No matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to rebuild your life…

In this episode of Begin Again, DJ Fat Tony sits down for a raw and deeply honest conversation about survival, healing, and what recovery really looks like.

Tony opens up about a childhood shaped by trauma, the chaotic world of London’s club scene, and the years he spent chasing escape in nightlife, fame, and excess. From discovering the dancefloor as a teenager to building a career surrounded by music, fashion, and iconic figures, Tony reflects on the highs that defined an era and the personal battles happening behind the scenes.

With remarkable candour, he shares how unresolved pain, loss, and self-destruction eventually forced him to confront the life he was living. What follows is a powerful story of reckoning, resilience, and the long road to rebuilding a life with honesty and self-respect.

This conversation is not just about the past, it’s about the courage it takes to change, the truth about recovery, and the possibility of beginning again no matter how far you’ve fallen.

Join DJ Fat Tony as he reflects on the moments that nearly broke him, the lessons that saved him, and why transformation is always possible.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:29) Special Letter From His Therapist & Co-Author, Tara

(11:07) Tony on Childhood Trauma and Relationship With His Father

(21:34) Airbnb Ad

(22:40) Bloom & Wild Ad

(23:35) Finding Himself in the Club Scene

(30:33) His Close Friendship With Boy George

(33:16) Tony's Sex, Alcohol, and Drug Addictions

(38:58) DJ Career and Breaking Into Music

(50:10) Tony's Mother’s Hospitalisation and Rock Bottom

(58:35) HIV Diagnosis

(01:00:54) The Path to Recovery

(01:03:48) The Steps of Sobriety and Supporting Others

(01:05:33) Arrest and Imprisonment

(01:11:30) Meeting His Love, Stavros, and Finding Himself

(01:22:12) Tony's New Book, Recover Me

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What do you do when you feel like you've lost yourself?

In this Begin Again Moments, comedian and actor Tom Davis opens up about his battle with anxiety, sharing how it led him to step away from stand-up comedy for six years. Tom reflects on how, during this period, he lost belief in both himself and his talent, struggling with imposter syndrome and the overwhelming pressure to perform. He discusses the emotional weight of feeling like a fraud, despite outward success, and how these feelings affected his personal and professional life.

Following Tom, Professor Steve Peters, renowned psychologist and author of The Chimp Paradox, dives into the science of our emotional responses. He explains how the three parts of the brain, human, chimp, and computer, work together to shape our reactions to the world around us. Professor Peters provides actionable insights on how we can take control of our emotions, challenge negative thought patterns, and reclaim a sense of self, empowering us to face life's challenges with greater confidence and clarity.

This episode is a powerful exploration of overcoming self-doubt, managing anxiety, and learning to trust yourself again. Whether you're struggling with mental health, facing self-belief issues, or simply looking for tools to take control of your emotions, this conversation is for you.

Full episodes with Tom and Professor Steve Peters out now!

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Finding Confidence in Your Sex Life Can Change the Way You Live…

In this episode of Begin Again, Cindy Gallop, sex educator, advocate, and founder of Make Love Not Porn IS BACK! Sharing her unfiltered thoughts on how to know what you want in bed and, more importantly, how to get it.

Cindy talks about the importance of sexual agency, why communication is the key to great intimacy, and how we can all break free from shame around desire. With her signature boldness, Cindy dives into why sex isn’t just about physical pleasure but about emotional connection, self-confidence, and empowerment.

She also opens up about her own experiences, challenging societal taboos, and reimagining how we can talk about sex, no matter our age. From tackling societal shame to unlocking your sexual desires, Cindy’s advice is both raw and real, making this a must-watch for anyone seeking to reclaim their pleasure and confidence.

Join Cindy as she proves it’s never too late to begin again, especially when it comes to embracing your truest self.

🌟 Follow for more thought-provoking episodes on self-discovery, empowerment, and reinvention. Leave a comment below, who or what would you like to see next?

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Follow us here:📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) INTRO

(01:14) Why Dressing for Yourself Matters

(04:37) Why We Don’t Talk About Sex

(07:52) Sextortion: Why We Should Talk to Our Kids About Sex

(21:49) Making Sex Real, Not Performative

(26:13) Normalising Conversations Around Pleasure

(28:01) Airbnb Ad

(29:06) Bloom & Wild Ad

(30:14) How Communication Gives You Sexual Power

(36:06) Building Confidence in Bed

(37:55) Thriving Sexually as You Get Older

(46:31) Navigating the Evolving Sexual Landscape

(54:32) Exploring Polyamory, Swinging, and Non-Monogamy

(58:55) Why Desire and Self-Love Matter

(01:02:31) Keeping Sex Alive in Long-Term Partnerships

(01:06:08) What Every Man Should Understand About Sex and Intimacy

(01:08:40) Cindy Answers Your Questions

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In this heartwarming Begin Again Moments, Richard E. Grant reflects on falling in love with his wife, Joan. He speaks tenderly about the deep connection they share, the unexpected beauty of their journey together, and how their bond continues to thrive, even as time passes. With vulnerability and warmth, he opens up about the joy and comfort of knowing someone in such a profound way, and the magical way love can grow in the most unanticipated moments.

Following Richard’s personal story, relationship expert Mel Schilling, from Married at First Sight, delves into the dynamics of love, providing insight into what truly makes relationships last. She shares her professional perspective on the foundations of deep emotional connection and offers practical advice on nurturing love through life’s many stages. Mel sheds light on the intricate balance of self-awareness, communication, and mutual respect that shapes lasting partnerships.

This short episode features moving clips from both conversations, available to watch or listen to now.

If you’ve ever wondered about the power of love or are seeking guidance on how to deepen your own relationships, this conversation is for you.

Watch the full episodes with Richard E. Grant and Mel Schilling now.

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A life of bold choices, second chances, and refusing to fear getting older.

In this episode of Begin Again, Prue Leith opens up about leaving The Great British Bake Off, falling in love again at 70, and why she believes ageing can be the most liberating chapter of all.

After nearly a decade in the tent, Prue shares why she chose to step away from a job she has loved. She reveals the remarkable story of meeting her second husband in her seventies, following a 13-year secret relationship that changed her life.

From growing up in apartheid South Africa to fighting sexism in professional kitchens, adopting her daughter from Cambodia, and campaigning for assisted dying after personal loss, Prue reflects on love, risk, reinvention and resilience.

With sharp wit and hard-won wisdom, she explains why she refuses to fear getting older, why colour matters more than ever, and why she never looks back. Prue’s gratitude for the “lucky” life she’s lived is remarkable,  and as she so often shows, it’s truly never too late to begin again.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:53) Leaving Bake Off After 9 Years

(04:48) Falling in Love in Her 70's

(15:36) Her New Book 'Being Old'

(18:52) Growing Up in Apartheid South Africa

(23:09) Moving To Paris And Falling in Love With Food

(27:29) Being A Woman in the Culinary World

(30:36) Airbnb Ad

(31:41) Her 13 Year Affair with Her Mother’s Best Friend’s Husband

(41:41) Adopting Her Daughter and Motherhood

(48:29) Feeling Lucky, Inspiring Women, and Why She Wrote the Book

(51:21) Why She's Campaigning for Assisted Dying

(58:02) Prue on Her Colourful Style and Being Seen

(01:00:43) A Special Letter From Alison Hammond

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What does it really feel like to lose someone… while they’re still here?

In this powerful Begin Again Moments, Jamie Theakston opens up about his father’s dementia, the quiet grief, the role reversal, and the heartbreak of watching a parent slowly change. He speaks candidly about the anxiety of caring for someone who wants to stay independent, and the complicated emotions that come with loving someone who is still physically present but gradually slipping away .

Then psychologist Kimberley Wilson explains the science behind dementia and Alzheimer’s, including why women are at higher risk, the worrying rise in young-onset diagnoses, and the surprising lifestyle factors that could prevent up to 45% of cases. From hearing loss and social isolation to brain stimulation and stress, she shares what we can actually do to protect our brain health.

This short episode features powerful clips from their full conversations, both available to watch or listen to now.

If you’re caring for a parent, worried about your own risk, or navigating the complicated emotions of dementia, this conversation is for you.

Watch the full episodes with Jamie Theakston and Kimberley Wilson now.

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One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her personal battle, Dearbhla explains how facing mortality became the catalyst for her to finally embrace herself, her body, and her own dreams.

From navigating motherhood with three children chasing their dreams, to witnessing the highs and lows of a 30-year marriage, Dearbhla reflects on the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped her journey. This episode reveals the profound transformation that can happen when we start prioritising ourselves , even after years of putting others first.

This is a beautiful testament to the power of reinvention, the strength of family, and the importance of loving yourself, no matter what life throws your way.

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Finding Joy out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-joy/dearbhla-mescal/steve-doogan/9781804442876

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(01:32) Intro to Dearbhla Mescal, Her New Book and Her Kids
(03:46) How to Finding Joy in the Everyday
(08:11) Dearbhla on Her Time in the Police Force and Finding Her Voice
(11:40) Authenticity and Finding Joy in the Small Moments
(15:25) Becoming a Parent and Facilitating Your Kids’ Dreams
(27:59) Airbnb Ad
(29:00) Lind Ad
(30:06) The Turning Point
(30:53) Discovering Her Cancer Diagnosis
(38:24) Telling Her Kids About Her Diagnosis
(42:54) Facing Cancer and Having Deep Gratitude for Life and Love
(47:07) How Cancer Brought Loneliness, Grief, and a Gift
(53:00) Beginning Again After Cancer
(55:58) The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Children
(01:02:25) Learning to Take Up Space and Pursue Your Passions
(01:05:23) Discovering Anxiety in Midlife
(01:07:12) Paul, Nell and Donnacha's Reaction to Her Book
(01:09:12) An Emotional Rendition of 'The Kiss' by Her Daughter Nell
(01:13:46) A Special Gift for Dearbhla

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What happens when you have to re-enter the dating world after years in a relationship?

Paloma Faith reveals the unexpected emotional challenges of dating in her 40s, from feeling out of place on apps to redefining what she truly wants. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she chose to see it as a chance to Begin Again.

Alongside her, Paul C. Brunson shares the practical roadmap for midlife dating, how to approach it differently, how to protect your confidence, and how to turn fear into possibility.

Dating again isn’t about going backwards. It’s about stepping into a new chapter, with more wisdom, clarity and courage than ever before.

These golden nugget moments are taken from Begin Again with Davina McCall, the full episode with Paloma & Paul are available now. Follow us for more and your chance to Begin Again.💚✨

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One big dream could be all it takes to begin again.

In this awe-inspiring episode, Dame Maggie Aderin shares how growing up as a dyslexic Black girl in 1970s London, at a time when racism was overt and dreams were small, sparked her wildest ambition: to reach for the stars, literally.

A world-renowned space scientist, Maggie opens up about the personal journey behind the lab coat, from watching the moonlight with her father as a child, to falling in love with astronomy through cartoons, to dreaming of becoming the first woman named Maggie to walk on the moon.

She explains how science gave her purpose, how curiosity became a lifeline, and why believing in something bigger than yourself, like the universe, can change your life on Earth. From working on some of the world’s most powerful telescopes to inspiring over 650,000 children through her talks, Dame Maggie shows us what purpose really looks like.

Whether you're searching for meaning, battling self-doubt, or trying to find your place in the cosmos, this conversation will leave you inspired to dream bigger, and keep looking up.

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00:00 Intro

00:09 Who Is Dame Maggie Aderin and Why She Matters

00:46 What Sparked Maggie’s Passion for Science

02:04 How the Moon Secretly Shapes Our Lives

08:07 How Maggie Makes Complex Science Feel Simple

09:07 Why Having a Dream Can Change Everything

13:07 What Ikigai Teaches Us About Purpose and Balance

17:57 What Telescopes Reveal About the Universe—and Ourselves

22:04 Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? Here's the Scientific Take

23:12 Why the Future of Space Exploration Is Both Thrilling and Terrifying

26:06 How Far Can Humanity Really Go in Space?

29:27 What Breakthroughs Are Coming in the Next Decade of Space Discovery

32:57 Airbnb Ad

34:01 How Maggie’s Complicated Childhood Shaped Her Strength

42:07 Why Maggie Wrote 'Starchild'—And What It Means to Her

50:39 Maggie Opens Up About Facing Racism in the UK

54:44 What It’s Like to Find Purpose in the Public Eye

57:22 What It Meant to Be Made Into a BarbieSponsored by:

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Grief is something we all face at some stage.

In this bonus "Begin Again Moments" episode, Andi Oliver opens up about the deep loss of her brother Sean, reflecting on his life and the impact of his passing.

Buddhist Monk Gelong Thubten shares his wisdom on processing grief, offering a compassionate perspective on how we can approach life's impermanence.

Together, they explore the power of making space for both love and loss, offering profound insights on navigating the complexity of grief.

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New episodes every Thursday 7am 💚

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This is what it takes to begin again when you feel like you’ve lost everything.

In this powerful episode, comedian Seann Walsh opens up about the reality behind the laughs, his turbulent childhood, addiction, and public shaming, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild his entire life from scratch.

Seann shares how sobriety became the turning point that reconnected him with the version of himself he lost in the chaos: the ten-year-old boy who just wanted to make people laugh. He talks honestly about feeling like a failure at the height of success, the deep shame that followed and how he slowly found his way back, not to who he was, but to someone stronger.

From becoming a father to falling in love with Grace, Seann reveals the real moments that brought him peace, purpose, and a new path forward.

Whether you’re navigating addiction, public failure, or just trying to start over, this episode will show you what it really means to heal.

Seann Walsh will be on tour across the UK with his brand-new show This Is Torture from 13th February, with tickets on sale now at https://www.seannwalsh.com

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(00:00) INTRO

(02:15) Seann on His Chaotic Childhood and His Dad’s Heroin Addiction
(07:20) The Moment That Brought Seann and His Dad Together
(12:55) Seann on Family Dysfunction
(15:30) Seann on Setting Boundaries and Finding Sobriety
(19:36) How Comedy Liberated Seann From a Young Age
(22:25) Overcoming Expectations and Dealing with Feelings of Failure
(30:11) Lindt Chocolate Ad
(31:20) Airbnb Ad
(32:25) Seann on Moving Forward After Controversy
(36:02) Seann on Meeting Grace and the Proposal Story
(43:44) Seann on the Joy He Finds in Parenthood
(48:18) Seann on the Life-Changing Advice From His Father
(52:02) Seann’s Vision for the Next 10 Years
(54:53) A Special Letter From Grace

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