The Romesh Ranganathan Show

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald sit down with Romesh to talk about the ups and downs of Take That – from their crazy beginnings in the 90s to the reboot of their legendary Circus Tour. They talk about the band's audition process, the pressures of songwriting, and Gary Barlow's not-very-popstar passions: Star Trek and interior design magazines. Plus Romesh admits to a 30-year-old act of j...

Romesh and Shanthi play a chaotic game of “Would You Rather?”, take aim at coffee snobs (George Clooney included!), and reminisce about iconic old TV adverts. Things go off the rails with dirty genie wishes, awkward gift-giving dilemmas, and an embarrassing misunderstanding about the ingredients of a popular energy drink. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:45 Red Bul...

Writer of Adolescence, Skins and This Is England, Jack Thorne joins Romesh to talk about the global impact of Adolescence and working closely with Stephen Graham. Jack opens up about social anxiety, imposter syndrome and how appearing on Desert Island Discs led to his autism diagnosis. They also discuss incel culture, kindness online, shifting power in the TV industry, Jack’s love of E.T. and work...

How do you fix toddler tantrums or a child who’s a fussy eater? This week, “Auntie Shanthi” offers some dubious advice to listeners. She also chats to Romesh about her 2026 resolutions, learning computers with a mystery gentleman, and passes judgement on Will Arnett’s famously sexy voice. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 03:06 Shanthi’s list 03:58 Complaining 05:29 20...

Actor and comedian, Will Arnett joins Romesh to talk about stand-up, passing as a comic and the making of new movie Is This Thing On? They get into BoJack Horseman, social media, being a dad and befriending John Bishop. With an divisive takes on tattoos, football and meeting Jürgen Klopp. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:45 A gift for Will 02:35 Will on meeting Jür...

Shanthi and Romesh answer your questions and act out several scenes from alternative James Bond improv to hypothetical genies. Plus Shanthi's opinion on why some things are worth buying no matter the price. There’s villain energy, big laughs, questionable casting and as per usual, plenty of moments where neither of them can keep it together. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00...

Singer-songwriter Joy Crookes joins Romesh to talk about her second album, touring, and how her Bangladeshi and Irish heritage influences her work. Joy also discusses why she'd be perfect for a Bend It Like Beckham sequel, uncompleted ADHD tests, and brave words said to Thierry Henry. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.00:00 Intro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...

Shanthi brings up an embarrassing conversation about James Acaster's manhood, get's confused between boxing and wrestling – plus she joins Romesh in attempting some impressions, including Chris Eubank, Gollum, Michael Macintyre and Mrs. Doubtfire. A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen 00:00 Romesh Sings 01:00 Boxing Intro  03:00 Shanthi on James Acaster 5:45 Chris Eubank  7:15 Mothers...

Comedian, musician and Off Menu podcast host James Acaster joins Romesh to talk about returning to stand-up, mental health… and why you definitely shouldn’t have an affair during a West End show. He pitches a new travel TV idea for Shanthi (very much without Romesh), and discusses his forthcoming album — a project 20 years in the making. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Int...

Romesh STILL doesn't believe that Shanthi wrote the infamous festive planning list... and the cross-examination continues! The pair then dive into your dilemmas, including how to deal with mums who ignore boundaries – and a heated debate on wedding etiquette after one listener reveals their mother-in-law wore white on the big day. A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Romesh is...

As co-creator of era-defining titles such as The Office and Extras, followed by hits including Derek and After Life, Ricky Gervais has left his mark as one of the most successful comedians on the planet. Speaking to Romesh, he explains why writing and workshopping stand-up comedy remains one of his greatest loves, how hosting the Golden Globes could have ended his career, and why he cares more abo...

Unexpected, unfiltered, and ...unhinged? Our Thursday episodes featuring Romesh alongside his mum Shanthi have provided us with some of the most hilarious moments of the year. We're revisiting her best bits, including advice on girlfriends, erotic dreams, and why meringues are more saucy than you think. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Shanthi's Message For 2026 00:50 Girlf...

How many mince pies is too many? Standup comedian, actor, writer and BAFTA-winning Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland, joins Romesh on the show this week – and gets subjected to a taste test. They talk about the fear and exhilaration of Chris' experience as the first blind contestant on Strictly, why "not caring" is the best thing you can do, and his new book, Keep On Laughing. A Rang...

What does Shanthi really want this Christmas? Romesh is joined by Shanthi for a festive episode full of gifts, jokes, surprise guests and the kind of family conversations that only happen at Christmas.  A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:05 Shanthi’s favourite Christmas song 03:44 Christmas wishes 06:07 A surprise guest 07:45 Some gift giving 10:00 Shanthi reads us Y...

Is comedy music the hardest art form to perfect? Comedian, actor and Oscar-winning musician Bret McKenzie — one half of the legendary Flight of the Conchords — joins Romesh to unpack life at the funny end of songwriting. From winning awards for work “Disney didn’t even like” on The Muppets, to touring his “serious” new album Freak Out City, Bret shares stories from the road, recalls his unexpected...

This week on the podcast, Shanthi and Romesh help listeners with advice on family dilemmas and resolve some of their own – covering everything from coming out, to following your partner abroad for love. They don’t always agree! A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Shanthi's Nails 01:34 Shanthi's Favourite Sitcoms 05:53 Stand Up To Cancer 06:26 Listener Dilemmas 09:40 Unusual Fo...

Multi award–winning writer, actor and director, Stephen Merchant joins Romesh for a hilarious conversation about his career. They discuss how The Office reshaped comedy, why Tim and Dawn still land, Stephen’s shift into drama, his quest for “flow state," and why he regrets always playing the awkward guy. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 02:10 Chat GPT vs Stephen's BAF...

This week Shanthi turns on the Christmas lights and gets in the festive spirit. She talks to Romesh about why she won't let her newfound popularity get to her head, gives some hilarious baby sleep-training advice, and revisits a sore spot in Romesh's childhood: garlic curry.  Plus Romesh and Shanthi host a watch along, revisiting the best Christmas movie classics with Sky Cinema and the Friday Fil...

Comedian, actor and writer Tim Key joins Romesh for an off-kilter conversation about bombing on panel shows, the moment Susie Dent had to whisper “it’s fine”, a failed Taskmaster reunion in Cologne, and the wrist-breaking dangers of comedians’ football. He also gives the scoop on his new role in The Office “spin-off” The Paper, the LA spiral that led to his latest poetry collection, and the emotio...

Romesh and Shanthi are back discussing everything from dentist anxiety to the Ranganathan name to Taskmaster. Plus, Romesh goes in detail to explain to Shanthi how a play works... A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:14 Shanthi’s been ‘gifted' 02:55 Shanthi watches Saltburn 04:46 Shanthi turns down a pickle 06:00 Listener Dilemmas 07:25 Ben guesses Shanthi’s age 08:45...

What does it feel like when your song goes viral? Sophie Ellis-Bextor sits down with Romesh for a sharp, funny and open chat that jumps from stealing a Grease DVD from Prince Edward’s office to becoming TikTok’s disco queen thanks to Saltburn with Murder on the Dancefloor. Sophie also talks about performing 148 gigs in a year, living on a tour bus with her husband and brother, owning the decision...

Romesh and Shanthi return for the Thursday episode… and it goes off the rails fast. Gen-Z slang tests, dating philosophy, bedtime arguments, erotic dreams involving comedians, vibrators named “Romesh”, and the mystery of when horse riding becomes acceptable on a first date.  A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.  00:00 Welcome back with Shanthi  01:49 Jack Whitehall recap  02:14 Gen Z...

What are Hollywood auditions really like behind the scenes? Jack Whitehall is in the studio with Romesh for a fast, funny and surprisingly candid chat that jumps from his early stand-up days and cringe-inducing “Danny Dyer” phase to his darkest acting role yet in Malice. He talks about prepping to play a manipulative villain, juggling that mindset with new-dad life, fangirling over The Rock on Jun...

Romesh and Shanthi are back, chatting dental fears, turmeric-stained teeth, and Romesh’s table tennis win over Sir Andy Murray. Plus, listeners ask for advice on tricky girlfriends, mummy’s boys, and a mother-in-law on a hen do???A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 0:01 - Shanthi’s “Royal Albert Hall” Introduction
1:22 - Dentist Fears & Turmeric Teeth4:45 - Shanthi reacts to Romesh...

What does life feel like when you’ve already lived your dream? Sir Andy Murray joins Romesh for a candid chat about life after tennis – touching on everything from competitive parenting to an exclusive on what he'd like his next career move to be. Plus, Andy shares thoughts on toilet etiquette, Romesh puts him to the test identifying famous tennis grunts, and the pair debate what ruins a fruit sal...