Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

Episódios

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  Harriet Kemsley (Part One) 15.09.2026 43min

  This week Emily and Ray head to South London to meet the brilliantly funny Harriet Kemsley and her beautiful Cavapoo, Sunny.With torrential rain putting a stop to the planned walk, Harriet welcomes Emily and Ray into her home instead, where things get off to a slightly chaotic start when a questionable-looking cashew milk coffee leads Emily to secretly send a photo to ChatGPT to check it’s safe to drink.Once the coffee situation is resolved, Harriet chats about growing up on a farm, studying drama in New York and eventually overcoming her shyness to try stand-up comedy. It turned out to be a very good decision, with Harriet going on to appear in shows including Last One Laughing, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Would I Lie to You?, alongside building a hugely successful career as a live comedian.Her brand new stand-up show, Floozy, heads out on tour this autumn, with dates across the country through to February. You can book tickets now at HarrietKemsley.com.Harriet and Sunny can also be seen in the new TV series Wagging Rights, alongside Rhod Gilbert, Sara Pascoe, Kae Curd and Vicky Pattison, as they attempt to train their dogs and compete for canine bragging rights. You can catch the series on U & Dave and stream it for free on U.It’s a wonderfully funny and chaotic chat with someone Emily describes as a human serotonin boost. And despite one small toileting incident on the living room floor, Sunny proves himself to be an absolute gent.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Shazia Mirza (Part Two) 10.09.2026 35min

  In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the fabulous Shazia Mirza, there’s plenty more from one of Britain’s most distinctive and brilliantly funny comedians, as Shazia reflects on her life, career and the experiences that have shaped her comedy.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one, where Shazia talks about growing up in Birmingham, secretly pursuing stand-up while working as a science teacher, and the special role Emily’s late mum played in encouraging her at the very beginning of her comedy career.Shazia will be heading out on tour next year with a brand new show, 'Prude', so keep an eye on her Instagram, @TheShaziaMirza, for tour dates, tickets and all the latest details.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Shazia Mirza (Part One) 08.09.2026 45min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with the fabulous comedian Shazia Mirza.Emily and Shazia actually go back a long way, as when Shazia first decided to pursue comedy, she took performance lessons with Emily’s late mum, an acting teacher who became a great friend and source of encouragement. This is Shazia’s first meeting with Ray, though, and despite admitting she’s usually a little nervous around dogs, it isn’t long before he’s won her over and been officially declared Britain’s first halal dog.Shazia talks about growing up in Birmingham in a strict household with strong academic expectations, studying biochemistry at university and becoming a science teacher, before eventually realising that what she really wanted to do was stand-up. She began performing comedy in secret, and within just a few years found herself appearing on the hugely influential American programme 60 Minutes as the world’s only female Muslim stand-up comedian.Since then, Shazia has become a fixture of British comedy, appearing on shows including Have I Got News for You, QI and Would I Lie to You?, as well as memorably reducing Hugh Jackman to hysterics on The Jonathan Ross Show.It’s a funny, fascinating and at times very moving walk, particularly as Shazia remembers the support Emily’s mum gave her at the very beginning of her career. Shazia will be touring again next year, so follow her on Instagram at @TheShaziaMirza for details of upcoming shows.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Fay Ripley (Part Two) 03.09.2026 42min

  In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Fay Ripley and Apple, Fay looks back on the huge success of Cold Feet and the incredibly difficult decision she made to walk away from the show at the height of its popularity.She also tells Emily the story of how she met her husband, actor Daniel Lapaine, recalls a rather unpleasant encounter with a very famous actress, and reveals why her friendship with David Baddiel has reached the level where he feels perfectly comfortable popping round to her house for a poo.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Fay Ripley (Part One) 01.09.2026 47min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll across North London’s Parliament Hill with the wonderful Fay Ripley and her very smartly dressed dog, Apple, who arrived wearing a bow tie especially for the occasion.Fay chats about her childhood growing up in Surrey, her brilliantly named dad Beverly and the three attempts it took before she finally got into drama school. She also looks back on some of the more unusual jobs she had before acting took off, including working in a tanning salon and, rather wonderfully, as a clown.They talk about the role that changed everything, playing Jenny in Cold Feet, and how Fay dealt with suddenly becoming incredibly famous. There’s also the story of meeting her husband, actor Daniel Lapaine, and the rather surreal occasion when Fay found herself giving acting advice to Robert De Niro.And away from acting, Fay talks about her other great passion, food. She’s written three bestselling cookery books and shares how cooking became another important part of her career.It’s a wonderfully funny and unfiltered walk with one of Britain’s best-loved actors, featuring two extremely handsome dogs, some refreshingly candid thoughts on fame and a passing child who makes the grave mistake of complimenting Ray without extending the same courtesy to Apple.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Laura Aikman (Part Two) 27.08.2026 32min

  In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Laura Aikman, Laura delves into her role in the acclaimed BBC drama This City Is Ours and gives us a tantalising tease about what we can expect from her in the new series of Line of Duty.Laura also talks about a very different side of her life away from acting: her work as a volunteer for the mental health support service Shout. Since 2022, she’s taken hundreds of conversations with people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and she explains why the work has become so important to her.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you want to see Laura on stage, she stars alongside Michelle Dockery in Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, opening at Stratford East on September 3rd and running until October 10th. Tickets are available at https://www.stratfordeast.com.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Laura Aikman (Part One) 25.08.2026 35min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with the wonderful Laura Aikman and her brilliantly named French bulldog, Eric Cantona.Laura is perhaps best known to millions of Gavin & Stacey fans as Smithy’s formidable girlfriend Sonia, but her acting career stretches back much further. She chats to Emily about growing up in Hertfordshire with an actress mum and stuntman dad, becoming a child actor herself, and playing Anthony Hopkins’ daughter in Surviving Picasso.They also talk about Laura’s career in shows including Archie and the acclaimed BBC drama This City Is Ours, before getting into that unforgettable return to Gavin & Stacey. Laura reveals the extraordinary lengths she went to in order to keep her appearance in the Christmas finale secret, even from her own parents, and the hilarious reaction video that subsequently went viral.Laura also talks about her new play, Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, a contemporary reimagining of the Helen of Troy myth in which she stars alongside Michelle Dockery. It runs at Stratford East from September 3rd to October 10th, and tickets are available at https://www.stratfordeast.com.It’s a wonderfully relaxed conversation with an actress who is thankfully absolutely nothing like Sonia. Plus, the simple joy of repeatedly hearing someone shout things like “Eric Cantona, stop licking me” throughout a dog walk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Gaby Roslin (Part Two) 20.08.2026 40min

  In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Gaby Roslin, Gaby looks back on the extraordinary success of The Big Breakfast and the whirlwind of suddenly becoming one of the most recognisable faces on television.She also talks warmly about her friendship with Chris Evans, what made their partnership work, and the memories they still share from one of the most exciting and unpredictable periods of her career.The conversation then turns to Gaby’s new ITV series, The Joy of Pets, and why a programme celebrating animals and the people who love them feels like such a perfect fit. Alongside Dr Bolu Eso, Gaby travels around the country meeting remarkable pets and hearing the stories behind the bonds they share with their owners.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. The Joy of Pets begins on Sunday 23rd August on ITV, and you can also hear Gaby every Saturday morning on Magic Radio.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Gaby Roslin (Part One) 18.08.2026 44min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with one of the nation’s best-loved TV and radio presenters, Gaby Roslin.Gaby chats about growing up with her beloved staffie Bazooka, dreaming of becoming a television presenter from a very young age, and the early children’s TV jobs that eventually led to her big break co-hosting The Big Breakfast with Chris Evans.She also looks back on a remarkable career that has seen her work with everyone from Terry Wogan to the cast of Friends, and talks about why her natural curiosity and love of meeting people have remained at the heart of everything she does.Gaby is now combining two of her greatest passions in the new ITV series The Joy of Pets. Alongside pet expert Dr Bolu Eso, she travels around the country meeting extraordinary animals and the people who love them. The series begins on Sunday 23rd August on ITV. You can also hear Gaby every Saturday morning on Magic Radio.It’s a wonderfully joyful conversation full of warmth, laughter and unexpected encounters with passers-by. Gaby and Ray fall hopelessly in love almost immediately, although Ray is less than impressed when she fails to take him home at the end of the walk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Jake Bhardwaj (Part Two) 13.08.2026 38min

  In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Jake Bhardwaj, Jake takes us behind the scenes of the day Prince Harry came on Joe Marler Will See You Now, from finding out one of the most famous men in the world was going to be a guest to what he was actually like when the microphones were switched on (and off).Jake also talks about his own fascinating career shift, having spent years behind the scenes producing comedy for some of the biggest names in the business before gradually finding himself in front of the camera. He reflects on what gave him the confidence to start making his own content, and how he’s adjusted to suddenly becoming the talent rather than the person looking after it.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you’re at the Edinburgh Festival, you can catch Jake’s live show Not Another Quiz Night at the Gilded Balloon until August 30th. Tickets are available at https://www.edfringe.com.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Jake Bhardwaj (Part One) 11.08.2026 51min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with comedy creator, writer, actor, producer and quizmaster Jake Bhardwaj.You might know Jake from the hugely popular podcast Joe Marler Will See You Now, which he co-hosts with Joe Marler and has recently welcomed guests including Prince Harry. He’s also been hosting the behind-the-scenes content for Saturday Night Live UK and recently popped up in the new Diane Morgan series Ann Droid.Jake chats to Emily about the brilliantly varied route he’s taken through the comedy industry, from one of his first jobs writing questions for The Chase, to years spent working behind the scenes as a comedy producer with the likes of Romesh Ranganathan and Joe Lycett. He also reveals what finally convinced him to step in front of the camera himself, posting comedy videos online and eventually becoming a full-time performer.They also talk about Jake’s other life as a quizmaster. His live show Not Another Quiz Night has become a sell-out hit and is at the Gilded Balloon throughout the Edinburgh Festival until August 30th. Tickets are available now at https://www.edfringe.com.It’s a funny, warm and fascinating chat with someone who’s spent years grafting behind the scenes in comedy and is now very deservedly having his own moment in the spotlight. And most importantly, Jake adored Ray, so he passes the Walking The Dog test with flying colours.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Alfie Dundas (Part Two) 06.08.2026 42min

  In part two of Emily and Ray's walk with the wonderful Alfie Dundas, the conversation delves deeper into Alfie's time at Eton, the expectations that came with his upbringing, and why he eventually decided to walk away from a successful career in the tech industry to pursue stand-up comedy instead.He also talks about his debut Edinburgh show, First Class Panic, and the experiences that inspired it, as well as what it's really like making the leap into comedy full-time.If you haven't already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you're heading to this year's Edinburgh Festival, don't miss First Class Panic at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 5th to 30th. Tickets are available now at https://www.edfringe.com.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Alfie Dundas (Part One) 04.08.2026 38min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with one of comedy's fastest-rising stars, Alfie Dundas.With more than 100 million views across social media, Alfie has quickly built a huge following for his brilliantly observed comedy. But away from the internet, Emily discovers the story behind the jokes, from growing up in London as the grandson of a Marquess, to his years at Eton, studying economics at university, and the decision to swap a conventional career for life as a stand-up comedian.Alfie also talks about his Edinburgh Fringe show, First Class Panic, which heads to the Pleasance Courtyard from August 5th to 30th. If you're heading to Edinburgh this summer, it's well worth catching. Tickets are available now at https://www.edfringe.com.It's a funny, thoughtful and surprisingly self-deprecating conversation with a comedian who's as charming off stage as he is on it. And despite Ray's obvious excitement at meeting someone with an even posher pedigree than his own, Alfie somehow manages to steal the show.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sarah Hadland (Part Two) 30.07.2026 42min

  In part two of Emily and Ray's chat with the wonderful Sarah Hadland, Sarah looks back on the extraordinary success of Miranda, the friendships that came from the show, and what it was like being part of one of Britain's most beloved sitcoms.She also talks about taking on Strictly Come Dancing, the confidence the experience gave her, and why she's still happiest when she's performing, whether that's on stage, on screen or in front of a live audience. Along the way, she shares more stories from a career that's taken her from musical theatre to comedy classics and everything in between.If you haven't already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you'd like to see Sarah on stage, she's currently starring alongside Stephen Mangan in The Truth at London's Apollo Theatre until 12th September. Tickets are available at https://www.apollotheatre.co.uk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sarah Hadland (Part One) 28.07.2026 31min

  This week Emily and Ray are joined by acting and comedy icon Sarah Hadland. With the summer heat proving a little too much for Ray, this week's chat takes place indoors at Acast HQ, where Ray makes rather more of an impression than anyone had planned...Sarah reflects on her early years, from performing an Elvis impression as a child in her sister's dungarees to leaving home at just 16 to attend drama school. She also talks about her years in musical theatre, the realities of life as a jobbing actor, and how everything changed when she was cast as Stevie in the much-loved sitcom Miranda.Sarah is currently starring alongside, former Walking the Dog guest, Stephen Mangan in the critically acclaimed dark comedy The Truth at London's Apollo Theatre. The production runs until 12th September, with tickets available at https://www.apollotheatre.co.uk.It's a joyful, funny and wonderfully honest conversation with one of Britain's most beloved performers. Sarah's warmth is impossible to miss, and despite Ray's best efforts to get them banned from Acast's offices forever, she somehow still seems delighted to spend time with him.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sian Welby (Part Two) 23.07.2026 48min

  In part two of Emily and Ray's walk with Sian Welby, Sian reflects on her journey into radio, the path that led her to the Capital Breakfast Show, and what it's really like waking up before dawn to host one of the UK's biggest breakfast programmes.The conversation also becomes deeply personal as Sian speaks with honesty and warmth about her father's dementia diagnosis, the challenges it has brought to her family, and the importance of talking openly about an illness that affects so many people. It's a moving and thoughtful discussion that will resonate with anyone who has experienced dementia in their own family.If you haven't already, do go back and listen to part one. It's a wonderful conversation about Sian's career, from weather presenting to breakfast radio, as well as the people, jobs and experiences that shaped her along the way.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sian Welby (Part One) 21.07.2026 46min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll through Regent's Park with TV and radio presenter and co-host of the Capital Breakfast Show Sian Welby.Fresh from finishing another morning show, Sian somehow arrives full of energy, and over the course of the walk she chats to Emily about growing up in Nottingham, the work ethic her parents instilled in her, and the years she spent juggling a job at New Look alongside the early stages of her broadcasting career.Sian also shares the story of how Peter Andre unexpectedly played a part in changing her life, her first break as a TV weather presenter, and the mischievous Star Wars references she used to sneak into her forecasts before eventually landing her dream job on the Capital Breakfast Show.The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Sian opens up about her dad's dementia diagnosis and how she and her family have learned to navigate it together. It's an honest and moving discussion that will resonate with anyone whose family has been affected by dementia.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sophie Garrad (Part Two) 16.07.2026 37min

  In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the brilliant Sophie Garrad, Sophie shares the story of a truly unforgettable gig in Birmingham and explains, with tongue firmly in cheek, why she's now reluctant to accept comedy bookings north of Milton Keynes.The conversation also turns to the realities of building a career online, the jobs Sophie had before comedy took over, and the wonderfully unconventional family that helped shape her brilliantly original sense of humour.If you haven’t already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you're heading to this year's Edinburgh Festival, don't miss Sophie's new show, A Period Drama, at the Pleasance Dome from August 7th to 30th. Tickets are available at https://www.pleasance.co.uk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sophie Garrad (Part One) 14.07.2026 37min

  This week Emily and Ray take a stroll through Regent's Park with comedian and content creator Sophie Garrad.Running on very little sleep after staying up to watch England's late-night World Cup match, Emily is relieved to discover that Sophie arrives with enough energy for the both of them. The pair chat about Sophie's fascinating upbringing, which, despite appearing glamorous from the outside, was shaped by her father's imprisonment, an experience she now explores with honesty and humour in her stand-up.They also discuss Sophie's decision to pursue comedy, the creation of her hugely popular online characters, including Private School Mum, and how her sketches have gone on to attract more than 100 million views across social media.Sophie's new Edinburgh show, A Period Drama, runs at the Pleasance Dome from August 7th to 30th. Tickets are available now at https://www.pleasance.co.uk.It's a funny, candid and hugely uplifting conversation with a comedian whose warmth and infectious energy shine through from the moment she arrives. And while Emily may have been sleep-deprived, Sophie more than made up for it, proving herself to be the human equivalent of a double espresso.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Dan Tiernan (Part Two) 09.07.2026 54min

  In part two of Emily's walk with the brilliant Dan Tiernan, the conversation takes a more personal turn as Dan opens up about his sister's leukaemia diagnosis, the impact it had on his family, and how her resilience has shaped his outlook on life.They also chat about his latest stand-up show, Quartz and All, why it's his most personal hour yet, and how he's learned to turn life's more difficult moments into comedy without ever losing sight of the people behind the stories.If you haven't already, do go back and listen to part one. And if you'd like to see Dan live, Quartz and All is at the Edinburgh Festival throughout August before touring the UK. Tickets and dates are available at https://www.dantiernan.co.uk.Follow Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadeanX: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Will NicholsMusic: Rich JarmanArtwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.