Mo Gilligan: Beginning, Middle & End

Episoder

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  EP 109 - Mr Motivator - How Mr Motivator Changed British Television Forever 16.09.2026

  From being given away at just three months old in Jamaica to becoming one of the most recognisable faces on British television, Mr Motivator’s story is much bigger than Lycra and morning workouts.In this episode of Beginning Middle End, Mo Gilligan sits down with the legendary Mr Motivator — Derrick Evans — for an incredible conversation about resilience, fatherhood, ambition, health and the extraordinary journey that made him a household name.Mr Motivator opens up about arriving in Britain as a child, facing prejudice, becoming a single father, experiencing homelessness and taking whatever jobs he could to keep food on the table. He also reveals the entrepreneurial ventures that came before television, the business mistake that cost him everything, and the TEN-YEAR pursuit that eventually led to his breakthrough on GMTV.He shares the remarkable story of advertisers initially refusing to back a Black man doing fitness on breakfast television — before viewers jammed the phone lines demanding more.From selling 1.2 MILLION copies of his first fitness video and working out with some of the world’s biggest stars, to his incredible resurgence during lockdown, receiving an MBE and now tackling bed poverty through Mr Motivator’s Bed Bank, this is a story about refusing to stop moving — whatever life throws at you.At 73, Mr Motivator says he plans on making it to 114. After hearing this conversation, you might believe him.Watch to the end for some brilliant stories involving Tony Blair, Luther Vandross, Cindy Crawford and why Mo finally has to promise Mr Motivator he’ll get on a bike.👇 What’s YOUR earliest memory of Mr Motivator? Let us know in the comments.👍 Like the episode, subscribe and share it with someone who needs a little motivation today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 108 - Fatiha El-Ghorri on Taskmaster, Divorce & Accidentally Becoming a Comedian 09.09.2026 52min

  From accidentally discovering stand-up through a pop-up ad to becoming a breakout star of Taskmaster, Fatiha El-Ghorri’s route into comedy has been anything but conventional.Fatiha joins Mo Gilligan for a hilarious, honest and surprisingly emotional conversation about the reality behind her rise — including starting comedy after her second divorce, being heckled as a Muslim woman, dealing with the pressure of representing a community and why giving her unsolicited comedy advice might be a very bad idea.She also opens up about what viewers never saw during Taskmaster: while she was making people laugh on screen, Fatiha was privately going through a painful breakup and crying between takes.Plus, Fatiha talks about her huge family, her debut tour Cockney Stacking Doll, Edinburgh nerves, her upcoming novel The Peaks of My Hijab and the moment her success allowed her to send her mum on a pilgrimage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 107 - Chip on 20 Years of Grime, Clashes & Becoming a UK Legend 02.09.2026 1t 7min

  Chip has been doing this for TWO DECADES… and he’s STILL got bars. 🔥Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most respected MCs to go all the way back — from selling CDs in the playground and tearing up pirate radio as a teenager, to MOBO wins, number one records, moving to Atlanta, working with T.I. and Chris Brown, and becoming one of the most fearless clash MCs Britain has produced.Chip opens up about the story behind Oopsy Daisy, making pop records when parts of the grime scene questioned him, recording diss tracks AND videos within hours, and why he believes today’s clash culture has moved away from the art of simply proving who’s the better MC.But after achieving most of his musical bucket list by 21, the conversation takes a more personal turn. Chip talks candidly about the years of normal life he missed, rebuilding his relationship with his mum, finding happiness away from music and why these days something as simple as going for a walk can mean more than performing two shows in Dubai.From 16-year-old grime prodigy to 20-year veteran, this is Chip looking back on the moments, decisions, clashes and sacrifices that made him.What era did YOU first discover Chip? 👇 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 106 - Asim Chaudhry Reveals How People Just Do Nothing REALLY Started 26.08.2026 1t 5min

  People Just Do Nothing fans, this one’s for you. 👊Mo sits down with Asim Chaudhry for a proper trip back to where it all started — long before Chabuddy G became one of British comedy’s most iconic characters.Asim reveals how messing around with his mates, making music, recording ridiculous prank calls and even getting fired from a call centre eventually planted the seeds for People Just Do Nothing. He breaks down where Chabuddy G really came from, why the character is heavily inspired by his dad and the characters he grew up around in Hounslow, and how a show they were barely even bothering to edit became a cult British comedy classic.But there’s plenty more along the way — growing up in Hounslow, school failures, chasing creativity when nobody around you thinks it’s a real job, football, fame, getting success later in life, acting alongside some huge names and the realities behind a career that can look very different from the outside.Funny, nostalgic and surprisingly personal, this is Asim Chaudhry beyond Chabuddy G — and the story of how a group of mates messing around somehow created something people are still obsessed with today.🎧 Watch/listen to the full episode now and let us know: who’s your favourite People Just Do Nothing character? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 105 - Juls: Working With Burna Boy, Wizkid & Stormzy, Leaving His 9-5 & The Truth About the Music Industry 19.08.2026 54min

  From pulling sickies from his finance job to work with some of the biggest artists in the world, to becoming one of the most influential producers shaping the sound of modern Afrobeats — Juls’ journey is all about betting on yourself.Juls sits down with Mo Gilligan for a proper conversation about leaving the security of a nine-to-five to chase music, the opportunities he nearly missed along the way, and what it’s really like creating with Burna Boy, Wizkid, Stormzy and Lauryn Hill.He opens up about the politics behind the music industry, dealing with rejection, anxiety at industry events and why networking in the UK feels completely different to America.Juls also breaks down his relationship with African and Caribbean sounds, why experiencing South African music first-hand changed the way he approached Amapiano, and why he believes the UK has been too quick to abandon sounds like grime, jungle, funky house and Afroswing.Plus, he talks family, fatherhood, building something that lasts beyond him — and his dream of one day bringing the full Juls live experience to the Royal Albert Hall.A brilliant conversation about music, culture, ambition, legacy and knowing when it’s finally time to go all in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 104 - Dizzee Rascal 12.08.2026 54min

  Dizzee Rascal joins Beginning, Middle & End for an unfiltered conversation about the journey that changed British music forever.From knocking on DJ Target’s door for second-hand records to creating Boy In Da Corner, Dizzee takes Mo Gilligan behind the scenes of the grime movement, revealing how pirate radio, youth clubs and East London shaped an entire generation. He opens up about clashing on the mic, producing legendary beats, winning the Mercury Prize as a teenager, and why he never fully understood the industry’s obsession with awards.They also dive into working with Calvin Harris, touring with Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, opening the door for UK artists overseas, sneaker collaborations with Nike, and the surprising stories behind iconic moments that fans have talked about for years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 103 - The Reality of TV Fame | Scarlett Douglas 05.08.2026 55min

  From starring on A Place in the Sun and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! to performing in West End musicals and playing alongside football legends at Soccer Aid, Scarlett has packed more into one career than most people do in a lifetime. But behind the TV success are stories of rejection, resilience and rebuilding.Scarlett opens up about the harsh reality of performing arts training, why I’m A Celebrity didn’t transform her career in the way she expected, chasing opportunities in Hollywood, the challenges Black women still face in television, and how property investing became the unexpected key to her success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 102 - Nina Conti: The Puppet That Changed My Life 29.07.2026 54min

  This week, Mo sits down with one of the most unique minds in comedy – the incredible Nina Conti.From growing up in an acting dynasty to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated ventriloquists, Nina opens up about the unexpected journey that led her to comedy, the struggles of finding her true voice, and why her puppet monkey might actually know her better than she knows herself.The pair dive into the pressures of following in famous footsteps, bombing in Edinburgh, creating comedy that feels authentic, and the strange freedom that comes from hiding behind a character. Nina also reveals the emotional story behind her award-winning film, her experiences performing inside a giant monkey suit, and why she plans on taking Monkey with her into the afterlife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 101 - "Talking Saved My Life" - Professor Green 22.07.2026 1t 11min

  Professor Green has lived a hundred lives in one.From growing up on a Hackney estate and becoming one of the UK’s most respected battle rappers, to scoring a No.1 record with Read All About It, making powerful documentaries, and becoming one of the country’s most important voices on mental health, this is a conversation full of honesty.In this episode, Prof opens up about the early days of battle rap, the pressure of success, addiction, money, grief, losing his dad to suicide, and why talking about our struggles can be life-changing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 100 - How Sir Lenny Henry Changed British Comedy Forever 15.07.2026 1t 7min

  Sir Lenny Henry joins Mo Gilligan for one of the most honest conversations of his career.From growing up in Dudley as the son of Jamaican immigrants and dealing with racism on a daily basis, to becoming one of Britain's most influential comedians, Lenny reflects on the moments that shaped him, challenged him, and changed him forever.He opens up about losing family members, finding his voice in comedy, carrying the responsibility of being one of the only Black faces on British television, creating iconic characters, and making the leap from stand-up to Shakespeare. Along the way, he shares incredible stories about Comic Relief, television, acting, Buckingham Palace, and the realities of navigating fame across five decades.Funny, moving, and packed with wisdom, this is Sir Lenny Henry like you've never heard him before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 99 - Amir Khan: What Doctors Really Think (And Never Say Out Loud) 08.07.2026 1t 5min

  What’s it really like being one of Britain’s most recognisable doctors?In this episode of Beginning, Middle & End, Mo Gilligan sits down with TV doctor, GP, bestselling author and podcast host Dr Amir Khan for a funny, honest and eye-opening conversation about life inside and outside the consulting room.From delivering shocking diagnoses and unexpected pregnancies to dealing with patients who stop him in garden centres for medical advice, Amir shares the stories they never teach you in medical school. He also opens up about growing up in Bradford, navigating NHS pressures, becoming a familiar face on television, and the reality behind modern healthcare.Plus, the pair dive into social media health advice, ChatGPT diagnoses, why GP appointments feel impossible to get, and the surprising science behind nature’s impact on our mental and physical health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 98 - The Man Who Humiliated FIFA, Trump & Theresa May | Simon Brodkin 01.07.2026 50min

  Simon Brodkin joins Mo Gilligan for a hilarious and revealing conversation about one of the most unconventional careers in British comedy.Before becoming Lee Nelson, pulling off headline-making stunts on FIFA, Donald Trump and Theresa May, Simon was training to be a doctor. In this episode, he reveals why he walked away from medicine, how a homemade tape landed him on television, and the unbelievable stories behind some of the world’s most talked-about pranks.From getting recognised in a tracksuit on the streets of London to infiltrating some of the most heavily guarded events on the planet, Simon shares the planning, obsession and sheer nerve required to make global headlines.He also opens up about finding success as himself after years of performing as characters, the challenges of stand-up comedy, family life on tour, and why he’s more passionate about comedy now than ever before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 97 - Meekz Opens Up About Success, Grief & Never Giving Up 24.06.2026 58min

  In this conversation with Mo Gilligan, the Manchester rap star opens up about life behind the balaclava, the personal story behind Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, growing up in Gorton, working with Dave, performing at the BRIT Awards, and the mindset that turned SoundCloud freestyles into one of UK rap’s biggest success stories.From grief and resilience to fame, fashion, family, and the future, this is Meekz like you’ve never heard him before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EP 96 - Kamille: How A South London Girl Became Pop Music Royalty 17.06.2026 1t 1min

  From writing chart-topping hits for Dua Lipa, Little Mix, Kylie Minogue and David Guetta to building her own artist career, Kamille joins Mo Gilligan in the brand new studio.They dive into growing up in South London, writing songs in minutes, the truth behind global pop success, social media pressure, imposter syndrome, parenting, networking, and why success isn’t always what it looks like from the outside.This is a rare look inside the mind of one of the UK’s most successful songwriters—and the challenges that come with stepping into the spotlight yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 95 - Femi Koleoso on Success, Faith & Building Ezra Collective 10.06.2026 54min

  From playing drums in church and youth clubs in Enfield to winning BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize with Ezra Collective, Femi Koleoso joins Mo Gilligan for a powerful conversation about music, faith, friendship, and perseverance.They discuss the early days of Ezra Collective, life on the road, performing at the BRITs, turning down opportunities that didn’t align with their vision, and why giving back to the next generation matters more than any award.This is a conversation about staying true to yourself, building community, and creating something bigger than success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ep 94 - Dawn French: From Strip Club Gigs to National Treasure 03.06.2026 1t 8min

  Dawn French is one of Britain’s most beloved comedians, but her journey to becoming a national treasure is far more surprising than you might think.In this episode of Beginning, Middle & End, Dawn sits down with Mo Gilligan to reveal how a shared flat with Jennifer Saunders changed her life forever, the heartbreak she carried after losing her father, and the unexpected path that led her from teaching drama to performing comedy above a Soho strip club.She shares never-before-heard stories from the birth of alternative comedy, working alongside legends like Rik Mayall and Robin Williams, The Vicar of Dibley, and the friendship that has kept her and Jennifer Saunders together for over four decades.Funny, honest, moving and packed with incredible stories, this is Dawn French like you’ve never heard her before.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the world’s biggest entertainers, comedians and cultural icons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Maverick Sabre Survived the Music Industry 27.05.2026 52min

  From sofa surfing in London to chart-topping success — Maverick Sabre joins Mo Gilligan for a raw and inspiring conversation about music, hustle, and staying true to yourself.Maverick opens up about being discovered by Plan B at 17, grinding through London’s open mic scene, navigating the highs and lows of the music industry, and why he walked away from major labels to reclaim his artistry. He also shares untold stories about mentoring Jorja Smith, life on chaotic early tours, industry “angels and sharks,” and how music gave him purpose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Sophie Willan Turned Her Life Into a Hit TV Show 20.05.2026 52min

  BAFTA-winning writer and comedian Sophie Willan joins Mo Gilligan for a brutally honest and hilarious conversation about turning real life chaos into award-winning TV.From getting expelled from school after turning up drunk in a bikini, to building the hit series Alma’s Not Normal, Sophie opens up about the moments that shaped her career — including how her grandma inspired her creativity, the reality of writing a TV series from scratch, and why becoming a mother has completely changed how she looks at work.Mo and Sophie also dive into stand-up nerves, Edinburgh comedy memories, growing up in Bolton, and the gritty early days of chasing a creative career.Expect laughs, honesty, and a proper behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to turn life experience into comedy gold.Topics in this episode:Becoming a BAFTA-winning writerSophie Willan’s chaotic teenage yearsThe truth about writing TV showsEdinburgh comedy circuit storiesParenthood and creativityWhy stand-up comics are built differentlySubscribe for more conversations with the biggest voices in comedy, culture and entertainment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Vikkstar Opens Up About Money, Burnout & Building The Sidemen 13.05.2026 53min

  Vikkstar joins Beginning, Middle & End for a candid deep-dive into the journey behind one of the internet’s biggest success stories. From the early days of uploading videos and building Sidemen, to navigating fame, pressure, business moves, and staying relevant in a constantly changing digital world — this episode covers the real story behind the screens.We talk ambition, burnout, money, friendships, discipline, and what it actually takes to stay at the top for over a decade. Honest, insightful, and packed with lessons for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing something big.Whether you know him as Vikkstar123, gamer, entrepreneur, or one of the OGs of UK YouTube — this is Vikkstar like you’ve never heard him before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Tommy Fordham | I Built a £100M Brand… Then Lost Everything 06.05.2026 58min

  From labouring jobs in London to building a multi-million pound fashion brand, Tommy Fordham’s journey is anything but normal.In this episode, Tommy sits down with Mo Gilligan to talk about the reality behind success — from being cast on TOWIE and suddenly becoming famous, to building global sneaker brand Mallet and generating over £100M in sales.But the story doesn’t stop there.Tommy opens up about losing millions, starting again from scratch, being diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, and why he believes failure was the best thing that ever happened to him.This is a raw conversation about entrepreneurship, fame, mental health and what it really takes to build something from nothing.If you’re interested in business, fashion, or the mindset behind success, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.