Hurry up and finish Rivals

So you can listen to my new podcast

I was all set to write a long post about the bloody brilliant new adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s 1988 classic, Rivals - and how relieved I was¹ that it absolutely sings. (Some of us mega-fans were a little scarred, shall we say, by previous adaptations.) It take the best bits of Dame Jilly’s Rutshire Chronicles and nudges them into 2024, without losing any of her sharp, witty, camp, shag-fuelled 80s decadence.

But I’m writing this at midnight, the night before an early flight for work and so I’m just going to say: binge the series, marinate in its daft deliciousness, and then hop onto your podcast app and feast upon my mini-series for Disney+, Rivals: The Official Podcast, which is available on all podcast platforms NOW!

My mum used to say: “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” and I used to go go yeah yeah sure mum - work is still work! It can be rewarding, of course, but if I’m not horizontal on my sofa, it’s work! - but honestly, making this podcast? I kinda know what she means.

at the Rivals gala with Dame JC and her badger walking stick <3 That is champagne in her teacup

I can’t tell you the joy I had gossiping with the cast and creatives who made this romp of a show. I got to interview some of the best writers in the biz - Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Mimi Hare, Dare Aiyegbayo - and some of its hilarious, eloquent stars, like rising star Bella Maclean (Taggie), the devilish Alex Hassell (Rupert - and yes, we talk about him not being blonde!), Danny Dyer (who plays my dream man, the gentle giant and tech millionaire, Fred-Fred), Nafessa Williams (as badass producer, Cameron Cook), Gary Lamont (as Charles Fairburn, navigating the homophobia of 80s Britain, Charles Fairburn) and Emily Atack, who made me howl as the socially ambitious, nude tennis playing Sarah Stratton (the up-the-fanny deodorant shot? Her idea.)

in my Rutshire residence with Dominic Treadwell Collins and Danny Dyer

Do note: THIS PODCAST IS FILLED WITH SPOILERS!² It’s one for after you’ve watched the show, not before.

I can’t wait to hear what you think. You are in for a treat, if I may be so bold. Have a great weekend!

1. Long-term readers of my work will know that I received almost an entire sex education, aged 10, from JC’s books. (I was at a Catholic school, sex ed was…. limited. In hindsight, taking them into my R.E. class aged 11, might have been a bit on the nose.) I was also honoured to voice her audio book, Between The Covers, about 4 years ago.

2. My favourite, I hate holding back the best bits!