Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Sophie Garrad (Part Two)

Episode Date: July 16, 2026

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the brilliant Sophie Garrad, Sophie shares the story of a truly unforgettable gig in Birmingham and explains, with tongue firmly in cheek, why she's now reluctant to accept comedy bookings north of Milton Keynes.The conversation also turns to the realities of building a career online, the jobs Sophie had before comedy took over, and the wonderfully unconventional family that helped shape her brilliantly original sense of humour.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you're heading to this year's Edinburgh Festival, don't miss Sophie's new show, A Period Drama, at the Pleasance Dome from August 7th to 30th. Tickets are available at https://www.pleasance.co.uk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: 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 Sophie Garrett if you're popping to the Edinburgh Festival do make sure to catch her brilliant show a period drama from the 7th to the 30th of August at the Pleasant Stone and by the way do give Walking the Dog a like and a follow so you can catch us every week here's Sophie and Re-ray And I want to go into a little bit about how things got started for you in comedy, because you're probably an example of someone who really social media has been a good friend to you in some ways. 100%. And it was a platform and a showcase that just simply didn't exist for people beforehand.

So you've gone to the private school, Dad's gone to prison. Yeah. Oops, I did it again, Dad. Sorry. He will keep doing this. And then what are you thinking at this point? Are you doing A levels? Are you going to university?

So I just was finishing A levels. And then I went to Manchester University. And I studied business finance and economics. I always wanted to be like a businesswoman. I just wanted to be rich. I actually didn't give another life out of being an agent. And guess what? I still want to be rich.

Well, you will be. Nothing changed, yeah. But then I did that. And then I started working and advertising afterwards. And do you know what? I always wanted to work at a bank and I went for an interview at RBS and I got off for a job

but it was so un-glamorous that I was like, this was not what I pictured. Was it High Street Bank? I mean was, were you working behind the counter? The job I would have got would have been like commercial banking would have been to do with that. I was in head office for the interview.

Was it not glamorous? It was just like awful. What did you mean awful? No wonder, I just thought everyone would be like wearing like amazing suits. You think it would be like industry. Yeah. And I was like, where's the fashion?

And I thought, this is not for me. I mean, I'll be yes. I won't go to a bank of sport. That's where I went wrong. You wanted to work. But they had coots. You know, I kept bringing up Coots in my interview and I thought maybe put me in Coots. But I've been into Coots as well, not glad.

Did your dad ever have an account of Coot? My parents did. Yeah, back in the day. So he had serious money. Yeah, back in the day. Yeah. Because they're normally if you don't want me saying, they're quite snoozy. They're so shoooo.

They're either show me the money or show me. the Debrecht. They gave you, show me your peerage or show me your money. Yeah, they gave my, my parents, I don't know, it was my mum. We should tell if anyone doesn't know Coots Bank is, well family bank there. It's one of the most sort of elite private banks in the country. It's crazy. You have to be invited to bank there. You have to invite and you need a minimum of something. What is it? Half a million or I don't know what it is. Yeah, but they gave my, my mum had an overdraft of a hundred thousand pounds. Isn't that insane? Just you know if they don't back at Coots anymore. And I remember Coots took me and my mum said on a fashion week with their owner of like Cootst did.

And I was like, it was the call to say it ever. So you must have been, your tab must be a very good customer. Yeah, back in, yeah, he's just like, do you know what? My dad's very good at making money. Like he is. Is he wealthy now still? Yeah, they're doing really well at the moment. Yeah, it's just good.

Yeah. It's up and down. It's up and down because it's business. And I think it's always changing and they're always like a new business. You know what it's like. You know what it's like. But he goes to the prison, he makes contacts. He comes out and makes more money.

So anyway, so you decide banking's not for you. Would that have been a problem, by the way, your... No, no, that would have been a problem as well, I think so. Do you know what they do checks? They do checks. Yeah, well, my brother's a stockbroker actually, but maybe that's different. Yeah, but they do do checks. Yeah.

And so you decided not to do that, and is that when you went into advertising? I went to advertising. I didn't mean even much about it, but my friend, and my friend from uni was like oh I've started working at this agency and it's kind of creative kind of mathsy and I was like perfect I'll do that but I hated having a job

I remember being so upset the first year being like why has no one told me having a job is actually awful like I couldn't get over I couldn't believe that no one had told me this and if anyone's listening and you're at uni don't do it it's not for me

was it just the sort of I suppose the Getting up, the routine, the commute, all that stuff. I think it's just like having to be somewhere every day. And if I don't want to do that, like I love now kind of planning my own day. And it's more stressful because it's very inconsistent, but having a job just wasn't for me. Yeah. Yeah.

Well, and after, were you aware when you were working doing regular jobs? Because you also worked at Hollister briefly, didn't you? For one shift. I need to know about Hollister. There's a story. One shift. Yeah. So, Hollister opened in Cambridge when I was younger, and everyone started going for these interviews.

And I remember being like, obviously Hollister, it was back in the day you had the models that stood outside, gorgeous people worked in the shop. And like, so you went for an interview. There was about 30 of us. The interview was a picture of your face. And then that was it.

And he went and I thought, amazing, I'll get this job. And they rang me and they're like, you've got the job. And I was like, fantastic. And they're like, the job we're giving. is at night time when the shop is closed folding t-shirts you know how ugly you have to be to do that job a treating like a Gremlin right this is so rude it was so I was like myself as being and there's literally like ogres people

look like Erling Harlem it's so awful and I remember I didn't even last a whole shift actually oh my god I thought that was a mouse on you no it's my mind no do you That is so rude. It was so rude. I actually can't come and believe it. So you were sort of snuck in the snobber. I was literally, as soon as it's dark, I'd like get the algos in. Quick, don't let anyone show them. Monsterra.

Yeah. It was, also the worst thing was, it's like people from school got jobs there and I can tell anyone that I got a job because they'd know that I got the algos. The algos. I remember one person finding out and I was like, no, I wanted to do that job because it works better for me working at night, actually. Actually, that's the job I wanted. Yeah. I'm actually not a vein, so I'd hate the sound of the front of the store. No, do you know what I would have said, Sophie?

I would have said, oh no, that she offered me the other job and I said I didn't want to do that. It's actually not for me, degrading actually. Degrading, actually. I'm actually a feminist at that age. I love the Uggars. The Uggars Hollister. Hi, Sophie. Congratulations.

You've got the role of Uggers. Uggars. But the Mingers in the back, great. And I remember then there were some, so horrible the manager she kept shouting because i didn't know how to fold the t-shirt properly and i was like i've grown up with housekeepers like how much business is not to do this and i walked out halfway through a shift and i thought i this is not for me and i've never shopped in hollister's sense so after you're realizing let's skip ahead to the advertising thing you think this isn't for me

and you do you work for a bit of lad bible you were saying yeah i was an agency and then i've got a job of BuzzFeed that paid ridiculously good money. Yeah, I worked and sales and I barely had to work. Who knew lists were so lucrative? Yeah, and guess what? That's why they've gone out of business. They're now sold to their independent or something, I don't know. But it was amazing because it was an American company.

They had the office here. No one cared about the UK office. So people would get in at like half ten. I was in sales and I was actually very good at sales. So I'd only have to work like two hours a day. That's because you're very charming, I think. Yeah, you're very good. I can see you being really good at sales.

Yeah, I was actually. really good at sales and all what I had to do was take people to get their nails done and get like go get facials and I'd be like yeah here's a here's a hundred thousand pounds so I did really well and I love I love the money but I just was like unfulfilled and I'd always my friends would always say you should be a comedian but I was always so bad at writing that's what I find so interesting now is that I love writing and I always hated it growing up hated English I got like a DNA level like I was really bad of it and then I did a course on like learning how to write jokes and then once I started I was honestly I was honestly I was hooked, addicted. Yeah, and I was like, this is what I want to do. And I am quite like, once I put my mind something, that's all I want to do. So you had people saying you're funny. Yeah, have a lot of people tell me to do like comedy stand up. And when did you start? Because I obviously, I'm interested, when did you start really properly sort of taking that seriously? Because it was it Instagram and TikTok that broke you through, would you say? Yeah, so I started stand up first. I was doing that for a couple of years. And then I was like,

right, I need to build an audience. So my comedy is quite different, like, for the stand-up scene. I'm, I'm very girly and very like silly and like that's quite hard to find in a club room like sometimes you have to design your jokes like hurting clubs like I wouldn't necessarily do that well but with the girls and the gays I do amazingly but like do you know god bless the gays god bless the gays they're such a lot honestly good for them literally they're so amazing and like also just they really we have just such a similar sense of humour and um so that really that was really like I I was like, I need to build my own audience. And then I got really lucky with social media.

I started posting on Instagrams and doing like the private school girly stuff. And then the private school mums. And I just kind of took off. And so then... And when was that? That really started to take off. Maybe three years ago. Yeah.

And then it really helped me build this audience. And I can still... It's obviously, it's slow and it's like a lot of work social media. And it's not the side... I don't love it. Like I love writing. But you said a great thing, which I personally found very inspiring. I think it was in an interview.

And you were talking about how... now I don't want to paraphrase you because you said it better but it was how you were saying that it's sort of the thing that makes you think cringe is the thing you should post you were kind of saying yeah I think special social media it's like you do feel so cringe doing it and it's like you've got to really when you're filming it take that out and you've got to deliver it like it's most exciting than you've ever said and to be cringe is to be free and I really learned that that's what you said I love that to be cringe is to be free because like everyone's cringe And I think, you know, people are so desperate to be perceived as being called.

It's like, I think being cool is quite toxic. And it's like, I'm not cool. Sam Ryder. We had my hero, Sam Ryder, who Will knows. Yeah. Which is, I'm not going to lie, one of the reasons I hired it for me. You know, that's not true. But it's certainly sweetened the deal.

Yeah, I love that. And Sam Ryder came on this podcast because his wife, that looks off from Sam. And Sam said, I quote it, don't I will? once a week he gets even he gets bored even Sam is like not that bloody cool thing but he said exactly this really about doing his videos and he said it actually gives me a chill he said cool is how people's dreams end up on the scrap peep I love that yeah I love that he's right yeah well's looking really he's tried to look but he's like heard it so many times he's going yeah yeah yeah this old

chestnut I'm going to start quoting that cool is how people streams are please guys it is it's kind of the death of It is the death of creativity, 100% because you're so conscious about how you're perceived and stuff and it's like, oh, we've lost the croissant. We've lost it, but it's all right, though. We've got the end of it. How do you, when you're making those videos then, because presumably you're at a point now where do you have a team with you? My team is my boyfriend.

Really? So he feels a lot of the filming. And what does he do? He works in tech, like, tech and training. He's very, like, he's not interested in this career at all in a way that he would know. in a way that he would never want to do it. Yeah. But his sister's a really successful, like actress and writer.

So he's grown up around women that are doing with them. Oh, what does the sister do? So his sister, she does a lot at the globe, but she was actually the first, yeah, she's very cool. She was the first black woman to ever have her own play at the globe. Wow. She did last year, Princess Essex. She like, wrote it, starred in it.

She's very impressive. Yeah, she's really cool, very, like, talented. And I think he's been so used to going and supporting her and watching her and, like, being around funny women, that he's, really loves that. Also he's just like get those brand deals Sophie we need to make some money. He's ready to be a stay-at-home dad. You need the sweet brand deals. Please. And so what's the difference when you're doing your stand-up and as you said you're going on tour with your show which I'm definitely going to come and see. I can't wait. You know and I'll

spot you at tickets. Oh I might sneak you in Ray in my handbag. Yeah. Oh my God please. No one will notice. Front seat. Front seat. He's coming on the stage. I think he fits your brand if you don't mind me saying. Oh, 100%. Don't you think? I think it would really elevate my brand actually. Well, I wanted when I got him, do you know I got him? He's the brother of Catherine Ryan's dog. Stop it. I'm obsessed with Catherine Ryan.

Well, we met and I got on with her so well when she came on this podcast. I met her, this is very name droppy, but it's fine. No, please. I met her at Jimmy Carr's party. I love that. And she said, and you know when you're talking to someone, within a couple of minutes, I thought, oh, you're great. She's incredible.

And I said, did you? did you yeah it's already Gavin of your listeners her okay it's weird no she said and I said do you know what I'd really like you to be my friend and she said and what I love about Catherine she went she's like Harry Kane taking a penalty she's not there's no emotion she just went okay I can do that it was great it was like I was asking to be her accountant so we became friends and then she had a dog called Meg Ryan yes who is a shih Tzu sadly Meg no long much missed and loved and And then I went, I said I'd fall in love with your dog so much, I'm going to get my own imperial shih Tzu.

Went to get Ray. When I got him from the nice lady in Hampshire, ethical breeder, thank you. She said, oh yeah, we get a lot of media types here. She said, in fact, Ray's little Meg, Ray's sister, she went to Catanana. Are you joking? That's crazy. So his brother, that was his little sister. I love that he's from Hampshire and it makes so much sense.

Ray, everything's making sense about you now. He's the kind of job you need. You are from money. So it's interesting with your comedy, as I was saying, it's sort of, obviously you're doing more sketch-based stuff online to your stand-up. What are the biggest differences in terms of have you ever tried stuff on the stage, for example, that you've done and you've thought, oh, that's weird, that didn't land as well? Oh, if I was to do my, if I ever try and do like my sketches, as in not me as a sketch act,

but if I tried to do some of the jokes on stage, they do terribly. But the quality of stand-up has to be so much higher than the sketches you put online. Interestingly, online, when you do a sketch, you kind of don't even have to be that funny. You just have to say relatable things or relatable keywords. Like I used to do this, like, private school girlies, like, from North London. And I just have to mention the word Rowans, you know, like Finzie Park Bowling Club, or something like this or Jolene's or some, like, and people would love it. Yeah.

Exactly, yeah, because people are like, oh, I know someone that goes to that and that's the girlies. Whereas if I said that on stage, it's like Chang Gales. Yes, exactly. We know what Gales means. Everyone knows, yeah. So exactly, you know what that, who goes to Gales. So whereas on stage, like, you have to be so much more, it has to be so much of a better after joke. Yeah.

It's a lot harder, but I prefer it so much. And obviously, I suppose also it's, you're pacing it more. Yeah. You're having to do that thing, which all comedians practice that. it's a quite it's an interesting conceit in a way they're doing which is we're all pretending that you've just thought of this on the top of your face even though you've done it 50 times this month oh and you'll know if I thought about it on top of my head because I'll go I'll literally stop the show and going guys that was amazing I'll be so

shocked at my own ability that I'd be like that was incredible wasn't it have you found as a comedian that it's interesting what I'm fascinated about is there that you sort of address those things that people probably thinking. Yeah, yeah. She's a bit snobby and posh. Yeah. And so what you do is say,

because I've watched your stand-up and it's great. And you start saying, yeah, all your worst fears about me, I'm going to go through them one by one. Yeah, yeah. Well, do you know what's interesting because when I first started doing stand-up,

I did the opposite of that. And I tried to really sound like I wasn't posh. And I tried to, which I think a lot of comedians do. A lot of comedians are very middle-class, posh. pretend to be like working class because it's seen as like embarrassing really to be partial a bit of like shameful and a bit like oh you shouldn't own your privilege you shouldn't really own your privilege and you should be aware and I'm definitely aware but I think this is who I am these jokes are funny and it's like that I'm almost like making myself into more of a character

than who I am like I elevate myself but I am I am kind of like that in like I'm a bit of a comedian depending on whom I'm around like if I am in a black cab I'm telling them all about my dabbing from East London if I'm in a posh circuit and be like yes I went to this school and like I'll code switch you're a bit of a shape shifter yeah yeah it's great to be a shape shifter yeah it is good but then on stage I suppose it's like choosing who am I really so it's like who do I and like that's what I think I love about my new show is it feels very much like this is who I am and it's less about like I'm posh it's more about this happened to me and you can kind of get who I am through the jokes that I tell but I think you probably had to do poor little rich girl first because

what that's doing is, you know, ladies and gentlemen, here I am. Yeah, exactly. That's your sort of, this is me thing. And then, and it's evolving, isn't it? Your voice evolves. Exactly. It's constantly evolving. And that's why it's nice.

Now, I see I've grown so much, like, as a comedian. So it has been nice to, like, see the growth. And see the growth from the first stage and now the second show. And you do a podcast. Yes. Don't you, which with lovely Alfie Dunder, who is a very successful comic. And also the brother of Max Dunder,

He's a very respected and brilliant publicist. Yeah. And so you and Alfie, I've listened to that podcast, and I love it because you're both unashamedly. Yes. You know, sort of acknowledging privilege head on. Yeah, 100%. Because Alfie is so posh.

But I think Alfie's like so down to earth, dare I say it. For someone that's like, got his background. For somebody who owns a castle. Literally, literally. Like I wouldn't have known that. I mean, he's such like a nice, he's so kind. And he's so funny and he works so hard. but I do really enjoy that because some of the things Alfie tells me, I just think your life is insane.

I think we both have very crazy lives, but in very different ways. And he's like, the names he drops, and I love them, because I love celebrity gossip, I'm like, tell me more. They've all got cootts bank accounts. They've all got, yeah, Alphi probably does just get that quiet. So that podcast is, what's that called again, that podcast? That's called, good question. That's called Alfie does all the work. It's called Alf and So.

It should be called Alfie does all the work It should be Alfi's podcast With a guest every week Called Sophie Garrow I literally just turn up I think you should call it Alfie does all the work Oh we actually should actually pull you down I'm in time that rebrand

He'll love that as well He does everything He was like let's do a podcast together And I was like I already had a podcast Another really good friend called Thin and Thinner But because it was just us doing it

We're so bad with the tech That we were like This is too hard Whereas Alfie was like I'm going to do it all Why do you think I'll have well? You need a will. I need a will.

Me and we'll go way back. Back or. One day we'll take on thin and thinner. No one wants to take on thin and thinner. They're like, that will get you cancelled. Oh, yes. God forbid. God forbid girls want to be thin.

But with Alfie, it is actually really good because we both have quite a similar sense of humour. But Alfie's more posh, but he like feels bad about it and he makes jokes about like, you know, posh people being terrible. I make jokes about being like, amazing that I'm posh. So it's quite nice to have like the difference. Well you've got the freedom I think like we were saying of I think if you

don't mind me saying you've got a great get out of jail, no pun intended, free card because you're sort of because of your dad's background and because of the prison staff and yeah your story is far more your tapestry I'm going to call it is far more complex. Exactly. So I can really say whatever I want and not get We was like, please, just on this podcast, yeah. Yeah, it is a good get out of jail free card, it is. It really is. Yeah, it is.

But it's interesting, I notice, do you ever find, have you found your material where you would, you know, you're very funny about sort of all that stuff? And have you ever found, for example, if you're doing it in certain areas, that your stuff doesn't land quite so well or someone's... Oh, 100%.

Really? Yeah. I don't go up north. That's just like a boundary for me. The purpose of all goes, Milton Keynes, and even that is due for us. But is that... But do you think your stuff doesn't land so well there?

I always get people say, come to Manchester and I think, if I do gigs in Manchester, honestly, it's silent. They like, they hate my guys. They're like, we don't want to hear your opening joke about you being from money, Sophie. They're like, that's not for us.

sometimes like I wondered why when I first started working with Bank Skinner and I thought why are we getting all this abuse? Oh yeah and I never get it and then and I think it was similar with it was my sister at Syllima. I think I know why. Yeah I can tell you. I don't think your fact your demographic crosses over to me yeah yeah quite different quite different I can see you I'm working as a deputy editor of in style going on about oh yes I just got back from a trip to Montenegro with David Gandhi. Of course They fucking hated me. It must have loathed me.

Monsterna. But did you find that? So that was interesting. Do you find that? Yeah, I find that. And then I did one show in Birmingham for my door. Because I was like, honestly, I was like, I'm not going up north for this.

No one's going to come. And I'm not going to find me funny. And I have one in Birmingham. And I know that's not up north, but for me it is. They were mental. They were, people, honestly, it was most mental show I've ever done. Mental good. It was really funny.

they were wasted. They were in the water in Birmingham, I think a lot of Rosie. And they were so trashed and they kept like shouting out and it turned into just like a crowd work show. And then towards the end, there was so many different pockets of people that were so drunk and they couldn't speak.

And then there was a girl at the back that just kept knocking over her bottle like every five minutes. And it was funny, it was a whole thing. People get into the toilet to walk across the stage. She knocked it over again, about 40 minutes in.

And I go, oh, not again. I was like, at this point to come with the funniest bit of the show and everyone was like laughing. and she gets up to go to the toilet and I was like, you're not going to toilet again because it was relentless and she goes she shouts, she looks at me, shouts at me

and she looks so upset, she goes, do you mind someone's just died? And look, I've had a lot of heckles that was a really bad one and I was like, I've just died on stage, thank you so much and I was like, I felt so bad because I thought, oh my God, she must just got a text and literally and I felt, honestly

I felt awful and I was literally like, I'm so sorry you again, she like ran off and I was like oh my God and she was there with a man and I was like, are you her boyfriend? And he was like, yep. And I was like, do you think you should go and check on her? And he goes, no, it'll be fine. And I was like, okay.

I was like, do you sure? I was like, I really think you should go check on her and he goes, I was like, has someone died? He just didn't say anything. I was like, I really think you should go check and he goes, I'll give it five. I was like, what is going on in Birmingham? And then another random guy on the audience was like,

I'll go. My friend was opening for me. She went. I was like, I don't know how to get this. Fortunately, they were so drunk. They didn't even. They were all like, hated her. And I was like, guys, I think we should be a little bit nice little poor girl.

And then I found out at the end of the show that she was crying in the toilets. My phone was like, what's happened? Like, has someone died? And she goes, no, I just, I'd lost my phone. I just didn't know what to say. Like, probably anything, but someone's died actually. Do you know what? I kind of love her.

I was like, that's iconic. It's a sort of thing I do. She was like, no, I'm going to ruin this show for you. And I thought, I'm obsessed of you. I like. Yeah. Literally, I was like, I was like, I was like, also, you could tell her boyfriend. obviously knew that she's insane and she does the flit this all the time because he was like yeah yeah I'll give it five it's just normal literally I like that I loved it but I thought I'll never come to Birmingham again and that's a real shame because I get my Botox done up there so now I'm going to have to find somewhere else

oh god honestly Sophie it's such a joy spending time with you I had a very good feeling about you when you walked in I mean I had a good feeling from watching your videos and you know consuming your content but sometimes the real McCoy doesn't deliver in the same way. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, I really do know what you mean. It's so hard to know what someone's going to be like online versus in real life. I think possibly why I think your sort of unique selling point for me anyway as a human being is your authenticity and your honesty. And I wonder if some of that has come out of when you go through something like you have,

lot of people would associate that with shame. Yes, yeah. Not me. A lot of people, quite rightly, would have kept that to themselves. I know it's quite a lot. But that's what's interesting, is that shame can't grow in the open as we know. Exactly, exactly. So I wonder if that honesty is, it's what people always say.

You know, the thing you're most terrified of anyone finding out, that's the thing to write in your book. That's the thing to make art about. That's actually the thing that makes you different. 100%. And also, like you said, like, shame survives in, like, secrecy. And for me, I've always been an overshara. I think my parents hate it because I still everyone, everything.

Yeah, what's their view on, for example, how does your dad feel about you doing stuff about... Dad loves the comedy about him. He loves it. The prison stuff, he's fine with. No, anything about him, he's like, amazing. I saw you doing a podcast, and I thought, oh, your dad's using a strange contacts.

It was like, hello, this week on prison podcast or something. I'll be chatting to... And it was a bloke. Is he doing it? the podcast from prison? Or does he just pretend me? That was so old. I don't know where you found that because I've never even listened to it. I do my research. Yeah, you really do. Yeah, he's got a character where he's like Ron. Yeah. Yeah, that was my first ever podcast and I were thinking that was really hard. You're very good on it. But yeah, I think my mom hated it. But now, what are you talking about

your dad? Yeah, and just hates me. Like my mom's very much like, you know, keep it in the family. My mom's a very private person. Different generation, bear in mind. Yes, I think so. Whereas I'm not a private person at all I need to like I I'm obsessed with Brunei Brown yeah I love her so much and I always listen to that vulnerability and I was like I just think it's obviously there's a fine line between oversharing and like being vulnerable and I I do sometimes cross over that line of like what's it called trauma but like trauma dumping on someone yeah yeah yeah yeah anyway see you later and I can tell people I've been at meals before and I've just been like telling everyone everything and they can tell

they're like shell shocked and I'm like anyway got to go yeah we just want to a nice meal out. It's very liberating, though. It is liberating, I love it. Also, I just love drama, and I love gossip. And if I can facilitate that for people, I feel like I'm doing a service. And do you, if you don't mind me asking,

do you have therapy then? Yeah, not at the moment, but I've had a lot of therapy, and I had an amazing therapist. I'm obsessed of therapy. I'm a huge fan. But I do think it's important to get a good therapist. I think a bad therapist can be a lot more detrimental.

Yes. Yeah, but I, yeah. A bad therapist is essentially chat GPT. 100%. which is my new therapist actually at the moment. Yeah, me too. I've had to change the settings. Because you know they changed the settings

to make it more disagreeable and challenging. Really? Yeah, because too many, they were getting so roasted. They were getting so rinsed on social media with people saying, hi, you're actually, pity. I just killed someone. Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. We all have a bad day.

Have a cup of tea and treat yourself to a boxer. You've deserved it, M. You know, it's that. So they've been so rinsed globally about this. they reset it. The default setting is design. And I asked at this.

I said, Chachy Pitti, I've got a difficult conversation. Have you been reprogrammed to be more disagreeable? And it kind of said, yes. That's crazy. So I changed the settings to warm, enthusiastic and supportive. And it's, we're back in business. Honestly, so.

I need to do that. I need that. Everything I say, my politics. You're like, yeah, that's so true. You are so right about it. that and that's why we're on that I don't need you to tell me that I'm wrong I do not need that I need someone just to encourage me okay well I don't want to stop talking to you so far because I love chatting to you and I think Raymond having

spent time with Raymond is it making you feel maybe that you want to get a dog I would love to get a dog honestly it's my dream I just think but the problem is is my boyfriend knows he's going to be the one that's walking it feeding it doing all that but why is that because because I have I do nothing. Really? Are you quite lazy? It's not that I'm lazy, but I really like to be looked after.

Oh, I love that. Yeah, and I think he started the relationship with a bad foot where he did everything for me, and now I'm used to that treatment. Like he cooks, he cleans, he does the bins. I've really, I've really done well. Like, is he an abused man, maybe? But I'm having a great time. And I think now he's putting his foot down because he knows with a dog, but I'm not going

to go out at night. I'm not going to go out in the morning. No. But I would love to have a dog. I think, well, the thing is, I think what dog would you get? Would you be drawn to a German shepherd of your youth? People often go back to the dog of their youth. Do you know what?

Just because he's allergic, we couldn't, but he does love, he would love a German shepherd. But also they do scare me a bit. There's something a bit unnerving about German shepherds because they're so big. I don't know what you mean. Hitler had one. Hitler literally had a German shepherd. Did he actually? Yes, it was called Blondie.

Really? I'm obsessed with Blondie. And if I went back to university now, I would do my entire dissertation. Ph.D on Blondie. And his treatment by Hitler, Blondie was given a cyanide capsule. It was awful. What?

It's one of the worst. It's not the worst thing, obviously. It's not, can I just clarify? It's not the worst thing about the Second World War. But what is a weird moment of cruelty is that this was his most, you know, he was obsessed with this dog, he loved it. And it's really fascinating seeing how, absolute sociopath, narcissist, that people and animals are only there for how they serve you.

So the minute he's in the bunker and he has to, they make a call and say, how do you want to do this? You know, I think Ava Braun, it was more dignified to sort of end your life through a sign light capture rather than, so your corpse looks more immaculate. That was considered the ladylike way. That's amazing. So they said, well, she has to do it by sign light. The trouble is, we don't know if these. are going to work we can't afford to go wrong so Hitler decided to test it on

Blondie and it killed Blondie that's crazy now as I say it's not the worst thing through honestly please I'm not that mental but it's not great that's not ideal it makes me think he wasn't a nice person I don't know I'm just getting this vibe I don't want to make any judgments poor Blondie but the point is yeah I I know what you mean, but I think we associate them with police displays. Yes. Because they've always this edge to the German Shepers. Even one now, he's so lovely.

But if you get him in the back of the car and you try and get him out, when he growls, it's like, if a little dog growls, you're not scared. Does he growling this dog? Only if he's in the back of the boot, because he's ready for his walk and he thinks you're going to take him out. That's when he'll be like, that's my space. Then he glows. And it's like, it's quite scary seeing a German Shepherd growl. The thing about Ray is, he's a bit of a toothless old man.

So it's not scary. But when they open their teeth and it's like, Siberian tiger. Because he's all black, he looks like a wolf. So he is quite like scary looking. But I think I'd like to get one of those big, and this is so basic, but a big brown cockapoo. Or...

So basic. I can't believe he's just like... Yeah, it's so basic. I love... I'm just laughing at you saying so basic. Oh, the poor cockapoo, do you find them basic? It's just everyone's got one, haven't they? Or like, one of those really...

What's the classic? You're very good at sort of... What would be the classic cockapoo name, do you think? Oh, it would be something like, not days. but you know, like Toby or Tilly. Tilly. One of those sort of names. Those three names, so my parents have a dog called Daisy.

No. Toby is my real name. No. Tilly is my niece's name as well. How embarrassing. How embarrassing. Tilly's my niece's name as well. I'm sorry.

I've just insulted your whole family. Everyone. I'll tell you what it is. I think it's something like a name that was very popular. in the 90s to call your kid or 2000s. So Ruby or Lola. Lola. It would be Lola.

All named after bands, like some popular songs. Yeah. Whereas I don't, oh yeah, I just don't know. There's some really big like hyper-anogenic dogs. I can't remember they're called, but I'd like a really big one, but not in London, not in a flat. But I would love one. Well, if you ever want to dog sit, Ray,

Oh, I would love to. You and your husband who must be referred to as a boyfriend, which I love. I love that you do that. Well, I would love that you do that. I'm going to come and see you on tour. Oh my God, thank you. Definitely.

And do you want to give us your dates and tell us exactly where people can see you? At the moment, I'm just doing work and progress. But in August, I'm doing The Fringe with the new show, getting the show ready. And then after that, I'm going to release tour dates. And this is the Edinburgh Fringe. And where are you going to be then? At the Pleasant Dome. Oh, we love it.

Yes. It's quite a big room. So if people wouldn't mind coming, I'd really appreciate that. Absolutely. Well, we'll make a note of all the, where can they get tickets then? On the Pleasance website or the Edinburgh Fringe website. Right. Yeah.

Or when you're there, you'll probably have my tickets. Well, I don't think we're going to be going to Edna. No, but you could, when it's back in London. Because this old man. Yeah. You can't travel, can you? I mean, he does, but he's... I didn't want to say it, but everything I don't want to say, you're just saying.

I'll sit for you. I can tell his type. He does only do Fuzzlew. Yeah. If I saw him in Cattle Club, oh my God. I'm calling. Is it the RSBCA? Like, that's not right.

My favourite thing ever was one of my good friends. I won't name him in case he's, you know, but he was represented by a brilliant agent who reminded me it was rather like your dad sounds. Yeah. He would really look after, he was sadly no longer with us. Yeah, I know exactly the agent you're talking about. He'd always get his client the best deal and you'd say he's a monster,

but he's my monster, you know. And I was very fond of him. And one of my favourite things he ever did was when my friend was being asked to host some programme and they said I'm sorry we can only fly him in business class not first class yeah and he said on the phone look you and I thought he said look you to possibly the head of drama or entertainment of the BBC some oxbridge bloat you look you I and am in my boy sitting up the back with the fucking shell suits business class on BA with the fucking shell suits

I'm so sad that he's no longer around because that's what I need that's what I need fucking shell suits. I like everyone in business class wearing shell suits. Just scum. Yeah. So I can't tell you what a pleasure it's been. What a joy of a human being you are. Thank you so much. And you.

And do you love Ray? I love Ray. Mr. Raymond so much. You're so gorgeous and handsome. And you're just such an inspiration to all the girlies and their hair. I need to go buy a nice hair mask after this. Will you say goodbye to Sophie? See later, Raymond.

See ya. Oh, you're going to go. you're saying goodbye. Oh, you're gorgeous. Oh, thanks Sophie. Oh, thank you for having me. I thought when you said you're gorgeous, it was to me. No, that was also to 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 podcasts.