It's the last-ever It's Friday so Jim White and co-hosts Jaci Stephen, Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell muse on their favourite movie and TV endings (and look back over a year of the podcast). Plus, Jim White interviews Lord Michael Cashman on THAT kiss on Eastenders - and why all politicians need a touch of the actor in them. 

It's Friday! with Jim White

Lord Michael Cashman on going from Albert Square to Parliament Square

Soul singer Kiki Dee gives Jim White the lowdown on her duets with Elton John and why she still sounds good after a career spanning six decades. Plus, as Ant and Dec return to our screens, Jim White, Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell debate the thorny topic of who is the greatest double act of all time (clue: they're female and British). 

Kiki Dee on still sounding good in your 70s (and why she always kills Elton John's Christmas presents)

Jim White talks to thriller writer Mark Billingham on taking his detective back to the 90s for his latest novel, and the surprising success of the band he formed with crime writers including Val McDermid and Chris Brookmyre. Plus, Jim, Jaci Stephens and Brian Viner discuss some long-delayed (and welcome) showbiz comebacks. 

Thriller king Mark Billingham on his 20th novel (and his band the Fun Loving Crime Writers)

Jim White talks to comedian Ian Stone about his book, To Be Someone, which takes a sideways look at growing up in '70s Britain and listening to The Jam. Plus, Claudia Connell, Jaci Stephen and Adrian Thrills chew over this week's best music, film and TV.

Comedian Ian Stone on how The Jam electrified a generation

As Ronan Keating returns with a new album, Jim White, Claudia Connell and Brian Viner discuss the time Claudia met him (and was very disappointed). Jim speaks to crime queen Val McDermid, who has sold 16 million novels and inspired TV series such as Wire in the Blood, about writing in lockdown (and choosing the 'right' level of violence in a whodunnit).

Queen of crime Val McDermid on how lockdown inspired her next novel

Jim White talks to actor Nigel Planer about how lockdown has destroyed the lives of self-employed actors, and about his early days in comedy clubs where people didn't boo... they threw ashtrays. Plus, Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Jaci Stephen chew over this week's best film and TV releases (and some delicious Stateside gossip).

Nigel Planer on how lockdown has devastated Britain's theatre industry

Jim White talks to crime author Peter James about his ‘back to front’ writing technique where he sits down to write at 6pm with a vodka martini. Plus, as Robbie Williams and Liam Gallagher finally bury the hatchet, Brian Viner, Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell pick their favourite showbiz feuds of all time, from Lady Gaga versus Madonna to Joan Crawford versus Bette Davis.   

Peter James on why he follows Hemingway’s advice: ‘Write drunk, edit sober’

As cinemas reopen (minus the pick 'n' mix), Jim White, Claudia Connell and Brian Viner look at the entertainment on offer and wonder whether it will be enough to tempt Britain back away from the sofa. Plus Jim White talks to Jenni Eclair about her new book - a comedy guide to surviving the menopause.

Jenny Eclair on her new book on surviving the menopause (and why life is better in your 60s)

With no Glastonbury this year, Arian Thrills, Claudia Connell and Jim White revisit some of the best (and most excruciating) moments from Glastonbury past. Jim White interviews thriller king Harlan Coben, who has 70 million books in print, on his sudden rash of Netflix hits including The Stranger (pictured) and the new Polish drama The Woods, where Coben admits he didn't understand a word of what the actors were saying on set. 

Thriller maestro Harlan Coben on suddenly having three hit Netflix series at once

As Britain bids farewell to music icon Vera Lynn, Jim White and Daily Mail music reviewer Adrian Thrills explore why the singer's popularity endured for nine decades. Plus, the ultimate summer films to stream as the weather (hopefully) warms up, and Jim White talks to historian Bettany Hughes about her new Greek Odyssey series - and how she lost her clothes overboard in a storm while filming in Greece.

Historian Bettany Hughes on losing her pants overboard while filming her new series in Greece

Why have some TV shows adapted to lockdown gracefully (like Emmerdale), and then others turned into slow-motion car crashes (like Have I Got News For You?). Jim White, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell navigate the strange new landscape of television to pick out the winners and the sinners of post-coronavirus TV. Plus, KT Tunstall on how lockdown has made her feel much closer to her fans (thanks to daily Zoom discos).

KT Tunstall on why lockdown has made her reconnect with her fans

From the grim (but inspiring) Chernobyl to THAT proposal on Gavin and Stacey, this week's BAFTA nominations showcase a great year in telly. But have they got it right? Jim White, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell chew over this year's nominations (and the ones that got away). Plus, author Peter May on 'Lockdown', a novel about a fictional pandemic which publishers rejected for being too implausible - but which seems all too real now.

Peter May on 'Lockdown', his pandemic novel rejected for being 'too far-fetched'

As a new poll wrongly suggests that Thanos from the Avengers is the best screen villain of all time, Jim White and guests dig deep to find some truly chilling screen baddies, from James Bond's Goldfinger to the icy Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Plus, Vera Lynn's daughter Virginia on how her mother became the oldest-ever artist with a top 40 album (at a sprightly 103).

Is Thanos really the scariest screen villain of all time? No, Mr Bond...

His eyes are orange, his tongue is black... and he's been translated into more languages than the Harry Potter books. Jim White meets Axel Scheffler, the artist who drew The Gruffalo (and finds out why his original vision of the hirsute beast was rejected). Plus, from Partridge to Porridge's Fletcher... which is the funniest British comic character of all time?

Artist Axel Scheffler on how his creation the Gruffalo beat Harry Potter

Eurovision’s been cancelled, but the international festival of pop cheese lives on online, and Jim White and guests Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell are reliving some of the best (and most awful) moments - plus Father Ted’s timeless ‘My Lovely Horse’. Plus, Jim White talks to author Anne Cleeves on when her detective Vera Stanhope will be returning to ITV - and why she thinks Brenda Blethyn is too good-looking for the role.

Author Anne Cleeves on her detective Vera Stanhope (and why Brenda Blethyn is ‘too good looking’)

Our top critics bring you everything that’s REALLY worth seeing, doing, or buying in the week ahead. Join Event magazine’s Jim White and guests for 30 minutes of hype-free insider chat on the hits, misses and run-a-milers from the world of entertainment. With star turns from the Daily Mail’s legendary showbiz king Baz Bamigboye and the stars of stage, page and screen. Free every Friday morning with Mail+ Briefings.

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It's Friday! with Jim White

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