Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time is the podcast that brings together well-known friends, three glasses of wine and three thought-provoking questions. Discover the friendships behind the entertainment headlines, and listen in on their conversations for a side to the celebrities you've never heard before.
Join us weekly for something new, or feel free to dive into our cellar of over 450 incredible episodes - all as enjoyable and relevant to listen to now as when they were first recorded.
If you'd like to say hi you can send us an email any time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time is the podcast that brings together well-known friends, three glasses of wine and three thought-provoking questions. Discover the friendships behind the entertainment headlines, and listen in on their conversations for a side to the celebrities you've never heard before.
Join us weekly for something new, or feel free to dive into our cellar of over 450 incredible episodes - all as enjoyable and relevant to listen to now as when they were first recorded.
If you'd like to say hi you can send us an email any time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to White Wine Question Time; the podcast that asks it's guests three thought-provoking questions over three glasses of wine.
Today, we're heading back down to the cellar for another episode from the archives, and as part of our mini literature festival we're holding this month, it's from another bestselling author...
My guest today has written more than a hundred books, and is also a broadcaster, a knitwear designer, a former politician, and a celebrated raconteur.
Having become well-known on breakfast television in the 80s, in no small part thanks to
his choice of knitwear, he's been a mainstay on TV shows like The One Show,
Countdown, Celebrity Gogglebox, This Morning, and Radio 4's Just a Minute.
He was also the host of the award-winning Something Rhymes with Purple podcast with Susie Dent, and on his latest pod, Rosebud he talks to famous and fascinating people about their first experiences.
This is the last of our November authors - I hope you've enjoyed this look back - and for December we've lined up some festive episodes designed to put you in the perfect mood for Christmas.
Enjoy!
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Our guest on this episode of White Wine Question time is the 'Queen of Burlesque' Dita Von Teese
She's a performer at the very top of her game who’s elevated striptease and burlesque into high art – from martini glasses to Swarovski carousels, she’s transformed a vintage niche into sell out tours around the world, and has her own residency in Vegas.
But her story began far from the spotlight. Born Heather Renée Sweet, she was a shy, self-conscious child who cleaned toilets at her ballet school in exchange for lessons, and dreamed of escaping into the Technicolour world of 1940s Hollywood.
Alongside her stage career, she’s written books, launched perfumes, created lingerie lines, and is even producing her own French gin. She’s appeared in films and music videos for artists from Green Day to Taylor Swift, and continues her Las Vegas residency with over 100 performances a year.
At 53, she shows no signs of slowing down. Next up is Noctornelle, her most ambitious production yet, inspired by 19th-century stage magicians, which will tour the UK in 2026.
She's an incredible artist and this was a Dita at her very honest best. Enjoy!
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Each week, in addition to a brand new episode, we delve into our back catalogue to serve up a vintage episode from our cellar.
All this month we're choosing from our excellent selection of authors - a mini literature festival if you will.
Today it's Donna Ashworth - a Scottish poet who shot to stardom during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been credited with revitalising a national interest in poetry.
So as the weather takes a turn for the worse why not snuggle in and treat yourself to 45 minutes of something inspiring.
I hope you enjoy this episode - and we'll see you back here for a brand new interview next time.
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Lewis Goodall has fast become one of the biggest and most trusted voices in British journalism. As one third of the News Agents podcast (with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel) he brings his sharp political insight, compelling personal story, and adds a willingness to explore new media formats.
Born in Birmingham, he rose from a working-class background his father a welder at the Rover factory to studying history and politics at St John’s College, Oxford, as the first in his family to attend university.
Starting his career behind the scenes at Granada Studios writing questions for University Challenge and later at the think-tank Institute for Public Policy Research Goodall soon moved into journalism. He became a producer and reporter for BBC Newsnight, before joining Sky News as a political correspondent. His reporting on Brexit, the Labour Party and domestic policy earned him recognition and helped establish his reputation.
At a time of such division - the world needs communicators like Lewis - so it was a pleasure to sit down and find out what drives him.
Enjoy!
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Our mini literature festival continues with an author who helped shape the the early part of the millennium - her New York Observer column 'Sex & the City' would spark a TV show that endures to this day - 30 years on from the first published anthology of her work.
Candace Bushnell has gone on to write many more books, many continuing the tales of Carrie Bradshaw.
In 2023 Candace joined White Wine Question Time for a chat - and as we look back at some of the best authors to have appeared on the podcast it felt right to include this episode.
If EVER there was a time to pour yourself a glass - it has to be to this.
Enjoy xx
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Were you one of the six million people who watched the Women's Rugby World Cup Final on TV? An absolutely phenomenal performance from the England Roses saw them victorious, and in that moment their lives changed forever.
We're incredibly lucky to have the Captain of the England Roses, Zoe Aldcroft on the podcast reflecting on the huge team effort, the personal sacrifices and the whirlwind of the past few weeks.
You do not have to love rugby to love what these women have achieved - this is a story as universal as any - even with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
Enjoy the episode - and don't forget to hit subscribe so you can get new episodes directly in your podcast app every Thursday morning. It's completely free but it really helps us.
Cheers!
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EL James doesn't do podcasts - in fact appropriately enough we popped her podcast cherry (Absolutely no safe words required).
As part of our look back at some of our favourite authors to have appeared on the podcast we couldn't look past this one. Erika (her real name) is one of the best selling authors on the planet - but her fame came later, after a successful career in British TV.
It is an extraordinary conversation - which took place back in 2001 - at a time when she was trying to juggle homeschooling and launching a range of adult toys. Weren't we all.
Hope you enjoy it - but just a word of warning, it probably is one for listening to on headphones - you can imagine but some of the chat is quite saucy.
Cheers
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Are you watching Blue Lights? If not, why not?
On this episode is one of the stars of the Belfast-based cop drama. She's a star of stage and screen at the peak of her acting prowess. You may have seen her as Sherlock' Holmes' evil sister in Sherlock alongside Benedict Cumberbatch or starring opposite Suranne Jones in Doctor Foster. If you're really lucky you may have even seen her break-out theatre role as Ophelia in Hamlet at London's Barbican.
Sian rarely does podcast interviews - so what an honour to share a couple of glasses of wine and a really lovely chat about the confidence gained from early drama classes, the women who've reached down to help her on her journey, and the illness that nearly ended her career before it really began.
Sit back, grab whatever drink you fancy and enjoy!
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Over the next five Tuesdays we're holding our own mini literature festival. We've delved deep in the archive to find some of the very best authors we've spoken to over the past seven years, and what an icon we have to kick it off!
After a successful career as an actor Lynda La Plante became intrigued by the production process of television drama and began writing treatments, ideas for potential shows that were, well, very much her own. Although most were rejected, one was praised as utterly brilliant. By 1983, her six-part series Widows premiered and became the highest rating series of the early 1980s. Following the show's success, she established herself as a highly sought-after crime writer with women at the heart of her stories, and the release of her debut novel in 1987 quickly established her as a critically acclaimed best-selling author to boot, paving the way for a series of hit books that followed in rapid succession.
By 1991, she hit new heights and broke new ground with the premiere of the world-renowned Prime Suspect. A detective drama starring Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennyson, which went on to win numerous BAFTAs, Emmys and Golden Globes over the course of its seven seasons and made Helen Mirren a bona fide global superstar. It's no surprise that in 2008 she was awarded a CBE for her services to literature, drama and charity. is a member of the Crime Thriller Award Hall of Fame
We'll be back on Thursday with a brand new episode.
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Jon Richardson will not like this podcast description - as you'll hear!
Whether you know Jon from 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, his stand-up specials, playing 'himself' in Meet The Richardsons or from his Saturday morning show on Absolute Radio - you'll know one thing... he's extremely funny.
Behind the humour is a man as complicated as he is kind - someone who hoards everything (he still has a copy of the newspapers from the day of the 1999 Solar Eclipse), but who values friendships from every stage of his life. We were delighted when Jon agreed to talk about his new acting role as a drug-taking ex-Marine-turned-Creative Arts teacher in Waterloo Road. It was fascinating to see how uneasily Jon takes a compliment, for someone so used to the validation of a live audience he struggled to watch the Gogglebox clip we played him.
Modest, sincere and painfully funny - it turned out to be a great conversation.
We hope you enjoy it!
Cheers.
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A National Treasure.
That's what Stephen Fry is. Whether you know him as General Melchett, Jeeves, half of Fry & Laurie, the sound of Harry Potter, the genius of QI or the modern Homer retelling Greek mythology to a new generation - he has touched most of our lives in some way over the past half century.
So seeing as Stephen is currently on our screens as himself in The Traitors we thought it was a timely opportunity to bring his episode of White Wine Question Time up from the cellar for another airing.
We spoke in early 2025 - with Stephen in LA - about the UK import of Jeopardy, what attracted him to It's A Sin, his incredible documentaries on gay rights around the world and his advice for young creatives joining the entertainment industry. As you would expect, it was truly fascinating.
Enjoy the episode and don't forget we'll be back on Thursday with a brand new episode.
Cheers.
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Welcome to a brand new episode of White Wine Question Time.
Penny Lancaster takes a break from her Special Constable policing duties to join us for three glasses of wine and answer three thought provoking questions.
Some of the topics in this episode might be difficult for some listeners - Penny talks honestly about a childhood assault, and a sexual assault that took place during her modelling days. There is also discussion of miscarriage and difficulties conceiving.
It is a really honest chat which also touches on menopause, blending families and Rod's (eventual) decision to father more children.
If you would like more from Penny - we can highly recommend her new book Someone Like Me
Thanks for listening - if you enjoy this podcast here are some things you can do to help spread the word:
1 Tell your friends - we love a personal recomendation
2 Hit the 'Follow' button in your podcast app - you'll get new episodes sent to you for free every week
3 Leave us a star rating and a review.
Cheers!
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Grace Dent joined us for White Wine Question Time back in 2021 - it was such a lovely episode, full of food, formative moments and fond memories. Grace talked about losing her mum only months before we spoke, finding her partner on social media and her three-week 'holiday' to a West London shopping centre!
Every week we'll be pulling out a highlight from our back catalogue of almost 500 episodes - we hope you like them, and if you do there are LOADS more to choose from, plus every Thursday we'll be uncorking a new guest for you.
Don't forget to follow the podcast, and if you'd like to get in touch you can email hello@whitewinepod.com
Cheers!
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Hello! Welcome to White Wine Question Time.
On the podcast this week it's a friend of the show - the brilliant Denise Van Outen. In the 90s she hosted The Big Breakfast which launched her into a career that's taken in the West End, Broadway, TV, DJ'ing some of the world's biggest clubs and best-selling author. Denise was one of our first ever guests on the podcast, and in this episode we break her career down into 'eras'
Let us know what you think - send us an email to hello@whitewinepod.com
Thanks for listening - we'll be back with another new guest next Thursday - and something from the cellar (a gift from our back catalogue of almost 500 episodes) next Tuesday.
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Time for another trip to the cellar for something vintage.
This episode of White Wine Question Time was originally recorded in 2021 - when the world was in lockdown. Dannii was in Melbourne having moved back from London several years earlier. The conversation takes in memories of living in the UK, motherhood, advice for the next generation and also Dannii's revelation when it comes to clothes sizing.
It's a really lovely chat, which although recorded at a very strange time still seems extremely relevant today.
This is an abridged version of the original conversation - you can find the original in our back catalogue.
Don't forget we'll bring you a highlight from almost 500 episodes of White Wine Question Time every Tuesday and a brand new guest every Thursday.
While you're here... please don't forget to 'follow' this podcast - it means you'll get new episodes sent directly to your podcast app when they're released - it's completely free, but it helps the podcast greatly.
Cheers!
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We're back and joining us on this episode is the nation's favourite vet - Noel Fitzpatrick. Not content with being one of the world's most respected veterinary surgeons Noel is equally at home on a stage touring his one-man show, in front of the camera (he's played parts in The Bill, Casualty and is the star of the long-running Supervet series) or promoting his many books. His latest release is a children's book 'Over the Rainbow Bridge' which deals with the sadness a child feels when they lose their beloved family pet, and finding joy afterwards.
Finding joy is a theme Noel brings up several times in our conversation, which also touches on how comic books inspired his love of medicine, how Brian May came to teach Noel how to play guitar and why Noel went years without knowing what happened at the end of Rocky! It's a fascinating story, told by an exceptional man. From his midnight gym routine to how an ice-cream scoop inspired a hip replacement technique this is a gripping conversation. So grab a drink and join us.
Thank you for listening - we hope you enjoy the new episodes, and if you do please take the time to rate and review us. It means a great deal, and means even more people will be able to find and enjoy the podcast.
We're fast approaching our 500th episode - so if you're new (hello!) please check-out the vast collection of famous voices who've joined us on White Wine Question time over the past seven years. We'll pull out Something From The Cellar on Tuesdays and be back with a brand new episode each Thursday.
Cheers!
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Today we're joined by an esteemed actor whose extensive CV includes decades of celebrated films, award-winning TV shows and one of the most celebrated roles from the last few decades of British TV (no wonder people want him to be Prime Minister). It’s the charming Adrian Dunbar!
Adrian joined us for a chat just before the new season of 'Ridley', the incredible ITV drama for a chat about his near-five decade career that's seen him win plaudits across stage and screen. We also hear more about family life, how he likes to relax and enjoy himself - and a CRUCIAL update about the biggest show on British TV: Line of Duty. You don't want to miss it!
We're taking a summer break and will be back in the Autumn with more amazing guests! In the meantime, scroll down wherever you're listening to this right now to check out some of our other episodes. There's over 450 to choose from and they're all as enjoyable and relevant to listen to now as when they were first recorded. We'll see you soon!
***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
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Two women are about to make broadcasting history when they become the first female full time hosts of Match of the Day, the storied football highlights program on the BBC. And we just happened to speak to them at the start of this year, so now feels like a perfect time to revisit one of those amazing conversations with two sports broadcasting trailblazers. It's Kelly Cates!
We spoke recently to Kelly about her excitement — and nerves! — about taking on her biggest role yet and how she’s preparing for the challenge. Beyond the pitch, she also dives into family life and opens up about juggling a high-profile career with single motherhood and the realities of raising teenage daughters. Honestly, it's amazing how she fits this all into her life - what a woman!
***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
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Today, we're joined by an author and presenter who proves that passion, resilience and drive can get you over life's hardest hurdles - even when some look insurmountable: it's the fabulous Dawn O'Porter!
After a really tough childhood brightened by the beauty surrounding her, Dawn's career has taken her to both sides of the Pond as an accomplished TV presenter, journalist and now hugely successful author. We chat about the highs and lows of that journey, how she found the love of her life on the dance floor of her 30th birthday and how moving back to the UK from Los Angeles has put her life back in technicolour. Plus, we even manage to stumble on some blog entries from her late 20s - to Dawn's horror/surprise!
***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
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A few weeks ago, a true gem of UK pop music put her new album out - so we thought this was a perfect time to revisit our conversation with a woman who dominated the charts in the 90s as part of the pop group Eternal and has sold over 15m records herself as a solo artist: it's Louise Redknapp!
Louise and I spoke a while back about the heady days of the 90s, leaving Eternal and taking the leap to return to work after a 17-year hiatus just as she was about to release her Greatest Hits album a few years ago.
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***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
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