Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Charlie Hedges (Part Two)

Episode Date: September 25, 2025

We're back in Central London to continue our walk with the lovely Charlie Hedges.In this half of the conversation we chat more about Charlie becoming a mum, and her excellent CBeebies Parenting Helpline Podcast, as well as talking about the time she discussed pedicures with Chris Martin.Follow Charlie on Instagram hereFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to part two of Walking the Dog with fabulous Charlie Hedges. Do go back and listen to Part 1 if you haven't already and do catch Charlie on Radio 1 with Ricky and Melvin. And you can also listen to her brilliant parenting podcast, the CBB's Parenting Helpline. Really hope you enjoy part two of my chat with Charlie and do give us a like and a follow so you can catch us every week. Here's Charlie and Ray Ray. Come on Ray, let's follow Charlie. Come on Ray. So, Charlie, most people, and this is certainly when I was first became aware of you, is during your tenure at Kiss, and you were there for 15 years.

Yeah. Is that right? Yeah. Yeah. Long time. And I wanted to know, because that show so took off, didn't it? Yeah. With Ricky and Melvin.

And I wondered, how did you to, you three, I should say, how did you three first? get brought together. How did you know that that kind of all-important chemistry was going to happen with you through? The thing is you don't until you actually get put with someone and that's the beauty of radio. I think so I was already on the breakfast show. I was on the second round of breakfast so with a different presenter to the one that I first joined with and they were on weekends and the guy that I was with on breakfast moved on and they were like right again I remember being at uni and getting a call from the producer saying like on Monday it's going to be you and Ricky and Melvin so I was like okay cool I've worked

even it's wild to say that because I was what like 20 I'd work with so many people that I'd still get a buzz today from working with someone completely new it's just something I love that like oh what's the like what's the relationship going to be like how I don't know I just I just I just love it I love that so I turned up on Monday and that was it we didn't do any demos together they knew each other because they went to uni together so it just went out you just did it cold yeah yeah and it works it will yeah I mean I'd love to listen back to the first show it's a shame we haven't got that or that at least the first year really but clearly it worked with however many years on now and we're still working together so

there was a there was a bit of magic which is wild really And because I was aware of you because I used to do a show with Frank Skinner. We did a breakfast show on Absolute. So we were in the same building. Wow. We only did Saturdays. See, I love... Listen to that.

I didn't know that. Oh, look at that big old station. Jeez. Again, that's... In fact, that's the owner. Or Ray, I might pick you up. He's got the energy. Who me?

It's just a bit 1970s, please, dog. We know how that will end. Come here. So yeah, I was, we were very, I was very aware of you, obviously, and I knew your show and I loved your show. But I was wondering, how did you cope initially with being known? Because it's a different kind of fame on the radio, isn't it? Especially pre-social media. Would you mean, as in known to an audience, you mean? Yeah, recognisable.

I've never really, I've never, definitely. I've never really thought about it like that actually. I don't know. I just always and still do look at it as you're talking on the radio to a lot of people who weirdly kind of become family because they know everything about you. You get to know a lot about them. So I've never looked at it like I'm known. I just look at as I go in every day, talk rubbish, have the best time.

and play a load of music to a load of people that are kind enough to listen to me talking about it. I don't know, I'd never really thought about it like that. But it's a nice, but you must get people coming up to you recognising you sometimes, do you? Yeah, but it just, I can't explain it. Radio is so special because you genuinely feel like you know these people and they know me.

So, like I was at an oasis, gig a couple of weeks ago and I took my mum and I don't miss his head just like that oh my god we had the best time but we was on the way out and there was this guy who messages in um to our show quite a lot and it's the first time I met him and he was like how are you and and obviously I said this is my mum blah blah like it that's for me that is why radio is so special because it's not about being known for me it's just like creating this family of people that have something in common no and that's not why you go into it because that's I would agree that I think you wouldn't go into radio if that was your intention but that is a byproduct of it yeah but I'm not I don't

really I'm kind of I don't know it's it's a weird one because yeah I suppose you are known but it doesn't feel it's not a conscious thing for you it's not something yeah no not at all not all really it's just really nice when you're out and about on people stopped you and look at the school Charlie oh cute they're ever so sweet oh bless them my little girl's just started to go which is wild oh really yeah how old is you're just she's just turned free yeah she's doing like a little preschool she's mad oh look there's one with a co-op bag and i love him for it love that because all the rest of them are a bit more harrow and you know what you stick to you co-op though and also he's got a good fat munch in that bag as well

you just know it don't you the other kids are going straight in that bag i would be They've all got their great trows bags. Unexpectedly hot teachers. Why do you not think teachers are hot? Oh now you get me in trouble. Now what I mean is I wasn't expecting them to appear at the end of the line. Wouldn't you think the kids just on a free-for-all be left on their own? I thought there'd be some nice women in cardigans.

You killed me. I love how you spotted the teachers as well. I'm like, watch for dinner. You're worrying up the teachers. I'm thinking about what was in the kid's bag. Can we say the teachers were all of an appropriate age? I would say that one of them is pushing 40. Come on, Ray.

I'm going to pick you up. Did you ever experience anything trolley? Or have you ever experienced it? What, whilst being on radio? Yeah. Know what? This is going to sound like a really, really, really rubbish answer, right? But I have been so lucky over the years that I just feel like

there's a certain energy I like to put out. I am a very positive person and I do feel like over the years the type of people that have maybe followed me on radio and, you know, through social media, I don't know, I've just never had that negativity really. I've had, I've had times where I've been interviewing someone back in the day and, well, so back in the day, where it's almost like I'm not even in the room and I'll ask a question and they don't address, they don't talk back to me. I'm like, this is a bit weird. But okay. But again, like, I feel like the more you do this kind of job, you just go, well, that's a you problem. That's a you problem.

It's very rude and over the years again it's whirmed me up sometimes. I'm like, I would never do that. If someone's asked you a question, you look at them and you address them. You don't think, pretend that they're not there and then talk to someone else. So I've had that. I've actually started writing my own, well, actually no one knows this, but I've started making a lot of notes for my own book because there's, yeah, there's a lot of stories. Not enough time for it now.

But yeah, I've been dismissed a lot over the years. people walked into a room and gone, oh, is the assistant? And do you know what? Again, I always say that, and why are you being a pig to the assistant? Because the fact that you're even here in the first place is because people like assistant are helping to put you in that seat in the first place. So you should always respect everyone in the room. And I always look at that when they interview people, when I watch people come in,

I'm like, have they said hello to every single person in that room? Because if they haven't, that's a red flag for me. Because it shouldn't matter what you do. It shouldn't matter whether you're the radio presenter, whatever. It's irrelevant. Who's an example? Because I want to hear some good news. I mean, I'll obviously be asking about the bad news.

All fair. But I want to know. Bonus phone content. But I want to know who's an example of someone who you've interviewed or who's come into the studio where exactly that's happened, where they've come in and you've thought you're a good person just from the way they've interacted with people the way they've treated everyone

there's so many but do you know what I would say I just think of my you know Justin Tim Blake was very I just remember him being you're interviewing for the social network didn't you yeah yeah bloody hell have you just been living with me for the last 25 years but yeah he's

He's one person that came in, like, talked, said hello to everyone. And I never forget that because it is so important. And also... Disney Club training. Just bloody... But do you know what? It's just bloody respect. It's just having the basic respect.

If there's people in that room, say hello to them. It doesn't matter who they are. And I watch for that all the time. It's my... Like, in the back of my mind, when I'm interviewing people, I'm not a judgey person, but I feel like I am a good judge of character. Yeah. I'm like okay cool so we have to play this one this way or do you mean you just have to be a bit more clever

100% well it's just that thing where it'll just be something a small thing and you just think okay noted yeah they'll always be nice to people it's not it's not hard I don't get it I hate it that's like my biggest pet hate I hate that Chris Martin came across when you interviewed him for the live lounge he came across really well I thought he was So that was such a strange interview because that was during, I think that was just the back end of lockdown. You asked him if he had a pedicure. Yes, because he had his feet out. I was like, oh, lovely toes, Chris.

You said, do you get pedicure? And he went, I'm really embarrassed. I'm really embarrassed, Charlie. I thought it was a valid question. No, I think it was funny because you were saying, because he's famous for, you know, going barefoot sometimes, you were saying, oh, have you ever felt to get a pedicure? He looks after those titsies. He went, now you're making him really self-conscious. Charlie.

I loved him. I loved him. Yeah, it was great. And it was because it was a lockdown sort of interview. We were, um, watch the back. We were, um, we weren't in the same room. So we couldn't even see each other. He had a big screen so he could see me.

I couldn't see him. But the next, I think it was a couple of days after the interview. He came in for someone else and brought me a little badge in the studio, which I thought was so sweet. I was like, do you know what? Again, like that. Yeah, Coldplay bad. Yeah, I was like that's so random, but I'm here for it.

I've always loved him and I've always loved Colplay and I think one thing that I hate is that it's become sort of almost, people think it's cool to be critical of Coldplay's music. And I actually think when people say that, when I say, I really like Coldplay, people go, oh, not Coldplay. I just think that's a very basic unoriginal thing. Do you know what I mean? It's an unoriginal mind, someone who says that, because it's, it just feels like a very basic, you know, I don't know what, it's an unoriginal mind. It just feels like, yeah, I don't know why it is. Because I think he's brilliant and I'm a huge fan. I think people are allowed to have their own opinions on music.

I remember saying this on the radio a little while ago. Like if you've not got anything nice to say, it's so simple, just don't say it. Like that person doesn't need to know that you think they're crap really, do they? Or if you've not got anything nice to see, come and sit beside me. I'd love to have a gossip. That's what I say. Yeah. Which you know what?

In a safe space, it's fine, because everyone loves a bit of gossip. But, yeah, I'm not about the negativity, to be honest. If you don't like them, you don't like them. But I do. I love Coldplay. So I want to get you to Radio One because that must have been quite the phone call when you got that call. It was nuts. I thought it was a wind up.

Did you? Yeah, I thought it was a wind up. Genuinely, I thought it was a wind up. To the point where I put the phone down, I called my mum and dad. and was just like did you say I'm on a job love? I can't believe it. Hang a minute. Just dropping off

at Great Portland Street. I'm like perfect because that's where I'm going to need to be soon. But yeah, I thought it was a windup. I did. Because yeah, I mean what a mad conversation to have. Would you like to come to Radio One? Okay, yes, please. That would be lovely.

So yeah, again, that feels like a lifetime ago. I think it's been seven years now. Is it seven years? I think so. I'm not to seven years. And your show has just gone from strength to strength? We started off on evenings when we joined, so late nights, and then we moved to the live lounge a few years ago.

And then I do a dance show, dance albums on the Saturday as well. So, yeah, it's been a wild ride. I can't, doing that live lounge, it's just, I still. So when an artist comes in, we have this big opener that does like a big countdown. And whenever we press play on that, I still, get goosebumps. I'm just like I can't I actually hope I'm doing it. It's nuts. It's not. It's really exciting. When you put on your Instagram sometimes you'll announce them and you people have to get you know get excited guessing who it's going to be. Uh oh

is he now doing a poop? One of the things I love about you being at Radio One is all the sort of of crossover it does have that sense of being this sort of slightly extended family because you do your bits but then I'll be listening to Greg games who we love. Oh my god. I love him. Who I may have made come on this. He was brilliant. We had Barney on this. Did you?

Yeah, he's come on. And he, you'll go on his show a lot and you'll do things. Yeah. And you actually announced your pregnancy on his show. And he sounded genuinely surprised. Yeah, no one knew. Nobody knew. I didn't, in fact, I had, the only person that knew, as in within the Radio One world,

was his producer, who I had to tell, who was a really good friend of mine at the time. and I had to trust him with that information because, yeah, like I wanted to announce it but I obviously didn't want Greg to know because otherwise it just ruins the livelihoods of it. He's such a gossip. Greg, I am joking if you're listening. You are not a gossip.

He's one of the nicest humans. What a lovely guy. Yeah, good person. Very good person. And so, talking of babies, this is lovely summer. Yep. Who's now, well, you think she's three? She's a good kid. She's a good kid. She's a happy child. Well that's good to know. She's very happy. Because there's not always the way at three.

Three gets a bad PR if you don't mind me saying. Do you know what? Not from me. It, yeah, it definitely doesn't because she's just, yeah, she's just a happy kid. She wakes up in the morning, she's smiling, she goes to bed smiling, she's just a good kid. She sounds very well-mannered. I've heard you doing stuff there on the radio where you'll get to talk to Greg, James, sometimes. And she'll get us to say hello to Uncle Quag and she go hello Gwen. She loved. She's a chatterbox. Yeah, she really, yeah. Because are you coming over or something?

Yeah, going to Malta. Yeah, she went because you love, look, look, going to three-year-old asking if you're going to bloody brave. You're coming to Malta. Do you know what though? On her first birthday, I took her to Boardmasters Festival. I had a gig and she came along. She's going to be so cool.

Yeah, she came. I took her to another festival a couple of weeks ago. This year, I've not taken to her as many, but come next year, yeah, daytime stuff. She's going to be with me every step. Yeah. But isn't that nice, because I do feel like that whole, I suppose, dance culture and DJing, it just feels like it's quite sort of inclusive now. Do you know what I mean?

Like you'll see sometimes older people at those things, or you'll see people with kids. Do you know what I mean? I love that. I had a gig a little while ago and there was this lady who, I don't need to mention how old she was, but she said to me, I felt so weird about coming here because I'm of a certain age. And I was just like, that makes me feel so sad because why should you have to be a certain age to enjoy music and to go out to a club or go to a festival? Like that is nonsense to me.

I'm like, why you shouldn't ever feel like that? Like, if you love music, then just go. Who gives a... I'm going to say the word toss. Oh, you can swear. We're a swearing family. Who gives a toss about what anyone else thinks. Who cares? Who cares? You shouldn't. I think if you like something then you should go and do it.

Hey we go and see our new friend Charlie. You're going to regret saying that because you are welcome anytime. All of you are. Go up here. Put your hairs up! Right! Don't poo on the stage. He'd be great at a festival. Bring him! A bit of crowd surfing. Bring him to my next year. I think we should. I'd love to come and see you. Please do. I'm so on by the way you get up and do that because it's funny talking about DJing. I saw that documentary on Avichi and it was such a tragic story. I've not seen that actually.

I've not seen that. Do you know, Charlie? It's kind of, it's a lot. Do you know what I mean? And what really struck me watching that was that the sort of tragedy was that he was actually an introvert painfully shy. I mean painfully shy, who had found he had a talent doing an extroverts job. And it was almost like you could see he felt physically sick when he was getting up on stage and he didn't want to do it. But he was in this trap where presumably there's so much money at that level, isn't there, that he couldn't.

He was committed to all these things. And I thought, I wonder, I can see how overwhelming that could be if, unlike you, for example, who seem to have an, you know, your parents, whatever, just a very strong head on your shoulders, I think. I can see why that would be, yeah, an overwhelming experience. If you're not 100% suited to it, you know. I just, I mean, I can't imagine what it's like to be on that kind of level that he was, for example, like in terms of how many people he's playing to.

and the music and I don't know but I can only speak from my experiences and that is for me it was just I've just always had I mean obviously I'm nowhere I'm nowhere near as good or on that level as of each obviously but just for me personally I've just always had the right people around me yeah so that when I've had a wobble I And if you said, oh, I don't want to do it or something, they'd probably say, don't worry. Yeah, yeah. And that for me is what has kept me on the straight and narrow. To be honest with you, I don't know everyone's different.

But yeah, it makes me sad. That's really sad. Do you know it be so sad? It really is. One of the best gigs I ever went to was Avicci at Eschwaya in Ibiza. And, oh my God. Me and my brother and two of my friends, it was, yeah, unbelievable. Unbelievable.

Unbelievable. One of the best things I've ever seen. Come here, Ray. You're one of the best things we've ever seen. You are. I can't believe you held that cooking. We need to talk about your podcast. We were talking about your daughter Summer.

Yep. And you are ideally placed to present the podcast you're currently presenting, which is a CBB's sort of parenting helpline podcast. And it's really, you know, It's a second series now, is it? And parents are finding it so useful, aren't they? Because you're sort of a lifeline for them where it's a kind of judgment-free space about parenting. It's like, let's talk about tantrums and fussy eating and all that stuff.

Yeah, yeah, for sure. I've got one friend called Lucy who, do you know what, I literally messaged to her yesterday and said, one of the things, she's my oldest friend, one of the things I love about us, our relationship. and the reason why we've been friends for so long is because we've always been very honest about life. Hello. Hello.

People think it's a wig. Collie. Love it. Yes, so your podcast is, you talk about all aspects of parenting really on it and you have sort of experts on as well. Yep. And it's, as you and your co-presenter, it's Holly.

Yeah, and again, like going back to a friend of mine called Lucy, we've been friends for like literally since I was five. And our relationship has worked because we are very honest with each other. And even more so now since me having summer and she's got two boys. And I just think it's so important to put that sort of relationship back into a podcast. So yeah, it is a very open space. You're not getting judged. Like you can come and say the best, worst thing. about parenting, you know, bringing up a child, whatever, you're not getting judged.

We'll bring our own experiences into it. We've got experts, which is the most important thing, so we get people on with real-life questions that the expert's answer. Come on, Ray. But how do you cope with, because tantrums? I don't know. You can say to me, you can explain this to me because I don't have kids myself, but I can understand

like tantrums I just feel so sorry for the parents when that happens like in a public place for example and you know what even people like I say even child free you know horrible people like me we do I do feel immense sympathy

that I just think God you poor thing but then there is a butt here except for the people I saw the other day in waitrose who let their children do trolley racing. Trolley racing. And occasionally it was like, oh, you know, they'd like calling out and go, Joshua, oh, don't do that, darling.

You crack me up. Do you know, oh my God, they're going to get run over by the children. The children are running and not driving just to come home. They're all running. They're doing the cross-country run. Is that a 15? I used to be a runner at school. Do you know I can see that?

Yeah, I used to be the record holder for the old, for the old running, long distance running. Were you at the front, everyone, everyone keep up with Charlie? Yeah. I was a good runner. You were a bit of a... I was a good runner. You were a golden girl at school? I wasn't at all. I weren't at all. But I love to run.

But you were good equestrian. And... I was very sporty. A's? A's? Or B's? Bees. I love a solid B.

I love a solid B. I love a solid B. Consistent. Yeah. So the tantrums, how do you deal with these, how do you deal with them? Are you quite a strict mum? I don't know, the word strict is a weird one for me.

I'm very, do you know what? I just listen. I listen to what someone is trying to tell me. I do love routine. I'm very much a routine person. very structured. Yeah. And I am, yeah, I mean, I wouldn't, if she ever misbehaved, which, if I'm being honest,

Summers' tensions, I can't even call it a tension, then I just calmly speak to her and say, look, just wait a minute, this is, this is not happening. And she does listen. That's the type of kid I've got. You know, I've got a friends of mine that they won't mind me saying where their kids maybe take a little more than just that, you know, it's a, you know, it's a, you know, it's a, sit on the step for a little while or whatever they have to do. But again my parenting style is just to, I've never really baby taught somewhere. It's funny. Really? No, not really. No, I've

kind of always taught how we are. Like an adult, yeah. Had to, you know, not to that extent, but I've never really talked to her like she's a baby. Oh, look at this rain. Oh, we've timed it well. Just coming to get me under the tree. Yeah. That lovely man's put his hat on. I I think that's going to help him out too much. Oh, bless him. We're caught in the storm. I mean, it could be worse. It could have happened at the start of that.

Now watch all them run, though. They're going to be completing that run in half the time. I love things like this. So we should say it was just sheltering under a tree because it started ruffeting it down. I always love to look at the people that have completely just gone. Do you know what? I'm going to get wet.

I don't care about the rain. And we've got the people from the... the sports team which I think I would have been one of these people if that's okay you want to work I would have been one of these people in this these people in the sports team where as in sheltering no maybe not pick first and that's why I like them I relate to them don't worry I was never picked first either that's how we get on I think it's true yeah it's like I get on with people you know you get some people that would have played mary in the nativity never I was the witch and there wasn't even a witch

They had to invent a part for me. There isn't a witch in the biblical times. There is now. Were you Mary? Was I married? It's like an energy around Mary's in the nativity play. Like were you the shit shepherd in a sheet? Or were you married?

Do you know what? I don't know. I remember being the mum dog in the Dalmatians. That's it, Padita. Remember being her? I know. Yeah, I was trying to remember my lines in. That would have been mad if I remember that.

Anyway, yeah, I remember being that. I don't, yeah, I don't know. Actually, I remember photos of me being an angel. Oh, that's a good one. I was an angel. I remember that. Yeah, because you're very fair. You look very angelic.

Little did they know. Solo bitch. A bit tight pasting. Charlie Hedges has got the part just because she got blonde hair. Highlighted hair these days. because roots are getting done I think it is passing look it's getting brighter over it

so that podcast that's a brilliant thing for parents and non-parents I really enjoyed it I'm so pleased yeah I really like it just because it's interesting how you deal with things like that

and also even like relationship-based things were interesting in there like just how you sort of maintain your relationship whilst focusing on your kid all that sort of stuff It's great. It's like you get free tips off of the experts. It's brilliant. Whether you've sent the question in or, you know, you're listening as a listener or like myself and Holly, it's great. Getting like free advice.

No, it's really good. And I want to talk about another podcast you do, which used to be a podcast presented by Susanna Constantly. Who I hadn't realised it'd been all for you. She came on here. Oh, did you love her? So great. I do you know what? I have to listen back to that episode because I bet you two got on a houseify. All these mad stories you've been walking out

that you get, oh yeah, Princess Margaret said that to me and you've been fascinating. Love her, love her. There was an instant connection because she interviewed me for My World Jail Malfunction when obviously she was hosting it and then, yeah, there was definitely an instant connection there. And then when they approached me and said,

would you want to take over? I'm like, God, are you kidding me? I loved it. That's one of the interviews I have done. that stood out. Loved her. So we should say, yeah, you appeared as a guest. So this was Susanna Constantine's podcast,

my wardrobe malfunction. You went on as a guest and I want to say it's about 20, 20, 21, something like that. And then you're now hosting it because it's back. Did she, did Susanna just not want to do it anymore or? I don't know, I can't think what she, I'm sure she just said it was a, I think it was a time thing. Yeah.

I think it was a time thing for him. She just said, look, would you, her producer reached out. and said would you be up for doing it said yeah absolutely I would love to I love speaking to different people love meeting people so it was a no-brainer I'm bloody love doing it same as what you're doing now and you should it's really good you should give it a listen because Caroline Stanbury was on recently and I'm obsessed with her have you met her no I'm going to meet her well she's in Dubai isn't yeah yeah you should get her on she I yeah she would she had some great

stories to tell. She's real zero fucks given. Oh my god. And I love that. Never met anyone like her. I was just how honest she is and she just don't care. She says it says what she wants to say. I really admire that kind of authenticity because you strike me as quite authentic. How do you think I am? I think you are. How do you deal with having to confront people about anything? Good stuff or bad? Generally, well I think having difficult conversations, how do you feel if you have to say, I've got a problem with something or that's not going to work for me or? I used to hate it. I've got better over time. And it's that whole cliche thing about since my little girls come around,

I know it sounds silly, but there are, I'm not worrying about silly things anymore. She's my priority. So I'm like if me speaking up and speaking honesty without, I would never obviously be mean and go about things the wrong way. But if it means that ultimately she benefits from this or just I benefit long term, which then means she does, then I just think it's how you talk to people. I don't think there ever needs to be like a massive argument. I think you just have to calmly talk to people and try and resolve stuff. But yeah, I've definitely got more confident in being honest and saying and not just saying yes all the time. Do you know what I mean? That's good.

I have. And setting boundaries, I realised, I mean, I didn't start doing it until I was way too old. But it's just like a muscle that you have to, if you don't use it, you forget you have it. Yeah. And I see some people who are, and I realize why, when I see people sort of people pleasing. I think, why does it annoy me so much? And I think, oh, because I recognise it. Because you only ever get wound up

by the stuff you recognise in yourself, I think. Do you know what I mean? That's the stuff that you're like, don't do that. And you're like, oh, that's because I, you did it for so long. And have to fight doing it now. Yeah. Yeah, I just, to be honest, I just want, I just don't want to, I just try and limit amount of stress.

Because it's ultimately what, you don't get you anywhere, does it? If you're not happy about something, then you have to speak up, although it depends on circumstance, doesn't it? It depends what you're trying to speak up about. I don't know. You just have to take it on a case-by-case basis, but I've definitely got better at, yeah.

Have you? Yeah, yeah, I have. Are you a crier? I cry all the time. Yeah, yeah. I love crying. When's your birthday? July the 11th?

I'm 18th. I knew. I knew, I knew. Weepy cancerian. Yeah, yeah. Absolute whips! And happy to be one. Are we?

That's what it is. We're quite sensitive, aren't we? Yeah, but again, that's not a bad thing. I feel great after a cry. Yeah, so do I. I cry as well. Oh, here we go. We've just entered the school sports day rather serially.

Oh, goodness. Why do men run so fast? What do you mean men? I can run fast. No, what I mean? I don't mean fast. I think, how can I put this? I think women run in a way that's slightly less,

Look at me, everyone, I'm running. They just run. Whereas men, it's like, here I am, running. Look at me doing more running. All right, mate. You're kidding. Let's go out this way. Shall we feel like we know where we are now?

I feel like you're walking me back to the place I know, which is lovely. I feel like I'm being really looked after everybody. Thanks. I'd have just been in the middle of that at Regent's Park for the next week. Charlie, do you know what? What a thoroughly lovely human being you are. Likewise. Thank you.

Honestly, thank you for having me because, yeah, it is weird for me for someone to ask me questions, so thank you. It's been nice. Have you enjoyed it? I've loved it, I've loved it, yeah. And, of course, meeting the star of the show. The cutest little dog in the world.

Can Raymond and I come and meet you? Yeah. If we go to one of your gigs, because just so you know, We want to come and see your DJ. Of course. I want to get a little laminate around his neck. What, like a little, the wristbands?

No, an actual laminate. I'm not putting a wristband around his neck. Can you get big ones? Can we get one of those? I don't want those things that will get stuck and I'll have to get the scissors to take it off. No, we can get you like a lanyard. Yeah, a lanyard.

Yeah, like backstage access. You're talking about? Oh, yeah. Yeah, of course. I'm looking more like work in the NHS. I like those ones. Can we get him a lanyard? Excuse me.

Or you know, IT consultant, Lanyard. Now let's get them a land yard. Access all areas. V-V-I-P. I'll send you, when I get some more confirmations of festivals and stuff for next year, I'll send you some dates. Of course you can come along. Yeah.

Would I like your partner? I bet I would. Yeah, of course. If you like me, you'd like him. I think I would. If you don't like me, you would hate him. How did you meet you two? We met on, online.

I love that. Yeah, on Twitter. What does he do? He's a carpenter. Yeah. I love a carpenter. Anyone need a kitchen fitted? Do you know I love that kind of man?

Very practical. I bet it gets things done. Do you have a partner? No. I got Ray. Well, I mean, what more do you want? You've chosen the easy option. I've got Ray. He is easy, I won't lie. You haven't felt his breath.

That's fine. I like the sound of your partner. Thank you. What do you think he would say is the most challenging thing about living with Charlie? What would he say? You've got to take the good reviews but you've also got to listen to the feedback. He'd probably say, I'm just, I'm a workaholic. So I think he would probably say chill every now and again.

Chill. Like, take a breath, chill. would it? Yeah, probably don't Yeah, don't stress as much as what I have done Maybe, I don't know But I would assume we would probably tell me

To chill a little bit Because I am, yeah, it's constant Because I've always, my career's been Everything, is always going to be everything to me as well And so, you know, obviously taking family aside So I've always, yeah, I've always, yeah, I've missed out and a lot of, I say missed out, I've, you know, there's been a lot of parties over the years,

a lot of family stuff and a lot of things. Everyone has to, it doesn't matter what you do for a living, you'll have to sacrifice, don't you? And hope that it's for the right reason. Yeah. So yeah, I think that's what he would say. I'll ask him later and I'll text you. He didn't say that at all.

Yeah. He said I was an absolute nightmare. I'll also tell you that. I'll be honest. What's your, in your arguing style, are you a sulker or a, do you go quiet or do you explode and then it's all over? I may let's talk about things and sort it there and then. I prefer that. Do you know?

What do you think I am for? I think the moment you're quiet for a second and then you talk about it. Oh yeah, that's it. You don't explode. Yeah, I'm not, yeah, I'm, yeah, I wouldn't tell how I would. explode but I'm very yeah I'm not afraid of approaching awkward situations you know it's never ideal is it but it's just this life I've just got to get on with it and just again it depends on what that end goal is like what what are you getting out of

this do you need to do you need to do that do you need to be having that conversation is it going to benefit everyone if the answers yes then it's simple you just do it Charlie I've loved our walk. I've loved our walk. I've loved our walk. I've loved our walk. We've come to the end of it. That's rubbish.

I know. But you give you a kiss. Lovely to meet you. You're so cute. What about Ray Van? I was going to give you a kiss next. Just wait your turn. Oh, thank you so much.

Really lovely to meet you. Oh, we loved to meet you. Thank you. Really, seriously, come to a gig next year. Ray, do you want to go to a wave? Have five, sister. Yep, he's in. He's going to sleep.

This has gone on for way too long. That's going to be like me. Yeah, he's going to have a nice nap after this. Can you get me a stool for the rave? That's all I ask. Yeah, of course. A stool on one of those nice tartan blankets like the queen had in the back of the car. I can do that.

Easy. On there. We love you, Charlie. Love you. I really hope you enjoyed that episode of Walking the Dog. We'd love it if you subscribed. And do join us next time on Walking the Dog wherever you get your podcast. Thank you.