Mr Blobby. Gladiators. Kids TV legends. Entrepreneurs.
Ask Bigger is a podcast where Simon Hood sits down with unexpected guests and asks the questions no one else will.
It’s funny, unpredictable and sometimes completely off the rails.
No scripts. No media training. Just real conversations… however they end up.
Grange Hill's Zammo aka Lee MacDonald: Just Say No and Life After Child Stardom
Host Simon Hood interviews actor Lee MacDonald about his iconic role as Zammo on Grange Hill and his life after child stardom.
16 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
Squeaky Mike McClean: The Big Breakfast, Richard & Judy and Interviewing Brad Pitt
Television presenter Squeaky Mike McClean shares behind-the-scenes stories of interviewing global stars like Brad Pitt with host Simon Hood.
1 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
Simon Evans: Comedy, Politics and Discovering 1,000 Half-Siblings
Comedian Simon Evans and host Simon Hood explore comedy, politics, free speech, and the surprising discovery of 1,000 half-siblings.
31 Aug 2026
Hunter from Gladiators aka James Crossley
If you grew up in Britain in the 90s, Saturday night meant one thing: Gladiators. And today's guest didn't just enter the arena — he owned it.James Crossley became HUNTER at just 19, the youngest gladiator on the show, and stayed for all eight years of the ITV original. In this episode he tells Simon what the cameras never showed: the producer who told him he was rubbish after year one, the note pushed under his hotel door each night telling him which 50ft event he'd be doing, the game that broke a gladiator's neck, the fake tan that got them banned by the hotel, and the press office that was leaking the stories it was supposed to protect them from.And then there's everything after the arena: touring America with the Royal Shakespeare Company, winning Britain's Strongest Master at 40, breaking the Dinnie Stones grip world record in 2018 (with a little help from a psychic), and the injury that ended it all — leading him somewhere nobody would predict: gong baths, sound healing, and the London Handpan Academy.Oh — and Simon challenges him to a duel. It goes about as well as you'd expect.
12 Jul 2026
Basil Brush: The Fox. The Legend. The Boom! Boom!
What happens when you hand a microphone to Britain's most mischievous fox?
Absolute chaos.
In this episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood is joined by the legendary Basil Brush for a conversation packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected revelations and more "Boom! Boom!" moments than should probably be allowed.
From over six decades in showbusiness to life on stage, television and everything in between, Basil proves exactly why he's remained one of Britain's best-loved entertainers for generations.
Expect plenty of cheek, a few surprises, some proper laugh-out-loud moments and the kind of conversation that goes completely off the rails… in the best possible way.
Whether you grew up watching Basil or you're meeting him for the first time, buckle up. This one's a cracker.
This episode is brought to you by Angel Delight. (https://angeldelightdesserts.co.uk/)
21 Jun 2026
Mama G: Storytelling, Inclusion and the Power of Being Yourself
In this special Pride Month episode of Ask Bigger, Simon Hood sits down with the incredible Mama G - award-winning storyteller, author and advocate for kindness, confidence and inclusion.
Through the power of stories, Mama G has inspired children and families across the UK to celebrate what makes them unique and to embrace who they are.
Together, Simon and Mama G discuss the importance of representation, growing up, finding your voice, the role storytelling can play in shaping young minds, and why creating a world where everyone feels they belong matters more than ever.
A thoughtful, funny and uplifting conversation that feels particularly fitting as we celebrate Pride Month.
If you enjoy the episode, please follow, rate and share the podcast.
3 Jun 2026
Tim Oliver: The UK’s Ricky Gervias/David Brent Lookalike Tells All
For 21 years, Tim Oliver has made a career out of looking like Ricky Gervais. He was the body double for Ricky on The Muppets Most Wanted. He performed stand-up as David Brent on Broadway. He has a story about Mr. T, a Prius, and David Beckham’s bony backside that you will genuinely not believe.In this episode of the Ask Bigger Podcast, Tim Oliver sits down with Simon Hood to discuss 21 years of impersonating other people and shares insane stories from his career, including: The Muppets shoot. The recent New York documentary premiering at Leicester Square. The Britain’s Got Talent days. The Mr. T Prius incident where David Beckham’s lookalike’s bony backside came through a windscreen. Interviewing Ricky Gervais in person for seven pages. Working with The Darkness. And why David Brent is a suit of armour that lets him walk into any room and say absolutely anything.
30 Apr 2026
John Altman aka Nasty Nick Cotton from EastEnders: Threats from Charles Bronson, June Brown & Unfiltered Stories
Nasty Nick. One of the most iconic villains in British TV history.
In this episode of Ask Bigger, John Altman joins us for a completely unfiltered conversation and nothing is off limits.
From a surreal story involving Charles Bronson, to his real-life bond with June Brown, this episode dives deep into the moments that defined both the man and the character.
We cover:
Life on EastEnders and playing Nick Cotton
What it was really like being killed off (and coming back)
His unexpected connection to Star Wars
Winning Rear of the Year
Behind-the-scenes stories and EastEnders gossip you won’t hear anywhere else
Raw, funny, and full of stories, this is John Altman like you’ve never heard him before.
🎙️ Follow Ask Bigger for more honest conversations with iconic names.
31 Mar 2026
Mr Blobby: First Ever Podcast, Noel Edmunds, Politics, Chaos, Mrs Blobby and more.
Mr Blobby joins Ask Bigger for his first ever podcast appearance. Yes, really.
What follows is exactly what you’d expect… and somehow worse. We attempt to ask serious questions, get life advice, and hold a normal conversation. Mr Blobby responds the only way he knows how.
It’s chaotic, nostalgic, slightly painful, and oddly compelling.
This might be the strangest podcast episode ever recorded.
23 Mar 2026
Iain Lee: The 11 O'Clock Show, Cocaine & Saving a Life on Live Radio
In this episode of Ask Bigger, we sit down with broadcaster, comedian and late-night radio icon Iain Lee.
From The 11 O’Clock Show to RI:SE, and years behind the mic on some of the most unpredictable live radio in the UK, Iain has built a career on moments you simply couldn’t script.
This conversation goes everywhere. We talk about:
The early days of The 11 O’Clock Show and crossing paths with Ricky Gervais
The reality behind fame, addiction and cocaine use
Mental health, recovery, and rebuilding
The responsibility of live radio… and the moments that really matter
And then there’s the stuff you definitely didn’t expect:
- The story behind “Minty Biscuit”
- The time he was attacked by an owl
- The chaos of late-night callers and completely unplanned moments
There are funny moments, uncomfortable truths, and one story about saving a life on live radio that puts everything into perspective.
This is raw, honest, and at times completely unpredictable - exactly how great conversation should be.
13 Feb 2026
The Maka Twins: How Two Brothers Turned Cleaning into 500K Followers & Millions of Views
John and James, the identical twins behind the viral cleaning sensation Maka Twins, join Simon Hood to share their extraordinary journey from starting a commercial cleaning company to becoming social media stars with over 500,000 followers and videos reaching 5-10 million views monthly.In this honest and inspiring conversation, the twins reveal:• How they built their viral presence by "cleaning places nobody asks you to clean"• The moment they almost gave up (1st February 2024) – just weeks before their breakthrough• Why they focus on people's reactions over view counts• How being themselves transformed their content and business• Their unique approach to commercial cleaning that values team members as individuals, not just "cleaners"• The philosophy that "somebody always has it worse" that keeps them grounded• Their vision for the "Unsung Heroes" series – giving back to overlooked workers across industriesFrom playground equipment to bin lorries, the Maka Twins have redefined what cleaning content can be. But beyond the viral videos lies a story of resilience, brotherhood, and a mission to change how society views the cleaning industry.The twins share practical wisdom for content creators and entrepreneurs: why they value engagement over vanity metrics, how variety keeps cleaning interesting, and why the hardest moments often come just before breakthrough.Their goals? Become the number one office cleaning company in London, then the UK, then the world – whilst championing their team and highlighting unsung heroes everywhere through experiences they'll never forget.If you're one bad month away from giving up on your dream, this conversation might just be what you need to hear.
29 Jan 2026
THE FUNHOUSE TWINS - Full Interview | Behind the Scenes of the Iconic 90s Show
Remember the bright colors, the go-karts, the gunge, and that theme song that still lives rent-free in everyone's head? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Melanie and Martina, the legendary Funhouse Twins who co-hosted one of the biggest children's TV shows of the 90s.In this extended interview, the twins take us behind the scenes of Funhouse, sharing untold stories about what it was really like to be young women hosting a major TV show for a decade. From their early beginnings performing in West End shows at age seven, to their time as the cheerleading twins that defined a generation's Saturday mornings, to their lives beyond the cameras.We explore their childhood in Kent, their journey into performing, the intense filming schedules, memorable moments from the show (including some that went hilariously wrong), their music career in Japan, and what life is like as mothers navigating the challenges of raising children in today's social media age.This is more than just nostalgia - it's an honest, raw conversation about fame, family, bullying, resilience, and the reality behind being icons of 90s children's television.
11 Dec 2025
Dave Benson Phillips: The Untold Story - Fame, Gunge & The Banned Episode
Today on Ask Bigger with Simon Hood, we sit down with the legendary Dave Benson Phillips, the man who shaped an entire generation of children’s TV.From Playdays to Get Your Own Back, magic tricks to panto, and the banned teddy-bear episode the BBC never re-aired. This is the most honest, funny and emotional interview Dave has ever done.If you grew up in the 90s, this episode is pure time travel.Dave reveals:• His upbringing, family story and early challenges• Learning magic, performing and children’s entertainment from scratch• The truth about TV in the 90s - what viewers never saw• The creation of Get Your Own Back and how it broke the rules• The SECRET recipe for the gunge (…almost)• What actually happened in the episode the BBC banned• Fame, fatherhood and how kids still recognise him today
5 Nov 2025
The Naked Cowboy: Times Square, Trump, and Telling It Like It Is
Our first ever international episode takes us to the heart of New York City for a conversation you’ll never forget.
In this special Ask Bigger edition, Simon Hood sits down with one of the most recognisable street performers on the planet - The Naked Cowboy. From how he first picked up the guitar in his underwear to why he’s spent decades performing in Times Square, this chat goes beyond the cowboy hat and boots.
They talk about fame, freedom, politics, and the strange magic of becoming a global icon, including his outspoken views on Trump, Obama, Oasis, and the New York mayoral race.
It’s funny, fiery, and completely unfiltered, exactly what Ask Bigger is all about.
Inside a recent episode
Grange Hill's Zammo aka Lee MacDonald: Just Say No and Life After Child Stardom
Published 29 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I didn't really know. It's like studying and going to... I've been in the gym, so studied all the years for that, and then to be told you can't do it, I didn't know what else to do. And then just did bits and pieces of TV, like the bill and stuff, as I said. But I would get cast as a drug addict or... So I was like, oh, no, I've done that. I don't want to do it anymore. I mean, what advice do you have to people who go in for a similar... I think, and I, I mean, I took all my exams, but I think you've got to try and keep two paths open all the time. I mean, whether it be football or whether it be something else, your education must be foremost. […]
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