Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Nick Mohammed (Part Two)

Episode Date: April 2, 2025

We’re in St James’s Park with the wonderful Nick Mohammed! We discuss Nick’s incredible on-screen career - and how his life was changed after her appeared as Nate in the multi award-winning series Ted Lasso. Nick also reveals his favourite showbiz gossips and he tells us all about his gorgeous love story with his wife Becca. Nick is on tour with his critically acclaimed alter-ego Mr. Swallow. Show Pony has been described by Mr. Swallow as “payback for everyone who didn’t come to the last tour” and will cover everything from not having his own sitcom to not having his own sitcom… and everything in between. As per - expect magic, music and a whole load of brand-new mistakes. You can get your tickets at https://www.nickmohammedlive.com/ Follow @nickmohammedy on InstagramFollow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye Lawrence - with production support from Dex Roy on this episode. Music: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Part 2 of Walking the Dog with the wonderful Nick Muhammad. Do go back and listen to Part 1 if you haven't already and do go and see Nick Live as Mr Swallow in Show Pony. It's touring all around the UK this year and you can get your tickets at Nick Mohamed Live.com. I'd also love it if you gave us a like and a follow so you can catch us every week. Here's Nick and Ray Ray.

I mean, I can't even begin to list all your credits because that would be a whole podcast in itself. You just seem to be in everything that I love. you're in. Even if you just do like, I'm like, oh yeah, of course Nick's turned off on this. Of course he's turned up and stuff, next flats. But that's the thing of like when you get to work with, you know, people and people are supporting each other on the comedy circuit and doing sketches together and stuff like that,

you do end up just like, if you write a script, like, oh, do you mind popping in and doing? And of course you want to because, you know, we're all kind of there sort of supporting each other. And there are, you know, there are shows like Stath and, I guess, Alma's not normal inside. where I was a fan of those shows anyway, you know, so I would be watching this anyway. So of course I want to come in and do a day or something or a day or two. Well, inside number nine, I found quite stressful watching it, your performance in the final episode. And you know where I'm going. Because I play a podcaster.

You play a podcaster. And it's called, hi, welcome to Mountain to Mohammed. No, bring the Mountain to the Manhattan. Mountain to the Mohammed, yeah. It's so brilliant. They're great, aren't they? Have you seen their live show? You've seen the stage right?

I got David Morrissey. Yes. And have you done the station? I've done it. I did it in preview, yeah, yeah. And it was just really fun. And I love that. I mean, I just giggled all the way through it.

I was just laughing. When you did in Inside Number 9, the cameo, because they're all cameos, you know, in that, you did make this reference to an awful, shitty, slightly narcissistic podcast host. Who basically talks about himself the entire time. Yeah. And it was weird watching that. I thought, Oh God, have I done that?

No. Yeah. Were you thinking, you don't have to say who it was, but was there anyone specific you were thinking of? You don't have to name them. No, you know what? There wasn't because they'd written, like, it was so witty, like what they'd kind of written.

I mean, I think they were basing it on me. I think they were like, I don't have a podcast, but like, you know, like, that idea of like I'll always sort of end up talking about my own projects and stuff. I think, I mean, we've, I mean, I've worked with them for like, because I'd worked with Steve Hemberton on Julia Davis's stuff, like in camping and Reese and I had crossed paths and I'd then done the episode of Inside Number 9 before then doing the final episode.

So we, and we've always got on really well and we always gossip. We always have a real gossip about what we're up to, what we've been auditioning for. And, you know, naturally we'll get seen for similar-ish things. And like, it's quite, it's quite a closed circle. Are you quite a show, are you a gossip? Oh, God, I love a gossip. Love a gossip. Who's the biggest show who's gossip, you know?

Hannah Waddingham's a good gossip. Because she crosses path, because she, well, she's just got so many stories. I mean, because she's such a legend and like within musical theatre. I mean, she's sort of, and you know, because now Italian films, she's sort of met everyone. Andy Nyman, do you know Andy? I love Andy. Oh my God, I love Andy. So I'm seeing Andy on Sunday on Sunday.

day. I love Andy. I mean, Andy and I, we'll just get together because we live quite close as well. Yeah, because I go, who's close? They're Big Ray fans, can I say. Sophie loves Ray. And they're not dog people, as you know, they're cat people. They've got a little cat. What's their cat? They love Ray. Because he's like a cat. Andy loves the gossip. We'll get together to do like magic stuff together and we'll spend a good hour, two hours just catching up about the backstage cruise of like, just that we've been doing. working at or like the egos of the magicians or the actors that we might have been working with like all stuff that's really fun to gossip about because it's the stories are ludicrous

and oh yeah I love him for that yeah he's a great gossip oh he loves the gossip he really does he's also a great the Nyman's as a family are just brilliant anecdotes list like all of them yeah I adore them and Preston is so great he's brilliant and they're just like in terms of like Andy's contribution and Preston's to be up to magic I mean it's phenomenal I mean you think he's a good actor and the writing stuff but like he's so... His contribution to magic is extraordinary. I mean... Well I want to talk about magic, so we're going to talk about Mr. Swallow, but we're going to have to get TL. Oh yeah. I'm afraid we're going to have to do some TL chat. Obviously you're in Ted Basset. Yes. And that's something people must want to talk to you about a lot,

I imagine. Yes, yes, it is. Yeah. And it was kind of life changing in some ways, wasn't it? Completely, yeah. Yeah. In all kinds of ways, really. Because I felt weird, isn't it? When I saw you on like some American sort of chat should go, well, Nick was talking only this week. And I thought, why do you know Nick? He's ours. That's off. Like, I felt a bit weird that you're such like huge in America. I always forget that. But we forget that. As in like we cast a Ted Lasso because we were so sheltered from it. Because not just because, well, it was a pandemic. So, so we weren't traveling to do publicity or anything. So there's the odd like Zoom kind of thing. But we weren't like going to like,

season premieres and things like that. It just wasn't happening. And also, I think, because Apple TV was still relatively new, I mean, it's quite, it was maybe more ubiquitous in the States, but it was a real sleeper here, Ted Lattern, now it's massively caught on. But like, before, it was more, there's a lot bigger in the States. And so, but we didn't know. We just didn't, we'd not appreciated it.

And then literally, like, this is really embarrassing. But the first time I went to America was to go the Emmys. I'd never even been on holiday. So I was like, oh my God. And I, and like, and I'd not flown long haul for like, however. And I'd certainly never flown first class. And Apple were like, oh, yeah, you've been nominated. So, you know, first class to L.A.

And I was like, oh, I couldn't believe it. And then people were like, oh, yeah, like, it was mad. It was mad. And it still is mad. Of course it's mad. But how do you handle that level of fame? Because you strike me as, I mean, you talk about being a show off. But then there's another side to you.

which I think is probably quite, not shy, but maybe the introverted studying kind of type of. Oh yeah, I appreciate a bit of privacy and a bit more, you know, I love just being at home. And, you know, I never was one to be like going out every night and kind of like that. It was always, you know, quite boring in that regard. But I. But how did you find the fame that, because that's a different level of fame, is it?

Yes, it is. And particularly in the States. I mean, it's that weird thing of, it's, Well, it just felt very alien. Did it? But it never felt, I never felt too... I mean, look, as I said, it was life-changing that show. And I feel like I'm so grateful for it.

You know, it has changed everything, you know. And I'm... You know, the fact that people want to talk about it, stop in the street and talk about it, that it's got a huge fan base. It's like, what a privilege to be in that position, really. And I think at the point it came in my life, you know, you know, Becca and I,

We had married, we had kids. It was like everything was settled anyway. It wasn't, maybe if I had been in my 20s, I would have been more impressionable and maybe a bit more like, oh yeah, I should now live in L.A. for a bit and trying. But I was like, oh no, you know, it was a casting that I happened to get.

And I'll forever be eternally grateful for it, but it could just as easily not happen, you know. Do you know, I get the impression. The longer I speak to you, that even if that had happened when you were in your 20s, I think you'd still be exactly the same. Do you know what I mean? Maybe. I just don't think you're that type of person.

I think that's a choice, isn't it really? The problem with fame, well, look, it feels like fame to a degree is just a massive psychological experiment because there's no rule book really, is there? It's to... And one thing to say, actually, and this is probably from starting out doing live stuff and particularly live comedy and magic to a lesser degree, is that you develop a really thick skin doing that. Because, you know, there'll be always...

always the odd gig that's a bit difficult or you don't have great audience numbers or something like that, you know, particularly when you're starting out. So you develop a thick skin to it, you've got a good support network in place and you sort of everyone is sort of like, you sort of learn how to deal with failure and disappointment a lot more in this industry than success. And actually what no one teaches you and what there's nothing written about is what happens when you are suddenly really successful at something. Because it's as equally psychologically affecting and potentially damaging as, you know, getting bad reviews or getting, you know, going through a bit of a more difficult patch sort of within your career

because it just presents new challenges. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a real first-world problem and it's a real privilege to have that pressure. But it is like quite, wow. And I remember then, you know, the biggest change from a career point of view is not so much being, getting offered TV work, which I do now, but it's more the stuff I'll audition for is far more interesting or bigger parts. And that's really exciting. You're not a goddamn Martian. That's the Martian, right? But it's that thing of thinking, well, I don't think my skill set has changed.

It's just that now the industry has allowed me. It's that weird. And so if you wanted to be cynical about it, you could be like, no, I'm not going to, like, you can't have me now. I don't, you know. It's like the bully suddenly contacting me. It's exactly the same thing, right? It's exactly the same thing. The bullies aren't paying you.

No, quite. So you have to keep, you do have to not bite the mouth that feeds you. But I do think one thing I just wanted to say to you about Ted Lassau is that I think it was that character, you know, because he was a character who broke bad and who were all very invested in. And I just think it was so brilliant your portrayal of him because it was about, well, it was, in some ways it's not dissimilar to what we're talking about because he was corrupted by power and fame. And I really wanted it to be believable. That disintegration of his soul, which is how I perceived it,

was so believable because it was painfully incremental. Oh, yeah. I mean, they wrote it brilliant. But you acted it brilliantly as well because it was never, you know, sometimes with those things, I can see there's a temptation to go sort of slightly devil wears Prada big, which is great for that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It was a really subtle, beautiful performance, I thought.

Oh, thank you. And, um. It was thrilling. do. And I love how Jason Sodecis, I got the impression the fact that you play the violin in that and had a Waddingham, who I was a huge fan of prior to that, because I'm a big Sondheim fan and I'd seen her do things like Into the Woods and I knew what was lurking in there. Yeah, quite, yeah. And when the fact that he allowed both you and Hannah to showcase your musical talents. Oh, he was all into that. He was like, if anyone's got a skill, tell me now,

because we'll write it in. Oh yeah, he loves all that. And he is one of the kind of the kind of kindest, nicest, you know, proper lead by example. Did you like working with him? I adored it. I adored the whole thing. But it was so, it's such a kind of a blur because it was just a phenomenal, particularly when we were at season two actually, because there was a lot of stuff for Nate to do and it was that trekking that downward trajectory really.

And I knew, and you know, we'd all been nominated for Emmys for season one. So we knew the show was doing well. We knew it was getting a lot of traction in the UK as well. So it started to become its own. thing and there was a bit of a pressure there to deliver. Yeah. But the fact that they sort of trusted me with that journey and that bit with um Jason you know at the end of season two when I sort of lay into him was so like traumatic to film because it felt so real because we talked about it for so long like

in the lead up to it even really in season one because I knew where it was headed. And like so to get to the point where I could finally have it out with him like it was almost and like Jason is so good we had great directors on it but Jason is also such a brilliant performance director and he gets into like he can get into your mindset to get a good performance out of you and he would before we like would start you know rolling the camera he would sort of talk at me as if he was Nate's dad like saying you're pathetic you're a loser you're never going to achieve anything in your life you're doing it and like so bring all this energy into that scene so basically it's like you're speaking to your dad you're not speaking to

so he was just so good at like eking the and it's the closest I've ever felt so to act to what it must be like to be an actor, because I don't really think of myself as an actor, because I'm not, and I'm not been trained. And but it was the closest that I felt to actually feeling the emotion that I was trying to portray ever. And I don't think I'll ever replicate,

I think it was just, it was that moment, like that perfect sort of storm of being wound up, but like kind of, okay, here we go. Like, because you know, you don't want to sound pretentious about method and stuff, but I was wound up, like, I felt like, I felt, I suddenly felt like what it felt like to be, what that scene needed to be in.

And my voice breaks in it, and fighting back tears, and it was real. Like I felt, it was really weird, and I've never, and I couldn't control it, it was very odd. And they used quite a lot in the tape because I think it felt real, but it was a really weird thing,

and I've never had that before or since, and that was, I think, the power of their writing in their show. He must have been really pleased, Jason, after you filmed it. Um, yeah, they were, they were really supportive. And then social media did it sing, and you know, they, a lot of the fans were like, shocked.

I was like, I'm just an actor, guys. Well, we hope there's going to be a season four. I know he has confirmed it, hasn't he? So you're allowed to say now. I can say there's definitely season four. I can't say whether Nate's in it. Yeah, of course. But, you know, let's see.

We will see. Well, I won't be watching if there isn't. Good luck, everyone. Thank you. We're going to talk about your show as well. I'm going to let you go soon. We're going to do your show, and then I have to ask about your wife

because I'm a bit obsessed with your relationship. I just love your love story. Honestly, I need to see the film about this. But your show, so Mr Swallow, I first came across like a lot of people at 8 out of 10. At the Bafters. No, I knew about it before the Bafters. Someone did tell me the other day in an interview that they had first been interested.

And it's like, oh God, what an introduction. I hope you've gone back and looked at the other stuff. Imagine if you didn't know, just thought, why isn't it Mohamed doing that voice? Sounds different to Nate, doesn't he, in real life? In America, they don't know it's the character. When I did, I released a little Instagram thing to plug the tour. And I jokingly put, okay, that was it, because I'd had to move some tour dates. Is that when you put Believe?

When I put the Believe thing on the back of the notes. And it was, it was from, and it was really obrisy tongue and cheek because I'm a missed as well. And like, literally, it was picked up by deadline, variety. They discussed it on Good Morning America, literally. And they, and they, no one references that I'm in character. They just say Nick Mahal. I'm like, do you honestly think that's what I'm like? I saw, because you would do what you were doing, you when you were doing the video.

You were sort of saying, I was like saying, now look, I know the people will be wondering, why am I moving these tour dates? Is it for filming? And I'm like, I can't see. And I kept on bringing the belief sign. Yeah. And you brought and then they can, and then I saw on like, Good Morning America's like, they went, well, that was Nick Muhammad there giving us a spoiler. We think there'll be. And I thought there was one person saying like, I think he's going to be. doing the new Super Bowl advert. I was like, well, I wish, but like it was like the hearsay. She said that with such authority. I actually had to text, I texted it. I texted, because when I saw that it had been, because I just like gone to bed and then woke up and I was like, oh God,

look at all this. And I, and I, and I said, I texted Jason and said, I don't know if you've seen this, but I hope, you know, this was obviously me just being really tongue and chicken. It was like, oh God, now. And he said he found it really funny. Just like how the machine of like the press and stuff, like just pick up on the tiniest little thing and try and make a story. Well, I saw, I first came across Mr. Swargo, unlike the Good Morning America, how this sort of, not via the baffles, but on eight out of ten cats. And the Jurassic Part one, which went absolutely viral. And that's when that character, I first remember, really taking off.

Yes, definitely, yeah, yeah. One of why I love it, Nick, is because I loved Sean Locke. Yes. To make Sean laugh, you felt like you'd won the lottery. Yes, you know what? Every comic says that. It's so funny. Yeah, everyone, everyone, bless him, yeah. I filmed. And you did. And when he absolutely loses it, I actually watch clips of him laughing like that. And I thought, God, that's really special. Just watching him. He was crying. Oh, bless him. And actually, there was, it was really funny because Sean, you know, look, Lexford, Sean had a bit of representation for being a bit grumpy, right? You know, and like if you're a new comic, you know, Sean could be a bit intimidate, not out of choice, just because he was, he could be a bit grumpy sometimes. And over the course of doing, however many I'd done before he passed away, maybe six.

He just got so friendly and so he was always like, oh, hey, Nick, what you did? You know, he always liked that it was a bit different. He was Trudeau and like the best, right. I remember just howling when I saw that, like most people who saw it. You've done some great things as well with your master swallow. Oh yeah, with Finn. Yeah. Who's your son?

He's my son, yeah, yeah. And you've done some great tricks with him. I mean, they're funny as well. but he is extraordinary. I mean, he's got a proper, almost photographic memory. I mean, it's extraordinary. And what's it called, Nick, the photographic memory? Is there a word for it?

Idietic. Idiotic? We have to look it up. And he genuinely does have it. Yeah, he can sort of see things in particular patterns. Like he's a certain, he has his brain wide in a particular way, I think. So yeah, it's phenomenal actually. And he, he, he, it was his idea.

Because he'd seen me do the memorized deck stuff. And I have good memory, but he, he, and he was like, oh, I can do that with my flashlight. He was like six at the time. And then I was like testing him. And I was like, so what, which animal is at position 23? And he'd just say it. And I was like, what animal is at 27? He'd say the name of the animal.

I was like, oh. And so then we'd mix them up and do it again. And he literally just could do it. And so I then, he was like, oh, can I do it on the show? And so I, you know, set it in motion with the producers. But they obviously never had a kid on that show ever because it's actually quite crude. And they were terrified. They were terrified that like.

Also, what the hell's Jimmy going to say? I'm allowed to say that. Yeah, no, no, of course. What the hell is Jimmy going to say? Yeah, and like, and I think that they were really nervous at the idea that he'd get on and he'd freeze and it's a life's shoe and it would just not play as well. You know, we'd put in a bit of effort sort of blocking it and stuff like that. So when he just went on and nailed it, I was like, oh. And I was like, he was like, he was a nervous rag, but he was great.

Do you know, it doesn't surprise me that he so has this extraordinary mind because when I think about your jeans. Well, he gets a lot of it from Beckett, like Beckers is very smart. But the two, I mean, musicians fascinate me because I think they're sort of basically mathematicians. Yeah, music maths are quite connected. You have to be good at spotting patterns. And I think the two of you together. I should say, she is a much superior musician to me. She's literally a director of music and she's a phenomenal pianist, like almost like a concert pianist level.

And viola player and violin player. So she's the full package. I imitate, poor imitation of trying to be a good musician. Do you know another thing I love about Becker? She doesn't break her instruments. She doesn't deliberately try and break them to claim on the insurance. No, she doesn't. No.

So this tour, this is show pony, the new Mr Swallow tour. Mr Swallow, I'm coming to see it because I'm obsessed. And what sort of thing are you going to be doing in this show then? So it's, you know, because it's a Mr Swallow show, it's a whole whirlwind of ideas that he sort of cobbled together. But actually, it's the first thing. time I'm exploring like the the basis of the character as in in real life so it was based on an impression of a teacher that I used to do as a kid at school at Abbey Grange

because she just had this attitude she would just talk like this at his Zolvattach she taught us GSEC English so I talk a little bit about that experience but whilst I am still Mr Swallows I'm sort of talking about her whilst Miss Swolellis so it's quite a bit bit of a meta idea but it's been really fun I've been doing warm-ups for it and it's been really fun but there's also tricks in it and songs in it and all kinds of of mad stuff but it's another showcase of him showing off. Is being on stage and touring is that way, you know, a lot of people say, some comics say that's where they feel most comfortable and at home.

On stage, definitely. Really? Definitely. Yeah, touring less so because you're away from family and I've only, this is my only second tour. So I'm not as, you know, I mean, you've just been away from home and stuff, but being on stage, oh there's nothing like it because don't get me wrong with doing film and telly, it's thrilling and especially if I've done a couple of films recently and there's stunts in it and that's exciting and stuff but there's something about there's so

much process thereafter and post-production and an edit and stuff like and it's a delay and you know you know things don't really see it doesn't get to an actual human being to watch to kind of get a reaction from until you know maybe even a year two years or something like that whereas the immediacy of saying a joke or something that you find funny and it communicating to someone one and then laughing or not laughing is great and I and that's the thrill and when you get that right I love that and I'll never not love that I'll always do mr. swallow for as long as I can yeah yeah I'm so pleased I'll never not but yeah show pony starts mid-may 13th of May well I'm

definitely gonna come and see it I might sneak way in get him in get him in I'm so pleased for you as well can you claim that he's like a guy do you know I sometimes said he's a support animal How do they know? Well. I was just saying, I know it's awful, but they don't know. I say he's an emotional support animal.

Yeah. And then I just look really sad. All the time, in gigs. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about you, Nick. Oh, no. Apart from. I think you're about to say,

apart from. Which is why it pains me to bring this. Which is why I was very surprised to hear that. No, I honestly haven't. And I wonder, where does that come from? Like, you don't. A lot of, you know, I know it's a cliche and it's a trope, but a lot of people in entertainment, they're either running from something or somebody or...

There's a hole that you're filling, you know? And that really doesn't seem to be the case with you. Yeah. Why are you so well adjusted? My wife, Becca, the kids, my upbringing, I guess, my family, to a slightly lesser degree maybe, because I feel like I wasn't, you know, it's been more the latter years of my life that this is sort of. have happened. I don't know. I just don't like the fame thing I don't know I'm sort of fascinated by it like that tipping point and you know we've all experienced seeing other people act up and he goes flying out and it is it is fascinating I mean I find it deeply hilarious as well like the

tipping point I won't name names but I worked with someone relatively recently yeah and they had an assistant with them and they were you know not treating their assistant distant, great, you know, getting handed stuff and like, well, can you open the box? And at what point did it become that you couldn't sort of open your own, like, Tupperware? And like, there was one moment when this person, when this person was basically given some water,

like the most basic of them, like some water, because they'd asked for some water. And then they like, then they sort of like, sort of smelt it. And I'm like, and I, and I, and because we've been working together a bit, I was like, I literally was like, what is wrong with it? Like, they can't, like, water is water. Like, come on. And they literally burst out laughing because they realised,

it was just this wonderful glimpse into them being a human being again because they realised they were like, they've sort of been caught at how ridiculous it was. But I can also see how, especially if you get famous young, or, you know, when you're in very impressionable, how if you're suddenly surrounded by people, you know, know, who just fluff, you know, kind of just pampering you and, and, you know, telling you everything you need to hear, how that could get in your head and then you can suddenly realize

that any departure from that feels like oppression. And so I do get, like, I understand, not that I'm condoning it, but I can, I can sort of see it. I do find it funny. And like, when I, and I've seen people blow up on set and I'm like, oh, come on, And I hope now I would be old enough and wise enough to say, now come on. Would you? I think so.

Now I think I think there's a duty to. Also, bear in mind, Nick, you've got status now. Well, not that much. No, no, but you know what I mean? You've got status on the film sets and in TV. Well, then then comes a responsibility even more. So you think so. But I've been, but on saying that, there's been sets where I've seen famous people, you know, just allow that person.

and to have their moment because frankly they're really talented or they're going to they're their face of the movie or they're whatever and so they are and you can see why things spiral out of control and get you know really serious with some people but like um how do you react to that when someone's because i wonder are you quite how are you like at confrontation nick sounds like you do do it but you deal with it through humour yes i yes yeah i mean like magic and comedy have always been a defense like in the first instance of a defense mechanism you know finding something funny i've also found really useful one that if someone was being confrontational, this is really, you can have this for free. You can have this. Frank Skinner would say, I'm having that. Just pretend not to hear it, just to say

pardon, just say, oh sorry, what pardon? Get them to say it again and they're like, I'm sorry, can you just say it because I didn't quite get it? And then they just get either so infuriated that you're not quite heard it or the impact of it has sort of like, the edge of it is sort of off because they've said it three times. I've definitely done that. I'm doing that. I remember someone in a club. I mean, years and years ago. I don't like you in a club. Coming up to the, no, no, no, I was like 18. I was with my mate. Someone was being a bit like kind of stunned offish. I was like, I'm so sorry I can't hear because of the music. What, what are you saying? It's like, you know what I'm so sorry.

Can you just say it again? And they just got so bored by the end that they just sort of walked off. So that's that's how I deal with competition. Do you know, I call that? I like it. Do you only of the meek? Yes. Yes, it is. I mean, it's quite passive aggressive, isn't it? Are you passive aggressive ever? I think everyone has capacity to be passive aggressive. I quite, occasionally, I mean, I'm increasingly trying to call out bullshit. Are you? Well, because I just, as soon as you've had kids, it's just like, oh, I'm just too tired to deal with this now.

So can we just, can you just stop pretending that this is? Like, there are definitely, you know, when I compare to like when I first started out, and the bullshit that you'd get from producers and is he all right? You want to go and do recess. The stuff you have to put up with. And frankly, as a person of colour as someone who's quite small, you know, you do, you know, I don't bang my drum too much about that, but you get your fair share of it.

And so it's just, I'm sure as same as being a woman in this industry and stuff like that, you know, it's absolutely comparable. And now I'm like, I just call it, you know, if I, And it's particularly actually now off the back of things like Ted Lassso, you suddenly find people talking to you in a different way. You're like, no, no, no, no. The bullies again. Well, it is that thing.

It's like, no, no, no, you can't, now we're just playing a game, that we're pretending that I've forgotten how things used to be before. And that you, you know, so that when people treat you differently than, when they shouldn't, they should just treat everyone like a human being. Yeah. That pisses me off a bit. Everyone could be like you need. Honestly, I think you're really nice.

Like Mr Swallow? No, not like Mr Swallow or drag me fucking up. I just think you're really... I just think you've got a lot of integrity. Well, you're very kind. It's quite well. It is. It's my wife.

Let's talk about Becca. Oh, can we talk about Becca and then I'm going to let you go. We've got to do a bit of Becca. Yeah. Because do you know... She is phenomenal. I mean, she is like, you know, we're talking about the Nyman's and how they're dynamic.

Like, I'm sort of reminded of the Nyman. when I sort of think of my relationship with Becca, because it's so, we get, we have such a laugh as well, especially because we do very different things. And so you met, did you meet through music? We meet from orchestra, yeah, yeah. We both played in the Durham University orchestral society. And what did you think when you first saw her, Nick?

I saw her. I know exactly the first moment I saw her, and she was sat on another guy's knee, the guy called Tom Green, who was a nobody player. No, he's lovely, actually. They knew each other from like, Barclature, or something like that. And then I'm thinking, oh, she's very striking.

And actually, Becca, Becca's like great, because on the surface, you might think that Becca was probably quite, maybe a bit shy, a bit kind of quiet and reserved, maybe. But actually, she is sharp as anything. And when she says, it's like, you really sit up and she's so funny. Like, the funniest person I know. And we'll always see humour in anything. I mean, I shouldn't go to too dark.

But we, like, there was. one, like, with our first baby, we had a miscarriage, Beck had a miscarriage. And obviously, really, it was really traumatic actually. But when we're in that hospital, I mean, the stuff that we were doing to make each other laugh, oh, it was, I mean, I won't repeat any of it. But, like, it was, I mean, I'd love to tell you. We don't have to keep it in. You can take it out. Well, yeah, you know, I mean, I can't, I'll tell you when the mics are. I'll tell you when the mic's off. But, I mean, it's just phenomenal, like, like her, and she's so strong, like, not just mentally strong but literally

she's like sort of sometimes like oh I've just I've just moved the beds around because you know we're going to give Philly's own room and we're going to and I'm like what when you do that I just did it when Annie was having a nap and like she like moved like a double bed like what how do you get that what she's so multi-talented

so funny but so and so down to earth and we have this share the thing we share is like we instantly we can smell bullshit a mile off but also we will see the funny Like people who don't have a sense of humour, we're like, we're like, forget it. You just can't, like, and you can't waste time with that. And that's what things like, you know, when you're going to like Bafter Film Awards, it's like,

I would say 70, 80% of the people here do not have a sense of humour. And if they do, it's just because they've read how to have one from a book and because they think it will make them look good for a promotional purpose. Like honestly, the, I mean, the skits. Oh, no, we're horses. Do you like horses? Yeah, I do. Love them. Yeah.

what I can tell you when I know someone it's an immediate red flag for me is when you say something and someone goes funny with this really disdain and I'm like but they don't even like laugh if it's funny yeah I get that a lot

no I yeah and I'm pushing an open book here with the comic we haven't done much walking I'm not going to lie I tell you why it's been a nice sit down one hasn't it It's a nice day. Well, Nick had his violin, and I just felt it was cruel. I was lugging it around. Yeah, I felt really bad.

I couldn't have lived with that on my conscience. Weird have also got a bottle of prosceco in that, Rooksat. I have, from Comic Relief. Because I did a thing for them, and they were like, oh, I'll have a bottle of proscenka. I'll open that tonight. I mean, that's the thing. You've got a big rucksack.

Yeah, Becca made a most delicious lasannea yesterday as well. She even makes lasanias. Yeah, I mean, it is lasanne. We call it lasanu. What do you call it a lasan? I said lasagna. I meant lasagna. Oh, she made lasagna. Did you think I was giving it some of my lasanas?

Lasanas. Like it's your kind of like... Like made in Chelsea. Yeah, do you want to go for lasanas, mate? She made a great lasanas. Nick, I want to ask you something else. Yes. Which is, I'm always interested to know.

What do you most worry people will say about you? You know, when you come into a room and you hear them talking and they go, think about Nick. What would you most... worry they would say and what would you hope they would say oh they had difficult questions on they um i guess i would worry if someone thought i was like an ego maybe i'd worry i'd worry like oh how have i given off that by i'd be like oh interesting take on my personality i mean already that sounds like i'm an ego many no i i guess if someone were like if someone

thought it was like self like really sort of selfish and cruel or root and i i think I'd be like, oh God, really, because I really, really hope that I'm not. Or if I, everyone's got the capacity to be a bit selfish or whatever. But like, I would really hope that I would never outwardly make somebody feel bad. So that would make me feel bad. And what do I hope they would say? Oh, all that we're considering them for a part in a film that we're working on. It's a very specific bunch of people, casting directors.

Season four's coming up and there'll be an extra four and a half grand to pay for the violin. then, geez. Yeah. So I think they would say nice things about you. Don't you? I think they would. What do you think your kids would think of rain? Oh, they'd love it. Well, because he's so, he's so kind this doc, little, little Raymond. We've had such a nice time. This has been such a lovely. I've loved it. It's so chilled, isn't it? Oh God, my apple tiser. Oh, I've salvaged lots of it. Um, I like, oh my legs got my leg too. I can barely walk. I like that you say. I like that you oh god my apple tiser and other things i haven't heard since i was 40 yeah my apple tizer right we where are we where are we i mean i brought you for a walk and

we've just sat under the tree it's quite nice oh maybe i'll get on at green park we need to mention again yes your tour yes the tour is called show pony yeah mr swallow show pony and it is um kicking off mid may 13th of may okay until i guess around mid june and it's nationwide tour there are some autumn dates as well. And where can we get tickets from? Nick Mohamed Live.com. We're going straight there, Ray. And I will say a few of them are selling out.

So do you get in quick. Of course they are selling out. But we've put in some other dates in the autumn as well for those ones that have sold out. So it's really exciting. I can't wait to do it again, actually. There's something really exciting about doing new, like a completely new show

because I guess the previous tool did have bits in that I'd done, like on Cat's Cat, and I'd revamped them and changed them a bit. But this is sort of all brand new, and it's something quite satisfying about doing a completely brand new show. Well, I'm definitely going to come and see it. And I've just seen, we're going to leave the park now. We'll put this in a bit. Look at this giant dog.

Look at this beast, Nick. Wow. This is a newfoundland, I think. Oh, wow. It's like a bear. I think it's a, oh, look, is that a newfoundland? Oh, he didn't like me. No, he didn't want to talk about it. I talked to the man.

And he was a cool, trendy, good-looking man and he didn't like me. Do you get offended at things like that, Nick? Are you quite good at brushing off rejection? Oh, really? It says Green Park seven minutes. Oh, you and this Green Park. Sorry, not have you had it go. I know.

You're like that's in Green Park. That's better. Or Piccadilly Circus 10. Should we do Piccadilly Circus in 10? Do you know what I'm noticing about you, Nick? Doesn't know London, really? No, but you quite, you change your mind quite a lot, right? Oh yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I'm quite indecisive and actually Becker and I together. Oh, we can't decide now. Do you want to go to Green Park seven minutes? But it's that Green Park too? I can take you to Green Park. Yeah, let's do Green Park. You can. Do you want me to take it of both of you?

Amazing. Thank you so much. It's alright. There you go. I took a few. Brilliant. Thank you very much. Thank you too.

Bye. Yeah, let's do Green Park and then we might have to cross the park. might have to cross the park but that's no we go we just go up here do a right through the park and then green park chugers right outside the park of course it is yeah I do know exactly yeah see I'm quite ADHD are you like that I'm not really no you haven't got that kind of mind I don't think I am but um but I can but it's a superpower in a way I mean like it's sometimes really useful to be you know see things differently like that look at those lovely daffodils oh aren't they pretty absolutely good

gorgeous. We're going to go up here. We'll turn the likes off in a second because we want to talk properly anyway. But I've loved you being on this podcast, Nick. Oh, it's been lovely to be on it. Have you enjoyed it? I really have enjoyed it. It's been very relaxing. And did you like meeting Raymond? I loved Raymond. Oh, little Raymond. Has it made you view dog ownership? It could be so different, you see. I know. I mean, I wonder whether there's something so comforting, isn't it? Like, so we've been on like holidays where like, you know, friends have like, you know, friends have, like, bought their dog and there is something just very comforting like especially on a night you know like when the dog you sort of like gets all like settled and it's like oh this is nice um i just think that with three kitties who are nine seven and two at the moment yeah a dog in our lives as well would

i think it's a lot it would be a lot and um so at the moment we just get to admire dogs like like raymond yeah well the good thing of is he can be rented out oh he can be I've had a few people. I've actually had calls from people. I was on this podcast. Really? Yeah. Saying, oh, could you ring a moment around?

Because my kids would really like. Oh, really? I think my kids would really like him. Oh. He does visit. A bit like a magician. Like a GP. Home visits.

Like the GP. I really, I think, is the GP still with us? Are your parents still with us? Yes, they both are. They are retired. I think I'd really like your parents. Are they still together? Oh, yeah.

Yeah. They had their 50th wedding anniversary last November, yeah. Yeah. Well, do you know, I think they've done a brilliant job. They must be really proud. Are they proud when they see Ted Lass only? Yes, they are. Yeah, and they're always fishing for information.

My dad in particular was always fishing for information about. Like before they announced season four, he's like, any signs of a season four? And in fact, that news drop, the official news drop, when they were down for the weekend staying with us. So I think he was pleased to hear that. Thank you so much, Nick. Bye, Raymond. See you again soon.

Thank you for letting me sit with you and walk with you. Bye, babe. 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 podcasts.