The Friendship File

ENCORE! Stewart and Gwen

Was it Kylie Minogue or cold Christmas pudding in the dark that did it? Does she still have the scars? Will he be eaten by cats? What about that fork? Sorry might be the hardest word. This was one of our most popular episodes. Music plays a big part in this friendship. Stewart is now running Rapture - a brand new nightclub in Orkney's capital, Kirkwall. It's been a smash hit. Rapture Rewind is the club's retro night and they've recently announced a DJ set from N-Trance. Yes! The band's Set You Free, released in 1995, got Stewart and Gwen onto the dance floor Shenanigans in Perth many times. And now he's running a nightclub and booking them 30 years later. Stewart and Gwen ... still got the moves.Find out more about Rapture here - https://www.facebook.com/GardenSquareOrkney/. The first Rapture Rewind night is 30 August. Sold out in hours!James Lankester – composer of the music - is now better known as EetSleep – you can find their work here - https://soundcloud.com/eetsleep. The Friendship File is a Podcart production - https://www.podcart.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ENCORE! Helen and Tony

The world became a less funny place when it lost the comedy genius of Tony Slattery in January 2025. He is deeply missed - especially by his friend of 41 years, Helen Lederer. This is another chance to rejoice in their friendship that dealt with everything including - literally - the kitchen sink. Why did he send her bouquet saying 'whoops'? Why did she ask everyone at her party for Germolene? Why did they play tennis on a hotel roof in Egypt? And who actually dropped the vase on Going for A Song? Helen is currently playing Mrs Richards in the West End production of John Cleese's Fawlty Towers. Find out more and book here - https://fawltytowerswestend.com/#Find details of Helen's brilliant memoir, Not That I'm Bitter here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-That-Im-Bitter-Lederer/dp/1915306655 and her Comedy Women in Print book prize https://www.comedywomeninprint.co.uk/The Friendship File is a Podcart production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ENCORE! Emma and Richard

ENCORE! The Emma Freud and Richard Coles Friendship File kicked off Series Two (in 2021 lockdown, as you’ll hear). They met at the beginning of their TV careers - he was a pop star, she was interviewing people in a double-bed and both were new to the job. Here they reveal a secret fake wedding ceremony, offering an illustrious classical composer class A drugs and why it’s better to be pretty than clever. It is a totally irresistible portrait of a friendship.They’ve both experienced a lot since then. In 2025, Emma is still writing and presenting up a storm – including The Archers Podcast (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0jt4npn - the best job in the world). Richard is still a priest but has also forged his cosy crime writing career. Don’t miss him at The Edinburgh International Book Festival talking about his latest Cannon Clement title and his life as a writer on Saturday 9th August at 11.45. https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/reverend-richard-coles-murder-in-the-parish NB James Lankester – composer of the music - is now better known as EetSleep – you can find their work here - https://soundcloud.com/eetsleep. The Friendship File is a Podcart production - https://www.podcart.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8. Hannah and Melissa

Remember being little and wanting your best friend to be with you forever? What if that dream came true? Hannah Begbie met Melissa Case on their first day of a new school. They grew up together and shared everything. But when most friends go off to start separate families, Hannah and Melissa became each other's. Discover their fascinating story in this special episode celebrating the International Day of Friendship.Hannah drew on her extraordinary friendship with Melissa in her latest novel, The Last Weekend. Four friends gather on the Dorset coast for a weekend of sun, sea, friendships, wine, laughter - and secrets. Find out more about it here https://www.hannahbegbie.com/books/the-last-weekend.Praise for The Last Weekend:"Hannah Begbie has created a cast of characters so perfectly flawed I felt as though I knew them all personally. A thought-provoking and emotional story that had me laughing and crying in equal measure. One for book clubs everywhere." Clare Mackintosh "Comic but so poignant. The end made me cry." Jeremy Vine (go and listen to Jeremy's The Friendship File edition here - https://pod.fo/e/237764 The Friendship File is a Podcart production - find out more here https://www.podcart.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7. Stewart and Gwen

Was it Kylie Minogue or cold Christmas pudding in the dark that did it? Does she still have the scars? Will he be eaten by cats? What about that fork? Sorry might be the hardest word. After nearly 30 years, Stewart and Gwen reveal all. Listen now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.