Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

• Graham Fellows: Playing John Shuttleworth Came at a Cost

  Before he became known as the quirky, banana-snacking John Shuttleworth, Graham Fellows was a kid from Sheffield with dreams of classical acting and a knack for writing unforgettable songs. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien meets the man behind the cult characters to trace the unpredictable path from Jilted John to Chicken Town.They explore Graham’s early life, from his mum’s quiet environmentalism to a fleeting moment of baby photo fame, and his parallel passions for drama and music that led him to Manchester Youth Theatre and, later, punk-inflected pop stardom. Graham reflects on the shock of overnight fame, the decades spent wrestling with alter egos, and the complex relationship between creator and character.Thoughtful, eccentric and candid, this is the story of a performer who’s built a singular career by blurring the line between parody and poignancy.Find out more about Chicken Town here

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• Jon Culshaw: The Impressionist Who Fooled the Prime Minister

  Long before Dead Ringers or Spitting Image, Jon Culshaw was a schoolboy with a knack for mimicry and a fierce determination to escape into voices- finding freedom, fun, and a future through the radio dial.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Jon to explore how a shy kid from Lancashire became one of the UK’s best-loved impressionists. They trace his early love of radio, his first gigs as a hospital DJ, and the key moments that transformed a quiet obsession into a celebrated career.Jon reflects on the emotional intelligence behind impersonation, how he’s always felt a sense of companionship in voices, and what he learned by studying the characters he came to embody- from Boris Johnson to David BowieEndearing, reflective and full of rich storytelling, it’s a portrait of an artist who built a career out of listening- and reveals how sometimes, speaking in other people’s voices can lead you closer to your own.Find out more about Dead Ringers 25th Anniversary tour here

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• Michael Lewis: America Is Run by Bullies

  Before The Big Short, Moneyball or The Blind Side became bestsellers (and Hollywood hits), Michael Lewis was just trying to make sense of a world where things didn’t add up- from Wall Street to the government to the rules of sport.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with the celebrated writer to unpack the origins of his outsider lens, his instinct for spotting value in unexpected places, and why he’s drawn to stories where people are swimming against the current. They explore his unlikely route into writing, the moral questions behind some of his biggest books, and how he’s tried to find meaning through chaos.Curious, candid and full of surprising insight, this is a conversation about how institutions lose their grip, how outsiders make their mark and why the truth is often stranger (and more important) than fiction.Find out more about Michael Lewis, Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service here

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• Amber Rudd: I resigned because I couldn’t defend the indefensible

  Former Home Secretary who chose principle over position, Amber Rudd has spent much of her life at the centre of power. From banking to frontbench politics, her career has spanned the high-stakes worlds of business, government and Brexit-era turmoil.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Amber to reflect on the decisions, mistakes and tensions that shaped her time in office. From her alliance with Theresa May to her public resignation from Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, Amber offers an unusually frank look at what it means to hold power- and when to walk away from it.She speaks candidly about the human cost of leadership, the moral complexity of the Home Office, and the fallout of political compromise. And she reflects on what it takes to recover- personally and professionally- from being publicly vilified.Grounded, introspective and refreshingly sincere, Amber revisits the pressure points of her political life, the people who’ve shaped her, and why disagreement doesn’t have to mean disloyalty.She also shares why she’s returned to public conversation with The Crisis Room- a new podcast co-hosted with journalist Mark Urban and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos. Each week, the team unpicks the biggest crises shaping the UK and the world. With insider perspectives drawn from the gritty underbelly of investigative reporting, the corridors of Westminster and the shadowy realm of intelligence, they break down what’s really happening behind the headlines, and what’s at stake for our future.Listen to The Crisis Room here

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• Jameela Jamil: Getting hit by that car changed everything

  Actor, activist, and unapologetic truth-teller, Jameela Jamil has lived many lives and survived every single one of them with grit, wit, and an unwavering sense of justice.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Jameela to explore a journey that defies expectation. From a childhood shaped by illness, isolation and relentless bullying, to becoming a pioneering British radio and TV presenter, to an accidental breakout in Hollywood with roles in The Good Place and She-Hulk, Jameela’s story is one of extraordinary reinvention.She speaks openly about how trauma shaped her values, why comedy became her lifeline, and how she built I Weigh- a platform and podcast that champions mental health, challenges toxic norms, and encourages people to question what they’ve been taught to value.Candid, sharp and disarmingly funny, Jameela reflects on the cost of speaking out, the privilege of being heard, and how embracing chaos has often led her to exactly where she needed to be.Find out more about Jameela Jamil’s podcast Wrong Turns here

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