Giles and Esther are thrilled to be back from their long summer break, well Esther is.

And there is so much to talk about; Keir Starmer has taken a truth serum, but is that what people want? Donald Trump went face to face with Kamala Harris in an animalistic US presidential debate. The weight loss drug Ozempic is now being offered to children and Greggs have launched a range of footwear. The world is still mad.

But fear not, take joy in the simple things, just like Giles and Kitty on the way to school… 

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The Garrick Club is finally opening its doors to women, well some women. Whilst not a member, as a regular frequenter of the Garrick Giles lets daylight in upon magic and reveals the earth-shattering secrets of the gentleman’s club. Esther wonders why on earth anyone would bother. 

A grassroots Muslim campaign group emboldens Giles and Esther to offer their own list of demands to potential PM Keir Starmer. 

Brexit makes an unwelcome return as the fall guy for a bad opening night. Esther has sympathy but Giles smells a Gallic rat.

Finally, Esther stumbles upon the unforeseen consequences of automatic only driving tests…doom in a post-apocalyptic world. But does it make her sad...?

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Giles and Esther make their way through this week's papers; from Tiffany's and snooker to covid statistics and fat police. Esther gives Giles a grammar lesson schooling him in one of her favourite of topics - diamonds. Oh...and Giles sings!!!

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther have returned to look through the week's papers; from Meghan's poetry and lost sounds, to vegan cooking and Line of Duty. Esther wants to show off her lyrical side to Giles, but he wants to only connect with our very special mystery guest.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Seeing as though they still can't go away to their tropical retreat, Giles and Esther have returned sooner than ever before to their kitchen table to find new ideas for his weekend column.

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Giles and Esther read the papers for the final time this series to find another column idea; from lockdown exercise and BBQ’s to narcissism and 'shop out to help out'. Giles is enjoying his new high-tech rowing machine and Esther outs his infamous family BBQ disaster.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther paw through this week's news in the hope of digging up a column; from talking dogs and dog attacks, to dog trainers and dog obesity. Giles returns from the dog house, has a good stare in the garden and gets distracted by some birds and Esther barks the alphabet.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther tear through the papers to find a column idea; from the vaccine roll out and road closures, to cycle safety and lockdown induced twitches. Their back from last week's podcast cancelling row...but how long will the truce last?

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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This week, Giles welcomes a freshly shipwrecked celebrity to Desert Island Crisps. For those of you who haven't heard Giles's Times Radio show, this is the portion of the programme where a different celeb discusses the foods that shaped their lives.

In this episode, the comedian and broadcaster who has eaten more cake and travelled down more rivers than you can count...Sue Perkins joins Giles to reminisce about their TV show Supersizers and her mother's 'poor man's French toast'.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther take a look at the news of the week; from Rishi's latest budget and hotels in space, to Carrie's Westminster make-over and the UK's top earner. Giles interrogates Esther on what caught her eye during the budget; the tax rises or the Chancellor himself.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther return to find a column idea; from Boris's roadmap to recovery and Barak Obama and Bruce Springsteen's podcast, to Charles Darwin's heirloom chest and Gwyneth Paltrow's covid cure. With just a couple of weeks until lockdown easing begins Giles is helping Esther come to terms with the children going back to school.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Ben has dismissed Giles and Esther for their half term break, with reading assignments and a holiday diary to be completed before they return. But, as a treat we thought we'd bring you a very special edition of Desert Island Crisps. For those of you who listen to Giles's Times Radio show, this is the portion of the programme where a different celebrity has been shipwrecked on a desert island and reminisces about the foods that shaped their lives.

This week, the voice of Hey Duggee, Classic FM breakfast host andeveryone's favourite quizmaster...Alexander Armstrong joins Giles to reminisce about his love of sticky toffee pudding, pie day at school and a bizarre pudding called junket.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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The pressing question this week is: If a T-Rex played Taylor Swift at chess who would win? An octopus has offered to referee, but only if it is paid in food stamps. ‘An expert’ has suggested that the T’Rex may have been a little dim…so Giles wonders what or who constitutes dim in the 21st century...?

Could the demise of Humza Yousaf be down to the Scottish Nationalists losing the culture wars…when asked for their opinion the great Scottish public replied “Get te f**k!” It turns out that it is not only opinionated columnists who need the culture wars, the Tory party do too, and possibly the Daily Mail.

Bland, over processed and will do you no good – Taylor Swift or supermarket bread? The bread of course, but some, may have reached Taylor Swift saturation point. 

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Giles and Esther swim their way through the papers for a column idea; from Princess Anne's living room and cornish fisherman to capital cities and the secret of a good lie. Giles decides that the time has come in lockdown homeschooling to give Esther and Sam a geography test.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther return to scour this week's papers for a column idea; from a patriotic Labour Party and drinking at home, to the rules of cricket and life after lockdown. Esther is blamed for yet another hangover on a Giles who is excited about the return of cricket to terrestrial tv and talkSPORT 2.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther take a deep dive through this week's papers; from Bonnie Tyler learning to swim and binging watching Netflix, to talking toilets and the French cultural renaissance. Giles has put the clock back on the wall but this week tests Esther on her knowledge of newspaper correspondents.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther discuss the news from this week's papers; from Matt Hancock playing rugby and a smart backpack to making lockdown leftovers and class. Giles has taken down all the clocks in the kitchen in the hope that Esther will focus on the task at hand.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther haul themselves through the first papers of the year to find a story for this week's column; from gorillas with covid and vintage comics, to Sex and the City and a royal Mills & Boon. Giles has one eye on the dinner while Esther has hers on the clock.

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Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther mine for stories from this week's papers for the last time this series; from electric cars and Prince Charles tv station to the school run and a second lockdown. Giles is waiting to see if his trip to Denmark is cancelled and Esther is keeping her fingers crossed and his bags packed.

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Giles and Esther flick through the papers for ideas for this week's column; from baking Royals and killer kittens to covid-face and the Swire diaries. Giles is being driven to madness by the building work next door and Esther hopes the podcast will end soon so she can get to brunch on time.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther tentatively make their way through this week's papers; from the Festival of Brexit and spelling to England footballers and new lockdown rules. Giles is suffering from a particularly energy sapping hangover and Esther is happy to let him.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther return from their staycation full of ideas for this week's column; from KFC to champagne and online shopping to the Queen going on Airbnb. Giles is over the moon that his beloved cat Mo Tenzing has returned home and Esther has a delivery free recording.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Could the culture wars finally be drawing to a close? If they are what will Giles talk about in future; certainly not ancient antiquities, his knowledge is lacking in that sphere. How to spice up one’s autobiography, some celeb gossip here, a royal orgy there…let’s ask Rebel Wilson she is bound to have a few more ideas.

Age is but a number, which may just be seventeen thousand. That’s what John Cleese is paying for stem cell therapy. But why worry, what of the crows of the air, they do not sow or reap…perhaps because they are to preoccupied with the ‘Tokyo crow controller’…

Lastly, what makes a good friendship…Giles doesn’t care he’s too busy picking up crisp packets. 

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Giles and Esther are still away. One having a well-earned rest...the other is topping up his tan. So, we thought we'd bring you another special edition of the podcast. Welcome back to Desert Island Crisps, a section of Giles's Times Radio show, where each week a different celebrity is set adrift onto a desert island and reminisce about the foods that shaped their lives.

This week, the jiving judge Rob Rinder, looks back at the foods that made him; from caviar and fresh grilled squid to his grandfather's painful relationship with food after being liberated from a Nazi concentration camp.

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Seeing as though Giles and Esther are on holiday, relaxing with a cocktail in one hand and a copy of The Times in the other, we thought we'd bring you a very special editon of the podcast. Welcome to Desert Island Crisps, a section of Giles's Times Radio show, where each week a different celebrity is set adrift onto a desert island and reminisce about the foods that shaped their lives.

This week, the foxtrotting fringe devote Claudia Winkleman, recalls her love of skips, Domino's pizza and teaches Giles how to properly spread Marmite on toast.

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther trawl through the week's papers to find an idea for his column; from Scotland's exam results and Old English language to cancelling poetry and Winnie-the-Pooh. Giles shows off his knowledge of German prose and Esther...well, manages to put up with it!

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther thumb their way through this week's news to find a story for his column; from the Government obesity plan to getting fit and silver-surfers to staycations. Giles celebrates his birthday by buying himself a bike and Esther reveals she's made a secret purchase.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther dig through the papers to find a story for this week's column; from the new shopping rules on the high street to how we've interacted with our neighbours during lockdown. Giles reveals there's hope for his cat and Esther has a special thank you.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther work their way through this week's papers; from Jonny Depp and cancel culture and Anglo-Saxon food and The Canterbury Tales. Giles pines for the cricket being delayed and Esther shows off her geography knowledge.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther ponder over the stories of the week; from deep cleaning trains and Tony Blair to the opening of restaraunts and obesity levels in Malta. The doorbell doesn't stop ringing with mystery packages for them both.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther return to the papers for ideas for this week's column; from museums, cinemas and other cultural spaces re-opening to what a socially distanced holiday in space would look like. Giles reminices about his teen years and Esther fights off a fox with a broom.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther are back in their lockdown writers room, formerly known as their kitchen, trying to find an idea for his column. This week; from how to holiday in a pandemic to a survivors guide for a second wave. Giles reveals his unconventional homeschool history lessons and Esther threatens divorce...again!

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Warning flag: this episode contains sensitive content.

Fresh from the Easter recess Giles and Esther have a cunning plan to lure in new listeners, they’re flying the flag for air fryers. Keen to be welcoming of all cooking methods they undertake some thorough research which includes never using, trying or knowing anything about air fryers, before coming to a categoric conclusion on the latest kitchen gadget…

They take a look at the most expensive streets to live in the UK - none of which have flags in the  front garden - and compare them to their own ends.

Saving the best till last Giles and Esther try to identify the twenty-one sexuality and gender flags on display at a hospital reception in the midlands. Giles can’t find his flag, and he is worried about members of the Royal Navy. Finally, he stumbles upon an idea which he sends up his flagpole to see if it gets a salute… 

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Alright, already... What now?  Esther has a wealth of ideas to inspire Giles. They have columns to write. They have children to feed. The floor is gritty. Giles is trying.   Esther suggests no gherkins until May. 

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And read Esther and Giles arguing in the Times Magazine on Saturday 

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Still at home, obviously.  Giles has been awake since dawn.  He has read and annotated the week's papers in search of stories to inspire his Times’ column. For Esther, the joys of homeschooling are palling. Eggs are a concern.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

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Giles and Esther are at home, so are their children. No one has had time to read the papers, but inspiration is flowing, like Asterix’s magic potion. Or wine. The cats are nowhere to be seen.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Introducing our new free daily news podcast, Stories of our times. It takes you to the heart of the stories that matter, with exclusive access and reporting.

Published for the start of your day, it is hosted by Manveen Rana and David Aaronovitch.

In this episode, the World Health Organisation has recognised that the coronavirus crisis is generating stress and has advised people to avoid watching, reading or listening to news that causes feelings of anxiety. But for author Jon Ronson, living with anxiety at the time of a pandemic holds some advantages too. 

Guest: Jon Ronson

Host: Manveen Rana

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Giles and Esther scour the papers to find inspiration for his Times’ column. James Blunt’s tuna fixation, cam shafts and

pre-historic social networking peak some interest. Giles proposes an innovative solution to loo-roll-gate.

But the mood in the kitchen is dampened by news of a loss in the family.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Giles Coren and Esther Walker scan the pages of the week’s papers for inspiration for his column in the Times. International Women’s Day, parrots and strip cartoons create pause for thought, as does the looming threat of Coronavirus. Giles is caffeine fuelled and on musical form. Esther does not appreciate Iris’s new choice of scent.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Giles and Esther sift through the papers to find morsels to inspire Giles’ weekly column. Radio 4’s Justin Webb, fashion model theme parks and Sat Navs grab Esther’s attention. Giles is interested in seagulls’ eating habits and the speed of farts. The cats are interested in Giles’ vegan breakfast.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Giles and Esther scour the British and German newspapers for stories to inspire Giles's column this week; student digs, archaeological digs and millionaires digging controversial basements. Giles contemplates fondues and lederhosen in Bavaria. Esther enjoys a week of peace at home, in London, with the cats.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Giles and Esther sift through the national papers to find stories for his column this week; the pressures facing modern MPs, suggestions of historical snowflakery, public school plumbers and the sticky issue of the nation's favourite confectionery. Esther’s persistent cough persists and Giles is apologetic.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Britain was made great by arseholes; MP’s thinking about porn and national stereotypes.

It’s a very slow news week. Lacking stimulation Giles and Esther turn to pornography and the MP’s who are worrying about its effect on sex education. Inspired, Giles decides he can write a piece in praise of ‘the arsehole’ – they have a game of “good arsehole, bad arsehole” and speculate on the nature of Sacha Baron Cohen’s arsehole-ness.  

Fully expecting to face justice for their crimes against good taste Giles and Esther consider the potential end to the trial by jury system. In its place…trail by ordeal. Their punishment; to spend eternity gazing at an awful sculpture of a moustachioed plumber. 

Finally, an Italian, an Aussie and a Swede walk into a sauna...

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Giles and Esther comb an unusual selection of newspapers to choose the big stories for his weekly column; prenatal parental contracts, locker room talk in the office and Brian Cox. Gender disparity is the theme of the day. Giles is deeply concerned about Esther’s recycling skills, and Mo Tenzing undergoes a Paxman style interrogation about his yogurt consumption.

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Giles and Esther pick through this week's papers; from podcasts for dogs and Love Island, to the Greggs vegan steak bake and how 47 is the worst age to be. Giles is distraught to learn that Esther has taken their cat to be neutered.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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Giles and Esther return to their kitchen table for the first round-up of the papers this year; from the Golden Globes and eco-clothing to Harry Potter at the National History Museum. Giles is heartbroken to learn Esther's returned the gifts he got her for Christmas already.

You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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