Episodes
Romesh is joined by mum Shanthi Ranganathan for another episode of strong opinions, unexpected confessions and classic family chaos. From learning Spanish and declaring her love for Take That, to unpacking fan obsessions and answering listener questions, Shanthi once again proves she’s the star of the show.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:19 Shanthi learns some Spanish
03:38 Shanthi’s a Take That fan
05:10 A team question
07:05 A fan obsession
08:55 Romesh’s seduction
11:20 Is Romesh Crawley’s golden boy?
18:39 A final question from the listeners
Learn m...
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald sit down with Romesh to talk about the ups and downs of Take That – from their crazy beginnings in the 90s to the reboot of their legendary Circus Tour. They talk about the band's audition process, the pressures of songwriting, and Gary Barlow's not-very-popstar passions: Star Trek and interior design magazines. Plus Romesh admits to a 30-year-old act of jealousy.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
00:32 Romesh Admits Being Jealous
02:30 The Audition for Take That
05:33 Gifts
08:50 Mark Owen's Dream Trip to Gra...
Romesh and Shanthi play a chaotic game of “Would You Rather?”, take aim at coffee snobs (George Clooney included!), and reminisce about iconic old TV adverts. Things go off the rails with dirty genie wishes, awkward gift-giving dilemmas, and an embarrassing misunderstanding about the ingredients of a popular energy drink.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:45 Red Bull
02:48 Favourite Adverts
07:11 Shanthi on Coffee
11:00 Would You Rather...?
17:41 Genie Wishes
22:10 Advice on Motherhood
28:08 Gifting Dilema
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Writer of Adolescence, Skins and This Is England, Jack Thorne joins Romesh to talk about the global impact of Adolescence and working closely with Stephen Graham. Jack opens up about social anxiety, imposter syndrome and how appearing on Desert Island Discs led to his autism diagnosis. They also discuss incel culture, kindness online, shifting power in the TV industry, Jack’s love of E.T. and work life balance.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
00:55 The reaction to Adolescence
01:30 Jack’s relationship with Stephen Graham
02:55 Working with Brad Pitt
04...
How do you fix toddler tantrums or a child who’s a fussy eater? This week, “Auntie Shanthi” offers some dubious advice to listeners. She also chats to Romesh about her 2026 resolutions, learning computers with a mystery gentleman, and passes judgement on Will Arnett’s famously sexy voice.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
03:06 Shanthi’s list
03:58 Complaining
05:29 2026 resolutions
08:13 Shanthi on Will Arnett
10:46 Shanthi’s advice
18:10 Films that made an impression
23:28 Shanthi’s cookery show
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Actor and comedian, Will Arnett joins Romesh to talk about stand-up, passing as a comic and the making of new movie Is This Thing On? They get into BoJack Horseman, social media, being a dad and befriending John Bishop. With an divisive takes on tattoos, football and meeting Jürgen Klopp.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:45 A gift for Will
02:35 Will on meeting Jürgen Klopp
04:05 Arsenal vs Liverpool
06:11 Working with John Bishop
10:13 The making of Is This Thing On?
14:13 Practicing stand up
18:51 Shanthi’s question to Will
19:30 BoJack Horseman
30:10 Wi...
Shanthi and Romesh answer your questions and act out several scenes from alternative James Bond improv to hypothetical genies. Plus Shanthi's opinion on why some things are worth buying no matter the price. There’s villain energy, big laughs, questionable casting and as per usual, plenty of moments where neither of them can keep it together.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro01:30 Shanthi & Romesh answer your questions02:49 Shanthi’s acting background04:50 An improvised scene09:03 Shanthi 00711:47 A question about a genie17:33 Expensive perfume
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Singer-songwriter Joy Crookes joins Romesh to talk about her second album, touring, and how her Bangladeshi and Irish heritage influences her work. Joy also discusses why she'd be perfect for a Bend It Like Beckham sequel, uncompleted ADHD tests, and brave words said to Thierry Henry. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.00:00 Intro
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Shanthi brings up an embarrassing conversation about James Acaster's manhood, get's confused between boxing and wrestling – plus she joins Romesh in attempting some impressions, including Chris Eubank, Gollum, Michael Macintyre and Mrs. Doubtfire.
A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen
00:00 Romesh Sings
01:00 Boxing Intro
03:00 Shanthi on James Acaster
5:45 Chris Eubank
7:15 Mothers Deserve Respect
12:20 Impressions
19:56 Secrets to Success
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Comedian, musician and Off Menu podcast host James Acaster joins Romesh to talk about returning to stand-up, mental health… and why you definitely shouldn’t have an affair during a West End show. He pitches a new travel TV idea for Shanthi (very much without Romesh), and discusses his forthcoming album — a project 20 years in the making.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
00:10 Don't Have An Affair
01:50 James Roasts The Set
04:22 Unwanted Gifts
06:53 Stand Up, Ego & Expectations
16:00 Josie Long
22:50 Shanthi’s Question
26:35 Visiting Sri Lanka
27...
Romesh STILL doesn't believe that Shanthi wrote the infamous festive planning list... and the cross-examination continues! The pair then dive into your dilemmas, including how to deal with mums who ignore boundaries – and a heated debate on wedding etiquette after one listener reveals their mother-in-law wore white on the big day.
A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Romesh is relaxed
00:56 Shanthi's New Year Resolutions
02:00 Shanthi's List Controversy
06:40 Hard Times
11:00 Be Kind To Your Mum
15:45 Texting Etiquette
20:40 White Dress At Someone Else's We...
As co-creator of era-defining titles such as The Office and Extras, followed by hits including Derek and After Life, Ricky Gervais has left his mark as one of the most successful comedians on the planet. Speaking to Romesh, he explains why writing and workshopping stand-up comedy remains one of his greatest loves, how hosting the Golden Globes could have ended his career, and why he cares more about other people’s opinions than it might seem. Ricky also shares stories behind his love for animals – including why he's donated huge sums of money to animal charities from his recent tours.
A ...
Unexpected, unfiltered, and ...unhinged? Our Thursday episodes featuring Romesh alongside his mum Shanthi have provided us with some of the most hilarious moments of the year. We're revisiting her best bits, including advice on girlfriends, erotic dreams, and why meringues are more saucy than you think.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Shanthi's Message For 2026
00:50 Girlfriends
04:00 Nude on the Podcast?
08:06 Football
09:10 Attractive Meringue
12:30 Sonic The Hedgehog vs Mr Bean
14:50 The Doctor
15:54 "Love You Mummy"
20:42 Baby Advice
26:26 Dreams ...
How many mince pies is too many? Standup comedian, actor, writer and BAFTA-winning Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland, joins Romesh on the show this week – and gets subjected to a taste test. They talk about the fear and exhilaration of Chris' experience as the first blind contestant on Strictly, why "not caring" is the best thing you can do, and his new book, Keep On Laughing.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 The Toilet Door
04:00 Alternative Christmas Message
05:20 Mince Pie Taste Test
11:55 Finding Fame
15:15 Giving Up Alcohol
17:20 Sean Lock...
What does Shanthi really want this Christmas? Romesh is joined by Shanthi for a festive episode full of gifts, jokes, surprise guests and the kind of family conversations that only happen at Christmas.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:05 Shanthi’s favourite Christmas song
03:44 Christmas wishes
06:07 A surprise guest
07:45 Some gift giving
10:00 Shanthi reads us Yo Mama jokes
12:55 Dinesh updates us
14:10 Shanthi’s Christmas demands
18:53 Romesh shows some appreciation
19:41 Is wiping a dogs bum necessary?
22:09 Playing Christmas games
28:00 A...
Is comedy music the hardest art form to perfect? Comedian, actor and Oscar-winning musician Bret McKenzie — one half of the legendary Flight of the Conchords — joins Romesh to unpack life at the funny end of songwriting. From winning awards for work “Disney didn’t even like” on The Muppets, to touring his “serious” new album Freak Out City, Bret shares stories from the road, recalls his unexpected appearance in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and throws himself into a UK vs New Zealand Marmite-eating challenge.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
03:11 Hype men ...
This week on the podcast, Shanthi and Romesh help listeners with advice on family dilemmas and resolve some of their own – covering everything from coming out, to following your partner abroad for love. They don’t always agree!
A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Shanthi's Nails
01:34 Shanthi's Favourite Sitcoms
05:53 Stand Up To Cancer
06:26 Listener Dilemmas
09:40 Unusual Food Combos
14:03 Advice On Coming Out To Family
17:31 The Naughty List
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Multi award–winning writer, actor and director, Stephen Merchant joins Romesh for a hilarious conversation about his career. They discuss how The Office reshaped comedy, why Tim and Dawn still land, Stephen’s shift into drama, his quest for “flow state," and why he regrets always playing the awkward guy.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
02:10 Chat GPT vs Stephen's BAFTAS
04:20 Do Awards Mean Anything?
07:45 Mark Hamill’s Trousers
09:25 Teacher Trauma
16:20 Tiny Grand Piano & Music Regrets
18:30 The Flow State
24:50 How The Office Changed Comedy
28:33 Tim & D...
This week Shanthi turns on the Christmas lights and gets in the festive spirit. She talks to Romesh about why she won't let her newfound popularity get to her head, gives some hilarious baby sleep-training advice, and revisits a sore spot in Romesh's childhood: garlic curry.
Plus Romesh and Shanthi host a watch along, revisiting the best Christmas movie classics with Sky Cinema and the Friday Film Club #ad.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
00:17 Shanthi Turns On The Christmas Lights
03:27 Shanthi’s Cooking
5:50 Garlic and Bullying
7:34 Shanthi On Fame
...
Comedian, actor and writer Tim Key joins Romesh for an off-kilter conversation about bombing on panel shows, the moment Susie Dent had to whisper “it’s fine”, a failed Taskmaster reunion in Cologne, and the wrist-breaking dangers of comedians’ football.
He also gives the scoop on his new role in The Office “spin-off” The Paper, the LA spiral that led to his latest poetry collection, and the emotional side of fear, fame and performing.
Plus, Romesh and the team blindside Tim with a phaal curry… sweat, tears, regret.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:22 An...
Romesh and Shanthi are back discussing everything from dentist anxiety to the Ranganathan name to Taskmaster. Plus, Romesh goes in detail to explain to Shanthi how a play works...
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:14 Shanthi’s been ‘gifted'
02:55 Shanthi watches Saltburn
04:46 Shanthi turns down a pickle
06:00 Listener Dilemmas
07:25 Ben guesses Shanthi’s age
08:45 Explaining how a play works
10:55 Shanthi’s Advice
12:43 How to be a good son
15:40 More listeners call in
20:39 Romesh reveals his name on his birth certificate
21:53 All together different
23:4...
What does it feel like when your song goes viral? Sophie Ellis-Bextor sits down with Romesh for a sharp, funny and open chat that jumps from stealing a Grease DVD from Prince Edward’s office to becoming TikTok’s disco queen thanks to Saltburn with Murder on the Dancefloor.
Sophie also talks about performing 148 gigs in a year, living on a tour bus with her husband and brother, owning the decision to name her new album Perimenopop and the way she deals with online trolls.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
0.00 - Intro
2:18 - Sophie’s Gift
4:46 - Tour Life
9:55 - Viral Su...
Romesh and Shanthi return for the Thursday episode… and it goes off the rails fast. Gen-Z slang tests, dating philosophy, bedtime arguments, erotic dreams involving comedians, vibrators named “Romesh”, and the mystery of when horse riding becomes acceptable on a first date.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Welcome back with Shanthi
01:49 Jack Whitehall recap
02:14 Gen Z / Gen Alpha slang test
08:07 Listener dilemma: bedtime clash
12:39 Erotic dream dilemma
17:53 Shanti’s first-date rules
24:37 Educating Yorkshire
28:16 Shanti’s Thursday advice
...
What are Hollywood auditions really like behind the scenes? Jack Whitehall is in the studio with Romesh for a fast, funny and surprisingly candid chat that jumps from his early stand-up days and cringe-inducing “Danny Dyer” phase to his darkest acting role yet in Malice.
He talks about prepping to play a manipulative villain, juggling that mindset with new-dad life, fangirling over The Rock on Jungle Cruise, blowing auditions, and navigating the circuit as the posh kid everyone expected to hate.
They also get into panel shows, parenting, their unexpectedly famous parents and why teenage...
Romesh and Shanthi are back, chatting dental fears, turmeric-stained teeth, and Romesh’s table tennis win over Sir Andy Murray. Plus, listeners ask for advice on tricky girlfriends, mummy’s boys, and a mother-in-law on a hen do???A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
0:01 - Shanthi’s “Royal Albert Hall” Introduction
1:22 - Dentist Fears & Turmeric Teeth4:45 - Shanthi reacts to Romesh vs Sir Andy8:32 - Rom’s Greatest Win?10:44 - The Disliked Girlfriend12:58 - Shanthi meeting Girlfriends18:02 - 18 Year Old Romesh21:06 - “Love You, Mummy” – Red Flag or Not?23:49 - The Irrigatio...
What does life feel like when you’ve already lived your dream? Sir Andy Murray joins Romesh for a candid chat about life after tennis – touching on everything from competitive parenting to an exclusive on what he'd like his next career move to be. Plus, Andy shares thoughts on toilet etiquette, Romesh puts him to the test identifying famous tennis grunts, and the pair debate what ruins a fruit salad.
Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:...
Romesh and Shanthi get surprisingly heartfelt about Romesh's upbringing – discussing infidelity, jealousy and Shanthi's "toughest years". Shanthi also plays Round 2 of Nottolenghi and explains why she loves The Great British Bake Off so much. Plus, Romesh puts his foot down on the upper age limit for trick or treating.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Garage Freestyle
02:45 Unexpected Compliments
07:15 Romesh Gets Serious on Family
10:40 Who is Loyle Carner?
13:00 Nottolenghi: Round 2
15:40 Meringue Eating Technique
16:30 People Get Jealous of Me
18:50 Ben...
Is perfection the enemy of a great show? Rapper, actor and cook, Loyle Carner joins Romesh to talk about the parallels between comedy and music on stage. Ben puts Loyle to the test with a (terrible) food-themed gameshow – and Loyle opens up about his new album Hopefully!, and how he sees it as a time capsule for his children.
Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Pizza shops and bakeries 02:56 “Thinking woman’s crumpet” 04:20 Mumsnet's...
What's the weirdest family tradition you've ever heard of? Join Romesh and Shanthi as they talk about some of theirs, alongside Romesh's shoe addiction – plus the listeners get in touch with story of Glastonbury guilt.
Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Shanthi's Airhorns!
01:00 Like "Mel Gibson"
02:50 Romesh's Wedding
08:00 Listener Glastonbury Confession
10:30 Holding a Grudge
11:30 Romesh's Trainer Addiction
13:00 The Body...
What do you say when a fan recognises you… while you’re buying threadworm tablets?
Daisy May and Charlie Cooper join Romesh to relive their most mortifying moments, talk about ghost-hunting in a haunted prison, and explain how a viral story nearly ruined their lives. They also get honest about fame, sibling rivalry, and why Daisy might be the only person to take sleeping pills on a paranormal show.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.
00:00 Intro
01:20 “I Was a Bit of a Tw*t Before Fame”
03:00 How Important Is Being Famous?
04:45 Charlie on THREADWORMS
07:00 “Where’s the F...