The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating, double Bafta winner Big Zuu goes round to Grace’s house for a plate of his ultimate comfort food. They talk about his ‘scandalous’ mother, growing up between extreme wealth and poverty, and the wild success of his show Big Zuu’s Big Eats. And, of course, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating, Eastenders actor and all-round hun Natalie Cassidy pops over for a chat with Grace. She and Grace remember the 90s London club scene, discuss the perils of having a fitness DVD, and how being part of a soap for so many years shapes your identity. And, Natalie lets Grace in on the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Joining Grace this week is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed comics and host of the award-winning podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, Joanne McNally. With a number of sell-out shows and tour dates in the US later this year, they discuss how Joanne uses comedy to process difficult periods in her life, how her mum is her favourite cocktail buddy, and what exactly she stole to get herself kicked out of the Scouts. Hot off her stint on the latest series of Taskmaster, and with an upcoming show at the Edinburgh festival fringe, the real question is: what is the banger of a sandwich Joanne McNally turns to whenever she’s shut off from the outside world and has a rare moment of peace?

Katherine Ryan joins Grace this week to share her favourite comfort foods. The Canadian comedian, writer, presenter and actor is best known for her deliciously wicked comedy, delivered with a side dish of couture. Katherine shares memories from her past, including her father’s attempts to bring Indian food to Canada via Ireland, her difficult early days in London as a single parent trying to makes ends meet, and the deep fried delights on offer at her first place of work: Hooters. Now, Katherine has had two Netflix Comedy specials, and is a regular on the UK panel show circuit. But the question is – what is fuelling her funny?

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for a seventh course on 11 June. Join her and celebrity guests as they reveal the comfort foods that have seen them through their lives in series seven

Joining Grace this week is the multi-talented actor, comedian and rapper, Kiell Smith-Bynoe. Long before becoming a household name as the exasperated boyfriend in the hit series Ghosts, Kiell (AKA MC Klayze Flaymz) tells Grace how, as a teenager, he combined his performance skills in the ultimate London arena: the chicken shop. With the taste of success, Kiell and Grace chat about his journey to the stage and screen, via several years working in a call centre for unemployed actors. Answering the big question: what is an appropriate lunchtime meal to eat at your desk?

Welsh standup, podcast host and panel show queen, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, brings her finest bowl of scran to Grace’s house. Over this steaming ultra-value concoction, she reveals how her upbringing on a Welsh sheep farm led to a hankering for performance, humour and cheap noodles. Cutting her teeth on the Manchester comedy circuit and finding solace with fellow newbies, Kiri learned to win in an industry still steeped in sexism. Her latest solo show, Peacock, is about the unlikely subject of becoming a foster parent – a journey Kiri and her partner have recently embarked on. Their offering to children centres around home-cooked food made with love. Comfort eating just took on a whole new meaning.

Comfort Eating’s culinary standards might have been permanently raised after two-Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge’s visit. But he’s not exactly one to show off. Growing up in Gloucester, Tom always wanted to recreate the homely meals he’d find at his local pub or at his mum’s on Sundays. With a brief detour on to the acting stage, Tom started his career working at some of the country’s top restaurants. In the rock’n’roll era of fine dining, suddenly it was cool to be working in a restaurant late at night. But as Tom and Grace discuss, a world of late hours and excess triggered multiple health problems for him. Going sober and solo, Tom started running his own businesses and success quickly followed. So what exactly does a top chef snack on when they’re not winning awards? You might be surprised …

Platinum-selling singer songwriter Cat Burns cosies up with Grace for a warm plate of nosh and some deep chats. The biggest-selling British female artist of 2022, who won three Brit award nominations after her single Go went viral on TikTok, reveals how she went from shy schoolgirl to stadium gigs in just a few years. While Covid put an end to busking on the South Bank, it opened up another portal on social channels that sent Cat’s star on its rapid ascent. Recently diagnosed as autistic, Cat explains how her relationship with food thrives on predictability and consistency. Yet with a small recipe suggestion from her girlfriend, she had a lightbulb moment – opening up new possibilities. Cat says she doesn’t do small talk, which is more than OK; her big talk is just beautiful.

Sliding into Grace’s sitting room this week is rising star and multitalented comedian, playwright and musical theatre creator, Daniel Foxx. Bringing his concoction of gunk meant only for solo consumption in the small hours, there’s nowhere left to hide. Buckle up and join Grace and Daniel as they go on a tour of the ins and outs of life in the fast lane – or is that the M6 at 1am? Daniel shares his different incarnations – from coming out age 11 to donning a string of pearls post-lockdown. His observational obsessions have helped to feed his viral hit The Supervillain’s Gay Assistant and Grace and Daniel unpick its threads with scurrilous delight. Oh, and there’s a modern-day love story involving Tinder and trains. Scoop it all up with love and a crunchy lentil curl

It’s tough presenting BBC radio’s top morning news programme, hosting the nation’s brainiest quiz show and being a devoted dad to four young children. But someone’s got to do it. And that person is none other than the broadcaster Amol Rajan. Having risen through the ranks of the Independent newspaper to be its youngest editor at the age of 29 and now only the third ever presenter of University Challenge, there’s got to be something fuelling this dynamo. Finding a little window in his busy schedule, Amol parks his responsibilities at the door and shares the secrets of his success and culinary tricks with long-time friend and former colleague, Grace. From his mum’s incredible home cooking to his special porridge recipe for when the kids aren’t looking, Amol tells all. There’s some raving, insomnia and umami twang thrown in too – you might have seen them at Reading?

Dropping by this week for a spot of comfort eating is the legendary glamour model turned reality TV star, Katie Price. One of the most photographed and filmed women of our times, splashed across page 3 and lads mags as Jordan 30 years ago, then in six of her own TV series, multiple documentaries and reality shows, everyone thinks they know her. But talking to Grace over a squishy, soft and ‘bald’ dish, Katie reveals a more nuanced picture – opening up about childhood, horses, early photoshoots, love, abuse, men, the media, breakdown and being a proud mum of five. ‘Never underestimate the Pricey’ – it’s a motto to live by and Grace embraces it all – the ups, the downs and snacks in between

The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, comedian Nish Kumar tells Grace about some of the most important moments in his life – and the comfort food that saw him through them. They lament the ‘golden years’ of Pizza Hut, discuss the ‘spicy’ period during his 20s, and Nish tells Grace how it feels to be pelted with a bread roll for his views on Brexit

This week, the world learned of the sad passing of a true British icon, TV cook and hairy biker, Dave Myers. To celebrate his life, we wanted to bring you this episode from January 2022 where Dave tells Grace about – ironically – losing all his hair aged eight, his years as a makeup artist, working in the steelyards of Barrow-in-Furness, and the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

One of the UK’s most loved and versatile actors, Kathy Burke, lands in Grace’s sitting room this week. Transitioning from punk teenager, to award-winning actor and then taking on comedy, Kathy has loved almost all of it. She talks to Grace about her career highlights and when her personal life sometimes got in the way, recounting the food that got her through. Whether it’s eating fish and chips on a film set with Ray Winstone, a love-hate relationship with bananas and beans, or coming to adore biscuits in her 50s, Kathy and Grace reminisce about it all. And hey, sometimes all you need is a bit of burnt toast

Model-turned-standup Michelle De Swarte knows how to make an entrance. And arriving at Grace’s with her eat-it-or-climb-it comfort snack of choice, she doesn’t disappoint. For the woman who left school at 14, signed as a model at 19, fell on the Gucci catwalk a month later, modelled for years in New York afterwards and then changed tack to become a comedian, life is what you make it. Straight-talking, no-nonsense, Michelle and Grace get down to business and discover their shared dependence on a well-known sandwich chain. There’s glitz, there’s glamour, and quite a lot of rude bits. Sorry, not sorry

Pulling up a pew at Grace’s house to launch a new season of Comfort Eating is the legendary comedian and author, David Baddiel. With a career spanning 40 years on TV, stage and radio, not to mention coining anthemic football songs and writing multiple bestselling books for adults and children, David has a unique place in our nation’s popular culture. He brings Grace his favourite comfort snack and while demolishing this cherished chow, David opens up about family, relationships and an obsession with telling the truth. Together, he and Grace take a trip down memory lane back to the 90s when their paths crossed. Wistful, honest and outrageous – it’s a conversation best served with a dollop of brown sauce. Just make sure the bread’s white and squishy

Season six of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 13 February. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including David Baddiel, Katie Price and Amol Rajan, as they delve into what they love to eat when nobody is watching

Bringing lashings of comfort and joy to Grace’s house for the final episode of this season is the legendary jazz singer Gregory Porter. The multi-Grammy award-winner, known for his smooth, silky tones and iconic headgear, is gliding in on a wave of Californian soul to ease us into some truly mellow seasonal joy. Food and music has taken Gregory on a winding path, navigating student digs and kitchen jobs, ending decades later in global stardom and stadium gigs. Get comfy for this intimate audience of just you and Grace, with a few musical treats sprinkled through like baubles winking on a Christmas tree

This week, Grace gets a visit from one of her heroes. It’s none other than Tamsin Greig, the small screen acting legend. After treating Grace to a two-course surprise snack, Tamsin talks about growing up with an older dad, her secret Friday Night Dinner food strategies and the strange moments of joy to be found within grief. And, of course, she reveals what she scoffs from the fridge after long days on set Follow Grace Dent as she enters the Australian jungle for the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

The tables turn for Grace this week as – for once – a TV judge arrives to give her a critique. It’s Keith Brymer Jones, The Great Pottery Throw Down’s famously teary-eyed resident potter. After a quick round of feedback on Grace’s favourite horrible 80s mug, Keith talks her through his post-punk band days, discovering a love for clay and a childhood crammed with Welsh cakes. And, as always, he reveals the foods he turns to after a long day throwing down at the pottery wheel

Dropping into Grace’s living room for some prime time Comfort Eating is the actor Adjoa Andoh, best known for playing Lady Danbury in the Netflix hit Bridgerton. Sharing a platter of her tastiest morsels, Adjoa talks to Grace about jacking in a law degree, moving into a south London squat, joining a touring feminist theatre group while pregnant, the slog of serving up daily family meals and the joy of escaping it all on a secret Greek island where the only things to do are reading, swimming and scooping up mountains of hummus with fresh, warm bread Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us

Joining Grace for some generous, multi-layered Comfort Eating is the photographer and TV chef, Mary McCartney. Hailing from one of the most famous families of 20th-century culture, Mary lets us into the culinary secrets of the McCartney family – from her dad Paul’s perfect mash to her mum Linda’s ice-cream cake – and the family trips to New York where they’d hit pizza restaurants in search of that perfect slice. Grace and Mary share their love of evenings on the sofa, scouse dads and how they coped after losing their mums to breast cancer. Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us. Mary McCartney’s new book Feeding Creativity is out now.

The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating, the pop star Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem, drops into Grace’s kitchen. Their riotous afternoon includes ‘northern women eating carbs’, the joy of buying expensive jumpers, and some unexpected tears. And, as always, Self Esteem revels in the comfort foods that have seen her through her life and music career

Joining Grace for a leisurely afternoon chat this week is one of the queens of British comedy, Bridget Christie. Bridget is an award-winning standup comedian, actor and writer. After getting into comedy later than most, she won the Edinburgh comedy award for best show with A Bic for Her in 2013, and she recently dipped her toe into screenwriting, with the brilliant Channel 4 series The Change. She and Grace talk about big family dinners, motorcycle gangs, and eating habits during the menopause. And of course, a comforting snack is never too far away Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us

Grace’s living room gets a professional appraisal this week from none other than Jamie Demetriou. Best known as the bumbling titular estate agent of Stath Lets Flats and long-toothed lover of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, Jamie’s arrived fresh off the Barbie set armed with his favourite comfort snacks. He and Grace talk about his teenage indie band, growing up in his dad’s greasy spoon and the dangers of dipping a McCoy’s. And, of course, all the comfort foods he turns to when nobody’s looking

It’s time for another mystery snack at Grace’s dining room table, where she’s joined by writer, journalist and podcaster Jon Ronson. Jon’s best known for going on adventures with unlikely people, culminating in hit books such as The Men Who Stare at Goats and The Psychopath Test. This week, he tells Grace about his passion for TV dinners, his rivalry with Louis Theroux and his life as a failed band manager. And, of course, the comfort snacks he’s turned to along the way Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us

This week, Grace heads out of her kitchen and into the home of dance legend Shirley Ballas to cha-cha-chat all things Comfort Eating. Shirley’s become TV royalty as head judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, but she’d already been ruling the dancefloor for decades. She and Grace chat about wedding buffets, steamy backstage rendezvous and where to stand in the queue to get the best helping of school dinner. And, as ever, the comfort snacks she turns to when she kicks off her dancing shoes Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us

Cosying up with Grace to launch a new season of Comfort Eating is none other than the queen of baking and all our hearts – Nadiya Hussain. The Bake Off star, whose triumph in the tent launched a TV, writing and culinary career of which dreams are made, is dropping by Grace’s home to share her loves, her hates and her strategies for managing a house of teenagers. Over a plate of something so comforting you could curl up in it, Grace and Nadiya get down to brass tacks. Family, husbands, school and crisps – all the main bases – and there’s no shame allowed. Just get those elbows out and dig in Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us

Season five of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday, 26 September. Join Grace as she learns what her celebrity guests, such as Nadiya Hussain and Jon Ronson, love to eat when nobody is watching

For the last time this series Grace opens her door to another Comfort Eating guest, and to finish in style she welcomes James Norton into her home to discuss all things delicious. James is best known for his portrayal of the despicable Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, and other star roles include Grantchester, Little Women, and War & Peace. However, there’s lots more to learn about James from his idyllic early years in Yorkshire, to a stint at a very religious boarding school, his breakthrough on the West End and, of course, the food that has been with him through it all

This week, it’s Grace’s couch that gets the star treatment as Graham Norton comes round to chat all things Comfort Eating. We all know Graham from his work interviewing megastars on his chatshow, as well as his much loved radio show, but there’s lots to Graham you might not know about; from his time living in a San Francisco commune, to his big break in the upstairs room of a famous gastropub and, of course, the snacks he reaches for when he’s home alone, and sat on his own couch

Happy holidays friends! Just a quick message from Grace to say no new episode of Comfort Eating today, as she’s at home on the couch eating cold roasties and stuffing sarnies, enjoying all the Christmas telly. However, fear not, Comfort Eating will be back in the new year!

Roll up, roll up, for an unprecedented Comfort Eating event as we bring you not one but two very special guests … Yes that’s right, parking their sleigh outside Grace’s house we have world-renowned singers, entertainers, and the unofficial Kings of Christmas, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe joining us for a fantastically festive episode. Both hugely successful in their own rights, Michael and Alfie have been making music and topping the charts together since 2016, with multiple UK album No 1s to their name, as well as arena tours, TV specials, and Brit awards in tow. In this special Yuletide episode, Alfie and Michael reflect on Christmases gone by, their thoughts on carol singers, who’s the best gift-giver and, of course, the comfort foods that see them through Chrimbo every year

This week, Grace takes us on a trip down memory lane to hear some of the best bite-sized tidbits of food tales from seven glorious seasons of Comfort Eating, featuring the likes of Rafe Spall, Scarlett Moffatt and Russell T Davies. We hear the stories of Jay Blades’ school pudding obsession and Russell Tovey’s teenage love of brussels sprouts, and listen to clips that shine a light on how food and love are intertwined. We travel back to wild and youthful moments – a time when Siobhán McSweeney accidentally ate caterpillars, Adjoa Andoh was in a squat cooking for the masses on her dole money and Stephen Fry was on the run with stolen credit cards eating room service in the Ritz

Grace’s guest this week is the Bafta award winning director Amma Asante. From her critically acclaimed films such as Belle, and A United Kingdom, to her work on TV shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Mrs America, Amma is a giant of the film-making world. She pops round to Grace’s to discuss her teenage days on the set of Grange Hill, how she fell in love at the Europol canteen, and the importance of Mr Kipling. And, of course, the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

This week, knocking on Grace’s door is actual rockstar Gaz Coombes. Gaz has sold millions of records around the world, both as the lead singer of Supergrass and as a critically acclaimed solo artist. He joins Grace to chat about his days overseeing Harvester’s coveted salad bar, late-night cheese boards and, as he prepares to release his fourth solo album, the meals that stand out from his days touring the world. And, as ever, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Grace’s guest this week is Georgia Pritchett, the genius behind many of the shows we watch on the telly when we’ve whipped up our bowl of comforting goodness. She is currently a writer on the award winning satirical black comedy-drama Succession, which follows the disturbing and dastardly lives of media conglomerate family the Logans. Georgia’s past work includes The Thick of It, Miranda, Have I Got News For You, and Veep. She joins Grace to discuss the perils of snacking while breastfeeding, the dangers of fizzy paté, and the importance of dining out alone. And, of course, the food that has comforted Georgia along the way

Cha Cha Cha-ing her way into Grace’s house this week is comedian and one of this year’s stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Jayde Adams. Jayde and Grace discuss Jayde’s Bristolian beginnings, what it takes to become a fishmonger, and what makes the perfect dinner party. And as always, the comfort foods that have seen Jayde through it all

Knocking on Grace’s door this week is the doctor-turned-writer Adam Kay, whose memoir This is Going to Hurt was loved by critics and readers alike, making it the UK’s second-most-sold book in 2018. Adam and Grace discuss the fast pace and poor food of life on a gynaecology ward, his favourite motorway service station snack, and his struggle with disordered eating. And of course, the comfort foods he turns to today

Jaime Winstone is Grace’s guest this week, coming round for a chat and a hearty portion of her ultimate comfort snack. Jaime is an actor, known for roles in films such as Kidulthood, Made in Dagenham, and Tomb Raider. The pair discuss the wild days and nights of Jamie’s party girl years, filmset food, and life with a famous dad: Ray Winstone. And of course, the comfort foods that saw Jaime through it all

Furniture restorer and television presenter Jay Blades pops round Grace’s for a helping of his ultimate comfort food. The two of them talk about the highs and the lows of Jay’s Hackney childhood, his lasting passion for school dinners, the mental health breakdown he experienced in 2015 and how he’s found joy on the set of his smash-hit show The Repair Shop. And, of course, the comfort foods that have seen him through it all

Grace’s guest this week is the writer Malorie Blackman, former children’s laureate and author of some of the UK’s most beloved young adult books. They discuss Malorie’s childhood, including a period spent in a homeless shelter, how her husband wooed her with food, and the snacks that help her celebrate her Bajan heritage. And of course, she reveals the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Grace Dent is back for a fourth course of Comfort Eating, and her first guest of the new season is Dawn O’Porter, writer and TV presenter. The pair chow down over Dawn’s favourite snack, as she tells Grace about a bohemian childhood in Guernsey, how her passion for oysters ended in undignified disaster, and how she found love on a dancefloor with the Hollywood A-lister who became her husband

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for a fourth course on 18 October. Join her and celebrity guests, such as Graham Norton and Dawn O’Porter, as they reveal the comfort foods that have seen them through the good times, bad times, and everything in between

This week, Grace is joined by east London’s plant-based princess Bimini who shot to fame in 2021, after the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, where they captivated the BBC audience with quippy one liners, high fashion runway looks, and death drops. Although Bimini didn’t snatch the crown, they remain the most-followed UK contestant. Since filming the show, Bimini has released several singles and a book, signed modelling contracts and become a mainstay at fashion shows around the world. The question still remains: what is this British drag icon eating when the knee-high 10-inch heels are off?

As season three comes to an end, Grace brings you a special bonus episode, recorded live at the Podcast Festival in London, with the cheekiest chap from Chelsea, Jamie Laing. The pair discuss his childhood on a farm, boarding school canteen hierarchies, and how food-shame affects men. And Jamie recounts his first memories of moving to Leeds.

Season three is ending with a bang, as Eastenders actor and all-round hun Natalie Cassidy pops over for a chat. She and Grace remember the 90s London club scene, discuss the perils of having a fitness DVD, and how being part of a soap for 29 years shapes your identity. And, Natalie lets Grace in on the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Grace’s guest this week is the singer Neneh Cherry. She tells Grace about the perils of growing up with vegetarian parents, moving to London aged 16, and turning away from pop stardom at the height of her fame. And she reveals the comfort foods that have seen her through it all

Next over to Grace’s house is the former long jumper Greg Rutherford, who’s won gold medals at Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth level. He tells Grace about growing up in a conservative religious household, being brought home by the police as a teen, and how he turned it round to become one of Britain’s most successful athletes of all time