Class Clown

Here Comes Trouble

Part nostalgia trip, part confessional, part masterclass in unconventional success—this is no ordinary interview podcast. In Class Clown, Seann Walsh chats to the boldest rule-breakers in entertainment, uncovering the wild tales of childhood chaos, brushes with disaster, and the personal battles that shaped them. But beneath the mischief lies a powerful thread—how the very traits that caused trouble early on became the unexpected fuel for their biggest achievements. Expect laugh-out-loud memories, raw moments of vulnerability, and the kind of hard-won wisdom you won't hear anywhere else.

EXEC PRODUCER: Seann Walsh & Adam Horton

PRODUCER/EDITOR: Adam Horton

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed

21 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes21

Newest first

Sunday · 52 min
JOSH PUGH: How Playing Sports Helped Me With Comedy & Inspiration for New Sitcom
Josh Pugh is back and this time the comedian and ex-England partially-sighted football player reveals how his enthusiasm taught him valuable lessons that helped him with his life and comedy career. He also talks about how he felt directionless at the early stages of his career and talks about how he came to find the inspiration for his forthcoming sit-com Stepping Up. Check out the new ⁠Class Clown merch store and grab yourself a hat, T-Shirt or a Mug⁠! https://classclownpodcast.myshopify.com/ See Seann Walsh on the next leg of his This Is Torture tour! https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 26 · 49 min
JOSH PUGH: Mad Benidorm Comedians, Embarrassing Childhood Fantasies, Being Sent to A “Special” School
The brilliant Josh Pugh joins Seann walsh for this week's Class Clown where he talks growing up in the Midlands, the hilarious teenage fantasies he had about finding musical success, his comedy influences including Stewart Lee, Lee Evans and a mad performer in Benidorm. Plus he reveals how being sent to a special school due to being partially sighted disrupted his school life. Check out the new ⁠Class Clown merch store and grab yourself a hat, T-Shirt or a Mug⁠! https://classclownpodcast.myshopify.com/ See Seann Walsh on the next leg of his This Is Torture tour! https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 19 · 48 min
PHIL ELLIS: Arrested by Armed Police, Disastrous Red Dwarf Audition, Airbag Factory Beginnings
Phil Ellis is back and this time he talks his early film making ambitions which leads to a hilarious tale of him being arrested by armed police, he also shares what's the exact thing you shouldn't do if you get the chance to audition for Red Dwarf and talks his early days working in an air bag factory. See Phil at Edinburgh and on his Bath Mat tour! https://www.philelliscomedy.com/ See Seann on the Autumn leg of his This Is Torture! Tour https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 12 · 49 min
PHIL ELLIS: Fighting at School, Rik Mayall and Growing Up in Preston
Taskmaster contestant and Edinburgh comedy legend Phil Ellis joins Seann Walsh to talk all things boyhood, including the influence of his comedy hero Rik Mayall (and a lovely story about when they met!), why he was constantly getting into fight as a young lad and what it was like living in Preston. See Phil at Edinburgh and on his Bath Mat tour! See Seann on the Autumn leg of his This Is Torture! Tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 5 · 33 min
NATALIE CASSIDY: Comedy Dreams, Rough Tabloid Treatment, Being Desperate To Leave School
Natalie Cassidy is back! This time talking the what it's like being scrutinised by the tabloid press while going through your teens and young adulthood and the knock on effect that had at school where she had a tough time balancing her natural inclination to be studious but also hang out with the naughtier kids. She also reveals her stand up comedy aspirations! Get £10 off at TaskRabbit using the code classclown at checkout Get Exclusive Content With Natalie on Patreon where she answers Your Questions Check Out Natalie's New Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 5 · 52 min
NATALIE CASSIDY: Being An Eastenders Icon at 10, Clubbing at 15 and Her Love of Art
Natalie Cassidy joins Seann Walsh to discuss what it's like coming from a working class background and achieving incredible fame at just 10 years old. We get into what it's like growing up in a world full of adults, getting access to high end night life when you are barely 15 and how she's developed a love of art and museums. Part 2 Available On Patreon With Exclusive Content!: https://www.patreon.com/ClassClown Seann ⁠Walsh on Tour This Autumn⁠! https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Check out Natalie's new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/cw/LifewithNatPod Every self-made person started somewhere. Your journey starts for free at shopify.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 21 · 37 min
PETER SERAFINOWICZ: Buddhism, Therapy and How I Broke Into Showbiz
Comedian and Genius Impressionist Peter Serafinowicz talks about his relationship with AA, the influence of Philosopher Alan Watts, coming from a working class family that turned into a comedy dynasty. He also talks about having to have some kind of love for people you impersonate, revealing a dream he had about Andrew Tate that gave him some empathy for the man and shows off fantastic Elvis and Paul McCartney impersonations. Check out the new ⁠Class Clown merch store and grab yourself a hat, T-Shirt or a Mug⁠! https://classclownpodcast.myshopify.com/ If you enjoyed this get EVEN MORE WITH PETER, that you won't hear anywhere else, over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ClassClown See Seann ⁠Walsh on Tour This Autumn⁠!https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 14 · 37 min
PETER SERAFINOWICZ: From Liverpool Council Estate To Star Wars, Marvel & Comedy Fame
Peter Serfinowicz has one of the most envious CVs in comedy: South Park, Shaun of The Dead, Star Wars, Guardians Of The Galaxy, John Wick, The Tick, Alan Partridge, Rick & Morty, The Simpsons, as well as creating his own iconic characters such as Brian Butterfield. In this episode we get into his early ability to mimic, his ADHD, the influence of Spike Milligan and how he went from a council estate in Liverpool as a Star Wars obsessed kid who later went on to fulfill his dream and land the role as the voice of Darth Maul in Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (Something he describes as being the biggest disappointment of his life!). We also get into why he fell in love with Eric Idle's The Rutles before getting into The Beatles. Check out the new Class Clown merch store and grab yourself a hat, T-Shirt or a Mug! Listen to Part 2 with Peter Serfinowicz right now AND get exclusive extra content you won't hear ANYWHERE ELSE! See Seann Walsh on Tour This Autumn! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 7 · 49 min
DOM JOLY: The Joke That Ended my BBC Career, Getting Fired as Journalist & Being A Diplomat
Dom is back for part 2 where he reveals how he broke into the TV industry via MTV and The Paramount Comedy channel, the VERY EXPENSIVE gag that ended his relationship with the BBC and his early career as an international diplomat. Hear Dom's Brutal Verdict on the US version of Trigger Happy TV over on Patreon plus his thoughts on the Yeti and big Foot: https://www.patreon.com/c/ClassClown See Seann Walsh Live On Tour! https://www.seannwalsh.com/ And See Dom on his Trigger Happy tour! https://www.domjoly.tv/live/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 31 · 51 min
DOM JOLY: How A Panic Attack Almost derailed Trigger Happy TV & Why He hates the Word Prank
The brilliant Dom Joly joins Seann Walsh to talk about growing up in Beirut, suffering with a massive panic attack while inter-railing, (an affliction that almost ended Trigger Happy TV before it even began!), how he sees himself primarily as an absurdist and why he dislikes the word prank. Watch part 2 right now on Patreon! See Seann Walsh Live On Tour! And See Dom on his Trigger Happy tour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 26 · 30 min
Red Richardson: Interview Analysis With Dr Natalie Cawley
As we approach our 1 year anniversary of Class Clown we look back on some of our favourite interviews from the last year with the help of Psychiatrist Dr Natalie Cawley, who pulls out key themes from our episodes, while Seann shares how he relates to those themes. This episode looks back at our brilliant interview with the hilarious RED RICHARDSON! If you missed it, check out our original interview with Red here. And check out Red's incredible special BUGATTI LIVE! You can grab Dr Cawley's amazing book JUST ABOUT COPING here. And see Seann Walsh LIVE! on his brand new tour, by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 24 · 1 hr 11 min
JAKE LAMBERT: Slough To Social Media Stardom & Ricky Gervais Inspiration
Jake Lambert is a social media comedy superstar, who has featured on all our timelines with his sharp and satirical observations on everyday life. In this episode we talk about growing up in Slough with a childhood filled with eccentric characters, how his mum encouraged him to be exceed his surroundings, the influence of Ricky Gervais and how he very nearly became a policeman instead of pursuing his now wildly successful career in comedy. See Seann Walsh LIVE on his This Is Torture! tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 18 · 42 min
FATIHA EL-GHORRI: Working 9-5 AND gigging 6 nights a week
Fatiha El-Ghorri (Taskmaster, Mr Big Stuff) joins Seann Walsh to talk about her incredible journey to comedy success. From losing her Dad at a young age and growing up in a household with 12 other brothers and sisters to going through two divorces and eventually ending up homeless, Fatiha then found success on the comedy circuit, quickly becoming one of the most beloved and distinct voices in the UK. Access Part 2 right Now along with exclusive content with Fatiha: https://www.patreon.com/c/ClassClown Catch Fatiha on her Cockney Stacking Doll Tour! https://www.fatihaelghorri.co.uk/events See Seann Walsh live on his This Is Torture tour! https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 10 · 57 min
FATIHA EL-GHORRI: From Homelessness & Two Divorces To Living Her Comedy Dream
Fatiha El-Ghorri (Taskmaster, Mr Big Stuff) joins Seann Walsh to talk about her incredible journey to comedy success. From losing her Dad at a young age and growing up in a household with 12 other brothers and sisters to going through two divorces and eventually ending up homeless, Fatiha then found success on the comedy circuit, quickly becoming one of the most beloved and distinct voices in the UK. Access Part 2 right Now along with exclusive content with Fatiha: https://www.patreon.com/c/ClassClown Catch Fatiha on her Cockney Stacking Doll Tour! https://www.fatihaelghorri.co.uk/events See Seann Walsh live on his This Is Torture tour! https://www.seannwalsh.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 3 · 40 min
HARRY HILL: The Benefits Of Failing & Going To School In Hong Kong
Harry Hill is back for more and talks about the influence of studying in Hong Kong as a teenager, the teacher/news reader who offered him encouragement and why failing as a doctor actually proved to be hugely beneficial! Check Out Part 2 of our Harry Hill interview here and get access to him answering your questions⁠! Get Tickets to ⁠see Seann live on his This Is Torture! Tour⁠ Don't forget to check out Harry's new podcast The Harry Hill Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 26 · 51 min
HARRY HILL: Tough Early Shows, Gigging With Al Murray & Innate Understanding Of Jokes
Harry Hill sits down with Seann Walsh and discusses navigating the eccentric characters on the circuit in his early performing days, how he fell in love with comedy and his innate understanding of jokes, a formative early experience performing in a panto and his early days as a doctor. He also talks about the advice he gave a young Al Murray, how he found his early stage time and whether his parents experience in Am Dram possibly helped plant the possibility of a career in performance. Check Out Part 2 of our Harry Hill interview here and get access to him answering your questions! Get Tickets to see Seann live on his This Is Torture! Tour Don't forget to check out Harry's new podcast The Harry Hill Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 20 · 43 min
AL MURRAY: Harry Hill's advice "Stop Being Lazy!" & Secrets Of The Pub Landlord
Al Murray is back for Part 2 where he reveals all about the secrets of The Pub Landlord, how Harry Hill's advice put him on the path to success, why he doesn't perform stand up out of character and why he doesn't feel cut out for panel shows... Use promo code classclown and try Ship Station free for sixty days! Check out some Patreon exclusive content with Al in which he answers your questions, shares early drinking stories and talks about drumming alongside his hero Phil Collins Check out Al's WWII podcast We Have Ways Of Making You Talk See Seann on hos new This Is Torture tour! Tickets Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 12 · 46 min
AL MURRAY: I Have To Fight Being A Conformist
Al Murray joins us to talk about his uni days with Stewart Lee and Richard Herring, boarding school's similarities to Lord Of the Flies, his first job sweeping floors in factories, why he has to fight being a natural conformist and his early days gigging with a set that was based around performing sound FX... Here Part 2 with Al right now and access exclusive bonus content here! See Seann Walsh on tour! Get This Is Torture Tickets! Check Out Al Murray's History podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 5 · 1 hr 21 min
JANINE HAROUNI: Bullying Shaped My Comedy
Janine Harouni has appeared on everything from The Last Leg and Live At The Apollo to Mock The Week and Have A Word. Born and raised in the the working class mobbed-up New York borough of Staten Island, Janine moved to the UK to pursue acting before becoming one of the fastest rising stars on the UK comedy scene. Janine joins Seann Walsh to talk about how going to an all girls school and finding herself ostracized after getting the whole year in trouble helped shape her as a comedian, as well a sthe influence of her brothers. She also talks about the brutal car accident that left her near paralysed inspired her to pursue her performance career and how it helped heal a rift with her ultra conservative father. Catch Janine on her current tour, This Is What You Waited For, here! Get tickets to Seann Walsh on his latest This Is Torture tour, here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 29 · 52 min
RHYS JAMES: Serial Lying, Testing Personas & Comedy Origin Story
The brilliant Rhys James joins us to talk all things youth and how his childhood experiences made him the comedian he is today - from trying on different personas, lying about pointless things to fit (including a cracking story about lying about his body count to a doctor!), being "de-bagged" in front of the fittest girl at his school while he an Seann also reminisce about the wonders of see through furniture and tech. Get tickets for Rhys' new tour here and while you are at it grab a copy of his wonderful book, You'll Like It When You get There, while you are at it! And Don't forget to check out Seann's brand new show, This Is Torture! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices