

I set my boundaries. You know, I'm not always about everyone working for you as part of your family. So I don't believe in that. Once you find a gooden, you know a gooden. But I don't believe everyone that works with you should cross those boundaries and be part of the family. No. Because it doesn't always fit like that.

And work is work. Yeah, and I think you kind of, you know, you're working for yourself. So you're representing yourself. Yes. That's sometimes very difficult. Well, that's true. It always comes back to you, doesn't that? Always comes back to me.

It's always my responsibility. So it was my integrity. So I always say to my girls and boys. always, like when you're at the door, you're representing me. They're all super polite. And another thing that I always have, they're always either been to school with Mercy or they've been friends of Mercy.

So I've got a really good group that know Mercy. One's just left that went to school with Mercy. And another, Katie knows Mercy through school. And they're all really beautiful young girls that are really, really, really well-rounded individuals. They're just really nice people. Well, what I'm picking up from her with that as well is that that's really creating a sort of family. That's what I can say.

You've got this sort of maternal take on that. Very much. I love the kids. Even if you hadn't become a mother, I think you might have still had that. I suppose being an older sister as well. Yeah. Are you the eldest? I'm the eldest, but also I feel a little bit like never growing up.

My dad was like that. He was always like really funny and a young spirit. I hope to always have that. You know, that young, fun spirit does really keep you happy, relevant. You know, and you know in our world, we have to keep on a hamster wheel continually. We're on this wheel of knowing what's going on, who's the relevant bands? Why aren't those DJs playing for me? I better know this, I better know that.

Mercy and her friends keep me relevant. That's what's really good about the youth. and you've got that with your boys, it's like they tell you what's going on. That's very true. But I'm picturing when you, I mean, look, you know, you said when you found out you were pregnant, you became by default a single parent, only three months into your pregnancy. Yeah. And now you're down the line where you can see that your relationship with mercy was so consolidated by the foundation.

Oh, so consolidated. Which shows me everything. But at the time, it must, yeah. I can't, even now, when I talk to my therapist about it, I can't think how I did it. Yeah. I really don't know how. And I put her in private school. So I paid for everything as well.

And Meg was so kind. We didn't see each other for a long time. Then we really reunited at Cardiff, the first gig. And she's such a great soul. And she said to me, you know, you've done it all. I'm really proud of you. Look what you've done. And she's so kind like that.

you know, she's at her ups and downs, obviously, divorcing from Nile and going through that stuff. I never married, so I never had to go through that. And I always, because when I'm always talking to cab drivers, and why did you never get married? You look like a pretty lady. I said, I'm a wild animal. You can't tame me. And I sort of believe I am somewhat.

Like, you know, I just, I like, I like doing my own thing. Yeah. But with my daughter, we go on holiday together. But what are your memories of those early years? How did you... A struggle. It was a struggle. But I think you know that you just got to keep your head down.

I mean, I had fun. I'm not saying I was a stay-at-home mum because I had to work at night. So I really had fun. And I had a lot of really great friends that had kids all around the same age. So, you know, Kate had Lila. and Sadie and Rose and all my friends, all her kids. And so all the kids grew up together. And thankfully, they're all really good friends still.

Some of them are my godchildren. And they're all amazing. But I think you just get down and do it. You know, you just get down and get on with it. Yeah. Because you can't, everyone nowadays moans about everything. You know, oh, this is going on or that's going on. They're very self-absorbed.

Instead of looking out, and I think it is probably because, of social, they're looking in at themselves all the time. You've got to look out and futureise and think positive, well, positive. You've got to be positive. Yeah. And I guess as well, you've created opportunities all along the way. And that's something that means it can be really hard. You have to create your own opportunities. You're hustling. Let's be honest. I'm a good hustler. And if I needed to make money, I think, well, how can I do that? Who can you? can I call? What can I do? You know, and it was a hustle. I totally believe in that. That's why I see some of these kids out there that I'm saying, good for you. You're doing some really good

stuff. You're not sitting around moaning or, you know, or, you know, taking loads of drugs and just forgetting about it. They're actually getting out there and doing stuff. Lots of them have got lots of different strings to their bow. That's something we didn't do. We sort of stuck to our lane and got on with it. Yeah. I think. But a lot of them, they could be a DJ, then they might sing for a bit, then they might do a bit of influencing,

or then they'll do, you know, a photo shoot and this, that and the other. Yeah. I mean, they're doing it all. Yeah, I think, I mean, I think that's partly that sort of, if your career's a bit criticised in the 90s, it's quite hard to get out of that mindset of one lane, isn't it? Yeah. Because that's not like that now.

No, no, no. But then it was you very much, what do you do? You stayed in your lane. Stay there. You stayed in your lane because, what, do you want to be, Jack of All Trades and Master of None? And I think, could you imagine Noel and Liam, like, going from being Oasis, what, to being therapists in their part-time or, you know, or being, or owning a shot? Yeah, do you know what I mean? It's like they stick, they stuck to what they, also, they earn a lot of money from it.

But, you know, it's just funny, isn't it? Yeah. I think if you're an actress, an actress is going to singing. Yeah. And singers go into actress and that's a sort of natural flow. Well, I guess this most similar thing, I think, about your career path and the ones that Mercy and her peers will have is that you said,

I went into a job that wasn't even really a job, hadn't been invented. Yeah, I made it up. And I think that that happens a bit more now in terms of having to be a bit more reactive to ever-voting. Yeah. I think, yeah, I think, yeah, I think, so I think how that happened is that there was a definitely, it was a Tommy Hilfinger launch of the flagship store in Bond Street. And I was doing the DJs and they said, oh, would you do a guestist if we gave you some money?

And I did, and the oasis turned up, Meg and everyone. And then that was that. Yeah. And it was like, right, now we know sort of what we're doing and we can do it. But there's so much more to what you're doing than just. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's actually harder to do a party for 10 than it is for 500.

Oh, yeah. So much harder. Yeah. And, you know, and the client wants five A-listers and they want this particular brief. Yeah. And you're like, well, if you gave me 500 people to bring and I can get 10 out, that'll be much easier. But when it's smaller, it's so hard. Yeah.

What about when the client is your small daughter and she's got a guest list from school? What were the parties like? Oh, my God. I did the best birthday parties, I must say. I would expect no less. I even once got the winner from Bake Off. And we did an afternoon at the winner at Bakeoff's house. And so we got a minibus down to her house and taking 12 girls.

That's amazing. Right? And that's the fact you got her and got her to use her own home. Yeah, we went to her house. And it was amazing. So things like that we did. We did such amazing. You're like, the tape's great, but I'm not sure about your playlist.

Yeah, exactly, exactly. And I never forget those girls remembering that. And then in parks, I said, oh, I. There's some me funny stories, having, like, fights with people. Like, when you, you know, you think you've got a bit of a park that you can do your party at. And then you get some weird drunks coming along. And one of them started weeing by a tree. And I went and punched them and said, get away from my kids' party.

You got your knickers around your ankles. And, you know, the kids don't really want to see that in Primrose Hill. So one of the Louis Starkey reminded me that, he said, auntie, can never forget you hitting that punk rock. and the wing, you know, taking the knickers down. That's a pretty memorable. So that was a memorable one. There's probably loads more like that because I was obviously really stressed as well because her parties were the most stressful.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Which is hilarious. You have to live with the client afterwards. So great parties for her, great parties for my mum, which I'm organising her 90th, which is going to be a lovely lunch. And my sister, if she's having a birthday or something, I'll do something for her. But actually, when you've been speaking, I was thinking about how when I said, you know, have you kept your relationship with your work so fresh?

And you said it's, you know, it's always evolving. Yeah. It's never the same. Twice. I was thinking, actually, that that's something that I have always found reassuring. You know, when people have got up there, they don't event, always on those events very often and they've got their big thing, which is invariably something like a wedding, which is like everybody gets in a twist about. And I've always said, you can do all the details and all the planning. But actually, your memories will be something you cannot plan for.

It'll be a funny thing someone said. or two people getting, you know, something unexpected. 100%. And also, I've always believed, because people always say to me, how do you get into the job? And it is something that you organically get into. If you're so pretentious and planned about something, which I do hear from a lot of people,

well, I'm definitely going to do that. And, you know, all right, some people do. But if it happens organically and naturally, it tends to fit you better and it tends to last longer. Oh, yeah. Because you've naturally. done it. So in an event, I mean, my sister's the one that's always calming me down. Calm down, shut up, stop getting all uptight because she's the calm, really calm energy. And I'm like,

you know, thank God, because I do have to let it flow. Because there's a point that you've done everything and you can't do anything else except let it go. Exactly. So you've got to flow. And then at the end, I'm like, oh yeah, I'll sit down now or have a little bit of a relax. I can watch it. And as far as you can see, this will be something you'll continue to do because it's better. Yeah, I hope so. I mean, I consult on quite a lot of different things, which is really exciting. And I'm thinking of what festival I might do this year instead of Glastonbury. But as you know, there's nothing like Glastonbury. No, I know. So it's a very special place, Christenbue.

Yeah, I'm going to really miss it. Me too. But we've got next year, and that's going to, I wonder who's going to play, maybe Oasis, Lily. because Lily's going on a world tour in March. I saw you did an event with her just before Christmas. Yeah, we did a big party for her

for a Christmas party at Stringfellow's. And she dressed up as Mother Christmas in a very sexy, naughty little outfit, bless her. And she looked so gorgeous. But I've known Lil since she was like 14. Well, does that feel, now that you've got to this point, is it nice to sort of reflect? Oh, it's a lovely feeling.

Yeah. It's a really nice feeling because none of it's forced or fake. Yeah. You know, now I don't have to go out and meet new people and sort of. And also I think, which is very, very important, and I take pride in this, when people come to my events, I'm not going to F them over on something and make a picture bad or a bad write-up in the press.

And I don't do PR or do with the press, though. I always make sure that that side of thing is really, really over-send. seen by someone good. And I think when they come into something like mine, actually it's really funny because it's on the phone to David Sims today who's a really big photographer and he was saying, all my kids are all going here there and everywhere. He said, but I know they come to your parties. They're going to have a really good time and look after us and I definitely will look

after them. You know, and that's a nice thing. Definitely. For my friends to know that their kids can come. Yeah. And they're looked after. Yeah. And then they know most of the kids there.

I'm not just saying they're all kids because we have. I like to be very inclusive. It's from, I'd say, 19 to 70. You know, in one corner it could be Joe Corey, Harlem Miller, Nellie Hooper, who was a big producer back in the day, to David Simpson's kids and Mercy and everyone. But you look at that and that's what a party should be. Yeah.

And all inclusive. Definitely. And that's a lovely mixture of... Age, sexuality, religion, colour. Everyone all in. and having a great, great time, that makes my heart sing. Yeah. That's what I love.

And just look back around the room. Yeah, it's so fun. And then they're meeting new people. Yeah. And seeing like, oh, you know, Joe Corric had got to someone, oh, I know your mom from back in the day. And, oh, I think you know my mom. And then people start talking. It's a really great time to sort of meet, you know, different people in exchange.

I've done so many of those and created new friends. ships and things like that. You've facilitated so many things. Oh my God, yeah. Really have done so, so many of those. Some of them, I'm like, oh, that's great. Then I was like, oh, God, I wish I'd have done that. Really got on my nose.

Shouldn't have introduced them to. Well, that's bound to happen. You know, you think, oh, what about me? Hello, me over here. I introduce you to. And they're like, all pallying going on holiday together. And I'm thinking, what am I, chopped liver? Excuse me, I introduced you to.

Yeah, but yes, my daughter said, she's just got to let that all get on. That's life. That's your job. It's true. I mean, and I love the fact that you and Mercy are so close. I mean, I've seen me. You've been a holiday with us together, have you?

Yeah, and she's such a lovely, lovely girl. But I also love the fact that you, you know, you spend this time, you holiday together and have that. Yeah, she's got, I think she might be getting a new boyfriend soon. So what if I'm, like, not involved? on the Christmas holiday. I'm a bit worried. I've got to find myself a new companion.

But I did say to her, you know, you can always have the spare room, you and your boyfriend. And, you know, I'm not boring, so we can have fun. She was like, well, I need to think about that. So she's, it is so ab far by our relationship. It's so savvy.

She's like, everyone says it, and it is true. Yeah. It is true. It quite often happens that way, doesn't it? Totally. Because she's so straight. It's hilarious. But she does get on with a lot.

all my friend, so perfect. Yeah, that is. And I think you get that nice thing where the ages or sort of cross-pilones. You're like that. Your boys, you've got five, right? Yes. And I still don't know to this day, how you've got five boys when you look about 12 yourself? How old's your youngest?

He's just turned seven. Oh, is he a mummy's boy? I think they all are. Are they? Oh, that's good. Yeah, at the moment. I mean, look, who knows what will happen? Oh, but they love just being around you. Where are you? What time are you coming home? Are they like that? Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, definitely. They don't really like you going out.

No, they don't actually. They don't, no, they like you being at home. Yeah, and actually, because I was thinking, I mean, I know when I've had my first, I mean, he's 21 now. Yeah. I had Sonny. I found going back and finding my identity back in my work life, really tricky, actually. Yeah. And I felt quite discombobulated.

But I think for you, when you said you had so many girlfriends also being much, that must have really. That helped a lot. That really helps a lot. But having five, you've got, you know, you've got one out. and then you've got another four to go, and then you've got, it's so good, because then you've just always got them. And then you've got their kids. Yeah.

God, Christmas is going to be really busy when they're all married with children. Well, you must have, how many cousins did you say for us? Oh, yeah, but they don't come around for Christmas. I'll go, we just go to the Walsley, the eight of us. My sister, a husband, her kids and mum and us. It's really nice this year. Really, really nice. But you're going to have a very busy Christmas.

Where did you go for New Year? at own. Actually, I had a gig in Florence. I love Florence. Which was really nice and so we basically said all went. Yeah, we all went for three nights. I did a birthday there. Love Florence. So pretty. Oh, the little bridges and the little

shops and everything about it is chic. I know. Isn't it? It's like you definitely are in a Renaissance painting. It's like you walk around and you're like, oh my God, there's so much to see and the food. Did you love it? I did really love it. And Was the people you played for nice?

Actually, yeah, it was very sweet. I mean, I guess I have to do a little bit, you know, I play a small part often and if I'm lucky enough. And actually, I think if someone's chosen to have me as part of their event, I feel like it's a privilege, you know. Yeah, because there's a lot of people out there they could have chosen. So many people. Yeah. So many people. So, no, I always do appreciate that.

And I think also, you know, I really always wanted to be good at playing live and actually doing all-man. of types of gigs is really the thing that sort of like help me hone what I do. Let's be honest, to get a gig on New Year's Eve was a bloody good one in Florence. God. I don't know. I lucked out this time. I'm not always that lucky. I did New Year.

I think I've even asked you this before because I've asked you what I think, did I ask you to do the Maldives once for me. Oh my word. I really think I would remember that. Because I did 20 years in the Maldives. You might have to ask you again. I did 20 years organizing in the Maldives. And that was amazing doing all the singers and the DJs and all of that sort of thing.

I love them all these. But I now don't do that. That's why we ended up in Thailand. But that is just like mental there. So busy. Yeah. Lots of beach clubs. I mean, to honest, I think they're playing all these different kinds of venues and events.

It's like I've got so many friends that work in that and do. So now you've got a lot of clients. Well, yeah. But also I just, I'm really. really know where I am in the food chain. You know, I'm at hired entertainment in those things and I have to, I really want to get it right. And so when you said about the events when they're big, the smaller ones are hard. Yes, it's the same one on one stage or Richard and I are DJing if it's smaller.

Do you like to DJ together or do you just, yeah, you like that. We only DJ together. Yeah. It's like a little rule we have, yeah. Oh, that's brilliant. So that it means that we only do it. Yeah. And it basically gives us a little bit more time together but also.

Oh, I think, didn't you do it together when we did the Sir Martin's Lane? event. Do you remember in that little tea room and you did the bag? Do you remember it's so much better in my life? Yeah, you did. You did it together. I think you just started DJing together. Okay, okay. And if you remember Sir Martin's Lane, it was before Bungalow 8 downstairs, you'd go straight ahead and there was a bar. Yes. You DJ together. Yes. Golly, I do remember that. That was, we're talking 15 something years ago. Yeah, well, we started 16 years ago. Yeah, that must have been then. Yay, that's fun. I do remember that. And what's your music time?

I suppose like party, party and clubby. Just good party anthems. Yeah, anything from some disco stuff through to, you know, modern classics. Yeah. Yeah, just want to get people dancing. What people want to do you? Yeah. And I sing along to, I'll sing as well.

Do you? Yeah. That's brilliant. Did you do that at Maxis? Yeah. Because you sang, didn't you? And then you DJed. Yes, exactly that, yeah.

Brilliant. Well, I'm going to have to put you on my roster, Sophie. Now that you've reintroduced that to me. I'm free for New Year this year. Yeah, definitely. You're going to be busy this year. Oh, please. Oh, yes.

But I think probably a bit like you, I'm really hardwired to say yes to work because I always worry they could go elsewhere. So I think it becomes a thing, doesn't it? Where it keeps a little whip on your back of like must keep moving. Like you said about the hamster wheel. Yeah, you've got to keep on that wheel. You have, haven't you? Yeah. I actually recently met with a really famous brand and they are incredible.

But they've just gone a little bit too heritage and forgotten about it. out and I had a meeting with them about bringing them back. And I could just tell this new guy's taking over. He's the one that brought me in. And I could tell all the other team were all a bit like, oh, why she's giving us new ideas? Why is she saying that they just get stuck in a rock. But I think also one thing you've said that,

I think is a really underrated quality for keeping going, is to remember how much you love it. It sounds really obvious. But actually, I think it's really easy to. get a bit eye-rolly or complainy or to take it for granted because it becomes, it's almost cooler, isn't it, to be like, oh, whatever. Yeah, I roll it, they do a lot of that, don't they? Yeah, but I think it just happens.

And it's quite encouraged sometimes. You've got to be grateful. Yeah, exactly. Because, as we know, during COVID, it all dried up. And we've all experienced what that was like. And God forbid. Yeah. Touch wood, it's never going to happen again.

Yeah, I know. There was no way. Yeah, I never, never would like anything like that to happen. happen again. We've just got to really keep on, keep on going. Yeah, but also I was thinking, you know, I knew about you before we ever met because like you were so synonymous when I would, I mean, I was such a massive music fan. Because you were in Camden, weren't you? Yeah, yeah. Exactly. Yeah, okay, yeah. So, well, that's where I lived when I first left home. It was my first place.

And that was the hive of, oh, yeah, wasn't it? Because Amy was always in the mixer. Yeah. And everything was going on. And Nolan, Meg lived up in Delancey Street. That was like their first little flat and my cleaner lived in that flat. So she cleaned for them and then she came to clean for me because then I got my first flat in Tuffanil Park Road. So we were all in the same and going to Coco. Yeah, exactly.

What were you saying out? Camden Palace. Yeah. Sticky floors are on. Yeah, let's not show our age about that. Coco. Yeah. So that's so mad.

But then I was thinking, so first thing I was thinking is what, you know, here's a survival thing. I think there's a real survivor. Yeah, definitely. But secondly, and I think again, this is something that I've always thought of you, and I mentioned it before we start recording, but sometimes you'll send out me an invite, and at first I thought it was almost

like a sort of round-robin type of Oh, no, it's not. So every once in a while I'll reply saying, thanks so much for thinking me, but I can't make it. I love it when you do. But you know, you always reply back. Exactly. And I think that's another thing, another element. See, that I choose, you have to do an event like you're creating a museum, right?

And you have to think about the people you'd like to come. Now, as I said to you earlier, one day you're going to say, oh, do you know what? Me and Richard are so into this, we're going to come. So it's just, you just do these things and you think, oh, well, I'm going to invite them. I would hate it. So if someone invited me for two years and then stopped inviting me, you know, because it's nice to be in the loop and be thought of. Yeah. You know, there's only one person, I think, out of all the people that I send invites to that's ever been nasty.

Really? Any one? Yeah. Disappointed. It was a man, obviously. And he was very sarcastic. So I just thought, oh, you know what, I'm never going to talk to you again, really. But that's the thing, isn't it, a lot of people who have long careers? He was very famous.

And I think he thought, he's not famous now. He's been cancelled. But at the time, he was very, very famous. And I think, well, that was calmer. Yeah. But then most people, I think to keep going, most people are nice, actually. There are a lot of nice people. Because it's like you can't really otherwise. Also in this down age, you can't be horrible.

No. That's another thing. You sort of have to be nice. You do have to be nice. Even if you go back and get the pillow and scream into it for an hour. You know, you can be on some zooms and people say the most ridiculous thing. And I have to pinch Katie's leg. And she likes going bright red next to me. And I'm pinching her neck and I'm like that thinking,

Did they just say that? I can't believe it. Because so many people don't have a clue. Yeah, it's so true. Do you think Mercy has inherited the sort of family trait of being good with people and reading people like that? Yeah, she's much more polite than me. She's very polite and very social.

But she's not a night owl going out all the time. She doesn't really drink. She's Gen Z. No, they don't really... No, not interested. When we were on holiday, I mean, we were ready for two weeks. We got drunk twice. And going back in the day, I'd be paralytic from 11 o'clock in the morning

till 11 o'clock the next morning and every single day. You know, on on New Year's Eve, I'd be really drunk. We had two drinks and went to bed. I just haven't got the flavour. We used to call it the flavour in our family. When you got the flavour, you got the flavour, you really fancy it. I just, I gave up red wine two years ago and I don't know what it was.

After stopping that, I still drink but I just don't drink like that anymore. Yeah. It's just funny. Yeah. My mum, who was obviously a publican, she drank and drank, she could drink a bottle of brandy. My mum was a big, big drinker and my dad

and I got the projectile vomiting from her. It's another reason why I stopped drinking because I'm a great projectile vomiter. and she used to do that all over herself. Anyway, she won't like me to say that when she's coming up to 90. But she stopped. She hasn't drank for 30 years. Never smoked or anything like that.

And I said, why did you stop? Because you loved it. She had just one day didn't have the flavour anymore. And that's exactly what happened to me. Wow. My dad carried on. I'm still a bit stuck on the projector, I'm vomiting actually.

I'm trying to work out how far. I had projector. I've got a projector. behind every part of the children thank God it's being rebuilt but every chair in the children I've been sick behind

I've had Sienna Miller holding my hair while I puke up I mean and she's really been kind and held my hair after many and many puke but I'm very famous I've done it all the way along a passport control in every bin arriving in countries

because I've got too drunk on the plane so yeah it's a very famous trait of mine You can ask my daughter, it's like a family thing. Really? Yeah. But since I give up the red wine, don't do it anymore. Thank God.

So it did come in handy giving up the red wine. No more project on momentum. And I wish it never read past, would you say passbook? What are you being? There's a lot of that, the projector vomiting, wet myself and all that sort of stuff at the same time. Imagine what I was like when I was pregnant. When I was pregnant, I was doing that naturally, working. So I must have something wrong in my stomach.

I must be allergic to something because I wasn't drinking. But yeah, since I stopped the red wine, been peace. Peace. Must be an age thing. Because, you know, I'm nearly 45, 50. Wink, wink, say no more. I say that to Mercy, she gets so angry. Because we were watching the football on Saturday

in the George, the pub in Great Portland Street. And this guy went, you sisters, I went, oh, yeah, oh, yeah, I said, if one other person keeps saying that, you know they're lying, you know that they're lying. I went, oh, don't say that. She gets so pissed off. I don't know.

She's probably busy being happy at the projector on the same. Yeah, exactly, exactly. But I do also believe that age, you know, when I grew up the family parties were of all ages and that's what I love about my things

is that everyone's very accepting of all ages being there they don't look down no like the youngsters are not looking down at older people being there and dancing

no which is actually the 20 year olds are loving that the old a lot are there or there's just someone like really classic there so it could be like

Bobby Gillespie or no or Liam or someone like that, you know, they love that. Do you think having mercy, because I was an only child until I was, well, eight on my mum's side and then up to like 19 or whatever, my dad's. So I had a lot of adult company. Yeah, she's the same. And I think it makes you grow up a little bit different.

100%. I think she's been the adult in the relation. Yeah, well, you learn how to hold your own a bit more. Very confident, very confident around people, very confident at dinners. also she's a master of physics from Imperial so she's got a lot to talk about which I don't understand so to other people you know they're sort of drawn in and it's she can have amazing conversations with people yeah I can make I can do the jokes she you know she does books I do looks well cheers to both of you and I think that bears repeating he's got a master's in

physics from Imperial is flipping impressive yeah quite impressive Cheers to her. Yeah, but also, well done to you because, you know, I'm sure there's so many layers to that time when you roll back to when you know, you realize you're having a baby. Yeah. You find yourself on your own. You're thinking your first thought is, I've got to work twice as hard. Twice as hard. Twice as hard.

And you, back in those days, that's been honest, you don't, you didn't get the respect to as a woman on your own. There was no respect there because it wasn't woke. people could say what they like to you and also I still find it a little bit now not having a partner and a husband people do treat you sometimes a bit different being a single woman really? Yeah because they know you haven't got back up

like a man that could maybe ring up and have a go say if I get not saying bullied or picked on but say if I'm in a group or someone might say something or have a go at you I've not got a husband standing behind me that has got my back I have to stick up for myself. Yeah, I can understand that.

And that's quite a modern thing because everyone would be married. But me on my own, you know, fan on her own with the daughter, they feel sometimes they can say what they like to you. Because what guy can I get to come and have a guide them back? Yeah. So that's made me quite tough. Well, I guess also you've got to have the resilience of when you get home. Who do you share it with? This is exactly what I mean.

That's why I've got a therapist that I talk to every week. I mean, it was my sister, but I think she just had such enough of me. You know, she's got her own marriage and her own life. And it was mercy for a while. And that was very, very, it wasn't cool to do that. I can't burden her with my problems. But I did do it for a while until I realized that, you know, it's just best a therapist that you can chat to.

You can't put the burden. Yeah. And actually, she told me being the grown-up that she is, it's that time you've got a therapist and told them things. And it works. You find it really helpful. Yeah. Oh my God.

Life changing probably actually. Life changing. Absolutely life changing. Because you get taught to handle a situation that I'm quite fiery that I would do the opposite to what they're telling me. And that didn't get me anywhere. And it just calms me down and silence sometimes is a bit of a good one to take, a good aspect to be just a bit quiet because I can be lairy. But when I reflect on that, that's only because I've always had to stick up for myself and fight for myself. Yeah.

So I know why I became that person. And I can see exactly why I progressed into that. But now I just have to take a little seat back. But single women out there with kids will know the same thing. You're fighting consistently for yourself and your baby. I mean, that's why I feel so sorry for these women that are trying to get flats. for them and their kids and get their kids into good schools. It's like not only do you have to work and earn the money,

you're constantly, if you can't delegate that to your husband to go and do, you have to do that all on your own. Constantly, constantly, I want to get them into this school, I'm going to fight for this, I'm going to fight for that. It's a fight. Yeah. You know, and that can be very, very tiring as a woman. But thank God I've got a lot of energy and it's sort of, I got through it.

Yeah. You know, thank God. I really did. Well, I take off my invisible hat to you. Oh, thank you. It's very kind of you. No, I can see how much you do it. There's a lot of girls out there going through the same thing.

Yeah, they are. And I'm sure only people in that situation can truly. I respect them 100% with what's going on. You know, these young girls, not young girls, but, you know, any age girls that have got kids and they're raising them on their own. Yeah. You know, it's bloody hard. I do a lot of charity work for lots of different charities. and you know they're the ones that get a lot of my money

and it's also the stories they're untold a lot of the time they're behind the doors you don't know what's going on you don't know when they've had the long day the stressful thing the altercations and then picking themselves up and finding them working and then bringing up kids and then fighting at night time to get what you want from maybe the council or your landlord or you know going to a food bank or the kids have got mental health problems it's never just one thing it's always I tell when it rang

it bloody pores. Yeah. And that's the thing that we must understand. Even when someone's a bit narkey with me, I sort of nowadays try and sit back and think, something's going on here, something's going on. That's not what they usually be like. And then when you unwrap it all, yes, there is something going on. Yeah.

Well, that's compassion, isn't it? Empathy and compassion. You don't have it so much when you're younger. Exactly. I didn't really have that. You have to go through the fire sometimes to understand. Yeah, I've learned a lot about empathy and I found it, yeah, I wasn't very empathetic to people. And I found it harder to be empathetic to strangers that would tell me something.

And I'd go, oh, yeah, right, okay. But now I'm actually finding it easier to be more like that, you know, to people. But it's these great podcasts that I listen to that I can get loads of information from as well. Yeah. You know, like yours, like, you know, I do listen. to a few murder ones, which maybe I shouldn't do before I go to bed. Do you? I want to sleep to them. And I do too. So I start off

with, do you ever listen to case files that Australian cried with the very monitor voice? And about the mushroom mushroom. Oh, mushroom tapes. What was she like? Oh, she's given me so many ideas. Yeah, that one. So many ideas for baraging.

Why is your plate orange? Yes, and was it the grey one? And then she said, oh yes, I had diarrhea on the way to the airport. Well, you didn't because you never mentioned that in the hospital. No. So she got life, didn't she?

Yeah. I'm actually reading a book called the mushroom tapes at the moment. Is it on her? Yeah. Where'd you get the book? My mum just finished it and she lent it to me. Oh, will you text it to me? I shall.

Because I want to read that. Oh, I'm definitely up for a bit of mushroom. I can read that at night. Your projector vomiting would have come in hand or so. I would never have been poisoned. I would have got away with that. So you can't poison me, guys, if anyone's thinking of it because I'll projectile, I'll vomit it out.

There's got a value. There's that one. And Lady Killers by Lucy Walsley, who I love. She's really good. So, yeah, and yours, obviously. It's quite funny, though, because I'll hear the guy, the Australian guy talking about a lot of murder. He sends you right off.

And then I'll be like talking about sitting the scene. And then I'll fall asleep. And then I'll wake up anyway. The body was discovered. I mean, I can't miss it. Well, I'll wake up in the morning and there's five episodes or six episodes and my back through all right. Because he's been going on all night.

But then I've had dreams about the deaths. Of course. Because they come into your dreams. So hilarious. I'm desperate to washing out heated rivalries. Yes, I've heard that's good. Yeah, I've just downloaded that. So that's on tonight.

It's about sexy gay hockey players. Yeah, there we go. So I'm dying for a bit of that. I don't mind that in my dreams. So you can imagine what I'm going to think about during that episode. Yeah, I'll stick with that. Yeah, I'll stick with that. That's going to be hilarious.

Thank you so much. You're welcome. I've left with good laugh, wisdom and some recommendations. on my TV watching. Yes, exactly. Some life lessons there. In all the directions. Yes. Sexy dream in the night. Thank you. Ah yay, what a good chat. Come on, you can't say I don't give you variety. Sometimes we're talking about early motherhood and other times we're talking about partying and projectile vomiting, but it's all fun. And thank you so much for Fran.

I knew she'd be a really brilliant chat and that it would be really insightful. and I just love the way that she's put all her values in amongst what she does for a living. Another example of how when you really care about the friends you make and trusting your instincts about good people to surround yourself with, it pays back dividends when you have a happy balanced life at each chapter, right? Meanwhile, here am I, still wandering through New York. I can see lots of snow on the sides because it's quite warm now and the snow is melting.

and the snow is melting, it's actually dropping on my head sometimes, so I'll be walking past the building, and then you get a very big drop of cold sort of sleet on your bonts. That's what happened, the Simsigat taxi. But yeah, it's still quite a lot of fun. And that being said, I am very much looking forward to next week where I'm in my own bed every night. I mean, the travel has been wonderful.

I'm not complaining, but it's time to have a little bit of an anchor now. I need a little bit of consistency. I want to organize myself, the pile of clothes. have waiting to be put away is embarrassing. So I just need to get on top of it all, really. I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime, I'm going to take in a little bit more of this beautiful city where I've got so many memories.

And next week I'll speak to you back from Blighty. Although, if I've got my chronology right, the one that the guest I will follow with next week is actually the first time we've recorded the podcast chat outside of the UK. So how's that for a flip? Anyway, lots of love to you, whatever you're getting up to this week. Thank you to Claire Jones for producing, to Richard, my lovely husband, for doing the edit. Thank you, darling. Sorry, the intro and actually I'll late.

Thank you to Ella May for the gorgeous artwork. Thank you to the New York Sun for shining today. Thank you to you for lending me your ears. And thank you to Fran for being such a good guest. Keep your suggestions coming. You know I always read them all. Thank you, great. Thank you.

Lots of love.