Explore every episode of the podcast Scarred For Life
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Price | 26 Oct 2026 | 00:52:01 | |
What childhood TV show made Tom Price physically recoil? Why did joining the Beano Club feel like his first introduction to capitalism? And why was BBC newsreader Nicholas Witchell so terrifying to watch as a kid? This week on Scarred for Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by broadcaster, comedian and actor Tom Price, to revisit the childhood TV, films and pop culture that left a lasting impression — and in some cases, genuinely scarred him. Best known for playing PC Andy in Torchwood, Tom chats about his long-running role in the Doctor Who spin-off which resulted in a friendship with David Tennant or as Tom calls him, "Wilf dad". Tom explains how what was meant to be a bit part truend in to a full blown character thanks to Russell T Davies. Tom chats about growing up in Monmouth, his love-hate relationship with horror films, and the strange things that frightened us when we were young. First up is Johnny Briggs: a children's TV show whose theme tune signalled the end of fun for Tom. Then we get into the crushing disappointment of the Beano Club, where the exciting merchandise promised in the comic apparently failed to live up to the hype. And finally, we explore the terrifying world of old-school TV news, when serious newsreaders delivered stories of doom in a way that could leave a lasting impression on a child. Along the way, Tom shares memories of Doctor Who, Torchwood: Children of Earth, the horror films that got under his skin, his podcast Golf Is Ruining My Life, and My Mate Bought a Toaster — plus a sporting scar involving Wales' infamous 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final. It's a brilliant chat about childhood nostalgia, British television, growing up with frightening news stories, and the cultural moments that never quite leave us. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon #ScarredForLife #TomPrice #Torchwood #BritishTV #Nostalgia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Deep Dive: The Scariest Witches In Film & TV FT Lizzie Hopley | 22 Oct 2026 | 00:45:47 | |
Which fictional witch genuinely gave you nightmares as a child? From the terrifying Grand High Witch in The Witches to the unseen horror of The Blair Witch Project, we're diving into the witches that made our childhoods a little more disturbing. Andy Bush and David E. Lawrence are joined by returning guest Lizzie Hopley for a special Halloween deep dive into the most iconic, frightening and downright unforgettable witches in film and television. Lizzie reveals her top five witches of all time, while Dave brings some equally sinister contenders to the cauldron. We're revisiting the nightmare fuel of childhood favourites, the dark magic of cult horror and the unsettling folk horror that gets under your skin. 🧙♀️ In this episode, we discuss:
Plus Grotbags, Belladonna, Jadis from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Witchiepoo, Aunt Gladys from Weapons and plenty more. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Robin Ince - Scary Poetry | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:47:33 | |
What makes a poem scary? Can poetry capture the horrors of childhood, and why do some of the things that frightened us when we were young stay with us for life? This week on Scarred for Life, we’re joined by the brilliant Robin Ince who's returning for another wonderfully wide-ranging conversation about horror, poetry, creativity and the things that leave a lasting impression on us. Robin talks about his love of writing poetry, from celebrating horror legends like Peter Cushing to exploring childhood anxiety, loneliness and the experience of being the quiet kid at school. He even treats us to readings of some of his own work, including a moving poem about the love between Peter Cushing and his wife, Helen, and a powerful piece about finding your place in the world....and of course, a little ditty about Killer Crabs - the musical he just did for one night only with Josie Long and Reece Shearsmith at Latitude Festival. We also explore the darker side of poetry, including Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake and the gothic imagery that makes certain poems genuinely unsettling. Robin shares his thoughts on why poetry is often misunderstood, how the way we’re taught literature at school can kill our enthusiasm for it, and why you don’t need to follow a set of rules to call yourself a poet. And because this is Scarred for Life, there’s plenty of horror along the way. Robin shares his childhood fascination with horror films, including the book that introduced him to the genre at just eight years old, and tells us about his gloriously chaotic theatrical readings and musical performances inspired by Guy N. Smith’s killer-crab novels, including Night of the Crabs. We also get into the future of creativity, the rise of artificial intelligence, and why Robin believes we should be more concerned about human greed and the people controlling technology than the technology itself. #RobinInce #ScarredForLife #ScaryPoetry #HorrorFilms #PeterCushing #EdgarAllanPoe #GothicHorror #Poetry #ClassicHorror #BritishHorror 🎃 Welcome to a very special Scarred for Life Halloween episode. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Evelyn Hollow: The Terrifying Monsters You've Never Heard Of | 15 Oct 2026 | 00:37:02 | |
Come and See Scarred For Life LIVE with special guest Rhys Thomas - Sunday 18th October at The Bedford - London - if you can't make it in person, buy tickets for the livestream! Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence welcome back writer, paranormal psychologist and Uncanny star Evelyn Hollow! Evelyn returns with her brand new book, Hollow's Hauntology, a fascinating compendium of mythical creatures, monsters and paranormal phenomena from around the world. From the origins of vampires and the terrifying creatures of Scottish folklore to Bigfoot, Slender Man and the monsters that might still be lurking in unexplored corners of the planet, there's plenty to keep you awake at night. Along the way, Evelyn explains why she hated the recent remake of Nosferatu, reveals the horrifying Scottish creature she thinks deserves more attention than the Loch Ness Monster, and discusses why folklore and supernatural beliefs are enjoying a resurgence. Plus, why do cultures across the world invent similar monsters? Should children be encouraged to read frightening books? And could the internet be creating an entirely new generation of mythical creatures? To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum, sign up here: https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 07457 404 279 Follow Scarred For Life: https://www.instagram.com/scarredforlifepod Produced by Lock It In Studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Ramsey Campbell | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:54:29 | |
Come and See Scarred For Life LIVE with special guest Rhys Thomas - Sunday 18th October at The Bedford - London - if you can't make it in person, buy tickets for the livestream! Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup In another of our special Halloween mini series during the month of October, we’re joined by legendary British horror author Ramsey Campbell, one of the most acclaimed and influential voices in modern horror fiction. From Lovecraftian cosmic horror and classic ghost stories to psychological terror and the unsettling darkness hidden inside ordinary life, Campbell has spent more than six decades crafting fiction that gets under readers’ skin. Ramsey reveals the childhood experiences that first taught him to be afraid—including a genuinely disturbing Rupert Bear Christmas story, “Rupert’s Christmas Tree,” and the eerie illustrations that stayed with him long after childhood. We explore how those early encounters with the supernatural helped shape his imagination, his love of weird tales, and his eventual path into professional horror writing. We also go deep into the craft of horror. Where do frightening story ideas come from? Has Ramsey ever experienced writer’s block? How does he continue generating fresh ideas after more than 60 years in the genre? And what does it actually take to write horror that lingers with readers long after they finish the final page? Ramsey discusses the writers who influenced him, including H.P. Lovecraft, and explains why he always carries notebooks filled with ideas, revealing why rewriting is one of the most important—and most enjoyable—parts of his process. He also shares practical advice for aspiring horror writers, from finding ideas in everyday life to trusting suggestion, atmosphere, and the reader’s imagination. With a career spanning more than 60 years, Ramsey has also met some of the biggest names in horror literature. From Robert Bloch and Fritz Leiber to Stephen King, Dennis Etchison and Karl Edward Wagner, he’s spent decades rubbing shoulders with the writers who helped shape the genre. But perhaps the loveliest revelation is that he and fellow British horror author James Herbert became firm friends after meeting in the 1970s, when Stephen King first came over to Britain and the pair arranged to meet him. Ramsey also shares memories of attending the early World Fantasy Conventions in America, where he encountered so many of the writers whose work helped define modern horror. We also explore how horror fiction has changed over the decades, why the supernatural remains so powerful, and why the familiar world can become far more frightening than any monster. Ramsey reflects on the difference between showing audiences something terrifying and allowing dread to grow quietly in their minds. If you love horror books, supernatural fiction, ghost stories, weird tales, classic horror authors, H.P. Lovecraft, M.R. James, or behind-the-scenes conversations about the creative process, this Halloween deep dive with Ramsey Campbell is essential listening. 🎃 Welcome to a very special Scarred for Life Halloween episode. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Deep Dive: Inside Channel 4’s Apocalypse: 28 Days of Hunger, Fear & Survival | 08 Oct 2026 | 00:50:32 | |
Come and See Scarred For Life LIVE with special guest Rhys Thomas - Sunday 18th October at The Bedford - London - if you can't make it in person, buy tickets for the livestream! Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup What would happen if you took a group of ordinary people, dropped them into an abandoned American town with no running water, no electricity and barely any food, and told them to survive for 28 days? That’s exactly what happens in Channel 4’s Apocalypse, and this week on Scarred for Life, we’re joined by producer Jo Harcourt-Smith and contestant Stephen McKell to find out what it’s really like to live through it. Stephen spent 28 days inside the abandoned Indiana location, where hunger, exhaustion, social tension and the constant pressure of survival pushed the contestants far beyond their comfort zones. We hear about food being stolen, rivalries developing, the psychological effects of hunger, going without phones or TikTok for a month, and the surprising ways people change when survival becomes the only thing that matters. Jo also reveals what went into creating the experiment, how contestants were psychologically assessed and supported, and why the producers deliberately chose ordinary people rather than survival experts. But then we get to the real scars… Jo reveals her lifelong fear of getting lost, abandoned buildings and labyrinths, while Stephen explains how Deep Impact gave him a lifelong fear of tidal waves and why watching Scream 2 as a child left him terrified of Ghostface for years. There’s also a 1970s survival manual, childhood prepping, haunted psychiatric buildings, Gremlins, the terrifying prospect of being trapped in a maze, and plenty of discussion about the fears and films that can stay with us long after childhood. So… could YOU survive 28 days in an apocalypse? And what childhood film or nightmare has stayed with you for years? 📺 Watch Apocalypse on Channel 4. 🎃 Welcome to a very special Scarred for Life Halloween episode. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon #Horror #APOCALYPSE #HorrorMovies #ScarredForLife Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Leigh Francis | 05 Oct 2026 | 01:02:44 | |
Leigh Francis — the man behind Keith Lemon, Avid Merrion and Bo’ Selecta! — joins Scarred for Life to talk about the things that genuinely scare him, the films that shaped him, and the strange experiences that have stayed with him for decades. Leigh reveals his three scars: The Exorcist, frogs and long division. From watching The Exorcist as a child and being terrified by its demonic themes, to a childhood encounter with a frog that left him with a lifelong fear of amphibians, Leigh explains where some of his biggest fears came from. He also talks about growing up obsessed with films, horror, comedy and physical media, getting into older-rated movies as a kid, and why 1970s horror still has a particular ability to unsettle him. But this is also a conversation about the career behind some of Britain's most recognisable comedy characters. Leigh talks about creating Avid Merrion, the origins of Bo’ Selecta!, his love of celebrity culture, working on Through the Keyhole, Keith Lemon, Celebrity Juice, and how social media has completely changed the idea of celebrity. There are stories about Star Wars, collecting movie memorabilia, famous clothes, Pamela Anderson, horror films, art college, long division, and why Leigh would much rather draw something than deal with numbers. Leigh also talks about making things independently for YouTube, his Keith Lemon Forever channel and his Work Experience series — and explains why Keith Lemon is very much a fictional character rather than Leigh himself. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon #LeighFrancis #KeithLemon #BoSelecta #AvidMerrion #ScarredForLife #TheExorcist #Horror #Comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Deep Dive: How To Make Horror Movies - With Jed Shepherd The Writer Of HOST | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:54:43 | |
Come and See Scarred For Life LIVE with special guest Rhys Thomas - Sunday 18th October at The Bedford - London - if you can't make it in person, buy tickets for the livestream! Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup Filmmaker Jed Shepherd joins Scarred for Life for the first of our special Halloween deep dives during October into the horror industry — and we explore the strange films and TV shows that scared him growing up. Jed is the writer of HOST, the lockdown horror phenomenon made almost entirely through Zoom, which went from a prank between friends to one of the most talked-about horror films of 2020. So how did HOST actually happen? Jed reveals how an innocent Zoom prank became a viral sensation, how the feature film came together, why some of the actors were genuinely surprised by what happened on screen, and how the limitations of making a film during lockdown became part of what made HOST so frightening. We also get into the horror of isolation, why the unknown can be scarier than showing a monster, the psychology of being trapped behind a computer screen, and how a film made for a relatively tiny budget ended up reaching audiences around the world. But this is Scarred for Life, so we also need to know what scared Jed Shepherd as a kid. His three scars take us through some wonderfully strange corners of British and Australian television: ROUND THE TWIST, including the unforgettable fox with lemons for eyes; CHOCKY, which still genuinely unsettles Jed decades later; and SPITTING IMAGE, whose grotesque puppets became something altogether different when viewed through the eyes of a child. Jed also talks about growing up as a horror obsessive, discovering classic horror films, collecting VHS, hunting down obscure and hard-to-find movies, and why physical media still matters to him in the age of streaming.And if you've ever dreamed of making your own horror film, Jed has some very practical advice. He explains why you don't necessarily need film school, why making short films is the best place to start, and how modern phones give aspiring filmmakers access to technology that previous generations could only dream of. Plus: VHS horror collecting, The Blair Witch Project, lockdown, Zoom séances, childhood nightmares, British horror, filmmaking, and Jed's new horror projects. 🎃 Welcome to a very special Scarred for Life Halloween episode. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon #Horror #Host #JedShepherd #HorrorMovies #ScarredForLife Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Alasdair Beckett-King | 28 Sep 2026 | 01:00:57 | |
Comedian, writer and podcaster Alasdair Beckett-King joins Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence on the Scarred for Life podcast to talk about the films, books and television that left a lasting impression on him as a child. Alasdair reveals three very different childhood scars, beginning with the unsettling 1970s animated series Murun Buchstansangur, before moving on to a disturbing playground story inspired by Iain Banks’ The Wasp Factory and, finally, one of the ultimate childhood nightmares: Return to Oz. We get into what makes Return to Oz so genuinely creepy, from the Wheelers and Princess Mombi to its bleak atmosphere, disturbing imagery and unsettling storyline (electroshock therapy anyone?). Alasdair also discusses British sitcoms, children’s literature, The Chronicles of Narnia, his love of unsettling production design and why good children’s books never really have an age limit. Plus, we talk about his comedy and podcasting career, including Loremen and Eleanor and Alasdair Read That, as well as his Montgomery Bonbon mystery books for children. If Return to Oz traumatised you as a kid, this is definitely an episode for you. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @NikkiMacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| LIVE SHOW / LIVESTREAM GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT! Get your tickets NOW! | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:02:01 | |
You love him and we do too, so much so that we asked him to join us LIVE on stage in London. It's the monstrously funny, devilishly handsome and soon to be de-possesed - Rhys Thomas! *CROWD GOES WILD* Come and join Dave, Andy, Producer Nikki & special guest Rhys Thomas for scars, scares and severed heads at Scarred For Life LIVE - Sunday 18th October 4pm - The Bedford - London OR, if you can't make it in person, you can buy tickets for the livestream event. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cheerfulearful/2352831 There will be plenty of interactive fun, a chance to meet the your hosts and share your scars with us live (if you're brave enough) Be there or be...somewhere else not having as much fun as you'd have watching the Scarred For Life Live show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Deep Dive: The TV Theme Tunes That Took Us Straight Back to Childhood Sick days with Lisa Bowerman | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:57:11 | |
Come and See Scarred For Life LIVE with special guest Rhys Thomas - Sunday 18th October at The Bedford - London - if you can't make it in person, buy tickets for the livestream! Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup This week on Scarred for Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by returning guest Lisa Bowerman for a nostalgic deep dive into the classic British TV programmes and theme tunes that soundtracked our sick days, school holidays and afternoons on the sofa. From Bod, Crown Court, The Sullivans and General Hospital to Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen, Paint Along with Nancy and The Way We Used to Live, Lisa, Dave and Andy revisit the strange world of daytime television — the shows you watched when you were off school with a bottle of Lucozade, a flannel on your forehead and absolutely no choice about what was on the telly. They talk about the comforting voices and gentle presentation style of classic children's television, the unsettling themes that could instantly make you feel ill again, the bizarre educational programmes that taught children about history, painting and country life, and why a few seconds of music can bring back incredibly vivid childhood memories. Lisa also shares a particularly personal connection to The Way We Used to Live, after discovering a clip of her own brother being killed off in the historical educational drama. Expect plenty of nostalgia, obscure British TV, bizarre theme tunes, memories of 1970s and 1980s television, and the kind of daytime programming that could only exist in a pre-streaming world. What TV theme tune instantly takes you back to being a kid? Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mark Kermode & Jenny Nelson | 21 Sep 2026 | 01:02:25 | |
What makes a film soundtrack genuinely terrifying? And why can a few notes of music stay with us for decades? This week on Scarred for Life, we’re joined by legendary film critic Mark Kermode and writer Jenny Nelson, authors of Surround Sound: The Stories of Movie Music, to explore the strange, powerful and sometimes downright disturbing relationship between film, music and memory. Mark and Jenny discuss how film scores can create fear, tension and atmosphere — from Bernard Herrmann’s iconic Psycho score and the unsettling theremin sounds of The Day the Earth Stood Still, to Pino Donaggio’s haunting music for Don’t Look Now and the chilling childlike vocals which wrap out The Night of the Hunter. They also get into Utopia, Twin Peaks, Rosemary’s Baby, Poltergeist and why children singing can be one of the creepiest sounds in cinema. Mark also reveals one of his earliest cinematic scars: the wonderfully bizarre but surprisingly disturbing Dougal and the Blue Cat, while Jenny recalls the childhood trauma of Flowers in the Attic. Plus, Mark talks about his experiences improvising live music for silent films, and the pair explain what readers can expect from Surround Sound — a book packed with first-hand stories from composers, directors and the people who actually make movie music. If you've ever wondered why film soundtracks stick with us and how some have evolved into musical synonyms which can be sung instead of using a particular word (Psycho, JAWS), then you're really going to enjoy this episode.
CONTENT WARNING: there is brief discussion of adult themes (sexual assault) in the episode so please be advised. Scarred for Life is the podcast about the films, television, books, music and experiences that left a lasting mark on us — The Podcast for Traumatised Nostalgics Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Thursday Deep Dive: Scary Spaces | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:44:32 | |
Why are some places more frightening than the monsters that live inside them? This week on Scarred for Life, Andy Bush, Dave Lawrence and Nikki Druce take a deep dive into the horror of liminal spaces, unsettling buildings and locations that are more creepy than comforting. From the eerie office corridors of Severance and the endless yellow rooms of The Backrooms, to the 1999 remake of House on Haunted Hill, La Cabina, the Psycho house and Portsmouth's infamous Tricorn Centre, we explore why mazes, empty buildings, brutalist architecture, strange corridors and familiar places that suddenly feel wrong can be so deeply unsettling. Is it the fear of getting lost? Being trapped? The feeling that you're somewhere you shouldn't be? Or does this kind of environmental horror tap into something much more primal? Along the way, we revisit childhood memories of school trips, 1970s interiors, nicotine stained wallpaper, Rigsby's flat in Rising Damp and the strange smells that can transport us straight back to childhood. It's a Thursday deep dive into liminal spaces, psychological horror, creepy buildings, nostalgic horror and the places that scarred us for life. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Jason Williamson - Sleaford Mods | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:54:07 | |
This week Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by the Jobseeker himself - it's Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods. Jason joins Scarred for Life to talk about the things that genuinely scared, disturbed and scarred him throughout his life. From growing up in Grantham and the terrifying stories surrounding the local Hills and Hollows, to the government public information films that traumatised an entire generation, Jason looks back at childhood fears, the threat of AIDS, nuclear war and the strange ways we learn what danger looks like. He also reveals the horror films that have stayed with him — including The Exorcist, Hostel, and The Wizard of Oz. Jason explains why Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West terrified him as a child, why Hostel left him sleeping with the light on well into adulthood, and why modern horror is often more frightening when it explores the darkness of the human mind. And then there's his third scar… a truly revolting school toilet horror story involving a ceiling covered in dried greenies. Yes, really. Along the way, Jason talks about Sleaford Mods, touring, performing, forgetting lyrics on stage, social media, modern anxiety, growing older, running, acting, his appearance in Peaky Blinders and striking up a friendship with Cillian Murphy. Expect childhood nightmares, video nasties, horror movies, 1980s public information films, social media anxiety, working-class Britain, Sleaford Mods, and one of the most disgusting school stories we've ever heard on Scarred for Life. Scarred for Life is the podcast about the things that scared us, scarred us and stayed with us. Featuring Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Deep Dive: The School Trips That Scarred Us for Life | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:30:50 | |
School trips were supposed to be fun, weren’t they? A day away from the classroom, a packed lunch, a coach ride and the promise of something vaguely educational. But for many of us, they came with a healthy dose of fear, embarrassment, danger… and occasionally someone throwing up into a sandwich box. For this Thursday deep dive, Andy Bush, Dave Lawrence and producer Nikki take a trip down memory lane to explore the creepy, chaotic and downright traumatic world of school trips. From terrifying public information films and being trapped on questionable 1970s coaches, to quarries, creepy churches, red lakes, wasps in Coke cans and the ever-present fear of the sick kid on the bus, the team revisit the things that could turn an innocent school outing into a childhood nightmare. Nikki recalls taking a school trip to the London Dungeon — and the time she found an actual human skull while working at Highgate Cemetery. Dave remembers a particularly traumatic geology field trip involving a quarry and a blood-red lake, while Andy recalls the legendary school-trip disasters that have stayed with him for decades. Plus, we hear your memories of school trips gone horribly wrong, including vomiting on fairground rides, dead sheep in Snowdonia, disastrous hotel rooms, seasickness, accidental nudity and a school cruise involving vomiting teachers and a child apparently being left in Lisbon. So pack your soggy sandwiches, grab your cagoule and make sure nobody gets left behind… This is Scarred for Life’s deep dive into the terrifying world of school trips. Sleep well. Do have nightmares. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Garth Ennis | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:58:16 | |
Welcome to Series 6 of Scarred For Life! In this episode of Scarred for Life, we’re joined by legendary comic book writer Garth Ennis, creator of The Boys and one of the most influential writers to come out of 2000 AD. Garth reveals the three things that genuinely scarred him for life: God, Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, and Ridley Scott’s Alien. From childhood fears of Hell to the horrifying idea of evil growing inside ordinary people, and the lasting nightmare of the xenomorph, Garth explains why some horror doesn’t simply scare you — it scars you for life ( He understood the assignment!) Along the way, we dive deep into his extraordinary career in comics, including Judge Dredd, 2000 AD, and The Boys. His friendship with Alan Moore the creator of Watchmen and From Hell. Garth talks about growing up in Belfast during The Troubles, how living around real-world violence influenced his writing, and his fascination with the way people adapt to violence rather than confronting it. We also get into The Boys, Billy Butcher, Garth's dislike of the regular superhero trope, corruption, corporate control, politics, and why the world of Judge Dredd can sometimes feel uncomfortably close to reality. Enjoy this episode of Scarred For Life! Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| EMERGENCY BROADCAST FROM SCARRED FOR LIFE! | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:01:26 | |
You've been waiting, we've been hunkering in our bunker and cooking up some brand new episodes for you. Series 6 is shaping up to be a phenomenal series with some amazing new guests and some of your favourites coming back for round two. We'll be back on Monday the 7th of September with our first guest - Garth Ennis - Creator of The Boys, Preacher, and writer of Judge Dredd. One of our favourite interviews we've done to date and Garth has a voice like liquid butter so you won't want to miss out. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineu To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mailbag: Wrestling, Tongue Biting &, Fire Safety Horrors | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:39:59 | |
Season five ends with a mailbag packed full of your messages! From terrifying wrestling entrances and warped kids TV to fire safety posters, spooky theme tunes, disaster movies, and the kind of schoolyard myths that spread like wildfire. We also have a few important announcements from the Scarred for Life world, including details of the next live show at the Cheerful Earful Podcast Festival at the Bedford Pub in Balham on Sunday 18th October, plus what is coming next for season six. Get your live show tickets now at: https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/lineup
To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Alex Lowe | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:59:18 | |
In this episode of Scarred for Life, Bush and Dave are joined by actor and comedian Alex Lowe, best known for his turn on Peter Kay's - Phoenix Nights - as the not so talented pseudo Psychic - Clinton Baptiste - and cockney throwback -Barry from Watford. Alex talks child acting, comedy, lost opportunities, working with big names, and the darker edges of performance before revealing three childhood terrors that still haunt him today. From a brutally bleak desert film to terrifying fairground rides and the body horror of The Thing, this is a brilliant, funny, and unexpectedly unsettling conversation about watching things at too young of an age and how that goes on to shape who you become. And for Alex, that means being "ever the bridesmaid, never the bride" despite being an actor for his whole life...something which you could argue is actually the better option! To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Introducing Nikki Druce | 06 Aug 2026 | 00:46:45 | |
In this episode of Scarred for Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by brand new producer Nikki Druce of Killers, Cults and Queens and Macabre London to hash out her three scars. From Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War of the Worlds listened to whilst hiding under a sleeping bag, and the terrifying Mysterons from Captain Scarlet including a scary alarm clock, to the relentless dread of 28 Days Later and how a first love turned into a first hate after a late night prank to do with the film, Nikki explains why spooky storytelling, horror, and the weird always held her attention and explains why she may just be the perfect fit to produce this show. . They also discuss the appeal of true crime, the danger of glorifying offenders, and why people are so compelled to watch true crime.If you love true crime podcasts, horror movies, paranormal history, cult TV, and unsettling nostalgia, this episode is packed with fascinating facts about out new producer so you can get to know exactly what creepy stuff makes her tick. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| David Quantick | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:55:34 | |
In this episode of Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by writer, critic and screenwriter David Quantick, whose career has taken him from the NME and cult British comedy ( Blue Jam, The Day Today, The Thick Of It) to Emmy-winning success on Veep. David talks about the strange overlap between horror and comedy, the power of swearing in jokes, the dark brilliance of friends and collaborators Chris Morris & Armando Iannucci, and the childhood moments that left a lasting mark. His three scars are brilliantly specific and deeply unsettling: a terrifying Star Trek moment in Charlie X, the emotional horror of I’m Sixteen Going on Seventeen from The Sound of Music, and a Doctor Who encounter with the Yeti that sent him hiding behind the sofa. Along the way, the conversation ranges from Doctor Who, Star Trek, and horror fandom to the enduring power of physical media, bad reviews, and why funny things can be terrifying too. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Produced and edited by Nikki Druce @MacabreLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Terrifying Creepy Crawlies in Film & TV - Deep Dive ft Lizzie Hopley | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:47:30 | |
This week on Scarred for Life, friend of the podcast Lizzie Hopley returns for a deep dive into the creepiest creepy crawlies ever featured in film & TV. From gentle grasshoppers turned evil in A Bugs Life through to Eel Ear Larvae in The Wrath Of Khan, Lizzie joins Andy and Dave to delve into the depths of the undergrowth to see what creeps them out the most in the fictional insect world. Expect nostalgia, laughs, and a few hairs standing up on your neck as they explore the small world of insects on the big screen. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Email us scarredforlife@lockitin.studio Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Rob Auton | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:46:02 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by writer, performer and poet Rob Auton. Rob takes us inside his wonderfully imaginative way of seeing the world, from filling buckets with water for thirsty magpies in Peckham to finding poetry in everyday life. Along the way, he explains why he loves shifting the mood of a room, why horror and comedy aren't as different as they seem, and how he collects ideas from ordinary conversations, walks and chance encounters. His three scars are the terrifying wolves from the BBC's adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the unforgettable moment in Ghost when Willie Lopez is dragged to hell, and the nightmare-inducing witch Mortianna from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. There's also chat about ghosts, strange experiences in a supposedly haunted supermarket, the afterlife, religion, Patrick Swayze, horror films, Robin Hood, the Edinburgh Fringe and why the best performances are the ones you can never recreate. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TV Theme Tunes Deep Dive with Lisa Bowerman Part II | 23 Jul 2026 | 01:00:33 | |
This week on Scarred for Life, friend of the podcast Lisa Bowerman returns for Part Two of our deep dive into the greatest TV theme tunes ever written. From haunting children's dramas and tear-jerking classics to unforgettable soap themes and library music gems, Lisa joins Andy and Dave to celebrate the melodies that still transport us straight back to the sofa. Expect nostalgia, laughs, and a few surprising musical rabbit holes along the way. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Email us scarredforlife@lockitin.studio Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Jon Culshaw | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:54:38 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by impressionist, comedian, actor and lifelong Doctor Who fan Jon Culshaw. Jon takes us on a wonderfully nostalgic journey through the television, books and documentaries that shaped his imagination growing up. Along the way he explains why fear is really a form of curiosity, discusses his fascination with butterflies, ghosts, UFOs and aliens, and reveals how childhood scares helped inspire a lifetime of storytelling and performance. His three scars are the terrifying Sea Devils from Jon Pertwee's era of Doctor Who, the chilling 1977 BBC UFO documentary Out of This World, and the wonderfully unsettling Usborne Book of Ghosts. It's a conversation full of classic British sci-fi, paranormal mysteries, television nostalgia and some spectacular impressions along the way. Plus, Jon shares his thoughts on AI, explains why the communal experience of watching television is disappearing, debates the existence of extraterrestrial life, and recalls why Doctor Who always made children feel safe, no matter how frightening the monsters became. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mailbag - Red Dwarf, Biker Grove & Fraggle Rock | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:39:43 | |
This week, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence open the Scarred for Life mailbag to celebrate the brilliant memories, strange fears and wonderfully weird stories sent in by listeners. From The Tomorrow People, Biker Grove and Fraggle Rock to terrifying clowns, ghost trains, Stephen King and Red Dwarf, the conversation wanders through nostalgic TV, childhood trauma and the odd corners of pop culture. Along the way, they share plenty of laughs, revisit some unforgettable scares and prove once again that everyone has a story that scarred them for life. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Email us scarredforlife@lockitin.studio Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Hannah Byczkowski (Ghost Huns) | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:45:25 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy and Dave are joined by comedian, Traitors winner and Ghost Huns co-host Hannah Byczkowski. Hannah explains why she finds horror films comforting, why comedy is the genre she avoids most, and how Ghost Huns has become one of the UK's biggest paranormal podcasts. Along the way there's chat about true crime, tarot cards, haunted prisons, Ouija boards, time slips, and why she thinks orbs are just dust. Her three scars include a memorable childhood encounter with Paul Chuckle, the horrifying moment she woke up to discover a spider in her mouth, and the surreal experience of being dumped outside a butcher's shop. She also shares genuinely creepy stories about strange goings-on in her childhood home, why she refuses to stay there alone, and the unexplained sighting that still makes her question what she saw. Be warned, there is naughty language throughout. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Scary Clown Deep Dive with John Thomson | 09 Jul 2026 | 00:52:07 | |
This week, we're delighted to welcome back one of our favourite returning guests, comedian and actor John Thomson. John joins us to explore one of horror's most enduring—and unsettling—icons: the scary clown. Drawing on his own experiences of playing clowns on screen, his lifelong love of horror, and a remarkable knowledge of the history of clowning, John takes us on a fascinating, funny and occasionally gruesome journey through everything from It and Terrifier to the strange psychology of why clowns can be so terrifying. So, if you've ever found yourself unnerved by a painted smile, step right up... and enjoy the show. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Email us scarredforlife@lockitin.studio Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Johnny Vegas | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:43:53 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by comedian, actor, artist and collector Johnny Vegas. From giant gorillas at the bedroom window to terrifying children's television, Jonny takes us on a wonderfully funny, surprisingly moving trip through the fears that shaped him growing up. Along the way he explains why he'll never watch The Exorcist, reveals his meticulously planned zombie apocalypse survival strategy, shares stories from his childhood in St Helens, and explains how frightening TV programmes may have inadvertently inspired both his artwork and his lifelong obsession with collecting unusual objects. His three scars are the deeply unsettling children's programme Ragtime, the unforgettable image of King Kong peering through a bedroom window, and the chilling realism of Threads, which he describes as one of the most terrifying pieces of television ever made. Plus, there's chat about antiques, haunted houses, mechanical drinking bears, zombie films, priests, ADHD, and why Crossfire might just be the greatest board game ever made. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Alexander J Newall | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:45:36 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy and Dave are joined by writer, director and producer Alexander J. Newall, the founder of Rusty Quill and the creative force behind the hugely successful horror podcast The Magnus Archives. Alex explains how a childhood obsession with unsettling cartoons, classic horror films and British sci-fi shaped his love of the genre, before diving into the unique challenges of making audiences genuinely afraid in audio, theatre and games. From the eerie existential dread of old Hanna-Barbera cartoons to why immersive theatre might be the most effective horror medium of all, it's a fascinating deep dive into what actually makes something scary. His three scars are the terrifying hopelessness of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the unsettlingly familiar Britain of 28 Days Later, and the enduring brilliance of The X-Files, which he credits with fundamentally changing the way he thinks about storytelling. Along the way, there's chat about creepy service stations, cults, liminal spaces, philosophical zombies, board games, and why some horror lingers long after the credits roll. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum – sign-up here – https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Scary Mums Deep Dive with Lizzie Hopley | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:41:13 | |
In this special episode of Scarred for Life, Andy Bush, Dave Lawrence and returning guest Lizzie Hopley explore some of the most terrifying mothers in film and television. From Psycho and Carrie to The X-Files, The Sopranos and beyond, the trio discuss the mothers who scarred generations of viewers, examining why twisted family relationships remain such a powerful source of horror. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Email us scarredforlife@lockitin.studio Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sarah Douglas | 22 Jun 2026 | 01:04:00 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy and Dave are joined by actor and sci-fi icon Sarah Douglas. Best known as the fearsome Ursa in the classic Superman films, Sarah looks back on a remarkable career that has taken her from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to Hollywood, via Superman II, Falcon Crest, Babylon 5 and Conan the Destroyer. Along the way she shares stories of working with Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones and John Pertwee, reveals how being "cranky" may have helped her land the role of Ursa, and explains why she eventually learned to embrace the character that changed her life. Her three scars include a terrifying on-set gun incident during Superman II that left her with a lifelong distrust of weapons on set, a traumatic prosthetics experience that triggered years of claustrophobia and anxiety, and a deeply personal story about meeting her estranged father for the first and last time. It's funny, moving, brutally honest and packed with incredible behind-the-scenes stories from one of British genre cinema's most memorable stars. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum, sign-up here, https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Deep Dive: Alternative Universes with Gary Russell | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:43:22 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence welcome back writer, producer, former child actor, and all-round opinion-holder Gary Russell for a deep dive into one of science fiction's most enduring fascinations: alternative universes. From evil doppelgängers and fascist Earths to Mirror Universes, multiverses and "what if?" storytelling, Gary traces his lifelong love of parallel realities back to childhood encounters with Lost in Space, Doctor Who's legendary Inferno, and classic Star Trek. Along the way, the team explore why alternative realities continue to capture our imagination, how they allow writers to twist familiar characters into unexpected shapes, and whether the concept still has a place in modern storytelling. Expect passionate discussion of Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation, Marvel's What If...?, Batman's Elseworlds adventures, Spider-Verse, and much more. Plus: Gary's obsession with the London Underground, a spirited defence of maps, and the revelation that somewhere in the multiverse there may be a version of him who actually likes Star Trek: Enterprise. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Patton Oswalt | 15 Jun 2026 | 01:06:51 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by comedian, actor, writer and genuine pop culture legend, Patton Oswalt. From Star Wars and Star Trek to horror movies, comic books and classic animation, Patton takes us on a journey through the strange and unsettling things that left a lasting mark on him growing up. Along the way, he explains why comedy and horror are essentially the same craft, reveals his all-time favourite horror films, discusses physical media, Doctor Who, Ghostwatch, Akira, nuclear war paranoia, and why some of the darkest moments in children's entertainment are far more disturbing than anything intended to be scary. His three scars are: • The endless torment lurking beneath classic Looney Tunes cartoons • The horrifying final moments of the original version of The Fly • The unforgettable robot transformation scene from Superman III Plus, Patton shares his thoughts on ghosts, body horror, animation, Star Wars, Star Trek, and why some fictional nightmares stay with us for decades. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mail Bag: Celeb Autographs, Time Lords & Points of View | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:34:33 | |
In this listener mailbag episode of Scarred for Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence share stories from the show's Facebook page, Instagram, and members forum. They revisit childhood TV traumas, creepy public-information posters, unsettling museum exhibits, and memorable celebrity autograph encounters, while discussing how nostalgia, faulty memory, and the inability to revisit old media often make childhood fears even more powerful. The episode also teases possible future guests—including Charlie Brooker, a mega US Comedian and a Doctor Who actor.... To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Suzie Preece (Ghost Huns) | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:56:23 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by comedian, actor and Ghost Huns co-host Suzie Preece. Suzie has built a huge following exploring the paranormal with Ghost Huns, so it's no surprise that her scars are packed full of ghosts, witches and things that go bump in the night. Along the way, she shares stories of Ouija boards, haunted castles, psychic warnings, listener's creepy encounters, and her lifelong obsession with all things spooky. There's also discussion of time slips, poltergeists, ghost hunting, folklore, and why she thinks the world is currently experiencing a supernatural revival. Her three scars are: • The terrifying stage production of The Woman in Black • Michael Aspel's paranormal documentary series Strange But True? • The deeply unsettling painting of Erica trapped inside The Witches Plus, Barney the Dinosaur comes under unexpected attack, Andy reveals his complicated relationship with Mr Wimpy, and Dave shares a chilling woodland encounter involving his young son. Be warned, there's naughty words galore in this one. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Anthologies Deep Dive | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:41:40 | |
This week, Andy, Dave and producer Dane take a trip into The Twilight Zone as they explore the lost art of the TV anthology series. Andy finally confronts the black-and-white original Twilight Zone and watches the legendary "Time Enough at Last" – discovering that maybe, just maybe, old television isn't quite as rubbish as he thought. Along the way, the team discuss nuclear anxiety, thick-rimmed spectacles, Fallout's possible Twilight Zone influences, and whether the show's famous twists still work today. Dane jumps forward to the 1980s revival with the unsettling "Wordplay", a story in which language itself begins to break down. The conversation turns to communication, isolation, dementia, and why some of the scariest stories contain no monsters at all. Meanwhile, Dave heads into the darker corners of Black Mirror with the Christmas classic "White Christmas", starring Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall. The team discuss digital isolation, AI consciousness, social blocking made real, and why Charlie Brooker's vision of the future feels more relevant than ever. Three anthology classics. Three very different nightmares. And one question: are the most frightening stories really the ones about being completely alone? Featuring: • The Twilight Zone – "Time Enough at Last" (1959) • The Twilight Zone – "Wordplay" (1986) • Black Mirror – "White Christmas" (2014) Plus: Rod Serling, Wes Craven, nuclear war, Christmas existential dread, and why Dane has somehow become the lightning rod for listener complaints. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Olly Smith | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:52:25 | |
This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by wine expert, broadcaster, author and all-round enthusiast Olly Smith. Olly's scars take us from the shark-infested waters of Jaws, a film that left him terrified of swimming for decades, to the disastrous first hangover that scarred him for life, complete with a human skeleton under the bed and a quest to find the ultimate cure. Along the way, we discuss boarding school, role-playing games, Pingu, wine tasting notes, great white sharks, writing children's television, Marillion, Fish, and the peculiar objects Olly has collected throughout his life. Plus, Olly tells us about his brilliant new novel Death by Noir, reveals why he once made his wife swim next to him as shark bait, and explains how a shark cage dive in South Africa finally helped him conquer one of his oldest fears. You can pre-order Death By Noir using the code NOIR26! here To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TV Theme Tunes Deep Dive | 14 May 2026 | 00:47:46 | |
It's Deep Dive time and we're welcoming back previous guest Lisa Bowerman to take a trip down memory lane and listen to some classic TV theme tunes. Have you got a favourite? One that sparks a core memory for you? Let us know in the usual ways! To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Nicholas Briggs | 11 May 2026 | 00:57:16 | |
Our guest this week is the actor, writer, director, sound designer and composer, Nicholas Briggs. Nick is probably best known as the voice of the iconic Doctor Who villains The Daleks and The Cybermen, which he began voicing on TV at the start of the 2005 revival. Before that, he was writing and performing in audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, for which he’s now their Creative Director. He’s also written and appeared in a ton of other TV and radio series over the years, as well as plenty of acting and directing for the stage. As well as his continued work in audio drama, Nick also co-hosts the Big Finish Podcast. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mail Bag #2 | 07 May 2026 | 00:36:47 | |
We're back with more of your messages! We were inundated after the last Mail Bag with messages, emails and voice notes, so thank you to everyone who got in touch. But, we still want more for the next one! Message us on Instagram @scarredpod or via our Facebook page. And of course if you're a Scarred Club member you can jump the queue and send your messages to us via the members forum. Or, send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Geoff Lloyd | 04 May 2026 | 00:55:40 | |
Our guest this week is broadcaster Geoff Lloyd. Geoff began his career in radio in 1996 at Key 103 before moving to Virgin/Absolute Radio for almost 20 years. Along the way he racked up 4 Radio Academy Awards and a European Radio Award. Geoff also presented Reasons To Be Cheerful with Ed Miliband for 7 years - winning a Broadcasting Press Guild award for Podcast of the Year. Currently, he hosts Adrift with Annabel Port and They Like To Watch with his wife Sara Barron. He’s now back in the radio world full time, presenting on Virgin Radio from 6pm Monday to Thursday. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Watch Club #2 - Vincent Price Special | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:33:10 | |
It's another Watch Club episode and this week we're delving into 3 Vincent Price classics! Witchfinder General (1968) The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971) and Theatre of Blood (1973) We'd love your recommendations for the next watch club, so if you have a perfect 3 film combo for us - or you just want to tell us how wrong our opinions are - let us know on socials, or send us a voice note on Whatsapp on 07457 404 279 To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, monthly newsletters, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Catriona Ward | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:50:37 | |
Our guest this week is the horror author Catriona Ward. Catriona has been writing in the world of horror fiction for the past decade, becoming the first woman to be a 3-time winner of the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel, at the British Fantasy Awards. She also won the Shirley Jackson Award for best novel in 2018, along with a ton of other awards and nominations, including The Times BreakthroughAward for Literature at the 2022 Sky Arts Awards. Stephen King called her 2022 Novel Sundial ‘authentically terrifying’ and her 2021 novel The Last House on Needless Street was named by Esquire Magazine as one of the top 25 best horror novels of all time. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Slasher Deep Dive - Part Two | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:52:11 | |
The gang are joined this week by actor and regular guest Lizzie Hopley for part two of our deep dive into the world of slasher films! This time we get into the lesser known slashers and post-2000's entries. If any of the films we've talked about across this double bill have piqued your interest, then here's a list of films we've mentioned ... The Texas Chainsaw Massacre To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dominic Brunt | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:52:32 | |
Our guest this week is the actor and director, Dominic Brunt. Most of you will know Dominic from his iconic role as Paddy Kirk in the soap opera Emmerdale, who he’s played for almost 30 years! Along the way he’s been nominated for 11 British Soap Awards, 4 Inside Soap Awards (winning one) and a TV Times Award. But, he’s also a massive horror film fan. So much so, that he produces and directs horror films with his wife, and has starred in a ton of British horror films too. This one was recorded a few months ago before we invested in some better cameras! So if you're watching this instead of listening, apologies for the poor quality. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Slasher Deep Dive - Part One | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:44:40 | |
It's time for another Deep Dive episode and this week we're joined by regular guest and slasher fanatic, Lizzie Hopley. Jason, Michael, Freddy and Leatherface. No, they're not the members of a noughties boy band, they're the most iconic killers from the world of slasher films. In this first part of a two-part slasher special, we take a look at the 'big 4', the origins of the genre and which films are worth your time. Part Two is coming next week, where we get into the honourable mentions and post-2000's entries. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, monthly newsletters, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Simon Day | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:57:15 | |
Our guest this week is actor and comedian, Simon Day. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, monthly newsletters, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 Follow us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ScarredForLifePodcast Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mail Bag #1 | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:31:08 | |
It's the first of our new regular Mail Bag episodes! Thank you to everyone who sent messages and questions. If you want to be featured in the next Mail Bag, there's tons of ways to get involved, message us on Instagram @scarredpod or via our Facebook page. And of course if you're a Scarred Club member you can jump the queue and send your messages to us via the members forum. Or, send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279 To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Rhys Thomas Returns! | 06 Apr 2026 | 01:00:03 | |
Our guest this week is the returning fan favourite, the comedian,director, writer and actor - Rhys Thomas. His last appearance on the podcast was one of the highlights of last year and yet we’d barely scraped the surface. So we had to have him back! We talk rabies, piranhas, ghosts and more in this sprawling medley of scars. For over 30 years, Rhys has been making, and starring in, some ofthe UK’s most inventive comedy, picking up BAFTA, Emmy and Royal Television Awards along the way. He’s appeared in shows such as The Fast Show, Sirens and Star Stories and he’s also the creator of Dodger, The Kemps and the character Brian Pern, along with countless others. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, monthlynewsletters, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||