The Convex Conversation

    Toby Foxcroft coached some of the world’s top tennis stars, working alongside US tennis legend Nick Bollettieri. In this week’s Convex Conversation, Toby explains how he uses lessons learned during his time in elite sport to mentor international business leaders. He also shares an unexpected friendship with Muhammad Ali & talks about his involvement with the Coalition of Hope which aims to use...

  Storms with waves up to 10 metres high; extreme sleep deprivation; military rations & painful injuries – all in a day at sea for four extraordinary young Marines who spent 49 days, 19 hours & 45 minutes rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.    Afghanistan veterans Juniour Mcilhiney & Will Schweppe teamed up with serving Marines David Bruce & Sam Edwards to raised tens of thousands for The Roya...

When Dan Parry-Williams told his careers teacher he wanted to design racing cars, he was handed leaflets about banking & the legal profession.  But, inspired by growing up listening to the "angry sound of bees" from Brands Hatch at the bottom of his garden, Dan pursued his dream & shares incredible stories of being the chief designer of McLaren's iconic & limited-production P1 as well as other imp...

  Reza shares some of his extreme adventures & reveals what drives him to tell untold stories – often putting his life at risk to do so - in the world’s most dangerous places.   Indigenous tribes whose lives & cultures have remained unchanged for centuries but whose reliance on nature is making them vulnerable in today’s modern world are often at the heart of Reza’s films as he takes viewers on ex...

As Lara celebrates ten years as a tech journalist & co-presenter of the BBC's flagship technology programme Click, she explains her passion for how innovation can change lives for the better.   Lara reveals the initial challenges of being 'on air' from home, the fact she's head of tech in her family life & laughs about being called Mrs MSE by her husband, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.        ...

Horatio’s Garden is named after 17-year-old Horatio Chapple who dreamt of becoming a doctor. He realised there was nowhere for spinal injury patients to go to begin to come to terms with their life-changing injuries when he volunteered at an NHS unit in Salisbury.    Horatio’s vision has been brought to life by his mother Olivia & his father David – a spinal surgeon – along with friends & family,...

Celebrities Rob Brydon & Rory Bremner got behind an extraordinary campaign to save a RDA stables in Teddington from closure. Park Lane Stables helps disabled riders, youngsters with difficulties, able-bodied riders & basically makes riding accessible for all.  People power & a heart warming appeal saved the day. Ten of thousands of small donations flooded in & even Her Majesty The Queen was so tou...

  In part two of our podcast, Rory reveals his affection & admiration for Prince Charles & HRH's keen sense of humour.    He talks about his gratitude to legendary broadcaster the late Sir Terry Wogan for his first break on TV; his patronage of conservation charity Tusk including his escape from the paparazzi to Africa during his honeymoon & explains candidly how his ADHD is both friend & foe.

  In this week's podcast, Helen encounters Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, President Biden and a plethora of famous faces as she chats to impressionist Rory Bremner, well-known and well-loved for political satire. Rory shares how recently released National Archives have revealed his spoof calls to former PM John Major's backbench rebels may have helped keep him in Downing Street & explains how he dev...

Trevor Robinson OBE is the man behind some of the UK's most successful ad campaigns. Think Haribo, Pot Noodles & You've Been Tangoed! He reminisces about growing up on a rough estate in London where riots & racism were rife & reveals how he went on to become one of the most respected talents in advertising.   Trevor has relaunched his Create Not Hate campaign following the murder of George Floyd t...

  Maria Kempinska helped launch the careers of many of today’s top comedians including Rory Bremner, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton & Lee Mack.   She gave up her own dreams of performing on stage to open her first club in 1983 where many of them got their first break. Maria shares stories of the challenges of life in comedy & how humour is a vital part in her work as a psychotherapist.  

  The Apprentice & Countdown star Nick Hewer talks about stepping down from C4’s popular afternoon quiz-show after a decade at the helm.   Nick shares surprising & amusing stories from his autobiography ‘My Alphabet – A Life From A-Z’ including working with Lord Sugar; eye watering adventures on the 12,000-km Mongol Rally in a battered Renault 4; his passion for tractors & old bangers & plans for...

  Ruben Tabares - one of the world’s most sought-after health & wellness gurus - offers simple & achievable goals to help us all get & stay fit.   Ruben shares incredible stories of training former World Heavyweight Boxing champion David Haye to victory; getting Hollywood actor Jeremy Piven in shape for romantic scenes in Mr Selfridge & talks about the pleasure of working with stars like Tinie Tem...

Lorraine Kelly talks about the privilege of broadcasting throughout the pandemic & the importance of keeping the nation's spirits up even when she felt low & anxious at times.    Lorraine chats about her incredible 35 years in the industry; the major stories she’s covered; the celebrities she’s interviewed & laughs about her appearance on C4’s The Last Leg & the fallout when she named ITV's Good M...

  Chef Tom Kerridge calls for a Ministry for Hospitality to help the industry get back on its feet after the pandemic & an end to politicians calling low-paid workers "low-skilled".   Tom & Helen discuss their shared passion for saving Britain's pubs, subject of his latest BBC2 series, & Tom reveals how providing meals for exhausted NHS staff when his businesses like two Michelin starred The Hand...

Andrew Ritchie MBE shares the fascinating story of how he invented the now iconic folding Brompton Bicycle 45 years ago in his bedroom overlooking London’s Brompton Oratory.    Whip rounds from friends got him started & set him off on what he describes as a perilous journey at times, but which resulted in his award-winning bike being used & loved all over the world, revolutionising city travel.   ...

  As Tusk celebrates 30 years as one of the world’s leading conservation charities, Charlie Mayhew says having Prince William as a Royal patron from the early days has been of immense value to conservation in general & the projects Tusk supports.    Charlie shares his personal story of how he started out at Lloyd's of London, fell in love with Africa after hearing stories of life in the Bush from...

  Cleo Rocos, who shot to fame starring alongside comedy legend Kenny Everett in the eighties, tells Helen about growing her award-winning tequila brand from scratch including trips to Mexico working in the fields with the jimadores on the agave harvest.   Cleo also reminisces about life on set with Kenny; their close friendship & secret fun times with Queen's Freddie Mercury & Princess Diana who...

  In this week’s Convex Conversation, actor & man of Kent Neil Stuke talks about his roles in everything from Silk & Dr Foster to Silent Witness, Dr Who & Game On.   He also shares his passion for community & saving the great British pub; his love of art, architecture & design, & reveals how an early morning cold swim in the sea off the Kent coast kick starts his day!    Cover photograph by Liam D...

  In this week’s Convex Conversation, Hilary Evans talks about the pioneering research the charity is leading to find effective treatments for Alzheimer’s. Digital fingerprints could lead to early detection and treatments years before symptoms even show.   Actor & supporter Samuel L Jackson speaks movingly about how he & his family have been affected by dementia & gives us an insight into the dise...

John takes us on a culinary journey to some of the incredible places he’s visited & the dishes he’s brought back to share in his beautiful cookery books. Middle Eastern & North African food are a favourite & John’s cooking films have inspired many on Instagram.     He also talks about his experiences in Gaza for The World Food Programme which supports millions of refugees.                 

Crystal is responsible for social media for Google UK, at just 30, her contribution to the tech & media world has already been recognised in a series of awards. Crystal shares her leadership style; the secrets to driving positive change by being 'more pirate' & reveals she's writing a book of things she wished she'd known when she started in the industry. 

American-born sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld gives a fascinating insight into how she creates her public sculptures - some of which are five metres high - in materials like white Italian marble & bronze. Helaine talks about her extraordinary life from growing up in New York; studying under Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine who after admiring her early work, expected her to be a man, to living in England...

  Adil Ray, of Good Morning Britain & Citizen Khan fame, talks about his upcoming film with Dame Judi Dench; the joys of live broadcasting on ITV & Lingo - the new word game he’s hosting.   Mr Khan makes a welcome appearance, as Helen & Adil explore his early days growing up in Birmingham; the surprise discovery he’s related to the Bugandan royal family & his fascination with socks!               ...

  Personal trainer Patrick Hutchinson made headlines all over the world when an unforgettable photograph of him carrying a far-right protestor to safety during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London went viral.   Patrick tells Helen how his life changed that day.    His unexpected notoriety has given him & his friends a platform to set up UTCAI – United To Change And Inspire – aimed at overc...