One Of The Family | A Nicky Campbell Podcast

One of the Family celebrates Guide Dogs 90th anniversary, featuring Susie Dent, Terry Quinn, Dr Helen Whiteside, Tim Stafford, Mark Moraghan, Spencer, Flash, Folly, Meta and Judy.

The history, the training, the puppies [OMG], the love, the bonds, the miracles and the magic. It’s beyond words although Susie has a cracker. It’s a beautiful thing - as is the specially written music ‘You changed everything’.

That’s what they do. That IS exactly what they do.

On the latest episode of the double award winning podcast, Pen Farthing tells us what really happened in that dramatic animal rescue from Afghanistan. He addresses the claims, the counter-claims, the truth and the lies.

“This was NEVER about pets over people”. The wonderful charity Nowzad was dedicated to saving dogs, cats and donkeys, giving them a better life and spreading the word on animal welfare but can that work ever continue? His brave, compassionate staff are safe after a dramatic journey through the mountains to Pakistan and then onto the UK but their hearts will always be back home, with the voiceless.

The legend Les Dennis - comedian. actor, gameshow host, household name, national treasure and lover of canines talks about everything - from working with Ricky Gervais to walking with his ‘Shitter-poo’.

And for ‘extras' the author of Aesop's Animals, zoologist Jo Wimpenny, considers what the ancient fables tell us about how animals see the world and how we see them. Like - how much stuff a dog knows? And how much stuff a dog’s nose knows. It's absolutely fabulous.

One of our greatest comedians - national treasure Janey Godley on Honey the dog she loves, Major the dog she’ll never forget, dogs and autism, confronting Donald Trump, hanging out with Billy Connolly, standing up to George Galloway and why I deserve and kick in the "hawmaws".

Nobody loves dogs more than these two wonderful human beings. Jenny talks of our connection of the natural word and animal kingdom - we’re nothing special; we’re just a tiny part of something magnificent. And it’s animal instinct that is an actors greatest asset.

Robbie movingly describes the dogs he loves and has loved. How they have enriched his life beyond measure. Life without them would be unimaginable. His home will always have a dog. Always.

Everything you didn’t know you didn’t know about Neanderthals. As wolves are to dogs, these people are our evolutionary cousins.

Were Neanderthals just a bunch of ‘neanderthals’ (cue common insult), or was there so much more to them? It seems there was. We are learning more and more everyday and my guests are at the absolute cutting, digging, scraping and genetically testing edge.

Professor Tom Higham, author of ‘The World Before Us’ and Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of ‘Kindred’ tell me who they were. Mysteries are solved but one big one remains. Why did they go extinct?

He is one of the greatest songwriters and has written songs that will live forever. Here in a world exclusive - his first ever podcast, Gilbert talks about his career, his music, his songwriting, his life, his times and - his dogs. Including another legend - Gilbert the Pug.

Former MP and now Strategic Campaigns & Policy Advisor at the RSPCA Heidi Allen, actor and animal rights campaigner Peter Egan, animal welfare campaigner and author of ‘Badgered to Death’ Dominic Dyer, zoologist and science communicator Sophie Pavelle and environmental campaigner James Miller join Nicky to discuss the animal welfare legislation in the Queens speech and what is surely a once in a lifetime opportunity to make this country the best in the world for animals.

In an extraordinary conversation, the legendary Paxo on his love for his pet dog Derek and admiration for Princess Anne and his pet hates too - litter louts, former Prime Ministers and Derek licking his face. Except Jeremy always lets Derek lick his face. Life is complicated. Plus Professor Claudio Sillero, world expert on wild dogs. Do they like tummy rubs? Would they lick your face? What does the dog on the tundra tell us about the dog on the sofa?

The world famous dog trainer Steve Mann answers every crazy question from recent puppy mum Rachel Burden. Plus - Nicky celebrates and indeed venerates the golden oldies with Maxwell [13] and Dr Victoria Hogg aka the legendary ‘Vicky the Vet’. They’re wise, serene and adorable - even when they break wind.

David Lammy on the dog that’s changed his family and the adopted child who changed his life. We hear listeners moving memories of their first dogs and get the latest from the pioneering child/dog bond research project. Nicky talks about his first dog and best friend Candy. Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever, one of the family.

The fantastic Lorraine Kelly on her precious dog Angus, free speech, wildlife , conservation and the idiots who drink tiger penis tea. Plus the ever growing horror of dog theft. Dr Daniel Allen on fighting to change the law. And Jodie Ferrier tells the heart wrenching story of Fern - stolen in 2013 and reunited with her family 6 years later.

Actor, activist, conservationist and dog lover Peter Egan is a true animal hero. He has dedicated his life to fighting for the voiceless. Hear a wonderful conversation with an extraordinary man. And hear from an amazing woman. Ira Moss is the founder of All Dogs Matter. Dogs are on trend. The puppy craze is out of control. Organised crime is loving it but Ira and her team are there for the dogs and always will be.

In this arresting episode we hear how incredible police dogs are. What they do for us and how they do it. David Henrys, a police dog expert for nearly 28 years has some incredible tails from the front line. Plus - a dog can do anything and a dog changes everything. A dog will never ever let you be the same. Superstar and national treasure Michael Ball shares the love.

In a joyous celebration, an array of stars from the 'One of the Family' podcasts speak from the heart about why they think dogs are just amazing. Hear Ricky Gervais, Kevin Bridges, Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, Gabby Logan, Rebecca Front, Chris Packham, Susie Dent, Nihal Arthanayake, Sara Cox, Gary Lineker and two of the world's greatest dog experts Alexandra Horovitz and Victoria Stilwell,

We love them and they love us. It's a beautiful thing - as you'll hear. But you knew that.

Radio royalty Sara Cox on animals on the airwaves, psychotic geese, puppy smells and all the beautiful dogs of her life. As for the dogs in all our lives - how the hell did that happen? One of the worlds greatest dog evolution experts Krishna Veeramah explains the journey from tundra to sofa ; how the wild wolf ended up in Paris Hilton’s handbag. He also tells us how the mouse is in fact ‘one of the family'.

A man who has been at the heart of political power in the UK - Alastair Campbell, with a shocking revelation about Blair and Brown, dogs in the Whitehouse, bagpipe loving seals, how politicians can save the planet and he learns about the real Carrie Symonds. He and Nicky also discuss how their dogs have helped them both through depression. Plus - Matthew Robinson from ‘Pets as Therapy’ on the magic he’s seen in care homes, hospices and children’s hospitals. Amazing dogs. Wonderful therapy. Pure magic.

Deborah Meaden from the Dragons Den on how she loves all animals and frankly isn't at all keen on people who don't. She has dozens of glorious creature both furred and feathery, including 4 dogs on the sofa and a cat who is as shrewd a judge of character as any of her fellow Dragons. Plus, Matthew Bottomley from Guide Dogs takes us into the fabulous world of these wonderful friends.

2 remarkable people who have dedicated their lives to saving lives. ‘The Super Vet’ Noel Fitzpatrick in his most intense and revealing interview yet and then, the extraordinary story of Georgiana Neagu, a Romanian animal lover who has single-handedly rescued hundreds of street dogs. “Animals mean love for me”.

Two great journalists with headline stories. Kay Burley on a tail of skulduggery - a canine kidnap and a ransom paid. Also, Iain Dale prises the truth from politicians but prizes his dogs more than anything. And a lead story- the nosehounds - the miracle of medical detection dogs. Sniffing disease and saving lives.

Raw, dried, tinned, wet- what’s the best to feed you pet? God bless mother nature. It’s one of the most contentious debates of our times and we bring you some of the greatest experts. As more and more are going ‘raw’- is it a pro or is it a con? 

Plus broadcasting royalty, whispering Bob Harris on the cats that changed and maybe even saved his life.

National treasure Chris Packham on his love for dogs; how they’ve enriched his life and broken his heart. His autism, his environmentalism and his indestructible mission to end barbarity and cruelty. He’s a force of nature; a force for nature. And where would we be without dogs?

Andrew’s dogs Olive and Mabel make the world a better place, Gabby couldn't imagine a home without at least two and Claire, the Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home with the best advice you can get because dogs are amazing and deserve the best that we can give.

Gary and Nihal describe movingly and with raw honesty how their dogs changed their lives. They explore their feelings when the end came. Gary felt a grief he’d never experienced. For Nihal, a puppy called Lyra led his family from that dark place. Psychologist Jo Hemmings explains just why they affect us so much. They’re never forgotten. It’s an endless love.

Here are two dog lovers who both give their heart and soul for animals.

Pip tells the poignant story of her two gorgeous dogs, rescued from hell and in part two of the ‘One of the Family’ Ricky Gervais interview, Ricky delivers a riveting, passionate, compelling and of course, hilarious cry of the heart. He pulls no punches

The world-famous dog expert and trainer Victoria Stilwell explains the language of our dogs. What are they saying? What do they mean? How can we understand them? And then it’s the dogs in our language. 

Countdown’s Susie Dent talks about their ever-present influence. And actor Mark Moraghan is perhaps ‘ best in show’. All in all - it’s the dog's bollards.

In this episode, the brilliant comedian Kevin Bridges talks about life with beautiful Annie - rescue dog and superstar. And there’s more. One of his fans, President Obama even gets a look-in. Also, one of the world’s greatest canine experts gives us the final answer to a big question - do dogs actually smile? Listen in. You’ll laugh, cry, and smile. And so will your dog

For many dog owners and most dogs, cats are a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. In this episode writer, actor, comedian and animal champion Ricky Gervais makes the case for cats. Will my daughters change their minds? Will you?

In which people who never in a million years thought they would ever have a dog in the family, tell me how and why everything changed.

World Cup Winning Rugby star Will Greenwood speaks movingly about how Rufus helped his wife and him so much when their baby son Freddie died. The England and British and Irish Lions star never liked dogs when he was growing up. Now, four dogs later [including 2 rescues] and he couldn’t live without them. He is a total convert with the passion and zeal of one. He and Caro will have dogs in their lives as long as they breathe.

BAFTA-winning actress Rebecca Front played the Leader of the Opposition in the stinging political satire ‘The Thick of It’ but she’s dropped all opposition to dogs. She describes how she never wanted to pick up poo but then a cockapoo changed everything. Bailey has been amazing for the family and she is smitten.

What’s it like to be a dog? What do they see, feel, think and smell? Do they love us as we do them? 

Alexandra Horowitz is a cognitive scientist, ‘New York Times’ best selling writer and one of the world experts on the dog mind. 

As ever, every one of the family has their say as does Maxwell with his famous ‘groan of ecstasy’. Some decent questions are asked. Some big questions are answered.