Comfort Eating with Grace Dent

For the last time this series Grace opens her door to another Comfort Eating guest, and to finish in style she welcomes James Norton into her home to discuss all things delicious. James is best known for his portrayal of the despicable Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, and other star roles include Grantchester, Little Women, and War & Peace. However, there’s lots 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

This week, 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

Happy holidays friends! Just a quick message from Grace to say no new episode of Comfort Eating today, as she’s at home on the couch eating cold roasties and stuffing sarnies, enjoying all the Christmas telly. However, fear not, Comfort Eating will be back in the new year!

Roll up, roll up, for an unprecedented Comfort Eating event as we bring you not one but two very special guests … Yes that’s right, parking their sleigh outside Grace’s house we have world-renowned singers, entertainers, and the unofficial Kings of Christmas, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe joining us for a fantastically festive episode. Both hugely successful in their own rights, Michael and Alfie have been making music and topping the charts together since 2016, with multiple UK album No 1s to their name, as well as arena tours, TV specials, and Brit awards in tow. In this special Yuletide episode, Alfie and Michael reflect on Christmases gone by, their thoughts on carol singers, who’s the best gift-giver and, of course, the comfort foods that see them through Chrimbo every year

Grace’s guest this week is the Bafta award winning director Amma Asante. From her critically acclaimed films such as Belle, and A United Kingdom, to her work on TV shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Mrs America, Amma is a giant of the film-making world. She pops round to Grace’s to discuss her teenage days on the set of Grange Hill, how she fell in love at the Europol canteen, and the importance of Mr Kipling. And, of course, the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

This week, knocking on Grace’s door is actual rockstar Gaz Coombes. Gaz has sold millions of records around the world, both as the lead singer of Supergrass and as a critically acclaimed solo artist. He joins Grace to chat about his days overseeing Harvester’s coveted salad bar, late-night cheese boards and, as he prepares to release his fourth solo album, the meals that stand out from his days touring the world. And, as ever, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Grace’s guest this week is Georgia Pritchett, the genius behind many of the shows we watch on the telly when we’ve whipped up our bowl of comforting goodness. She is currently a writer on the award winning satirical black comedy-drama Succession, which follows the disturbing and dastardly lives of media conglomerate family the Logans. Georgia’s past work includes The Thick of It, Miranda, Have I Got News For You, and Veep. She joins Grace to discuss the perils of snacking while breastfeeding, the dangers of fizzy paté, and the importance of dining out alone. And, of course, the food that has comforted Georgia along the way

Cha Cha Cha-ing her way into Grace’s house this week is comedian and one of this 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

Knocking on Grace’s door this week is the doctor-turned-writer Adam Kay, whose memoir This is Going to Hurt was loved by critics and readers alike, making it the UK’s second-most-sold book in 2018. Adam and Grace discuss the fast pace and poor food of life on a gynaecology ward, his favourite motorway service station snack, and his struggle with disordered eating. And of course, the comfort foods he turns to today

Jaime Winstone is Grace’s guest this week, coming round for a chat and a hearty portion of her ultimate comfort snack. Jaime is an actor, known for roles in films such as Kidulthood, Made in Dagenham, and Tomb Raider. The pair discuss the wild days and nights of Jamie’s party girl years, filmset food, and life with a famous dad: Ray Winstone. And of course, the comfort foods that saw Jaime through it all

Furniture restorer and television presenter Jay Blades pops round Grace’s for a helping of his ultimate comfort food. The two of them talk about the highs and the lows of Jay’s Hackney childhood, his lasting passion for school dinners, the mental health breakdown he experienced in 2015 and how he’s found joy on the set of his smash-hit show The Repair Shop. And, of course, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Grace’s guest this week is the writer Malorie Blackman, former children’s laureate and author of some of the UK’s most beloved young adult books. They discuss Malorie’s childhood, including a period spent in a homeless shelter, how her husband wooed her with food, and the snacks that help her celebrate her Bajan heritage. And of course, she reveals the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Grace Dent is back for a fourth course of Comfort Eating, and her first guest of the new season is Dawn O’Porter, writer and TV presenter. The pair chow down over Dawn’s favourite snack, as she tells Grace about a bohemian childhood in Guernsey, how her passion for oysters ended in undignified disaster, and how she found love on a dancefloor with the Hollywood A-lister who became her husband

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for a fourth course on 18 October. Join her and celebrity guests, such as Graham Norton and Dawn O’Porter, as they reveal the comfort foods that have seen them through the good times, bad times, and everything in between

As season three comes to an end, Grace brings you a special bonus episode, recorded live at the Podcast Festival in London, with the cheekiest chap from Chelsea, Jamie Laing. The pair discuss his childhood on a farm, boarding school canteen hierarchies, and how food-shame affects men. And Jamie recounts his first memories of moving to Leeds.

Season three is ending with a bang, as Eastenders actor and all-round hun Natalie Cassidy pops over for a chat. She and Grace remember the 90s London club scene, discuss the perils of having a fitness DVD, and how being part of a soap for 29 years shapes your identity. And, Natalie lets Grace in on the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Grace’s guest this week is the singer Neneh Cherry. She tells Grace about the perils of growing up with vegetarian parents, moving to London aged 16, and turning away from pop stardom at the height of her fame. And she reveals the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Next over to Grace’s house is the former long jumper Greg Rutherford, who’s won gold medals at Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth level. He tells Grace about growing up in a conservative religious household, being brought home by the police as a teen, and how he turned it round to become one of Britain’s most successful athletes of all time

The legendary drum’n’bass DJ Goldie has flown into London for summer performance dates, but first he stops by Grace’s living room. They discuss growing up in care, letting rave life get on top of you, and his new life with his wife and child in Thailand. And, as always, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Grace meets former athlete and current House of Lords peer Tanni Grey-Thompson, who introduces her to a snack less highbrow than you might expect. They discuss how to blag the most from being a baroness, what it’s like to be ‘the greatest’ athlete in your field, and the surprising matching tattoos she shares with her husband. And, as usual, she reveals what comfort foods have seen her through it all

Grace’s guest this week is the Irish novelist Marian Keyes. They discuss the joys of going feral when home alone, Marian’s childhood trips to stare at empty runways and how baking helped her through serious depression. And she reveals which comfort foods have seen her through it all

Grace has a call from across the pond as she and the legendary singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright talk all things Comfort Eating. He tells her about going to a preppy boarding school, becoming addicted to crystal meth, and having his daughter via surrogacy with his husband. And, as always, he reveals the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Next round for a plate of comforting carbs is actor Saoirse-Monica Jackson. She tells Grace about secret drinking as a school student, living in a haunted hotel in Donegal, and her dad’s ‘awful’ cooking. And of course, she shares the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Double Bafta winner Big Zuu goes round to Grace’s house for a plate of his ultimate comfort food. They talk about his ‘scandalous’ mother, growing up between extreme wealth and poverty, and the wild success of his show Big Zuu’s Big Eats. And, of course, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

For the third episode of season three of Comfort Eating, Grace welcomes the Ridley Road, Ray Donovan and Sherlock actor Eddie Marsan round to hers. They talk about his upbringing in the East End, his changing relationship with his own appearance, and falling in love with his wife while playing a pig. And he lets Grace in on all the comfort foods that have seen him through

Next over to Grace’s kitchen is the pop star Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem. Their riotous afternoon includes ‘northern women eating carbs’, the joy of buying expensive jumpers, and some unexpected tears. And, as always, Self Esteem revels in the comfort foods that have seen her through her life and music career

Grace Dent is back for third helpings of Comfort Eating, and her first guest of the season is James May, co-presenter of The Grand Tour. The pair chow down over the ex-Top Gear star’s favourite snack, as he tells Grace about his childhood in Rotherham, inability to share food and how a ‘catastrophic lack of ambition’ led him to be one of the UK’s most popular broadcasters

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for third helpings on 17 May. Join her and celebrity guests as they reveal the comfort foods that have seen them through in the third series You can see Grace Dent on Comfort Eating live at the Podcast Show on 25 May, with special guest Jamie Laing. Tickets can be found here

Grace’s final guest for season two of Comfort Eating is the Elbow frontman Guy Garvey. He tells Grace about growing up as one of seven, coping with stage fright through booze, learning to be comfortable in restaurants in his 40s, and the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Grace’s first fellow Cumbrian guest on Comfort Eating comes in the form of TV cook and hairy biker Dave Myers. He tells Grace about – ironically – losing all his hair aged eight, his years as a makeup artist, working in the steelyards of Barrow-in-Furness, and the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Jo Brand is next round for Comfort Eating, and she brings a snack with her that Grace ‘devours like a wild animal’. She tells Grace about her rebellious years after being kicked out by her parents, the fun of the 1980s comedy scene, and the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Grace’s guest on this festive edition of Comfort Eating is the musician Craig David. He talks about his favourite Christmas presents, the magic of childhood Blockbuster trips, his strange times in Miami, and the comfort foods that have seen him through

Grace’s Comfort Eating guest this week is the comedian Fern Brady. She tells Grace about growing up in a strict Catholic household, working in a strip club, being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and the comfort foods that have seen her through

Next over to Grace’s is award-winning author Bernardine Evaristo. She talks about being fed as one of eight children, her bohemian years filled with art and sex, and the comfort foods that have seen her through. She also reveals what she ate to celebrate Girl, Woman, Other winning the Booker prize, and it’s not as fancy as you might expect

Grace’s Comfort Eating guest this week is the former politician Tom Watson. The pair talk about his life – after she has to run to the kitchen to spit out the food he brought round. They talk about growing up on cheese toasties, the Jeremy Corbyn years, and how Watson, at the aged of 54, realised he has an eating disorder

Grace’s Comfort Eating guest is comedian Rosie Jones. She and Grace sit down to talk family, friends and the comfort foods that have seen them through. Rosie tells Grace about orgies, sausage rolls, and what it’s like to be disabled – and constantly hungover – at university

Grace is out and about this week as she enters her guest’s home for a change. She talks to Laura Whitmore about her childhood in Ireland, being a young journalist in London, Love Island, and the comfort foods that have seen her through it all. They also discuss the death of her friend and fellow presenter Caroline Flack, and Laura’s own experiences navigating the tabloid press

Grace’s guest this week is the comedian, actor and writer Desiree Burch. She sits at Grace’s table to discuss family, work, and the foods that have seen her through. They discuss attuning American tastebuds to British comfort foods, the joy of post-church fried chicken, and what to eat while wearing a dominatrix corset

Next round to Grace’s dining room is the actor Russell Tovey. Over a bowl of his favourite childhood treat, he tells Grace about his upbringing in Essex, embarrassing acting scenes, reconnecting with his partner – and the comfort foods that have seen him through

Grace’s first guest on season two of Comfort Eating – recorded at Grace’s house – is Stephen Fry. They talk about his childhood, memories of prison, cooking for his husband – and the comfort foods that have seen him through

Get ready for the second season of the Guardian’s much-loved food podcast, Comfort Eating. Join Grace Dent as she welcomes more famous guests – including Stephen Fry, Desiree Burch and Russell Tovey – into her home to share their favourite comfort foods. Join them every Tuesday as they talk about family, friends and the foods that have seen them through.

Grace’s guest on the season finale of Comfort Eating is the Dragons’ Den star and business owner Deborah Meaden. She tells Grace about her lifelong love of stodgy food, questionable sandwiches and life with her husband, Paul

Grace Dent’s guest this week is the satirist, comedian and presenter Munya Chawawa. He tells Grace about growing up in Zimbabwe, his now infamous takes on the week’s news and the comfort foods that have seen him through tough times

Grace’s guest is the actor, comedian and creator of This Way Up, Aisling Bea. She talks about her childhood in an Irish horsing community, being raised almost entirely by women, becoming successful later in life – and the comfort foods that have seen her through. She also turns the tables on Grace, subjecting the host’s fridge to a Ready Steady Cook challenge

Grace’s guest on Comfort Eating this week is one of the most famous faces on Channel 4 News for more than 20 years, Krishnan Guru-Murthy. He talks about some of the most important moments in his life – and the comfort food that has seen him through them. They discuss food before marriage, dancing to Jamiroquai and annoying Hollywood stars

Grace’s guest on Comfort Eating this week is the award-winning author Candice Carty-Williams, who talks about some of the most important moments in her life – and the comfort food that has seen her through them. They discuss star signs, being the ‘naughty’ kid at school and how a fridge full of someone else’s food helped Candice write the first draft of her debut novel, Queenie

Grace’s guest on Comfort Eating this week is drag superstar Lawrence Chaney. He joins Grace over video and presents her with her favourite snack of the series so far. They bond over a mutual love of Joan Rivers, the fun and fast food late-night Glasgow has to offer, and discuss what winning a show like Drag Race means to someone who’s experienced bullying all their life

This week, Grace Dent sits down with the star of Derry Girls, the actor and TV presenter Siobhán McSweeney, who reminisces about the golden years of Cork’s rave scene, onstage laughing fits and what happened after her life literally burned to the ground. And, as always, she reveals the comfort foods that saw her through each of these moments

This week on Comfort Eating, Grace Dent is joined by Scarlett Moffatt, who tells Grace about some of the most important moments in her life – and the comfort food that has seen her through them. She talks to Grace about being a ‘peculiar’ child in County Durham, navigating accidental celebrity and the loneliness of London. Grace gives her ‘most judge-y face’ of the series so far in response to Scarlett’s unusual comfort concoction

In episode four of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, Mae Martin tells Grace about some of the most important moments in their life – and the comfort food that has seen them through them. Mae tells Grace about the childhood joy of a freshly made souvlaki, the role cooking played in their recovery from drug addiction, and their Netflix series Feel Good

In episode three of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, Rafe Spall tells Grace about some of the most important moments in his life – and the comfort food that has seen him through them. He and Grace drink martinis and talk about their Indian takeaway order, the bizarre memories he has of school lunches, and the pressures he feels as a male actor to maintain a certain body shape Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is released weekly on Tuesdays

In this episode of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, comedian Nish Kumar tells Grace about some of the most important moments in his life - and the comfort food that has seen him through them. They lament the ‘golden years’ of Pizza Hut, discuss the ‘spicy’ period during his twenties, and Nish tells Grace how it feels to be pelted with a bread roll for his views on Brexit Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will be released weekly on Tuesdays How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know

In this first episode of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, 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 Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will be released weekly on Tuesdays

Get ready for Comfort Eating with the Guardian’s food critic Grace Dent, where she sits down with celebrity guests and asks them to lift the lid on their favourite comfort foods. Join her for warm, funny and often poignant conversations about the snacks they turn to in good times and bad. It turns out you can tell a lot about a person from what they eat behind closed doors The first episode of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent launches on Tuesday 15 June