Queer Talker

Elliott Brady is a musical theatre performer, content creator and host of the Agony Uncle podcast. But the confident person he is today is a long way from the young Elliott who spent years being bullied for being gay before he even fully understood what being gay meant. In this episode of Queer Talker, Elliott opens up about growing up in a small town without queer people around him, being called...

What happens when you ask two husbands what gets on their nerves? Toenails in the bath, dishwasher disputes and absolutely no hesitation. Adam joins me fresh from his Queer Talker interview, alongside his husband and returning guest Ali, for a couples edition of Queer Panic. We get into who made the first move, saying “I love you”, a New York proposal and the everyday habits that test a marriage....

Adam Imber is one half of Husbands Ali and Adam, a married gay couple who have built a huge online community by sharing their lives, their relationship and the different identities that make them who they are. But becoming so proudly visible is something Adam’s younger self might never have imagined. In this episode of Queer Talker, Adam opens up about growing up Jewish, coming to terms with his s...

Gabriel Clark is back, but this time there’s no time to overthink his answers. The Tip Toe and Hollyoaks actor faces Queer Panic, revealing his animated childhood crush, his most irrational ick, the skill he once lied about having in an audition and which Russell T Davies show he’d save above all others. Plus, why star signs could get his queer card revoked, which of his characters would be an abs...

Growing up gay in Bolton, Gabriel Clark struggled to see people like himself reflected back at him. He even convinced himself that if he wanted to become a successful actor, staying in the closet might be part of the deal. Today, Gabriel is one of the stars of Russell T Davies’ Tip Toe, playing Mikey, the confident, proudly queer Northern character he wishes he’d been able to see growing up. In th...

Kaue Garcia and Ryan O’Neill are back, and this time they’re facing Queer Panic. The owners of Keighley Cougars and Keighley Town FC take on Queer Talker’s rapid-fire questions, revealing their first celebrity crushes, favourite queer film and TV show, who made the first move, who takes longer to get ready and, crucially, who would survive longest in a zombie apocalypse. We also discover why Kaue...

What happens when two queer kids who never felt like they belonged in sport grow up and buy a rugby club and a football club? Kaue Garcia and Ryan O’Neill are the owners of Keighley Cougars Rugby League Club and Keighley Town Football Club, but their relationship with sport hasn’t always been an easy one. In this episode of Queer Talker, Kaue and Ryan open up about growing up gay on opposite sides...

Before KY Kelly was one of the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season eight, she was a kid putting on shows in her living room and running upstairs in her mum’s fluorescent pink catsuit. In this episode of Queer Talker, KY joins Ben Cicchetti to talk about growing up knowing she was different, secretly watching Queer as Folk, coming out at 16 and the friends and family who helped her find the conf...

What happens when you finally stop adapting to the person everyone expects you to be and start living as yourself? Multi-award-winning activist Adelle Barker transitioned at 36, after spending much of her life feeling lost, confused and, in her words, simply adapting to get through. In this episode of Queer Talker, Adelle opens up about the early signs she didn’t yet understand, secretly exploring...

Growing up in St Kitts & Nevis, Alexander Hayden never questioned whether he was gay because, as he explains, “I didn’t know the closet existed.” In this episode of Queer Talker, Alexander shares what it was like growing up in the Caribbean, where same-sex relationships were illegal, moving to boarding school in the UK, and slowly discovering who he really was. We talk about code-switching bet...

Amanda Collier became one of the breakout stars of The Traitors after delivering one of the season’s most memorable lines: “I can’t be Hugo’s wife. Don’t be so ridiculous. I’m a lesbian.” But behind that joyful moment is a much bigger story of resilience, public service, representation and finding your purpose. In this episode of Queer Talker, Amanda joins Ben Cicchetti to reflect on growing up in...

Charlie Craggs is an award-winning author, activist and the creator of Nail Transphobia, the campaign that used free manicures to start conversations about trans lives. In this episode of Queer Talker, Charlie joins Ben Cicchetti for one of the most honest and uplifting conversations yet. Together they discuss growing up, bullying, finding authenticity, the importance of representation, why Nadia...

Simon Blake OBE has dedicated much of his life to making the world a safer, fairer place for LGBTQ+ people. As CEO of Stonewall, one of the world’s most influential LGBTQ+ organisations, Simon joins Ben Cicchetti for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about authenticity, activism, hope and why our goal should never simply be to survive, but to thrive. Simon reflects on growing up in Cor...

Joe McElderry first captured the hearts of the nation when he won The X Factor in 2009. But behind the headlines, chart success and sold-out tours was a young man still figuring out who he was. In this episode of Queer Talker, Joe joins Ben Cicchetti to reflect on the extraordinary journey from winning one of the UK’s biggest television shows to finding comfort in his own identity and creative voi...

In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with X Factor winner and pop artist Matt Terry for his most open and honest conversation yet. Matt reflects on growing up feeling like he had to hide who he was, the pressure of trying to present as “straight enough,” and what it was really like being thrust into the spotlight on one of the biggest TV shows in the world at just 23 years...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with Emmy and GLAAD Award-winning creator, HIV activist, and Plus Life Media founder Karl Schmid for a deeply honest conversation about identity, stigma, survival, and hope.   Karl opens up about growing up between Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and the UK, his early experiences in the entertainment world through his brother’s fame on Neighbou...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with model, writer and asexuality advocate Yasmin Benoit for a powerful conversation about identity, visibility, and challenging assumptions. Yasmin shares what it really means to be asexual, breaking down common misconceptions and explaining the difference between sexual attraction, libido, and how people experience identity.   She opens up...

In this episode of Queer Talker , Ben Cicchetti sits down with Zelah Glasson, known to many from Big Brother, for a raw and honest conversation about identity, visibility, and what it really means to live authentically. Zelah opens up about a chaotic childhood, being nearly kicked out of multiple schools, and the early signs of identity that showed up long before he had the language to understand...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with writer and director Lee Knight, the creator behind A Friend of Dorothy, to explore storytelling, identity, and what it means to grow up queer in a very different world. Lee opens up about his childhood under Section 28, growing up in an environment shaped by fear, shame, and silence, and how that experience shaped both his identity and...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with Joseph Harwood, one of the original beauty creators and a true pioneer in online content, to explore identity, creativity, and the evolution of social media. Joseph shares his extraordinary journey, from growing up in a strict church environment and navigating life as an androgynous young person, to becoming one of the first creators to...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with comedian, writer, and podcaster Lee Peart. Lee shares the journey that led him from navigating multiple identities at school to finding confidence and connection through stand-up comedy. Growing up balancing different versions of himself, Lee talks openly about humour becoming both a shield and a way to explore who he really was. From d...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with writer, performer and Awkward Productions co-founder Linus Karp. From viral fringe shows to West End transfers, Linus has built a reputation for bold, chaotic and wildly intelligent queer theatre. But beneath the comedy is a deep understanding of identity, satire and what it really means to take up space as a queer creative. Linus share...

In this episode of Queer Talker, Ben Cicchetti sits down with drag artist, educator, and community force Miss Tess Tickle. Growing up queer in a small mining village in County Durham, Tess shares what it was like to survive bullying, Section 28, and a total lack of representation. From hiding parts of herself to finding joy, confidence, and purpose through drag, this is a powerful story about stay...

In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Jude Guaitamacchi, non-binary activist, writer, and co-founder of Trans Solidarity Alliance. Jude opens up about growing up without the language to understand their identity, navigating trauma and addiction, and the long road to recovery and self-acceptance. They reflect on homelessness, survival, and what it means to rebuild a lif...

Michael Gunning is a former elite swimmer, LGBTQ+ advocate, and one of the most important voices at the intersection of sport, race, and identity. In the first Queer Talker episode of 2026, Michael joins Ben Cicchetti for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about growing up feeling different, navigating elite sport as a queer mixed-race athlete, and the long journey toward living authentical...