Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. In this episode, it’s Grace’s couch that gets the star treatment as Graham Norton comes round to chat all things Comfort Eating. We all know Graham from his work interviewing megastars on his chatshow, as well as his much loved radio show, but there’s lots to Graham you might not know about: from his time living in a San Francisco commune, to his big break in the upstairs room of a famous gastropub and, of course, the snacks he reaches for when he’s home alone, and sat on his own couch
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. Legendary glamour model turned reality TV star, Katie Price joins Grace. One of the most photographed and filmed women of our times, splashed across page 3 and lads mags as Jordan 30 years ago, then in six of her own TV series, multiple documentaries and reality shows, everyone thinks they know her. But talking to Grace over a squishy, soft and ‘bald’ dish, Katie reveals a more nuanced picture – opening up about childhood, horses, early photoshoots, love, abuse, men, the media, breakdown and being a proud mum of five. ‘Never underestimate the Pricey’ – it’s a motto to live by and Grace embraces it all – the ups, the downs and snacks in between
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. Award-winning Doctor Who and It’s A Sin screenwriter Russell T Davies tells Grace about some of the most important moments in his life – and the comfort food that has seen him through them. The pair discuss love at first sight, recent loss, and how Woolworth’s pork and egg pie is a metaphor for life itself
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. Cosying up with Grace is none other than the queen of baking and all our hearts – Nadiya Hussain. The Bake Off star, whose triumph in the tent launched a TV, writing and culinary career of which dreams are made, is dropping by Grace’s home to share her loves, her hates and her strategies for managing a house of teenagers. Over a plate of something so comforting you could curl up in it, Grace and Nadiya get down to brass tacks. Family, husbands, school and crisps – all the main bases – and there’s no shame allowed. Just get those elbows out and dig in. Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as the darker days of autumn arrive. In this episode, Grace is joined by none other than Stephen Fry. They talk about his childhood, memories of prison, cooking for his husband – and the comfort foods that have seen him through it all
Comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri pops round to Grace’s for a snack and a chat. Hackney born and bred, Fatiha is an east London girl through and through, but with her Muslim faith being a huge pillar of her life, and her parent’s Moroccan heritage, Fatiha’s standup covers everything from identity and culture, to the horrors of modern dating. But it was her recent stint as a contestant on Taskmaster Series 19 that has won Fatiha the hearts of fans up and down the country
This week, TV writer, producer and director Sally Wainwright OBE is pulling up a seat at Grace’s kitchen table. Sally’s love for words started at the age of nine, when she and her sister would stage plays together in their bedroom, a passion that would one day see her writing for beloved British soaps like The Archers, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. But the road to writing royalty has not always been so smooth, and Sally and Grace discuss the foods that have seen her through it all — from spaghetti pie, canteen stodge during her bus driving days, boozy lunches at Corrie, and Sally’s own concoctions in the kitchen
This week, broadcaster, businesswoman and retail consultant, Mary Portas OBE pulls up a chair at Grace’s dining table. Mary initially set her sights on acting and was awarded a place at Rada, but then had to give it up after both her parents died. She was left homeless and she had to look after her younger brother, but she went on to blaze a trail through the world of retail and earn the moniker Queen of the High Street
Sound the klaxon … we’re in National Treasure territory today as Miriam Margolyes joins Grace to discuss the joys of Jewish food, breaking wind and, of course, being naughty on national TV. Miriam is one of Britain’s most beloved actors, with her career spanning seven decades. But life hasn’t always been easy for Miriam, from her early years in wartime Britain, to coming out in the less-accepting 1970s. With her new The Little Book of Miriam just published, one thing’s for certain: no matter what, Miriam always has something to say
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by one of Britain’s most beloved broadcasters – Irish-Norwegian journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup. Speaking to Grace, Mariella opens up about her early food memories growing up between Norway and Ireland with a Scottish mother, shares a cringe-worthy dinner faux pas involving Prince Charles and reflects on the perils of being a little too honest with her kids
Today, Alan Davies pays Grace a visit, a dish of his favourite comfort food in hand. The Essex-born comedian has spent more than 30 years making us laugh and his third memoir, which shares the highs and lows of his comedy career, is out soon. But what food does he turn to for energy? • The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331.
This week, Grace is joined by a woman who has described herself as the unwashed ITV version of Taylor Swift – CMAT. With her third album, Euro-Country, out now, a summer calendar packed full of festivals and a tour on the horizon, what is this stunning, Irish superstar eating to fuel the ride? Warning: this episode contains descriptions of drug use and disordered eating
This week, Grace is buzzing to meet former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Over the past few years, Nicola has weathered an independence referendum, Brexit, a pandemic, countless press briefings and parliamentary spats, an arrest and a divorce. So what food does she turn to when she needs some comfort?
As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to February 2024, when legendary comedian and author David Baddiel rocked up to Grace’s house. With a career spanning 40 years on TV, stage and radio, not to mention coining anthemic football songs and writing multiple bestselling books for adults and children, David has a unique place in our nation’s popular culture. He brings Grace his favourite comfort snack and, while demolishing this cherished chow, opens up about family, relationships and an obsession with telling the truth
As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to November 2022, when Grace welcomed one of that year’s stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Jayde Adams. Jayde and Grace discuss Jayde’s Bristolian beginnings, what it takes to become a fishmonger, and what makes the perfect dinner party. And as always, the comfort foods that have seen Jayde through it all
As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to January 2023, when Grace welcomed actor James Norton into her home. Grace realised there’s a lot more to learn about James, from his idyllic early years in Yorkshire, to a stint at a very religious boarding school, his breakthrough on the West End and, of course, the food that has been with him through it all
Scottish writer Irvine Welsh joins Grace to share his ultimate comfort food. Irvine has been a towering figure in our cultural galaxy for 30 years. His bestselling novels include Porno, The Acid House, Filth and, of course, Trainspotting. Trainspotting – famously autobiographical – follows a group of heroin addicts in a deprived area of Edinburgh. It was a huge hit, selling more than a million copies. The movie, released a few years later, was nothing short of a sensation at the box office. Irvine’s new book is accompanied by his debut album, both with the same name: Men In Love is a sequel to Trainspotting, and picks up where the characters left off back in 1993.
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by Bafta-nominated actor, writer and producer Samson Kayo. Samson has been gracing our screens for more than a decade, starring in shows such as Channel 4’s Youngers, Sky’s sitcom Bloods and HBO’s Our Flag Means Death. Now, he’s currently celebrating the release of two blockbusters, Voltron and F1, in which he stars alongside the likes of Brad Pitt, Damson Idris and Javier Bardem. Raised in south London by his single mother and a revolving cast of ‘aunties’, Samson lived on a unique blend of Nigerian stew, Morleys fried chicken, and pie and mash. He and Grace discuss it all – from illicit biscuits, accidental sex parties and dodgy DVDs to fatherhood, faith and the art of the pizza delivery. Nothing is off the table
Joining Grace on this week’s episode of Comfort Eating is Lulu. Lulu was belting out songs to crowds before most of her classmates had mastered their times tables. By 15, she’d swapped school for showbiz and kicked off a six decade career with a bang – her first single Shout landed her in the charts and on the path to global stardom. She’s duetted with legends, succeeded at Eurovision, survived the Bond franchise, and re-emerged time and again – not just still standing, but still selling out. Now in her seventies and on the road again promoting a tour and her second memoir, Lulu and Grace discuss her dad’s job in a meat-market, eating snails for the first time, and why KitKats are the perfect tour bus snack
Musician Joy Crookes joins Grace to kick off a brand new season of Comfort Eating. Born and raised in south London, Joy’s rich, punchy and intimate songs means her music is everywhere. With Bangladeshi and Irish heritage, Joy writes music that’s rich in politics, identity and a lot of raw feeling. Her debut album, Skin, was an intimate patchwork of heartbreak, protest and pride, earning her not just accolades and a Brit award nomination, but a passionate and loyal fanbase. A rollercoaster of success was interrupted by her mental health struggles, which led to a hiatus. But she’s back with a new single out now and a big European tour getting underway later this year
Season 10 of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 8 July. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including CMAT, Irvine Welsh, Lulu and Nicola Sturgeon, as they delve into their ultimate comfort food
Comedian, broadcaster and podcaster Suzi Ruffell joins Grace in her east London home. Suzi’s comedy CV boasts an impressive five sellout runs at the Edinburgh festival fringe, appearances on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and The Last Leg. She talks to Grace about family life with her wife, Alice, in Brighton; her struggles with anxiety; her mum’s sandwich love language; and the moment her dad paid her £15 to eat a spoonful of mustard powder
Joining Grace on Comfort Eating this week is actor and comedian Babatunde Aléshé. Babatunde stole the nation’s hearts with appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. He talks to Grace about how his mum is every bit the Nigerian matriarchal stereotype, the age old debate of who makes the best jollof rice, and how a strong dislike for cheese allowed him the privilege of ordering off-menu at school
British comedian Dave Gorman joins Grace for another scrumptious helping of Comfort Eating. Across the noughties, Dave took the British comedy scene by storm, and is known for taking the mundane, adding some sparkle and creating an Edinburgh festival fringe show, a UK tour and a book. Now he is back with a reboot of Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish. Dave recounts how his hero comedian Frank Skinner gave him his big break; how fish and chips equals celebration; and what he munches on to fuel his frequent all-night writing sessions
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by superstar DJ, King of Ibiza, and namesake of his own rhyming slang: it’s Pete Tong MBE. Pete is one of the most influential figures in dance music; without him, house music and club culture would not be what they are today. He is about to go back on the road in the UK with his 10th year of Ibiza Classics – described as an event for the relapse raver. Born in Kent, Pete was raised on classic British 60s fare, and he remembers with fondness tins of baked beans and sausages, and recalls with horror the foods he endured at boarding school. Grace and he discuss wining and dining Run-DMC when he was trying to get them to sign to his label, and what Noel Gallagher’s pet fish may or may not have eaten during the wild noughties running with the Primrose Hill set
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by five-time Paralympic gold medalist Ellie Simmonds. At 30, Ellie has hung up her goggles and retired from swimming, but instead of claiming an early pension, she has turned her hand to disability activism and documentary making – in 2024 she won a Bafta for her documentary Finding My Secret Family. She talks to Grace about the food that sustained her gruelling swim training schedule, her celebratory McDonald’s order during the Paralympics, and her secret recipe for orange scones. Ellie also opens up about accusations of bullying within British Para-Swimming in the buildup to Rio 2016
Songwriter, musician and actor, best known as a heartthrob in one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, Gary Kemp joins Grace for a brand new helping of Comfort Eating. Longtime Spandau Ballet fan Grace hears about the good old days: how Gary poured a tin of golden syrup over baby brother Martin Kemp’s head; how there were eels for dinner kept alive in his nan’s sink; and how hot fish and chips in their wrapper warped his first beloved T Rex record. Gary opens up about how he defiantly started eating meat again after his very public split from actor Sadie Frost, how his film career took him to Hollywood to act alongside Whitney Houston, who worked the catering tent nicely, and unwanted perishable gifts from affectionate fans at the height of Spandau Ballet fame
Season nine of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 18 February. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including Gary Kemp, Ellie Simmonds and Pete Tong, as they delve into what they love to eat when nobody is watching
To welcome in the New Year, Grace is joined by politician Sadiq Khan. Born in south London, to British Pakistani parents, he is one of eight children and was MP for Tooting before becoming London’s mayor in 2016. Now in his third term, Sadiq and Grace talk about how doughnuts fuel him during elections, the art of screwing up a tuna pasta bake, and where he’d like to take Donald Trump for dinner next time the president-elect is in town.
Christmas has arrived at Comfort Eating HQ, so join Grace as she joyfully wallows in her annual Christmas baking session while musing on her favourite Comfort Eating yuletide memories. From multi-Grammy winner Gregory Porter on his mum’s festive cook-ups, to baking extraordinaire Nadiya Hussain on her childhood turkey midnight feasts, plus Craig David, Michael Ball and many more
