Welcome to the VALENTINE'S DATING SPECIAL 2026 of Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features gloriously hilarious stand-up and Taskmaster alum Fatiha El-Ghorri.

Fatiha is a sharp, fearless, wise human and I felt honoured to be in her presence - I kept wanting to make notes, even though the whole thing was literally being recorded. Fatiha has a BBC Radio 4 show about dating called A MATCH MADE INSHALLAH which you can hear on BBC Sounds.

She is also on tour in 2026 but get your tickets quicksharp as they're selling out. Go to www.fathiaelghorri.co.uk/events

Thrilled to announce that my guest for our next live show at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival is the unassailable comedy icon HARRIET KEMSLEY so do get your tickets - they are available here.

Come and find us...
On ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ where if you subscribe for a tiny amount of money a month, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ if you want to check on what I look like as time passes.

On ⁠⁠email⁠⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments crushedbymcs@gmail. We're also compiling a list of the hottest celebrity crushes so do get involved. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people. If you can up your devotion and give us a five star rating I'll be able to sense it when I see you, and will give you a hug (Or complicated salute if hugging's not your thing).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the 100th BLOODY EPISODE of Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the number one* podcast about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features the glorious Crushed first guest, legendary writer and reformed podcaster DOLLY ALDERTON interviewing me about crushes. It was a dream come true.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people. I hope you'll allow me to feel pretty chuffed that we've got this far without breaking.

Come and find us... 

On ⁠⁠email⁠⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments. Please send us favourite moments from the podcast as well as your celebrity crushes.

Drop us a 5 star review on the podcast app...

On ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ which is a hotchpotch of personal and work related content but the place I'm most at home on the socials these days. 

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

As ever thank you to my producer Laura who is both fun and reliable which is an awesome combo.

And here is the brilliant Joni Mitchell quote I mentioned about the beauty of long-term relationships:

I recently read an article in Esquire magazine called ‘The End of Sex,’ that said something that struck me as very true. It said: “If you want endless repetition, see a lot of different people. If you want infinite variety, stay with one.” What happens when you date is you run all your best moves and tell all your best stories — and in a way, that routine is a method for falling in love with yourself over and over. You can’t do that with a longtime mate because he knows all that old material. With a long relationship, things die then are rekindled, and that shared process of rebirth deepens the love. It’s hard work, though, and a lot of people run at the first sign of trouble. You’re with this person, and suddenly you look like an asshole to them or they look like an asshole to you — it’s unpleasant, but if you can get through it you get closer and you learn a way of loving that’s different from the neurotic love enshrined in movies. It’s warmer and has more padding to it.

*Entirely unverified but it feels true.

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Welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

This episode is an extremely funny chat with the supremely talented actor, writer, impresario THOM TUCK. It’s a delightful sprawling chat about Thom’s deeply strange upbringing and the crushes therein.

Thom’s excellent stand up show, ‘Thom Tuck Goes Straight to DVD’ - which delves into some of these crushes – is available here.

And – because of unforeseen, unfortunate reasons - we have a very special guest introducing the podcast for us. Get Well Soon, MCS! It says here.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best. 

Come and find us...

On ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On ⁠⁠email⁠⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

Happy New Year, lovely ones! We are kicking off 2026 with the wonderfully funny stand-up and all-round absolute sweetheart, it’s AMY ANNETTE! She overthinks and overshares with us in that way that we just adore here on Crushed – She Hearts HP, We Heart AA.

Amy is performing her show BUSY BODY at London’s Soho Theatre from the 28-31st January 2026, then she’s heading off on tour. Find her dates and tickets and the when and the where right here.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best. 

Come and find us...

On ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On ⁠⁠email⁠⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠⁠⁠

And just out of interest: I'm appearing in ⁠⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep until 18th January 2026.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

As a festive treat, we present to you a brilliantly honest episode of Crushed with the magnificent comedy legend that is ARABELLA WEIR. 

This conversation is as funny as it is wise – and it is really funny. And so therefore it is really wise.

Arabella can be seen the Two Doors Down Christmas Special on BBC iPlayer and The Fast Show 30th Anniversary Tour continues in 2026 – you can find out where and when here.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best. 

Come and find us...

On ⁠Substack⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠Instagram⁠ for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On ⁠email⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠⁠

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in ⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep until 18th January 2026.

Merry Christmas, Smashers xx

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello here's your FIVE STAR Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features hilarious actor and writer JOE TRACINI. 

This was a super funny, honest chat and you're all going to fall in love with him. Do seek out his fantastic book Ten Things I Hate About Me. It’s a brilliant account of his history with BPD - a gut punch of a story, delivered in a charming and honest way. 

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people. If you can up your devotion and give us a five star rating  I'll be able to sense it when I see you, and will give you a hug (Or complicated salute if hugging's not your thing).

Come and find us...

On ⁠Substack⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠Instagram⁠ for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On ⁠email⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠⁠

I'm appearing in ⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas – well, from NOW until 18th January 2026.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is our pleasure to welcome you to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

We're joined here by the wonderful and brilliantly talented comedian, presenter, artist and podcaster BEC HILL. She’s so funny and wise and also the proud owner of a life-sized cardboard cutout so she is very much our people.

If you want more Bec, you can also listen to the excellent podcast she does with the standup and mathematician Matt Parker - A Problem Squared is available from all good podcast shops.

And, if you’re quick and feeling festive, you can catch Bec alongside former Crushed guest John-Luke Roberts in his Geoffrey Chaucer’s Mediaeval Christmas Festivitye shows in early December 2025

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best. 

Come and find us...

On Substack where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas – well, from NOW until 18th January 2026. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode involves a proper funny and deeply unfiltered chat with radio comedy ledge JON HOLMES. Highly recommend you check out his work, especially The Skewer, Naked Week and Jon Holmes Says The C-Word, all available on BBC Sounds. I love Jon, he brings the vibes, even at a funeral.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas 2025. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Big thanks to Mighty Bunny in general and Laura Grimshaw specifically. I love them all too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh hello there, welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

We're lucky enough to have comedy dynamo DESIREE BURCH as our guest today. She's wonderful and SHE'S ON TOUR - you can buy tickets here https://www.desireeburch.com/the-golden-wrath-tour/

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best.

Come and find us...

On ⁠Substack at crushedbymcs⁠; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠instagram⁠ @crushedbymcs for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  ⁠[email protected]⁠ Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in ⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas 2025. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Big thanks to Mighty Bunny in general and Laura Grimshaw specifically. I love them all too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh look, it's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features the brilliantly talented Hollie McNish. BUY HOLLIE'S BOOK VIRGIN!!! It's just so good. Beautiful and moving and angry and funny. We totally lucked out getting Hollie. She's an awesome poet just oozing empathy and warmth and has a totally unique take on crushes. So there.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On instagram @crushedbymcs for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  [email protected] Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas 2025. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Big thanks to Mighty Bunny in general and Laura Grimshaw specifically. I love them all.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've found Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features utterly charming, delightfully hilarious Josh Jones. As Producer Laura says "What a joyful f**king mess his list of crushes is." Though I will say, Josh's reason for going off Henry Cavill is highly relatable.

Josh is currently touring the UK and you can find out where he's going and how to get tickets here.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're the best. In exchange I hope we're bringing glimmers of warmth to you in a pretty frightening world.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I post quite personal videos and nuggets from the show.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

I'm on the iPlayer in Not Going Out if you fancy checking that out. I am also up at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from November 2025 - January 2026 doing Sherlock Holmes with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed. See you there.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices