Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

This week Emily takes a stroll through Regent's Park with award-winning comedian Dan Tiernan. With temperatures still soaring during the heatwave, Ray sensibly sits this one out, leaving Emily to discover whether Dan can be quite as entertaining without a four-legged co-host. (Spoiler: he can.)

Dan chats about growing up in and around Manchester, the surprising childhood hobby that saw him performing as a magician, and the comedy course his mum signed him up for that ultimately changed the course of his life. They also discuss his rise through the stand-up circuit, from winning the BBC New Comedy Award and British Comedian of the Year to appearing on shows including QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Last Leg.

Dan's brand new show, Quartz and All, heads to the Edinburgh Festival this August, playing nightly at Monkey Barrel from August 3rd to 30th, before touring the UK. Tickets and dates are available at https://www.dantiernan.co.uk.

It's a wonderfully funny, chaotic and heartfelt conversation with one of the most exciting comics working today. And despite arriving slightly late and having misplaced his phone, Dan quickly proves that being gloriously disorganised can be a surprisingly endearing quality.

Follow Emily:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean
X: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols
Music: Rich Jarman
Artwork: Alice Ludlam
Photography: Karla Gowlett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of Emily’s walk with the wonderful Bella Hull, the conversation turns to the realities of building a career in comedy, from writing for Saturday Night Live UK to navigating the Edinburgh Fringe and finding her own voice as a stand-up. Bella also reflects on the moments that have shaped her life and career so far, with plenty more brilliantly funny observations along the way.

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 Bella's new show Mad Cow Disease, playing daily at Monkey Barrel from August 3rd to 30th. Tickets are available at https://www.edfringe.com.

Follow Emily:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean
X: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols
Music: Rich Jarman
Artwork: Alice Ludlam
Photography: Karla Gowlett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Emily takes a sunny stroll with the brilliantly funny comedian Bella Hull. With temperatures soaring during the heatwave, Ray sensibly stayed at home in the cool, but that didn't stop him becoming a major topic of conversation.

Bella chats to Emily about discovering a love of comedy at a remarkably young age, performing her first stand-up gig at just 17, and why one of her biggest motivations for applying to Cambridge University was the chance to join the legendary Footlights.

Since then, Bella has become one of the UK's most exciting comedy voices, supporting the likes of Phil Wang and Russell Howard, joining the writing team on Saturday Night Live UK, and making memorable appearances on Have I Got News For You.

Bella's brand new show, Mad Cow Disease, heads to the Edinburgh Festival this August, playing daily at Monkey Barrel from August 3rd to 30th. Tickets are available now at https://www.edfringe.com.

Follow Emily:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean
X: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols
Music: Rich Jarman
Artwork: Alice Ludlam
Photography: Karla Gowlett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with Ellie Kildunne, the conversation turns to some of the biggest highs and toughest moments of her life and career.

Ellie reflects on what it felt like to finally lift the Rugby World Cup, the surreal experience of being turned into a Barbie doll, and the challenges she faced during the Covid pandemic, when uncertainty around rugby and life beyond the sport took a significant toll.

It's an honest and revealing conversation about resilience, identity and finding your way through difficult periods, even when the outside world sees only success.

If you haven’t already, do catch up on part one.

If you'd like to learn more about Ellie's story, her memoir Game Changer is out now and well worth a read.

Ellie is an ambassador for Nulo - uk.nulo.com
Instagram: Nulo UK

Follow Emily:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean
X: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols
Music: Rich Jarman
Artwork: Alice Ludlam
Photography: Karla Gowlett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Emily and Ray head to Yorkshire for a stroll with England rugby star, World Cup winner and Sports Personality of the Year runner up Ellie Kildunne, joined by her beautiful cocker spaniel cross, Otis.

After spending a little time exploring the Yorkshire Dales, Emily meets Ellie at her parents' home before heading off for a walk and a chat about her remarkable journey from rugby-mad youngster to one of the biggest names in world sport.

Ellie talks about growing up in Yorkshire, often being the only girl on the rugby pitch, and the challenges of balancing her studies with an increasingly demanding England career. She also opens up about her ADHD diagnosis and how she's learned to harness her focus, energy and determination both on and off the field.

The conversation covers some of the defining moments of her career, including representing England on the biggest stage, being nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, and the surreal experience of becoming a Barbie doll.

If you'd like to learn more about Ellie's story, her memoir Game Changer is out now and well worth a read.

It's a funny, honest and inspiring walk with one of British sport's brightest stars. And while Ellie may be driven by elite-level ambition, Ray remains fully committed to a training regime consisting primarily of naps, treats and avoiding cardio.

Ellie is an ambassador for Nulo - uk.nulo.com
Instagram: Nulo UK

Follow Emily:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean
X: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols
Music: Rich Jarman
Artwork: Alice Ludlam
Photography: Karla Gowlett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.