Routes

What happens when a 6ft4 former England rugby star swaps the pitch for the DJ booth and somehow ends up sharing a bath with Madonna? On this episode of Routes from LNER, James Haskell joins Jenni Falconer for a brilliantly unpredictable journey to Edinburgh, packed with sharp humour and seriously good stories. James looks back at life playing international rugby, his years living in France near th...

From secretly filming sketches in the art department to turning up at TV meetings in full character, this week’s Quiet Coach guest has never taken the conventional route. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down with comedian, actor, artist and podcaster Leigh Francis for a funny, chaotic and surprisingly honest chat about creativity, confidence and carving out a career by bac...

From Leeds beginnings and Bridlington beach trips to Halloween weddings and first overseas adventures, Leigh Francis’s life off-screen is as colourful as the characters he’s created. In this episode of Routes, Leigh joins Jenni to talk about growing up in Yorkshire, the chaotic comedy worlds of Celebrity Juice and Bo’ Selecta, and how his childhood shaped his sense of humour. He reflects on early...

Welcome back to The Quiet Coach, where Siân Welby shares what happens when she’s on the move. From spotting familiar faces on Hollywood boulevards to navigating jet-lagged mornings, Sian talks about how she keeps travel manageable, with Pringles and a stash of Haribo at the ready, a few podcasts queued up for long train journeys, and by finding the perfect seat. She opens up about her favourite tr...

Siân Welby’s route into broadcasting has been shaped by curiosity, instinct and a willingness to say yes before she had everything figured out. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the Capital Breakfast presenter joins Jenni to talk about the journeys, both literal and personal, that have defined her life and career so far. She reflects on growing up with classic British seaside holidays, discover...

From learning lines in the Quiet Coach to racing through stations at the last minute, Sam Heughan reveals what travel really looks like when you’re juggling acting, adventure, and a suitcase stashed in every corner of the world. In this episode of The Quiet Coach, Sam joins Jenni to talk about how he travels, how he works on the move, and why trains are one of his favourite places to think, reflec...

From Highland adventures and Himalayan expeditions to motorbike road trips and mezcal-fuelled misadventures, Sam Heughan’s life off screen is every bit as epic as his most famous role. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the Outlander star joins Jenni to talk about the places that shaped him, the journeys that pushed him out of his comfort zone, and why the south of Scotland deserves just as much...

Welcome back to the Quiet Coach, where chef and TV presenter James Martin reveals his travel essentials and the moments that have shaped him as a traveler. From Red Bull and Mars bar breakfasts to throwing mugs in the bin, this is where we get into the wonderfully peculiar habits that come from decades in professional kitchens. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down with Jam...

From washing pots at eight years old in a Yorkshire castle to becoming one of Britain's most beloved TV chefs, James Martin's journey has been anything but conventional. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the flat cap wearing chef joins Jenni to share stories of break dancing for fish and chips in York, being dropped off at French vineyards as a kid, and why failing cookery at school was the bes...

Welcome back to the Quiet Coach, where we dive into Erin Richards' travel essentials and the moments that have shaped her as a traveler. From chocolate obsessions to meditation retreats, this is where we get into the details. Erin's always got dark chocolate in her bag, usually around 90% cocoa, and she's got her top three brands ranked like a proper connoisseur. She's more of a podcast person tha...

From childhood camping trips in France to missing flights in spectacular fashion, Erin Richards has always been someone who thrives on movement and discovery. The Gotham star joins Jenni to chat about her journey from Penarth to Hollywood and back again, with plenty of wild stories along the way. Growing up, Erin was the kind of kid who'd pile into the back of her mum's Chrysler seven seater with...

In this very special Christmas edition of Routes, Jenni invites you to a festive celebration filled with laughter, travel stories, and holiday cheer. Whether you're journeying near or far, this episode brings you Christmas traditions and stories from some of Jenni's past and future guests. Penny Lancaster shares her love for Christmas parties, tree decorating battles with Rod, and why having a che...

What happens when a self-confessed show off who was made to feel stupid at school becomes a bestselling author and one of the UK's most loved comedians? In this Quiet Coach episode, Suzi Ruffell opens up about her journey from struggling with severe dyslexia to writing a book that surprised even herself. She reveals how she actually writes her standup, working from single word cue cards and improv...

From childhood holidays in caravans with cousins to selling out Edinburgh Festival shows and traveling the country on tour, Suzi Ruffell's life has been shaped by journeys both literal and creative. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the award winning comedian and Sunday Times bestselling author chats with Jenni about her love of train travel, how she became a standup storyteller, and why Edinbu...

In this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down with actor, comedian and presenter Stephen Mangan to talk about his travel obsessions, from panic buying enough fruit to open a market stall to running 40 miles a week just to stay on top of his snack habit. A devoted Quiet Coach fan who can't understand why anyone would want to hear someone else's phone conversation, Stephe...

This week on  Routes from LNER , Jenni Falconer is joined by the brilliant Stephen Mangan, an actor, author and all round storyteller with a lifetime of travel mishaps and memories. From childhood road trips to County Mayo with fifty two cousins waiting at the other end, to ferry crossings, car sickness and cassettes on loop, Stephen paints a vivid picture of holidays that felt like travellin...

In this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down for a calm catch-up with singer-songwriter Ella Eyre to talk about her favourite travel rituals, go-to comfort snacks, and the little luxuries that make touring life bearable. From her love of skincare routines and Yorkshire Tea-dipped jammy dodgers to her trusty travel kettle for those American hotels that never have one, E...

From wild childhood holidays with “The Wild Bunch” to performing at the BRIT Awards and waking up in a new country every day, Ella Eyre’s life has always been in motion. In this episode of  Routes from LNER , the Brit Award-winning artist chats with Jenni about her early adventures, her love of travel, and the lessons learned along the way. Ella reflects on going from Brit School musical thea...

In this episode of  The Quiet Coach  on  Routes from LNER , Jenni sits down with presenter, photographer and all-round adventurer Penny Lancaster for a relaxed chat about all things travel, rest and those little rituals that make journeys special. From her love of peace and quiet on board (no phone calls please!) to how she truly unwinds when she’s away from home, Penny shares what...

Model, talk show host, photographer, and now Special Police Constable, Penny Lancaster has lived a life full of chapters, adventures and meaningful journeys. In this first episode of Season 2 of Routes with Jenni Falconer , Penny joins Jenni to share the trips and places that have shaped her most. From humble but just as special childhood holidays to Bournemouth and Southend, to the glamour o...

Clara welcomes back TikTok sensation and fashion influencer Victor Kunda for a soulful chat filled with sun, sea and sweet treats. From jumping into the ocean for the first time in Croatia to dancing at sunset on a yacht to Tame Impala, Victor shares how travel transforms him and why water, in all its moods, keeps him grounded. We also hear about his secret stash of Nigerian sweets, his aversion t...

For our final main episode of Season 1, Clara travels through the vibrant life of Victor Kunda, the TikTok sensation and fashion world favourite whose storytelling flair and comic timing have won hearts across the internet. From his humble beginnings in Eltham to rubbing shoulders (literally) with Rihanna and lighting up the red carpet, Victor shares how performing has always been his escape and e...

This week Clara gets comfy with magician Steven Frayne, better known as Dynamo, for a chat that’s part travel diary, part life philosophy, and all heart. They dive into his love of learning, fuelled by a childhood without a telly and a steady diet of library books and VHS tapes. Dynamo opens up about how reading still grounds him, and how his imagination was sparked by watching films he believed w...

This week we're joined by someone who has quite literally made a career out of making the impossible possible — magician, storyteller, and performer  Steven Frayne , aka  Dynamo . You probably know him from walking on water, levitating above London, or performing close-up magic for everyone from Prince Charles to Snoop Dogg. But in this episode, Steven opens up in a very different way. H...

In this week's Quiet Coach, Clara chats to the effortlessly cool Celeste. She reveals her ultimate way to switch off—ditching her phone completely while on holiday—and shares how trips to Morocco, Barbados, and especially Jamaica have shaped her perspective. Visiting her grandmother’s village in Jamaica was a life-changing moment, connecting her to her roots and the island’s rebellious spirit. As...