Mo Gilligan: Beginning, Middle & End

From viral clips to prime-time TV, Guz Khan joins Mo Gilligan to unpack the highs, lows, and realities of breaking through without losing your soul. A must-listen on representation, resilience, and why sometimes the bravest move is walking away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mo Gilligan is joined by entrepreneur, author, and investor Timothy Armoo , one of the most influential voices shaping modern business and Gen Z culture. Raised between Ghana and South London, Timothy’s journey began on a fourth-floor council estate on Old Kent Road — before founding Fanbytes from his university bedroom at just 21. What followed was a meteoric rise: Forbes 30 Under 30,...

This week, Mo Gilligan is joined by BAFTA Award-winning actor Malachi Kirby for a powerful conversation about craft, courage, and carving your own lane. Growing up in Battersea, Malachi found acting through local drama classes before becoming part of a generation-defining wave of British talent. From portraying Kunta Kinte in Roots , to his BAFTA-winning performance in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe ,...

This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most exciting and thoughtful actors, Hammed Animashaun . From growing up in East London to finding his voice through performance, Hamed reflects on his journey from youth theatre to Shakespeare, blockbuster fantasy ( The Wheel of Time ), and his BAFTA-nominated role as the unforgettable K in BBC’s Black Ops . They talk about discipline, identit...

David Larbi joins Mo Gilligan on the  Beginning, Middle & End  podcast for a warm, honest conversation about creativity, purpose, and finding happiness in everyday life. David opens up about his upbringing, early love for music and football, and how writing became a way to understand himself and the world around him. He reflects on growing up with big expectations, navigating univers...

In this powerful and hilarious episode, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the original architects of Black British comedy — the incomparable  Rudi Lickwood . From his early days as an Eddie Murphy lookalike to becoming a razor-sharp social commentator who reshaped the narrative of Black British identity on stage, Rudi shares 38 years’ worth of stories, wisdom, and war wounds. Rudi opens...

On this episode of  Beginning, Middle, End , Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most dynamic tech leaders —  Dean Forbes  — a man who went from growing up on a South London estate, juggling responsibility at home and dreams of playing professional football, to leading companies through  multi-billion euro exits  and championing social mobility at scale. Mo and Dean...

Mo Gilligan sits down with the globally loved, relentlessly funny Russell Howard for a wide-open conversation packed with belly laughs, proper honesty, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. From touring the world to becoming a dad, to breaking down how comedy really works, Russell brings his trademark mix of warmth, sharpness and pure silliness. We dig into Bristol life, TV fame, Mock the Week...

This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with one of England’s most naturally gifted footballers:  Joe Cole . From breaking through at West Ham as a teenage prodigy, to winning Premier League titles with Chelsea, to representing England at  three World Cups , Joe has lived the full spectrum of the beautiful game. In this episode, Joe opens up about: ⚽  Growing up in Paddington & Camden...

This week, Mo Gilligan sits down with the one and only  DJ Mak 10  — the original architect of the grime sound and heartbeat of the legendary N.A.S.T.Y Crew. From spinning vinyl in East London bedrooms to uniting  Wiley  and  Dizzee Rascal  two decades later, Mak 10’s story is pure UK music history. They dive into his roots growing up with five brothers, his dad’s reg...

From girl group superstardom to carving her path as a solo artist, Leigh-Anne Pinnock sits down with Mo Gilligan to talk beginnings, balance, and being boldly independent. In this candid conversation, Leigh-Anne opens up about life after Little Mix, embracing motherhood, finding her creative freedom, and the lessons behind her powerful documentary  Race, Pop & Power. They dive into her mu...

This week on  Beginning Middle End , Mo Gilligan sits down with one of the UK’s most authentic and resilient comedians — the legendary  Kane Brown . From growing up in South London and becoming a father at 22, to building a property empire and then losing it all in the 2008 crash, Kane’s story is one of grit, growth, and finding laughter through life’s hardest lessons. He opens up about...

This week, Mo sits down with the iconic  Angellica Bell , whose 25-year career has made her one of British television’s most beloved presenters. From  CBBC  to  The One Show , Angellica opens up about her journey from paper rounds and McDonald’s shifts to primetime success. Mo and Angellica reflect on growing up black in British TV, breaking barriers, surviving live television,...

Comedy legend  Slim  joins  Mo Gilligan  for an unfiltered, laugh-out-loud conversation on  The Beginning, The Middle & The End . From driving London buses to performing at the Hollywood Comedy Store, Slim shares 30+ years of stories, lessons, and wisdom from one of the most influential careers in British comedy. Expect hilarious tales about his early gigs, his first e...

ne of the UK’s most loved comedians,  Scott Bennett , brings his  Northern charm  and  razor-sharp observational wit  to Mo Gilligan’s  Beginning, Middle & End  podcast. In this episode, Scott gets real about: 🔥  From Product Designer to Comedy Star  — how he quit his “safe” career to chase the stage. ❤️  Turning Family Struggle Into Strength...

BAFTA-winning actor, writer, and director Adjani Salmon joins Mo Gilligan to share his journey from studying architecture to becoming the creative force behind  Dreaming Whilst Black . Raised in Jamaica and returning to London at 18, Adjani reflects on cultural shifts, film school lessons, and the hustle of self-funding his web series that grew into one of the UK’s most acclaimed shows. He op...

Comedian Rhys James joins Mo Gilligan on  Beginning Middle End  to talk about his journey from Hertfordshire open mics to becoming one of the sharpest voices in UK stand-up. They dive into his awkward teenage years, disastrous romantic gestures, and how he hustled his way through comedy competitions and the Edinburgh Fringe. Rhys also opens up about finding his comic voice, surviving tou...

On this episode of  Beginning, Middle, End , Mo Gilligan sits down with comedian, musician, actor, and writer  Nick Helm — a true force of nature in British comedy. From his early days battling one-star reviews in Edinburgh, to breaking out with his explosive, music-fuelled stand-up and starring in the BAFTA-winning sitcom  Uncle , Nick shares the highs, lows, and lessons from his u...

From choirboy to CBE, Adrian Lester’s journey is the stuff of legend. On this episode of  Beginning, Middle, End , Mo Gilligan sits down with the acclaimed actor to talk about growing up in Birmingham, discovering the power of performance in a church choir, and carving out a career that’s taken him from RADA to Olivier Awards, Hustle, and beyond. With stories of resilience, craft, and the les...

This week on  The Beginning, Middle and End Podcast , Mo Gilligan sits down with actor, writer, and director  Aml Ameen  — a man whose journey is as powerful as the roles he’s played. From bursting onto our screens in the cult-classic  Kidulthood  to holding his own on  The Bill , Aml takes us back to those early London days and the rise of Black British culture that...

From  busking on the streets of Newcastle  to selling out shows across the world, Victor Ray’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. On this week’s  Beginning, Middle, End  with Mo Gilligan, Victor opens up about his journey — from shy kid with a big voice to viral sensation, from wedding bands to international stages. He shares the grind of busking, the power of social...

Comedian Emmanuel Sonubi joins Mo Gilligan on the  Beginning, Middle & End  podcast for a lively and revealing conversation about his journey from West End musical theatre performer and nightclub bouncer to award-nominated stand-up comedian. In this episode, Emmanuel shares hilarious and heartfelt stories — from surviving the infamous Comedy Store Gong Show just four gigs in, to tour...

UK rap icon Wretch 32 joins Mo Gilligan for a deep and inspiring conversation on  Beginning, Middle & End . From pirate radio freestyles to chart-topping hits, Wretch reflects on his journey, the hustle behind the early grime scene, staying true to his lyrical craft, and the milestones that shaped him — from selling mixtapes by hand to performing on the Olympic stage. It’s an honest, funn...

In this episode of The Beginning, Middle & End podcast, Mo Gilligan sits down with the wildly funny and deeply relatable Laura Smyth — former East London teacher turned award-winning comedian. Laura shares her incredible journey from raising a child solo in temporary housing to lighting up comedy stages across the UK. With raw honesty and riotous humour, she opens up about teaching teens, grow...

On this episode of  Beginning, Middle & End , Mo Gilligan is joined by the ever-charismatic Melvin Odoom — presenter, DJ, and all-round entertainer. From rave flyers in Lewisham to fronting national radio and TV, Melvin reflects on his come-up through community, culture, and a hustle that never quit. The pair talk pirate radio, the importance of friendship and representation, and how a Gh...