Mo Gilligan: Beginning, Middle & End

She taught Dizzee Rascal science, became a doctor on EastEnders and once escaped a comedy gig through a toilet window. Shazia Mirza has some stories to tell 😂 This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with Shazia for a hilarious, candid conversation about growing up in a strict Pakistani household in Birmingham and finding her voice as a Muslim woman in British comedy. Shazia shares why Dizzee still calls...

From pirate radio to “21 Seconds”, So Solid Crew helped change the sound of British music. But what happened when their first lady had to find her own voice? Lisa Maffia joins Mo Gilligan on The Beginning, Middle and End for a funny, honest and emotional conversation about the moments everyone remembers — and the struggles they didn’t see. She takes us inside the iconic “21 Seconds” video, remembe...

Homeland changed his career. But David Harewood says it took 40 years to become a leading actor on British television. Why did he have to leave the UK to get his shot? David joins Mo Gilligan for a funny, frank and deeply personal conversation about the roles he was denied, the racism he faced playing Shakespeare, and the move to America that changed everything. He opens up about his mental health...

Eric Shango had given up on acting. His agent convinced him to do one more audition. Seventy-two hours later, the phone rang. The Trigger Point actor joins Mo Gilligan on Beginning, Middle & End to reveal the story behind his breakthrough, from grief and money worries to landing a role alongside Vicky McClure—and asking her name because he had no idea who she was. Eric shares the advice Vicky...

Chase & Status join Mo Gilligan on Beginning, Middle & End to share the stories behind the music — from bedroom decks and Manchester raves to arena shows. They reveal how “Duppy Man” changed everything, why some of their biggest tracks didn’t land on the first play, and how they bring out the best in collaborators including IRAH, Little Simz and Stormzy. Plus: working with Rihanna, the ins...

From a chance appearance on Blind Date to becoming a familiar face on British television, Ortis Deley joins Mo Gilligan to talk about the opportunities, setbacks and unforgettable moments behind his career. Ortis reveals how a pharmacy student ended up presenting on Trouble and Live & Kicking, revisits his memorable Rihanna interview, and shares what happened when his 2011 live athletics cover...

Before influencers, daily vlogs and creators turning their lives into TV, Stevo The Madman was already doing it. Stevo joins Mo Gilligan for a hilarious and surprisingly revealing conversation about the journey from professional football and producing grime records to becoming one of the most recognisable personalities of the early UK social media era. Stevo takes us back to producing music around...

From being given away at just three months old in Jamaica to becoming one of the most recognisable faces on British television, Mr Motivator’s story is much bigger than Lycra and morning workouts. In this episode of Beginning Middle End, Mo Gilligan sits down with the legendary Mr Motivator — Derrick Evans — for an incredible conversation about resilience, fatherhood, ambition, health and the extr...

From accidentally discovering stand-up through a pop-up ad to becoming a breakout star of Taskmaster, Fatiha El-Ghorri’s route into comedy has been anything but conventional. Fatiha joins Mo Gilligan for a hilarious, honest and surprisingly emotional conversation about the reality behind her rise — including starting comedy after her second divorce, being heckled as a Muslim woman, dealing with th...

Chip has been doing this for TWO DECADES… and he’s STILL got bars. 🔥 Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most respected MCs to go all the way back — from selling CDs in the playground and tearing up pirate radio as a teenager, to MOBO wins, number one records, moving to Atlanta, working with T.I. and Chris Brown, and becoming one of the most fearless clash MCs Britain has produced. Chip op...

People Just Do Nothing fans, this one’s for you. 👊 Mo sits down with Asim Chaudhry for a proper trip back to where it all started — long before Chabuddy G became one of British comedy’s most iconic characters. Asim reveals how messing around with his mates, making music, recording ridiculous prank calls and even getting fired from a call centre eventually planted the seeds for People Just Do Noth...

From pulling sickies from his finance job to work with some of the biggest artists in the world, to becoming one of the most influential producers shaping the sound of modern Afrobeats — Juls’ journey is all about betting on yourself. Juls sits down with Mo Gilligan for a proper conversation about leaving the security of a nine-to-five to chase music, the opportunities he nearly missed along the w...

Dizzee Rascal joins  Beginning, Middle & End  for an unfiltered conversation about the journey that changed British music forever. From knocking on DJ Target’s door for second-hand records to creating  Boy In Da Corner , Dizzee takes Mo Gilligan behind the scenes of the grime movement, revealing how pirate radio, youth clubs and East London shaped an entire generation. He opens...

From starring on A Place in the Sun and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! to performing in West End musicals and playing alongside football legends at Soccer Aid, Scarlett has packed more into one career than most people do in a lifetime. But behind the TV success are stories of rejection, resilience and rebuilding. Scarlett opens up about the harsh reality of performing arts training, why I’m...

This week, Mo sits down with one of the most unique minds in comedy – the incredible Nina Conti. From growing up in an acting dynasty to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated ventriloquists, Nina opens up about the unexpected journey that led her to comedy, the struggles of finding her true voice, and why her puppet monkey might actually know her better than she knows herself. The pair dive...

Professor Green has lived a hundred lives in one. From growing up on a Hackney estate and becoming one of the UK’s most respected battle rappers, to scoring a No.1 record with Read All About It, making powerful documentaries, and becoming one of the country’s most important voices on mental health, this is a conversation full of honesty. In this episode, Prof opens up about the early days of battl...

Sir Lenny Henry joins Mo Gilligan for one of the most honest conversations of his career. From growing up in Dudley as the son of Jamaican immigrants and dealing with racism on a daily basis, to becoming one of Britain's most influential comedians, Lenny reflects on the moments that shaped him, challenged him, and changed him forever. He opens up about losing family members, finding his voice in c...

What’s it really like being one of Britain’s most recognisable doctors? In this episode of Beginning, Middle & End, Mo Gilligan sits down with TV doctor, GP, bestselling author and podcast host Dr Amir Khan for a funny, honest and eye-opening conversation about life inside and outside the consulting room. From delivering shocking diagnoses and unexpected pregnancies to dealing with patients wh...

Simon Brodkin joins Mo Gilligan for a hilarious and revealing conversation about one of the most unconventional careers in British comedy. Before becoming Lee Nelson, pulling off headline-making stunts on FIFA, Donald Trump and Theresa May, Simon was training to be a doctor. In this episode, he reveals why he walked away from medicine, how a homemade tape landed him on television, and the unbeliev...

In this conversation with Mo Gilligan, the Manchester rap star opens up about life behind the balaclava, the personal story behind Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, growing up in Gorton, working with Dave, performing at the BRIT Awards, and the mindset that turned SoundCloud freestyles into one of UK rap’s biggest success stories. From grief and resilience to fame, fashion, family, and the future, this is Me...

From writing chart-topping hits for Dua Lipa, Little Mix, Kylie Minogue and David Guetta to building her own artist career, Kamille joins Mo Gilligan in the brand new studio. They dive into growing up in South London, writing songs in minutes, the truth behind global pop success, social media pressure, imposter syndrome, parenting, networking, and why success isn’t always what it looks like from t...

From playing drums in church and youth clubs in Enfield to winning BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize with Ezra Collective, Femi Koleoso joins Mo Gilligan for a powerful conversation about music, faith, friendship, and perseverance. They discuss the early days of Ezra Collective, life on the road, performing at the BRITs, turning down opportunities that didn’t align with their vision, and why givin...

Dawn French is one of Britain’s most beloved comedians, but her journey to becoming a national treasure is far more surprising than you might think. In this episode of Beginning, Middle & End, Dawn sits down with Mo Gilligan to reveal how a shared flat with Jennifer Saunders changed her life forever, the heartbreak she carried after losing her father, and the unexpected path that led her from...

From sofa surfing in London to chart-topping success — Maverick Sabre joins Mo Gilligan for a raw and inspiring conversation about music, hustle, and staying true to yourself. Maverick opens up about being discovered by Plan ...

BAFTA-winning writer and comedian Sophie Willan joins Mo Gilligan for a brutally honest and hilarious conversation about turning real life chaos into award-winning TV. From getting expelled from school after turning up drunk in a bikini , to building the hit series Alma’s Not Normal , Sophie opens up about the moments that shaped her career — including how her grandma inspired her creativity, the...