Comfort Eating with Grace Dent
Grace Dent invites celebrity guests to share their personal food memories and the stories behind their favorite meals. From school dinners to sofa snacks, each episode explores how food shapes our lives. Guests include actors, comedians, chefs, and sportspeople like Katie Price, Stephen Fry, and James Norton.
Episodes
From the archive (season 4): Graham Norton
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. In this episode, it’s Grace’s couch that gets the star treatment as Graham Norton comes round to chat all things Comfort Eating. We all know Graham from his work interviewing megastars on his chatshow, as well as his much loved radio show, but there’s lots to Graham you might not know about: from his time livin
From the archive (season 6): Katie Price
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. Legendary glamour model turned reality TV star, Katie Price joins Grace. One of the most photographed and filmed women of our times, splashed across page 3 and lads mags as Jordan 30 years ago, then in six of her own TV series, multiple documentaries and reality shows, everyone thinks they know her. But talking
From the archive (season 1): Russell T Davies
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. Award-winning Doctor Who and It’s A Sin screenwriter Russell T Davies tells Grace about some of the most important moments in his life – and the comfort food that has seen him through them. The pair discuss love at first sight, recent loss, and how Woolworth’s pork and egg pie is a metaphor for life itself
From the archive (season 5): Nadiya Hussain
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as autumn turns to winter. Cosying up with Grace is none other than the queen of baking and all our hearts – Nadiya Hussain. The Bake Off star, whose triumph in the tent launched a TV, writing and culinary career of which dreams are made, is dropping by Grace’s home to share her loves, her hates and her strategies for managing a house of
From the archive (season 2): Stephen Fry
Grace is serving up some of her old favourites to curl up to as the darker days of autumn arrive. In this episode, Grace is joined by none other than Stephen Fry. They talk about his childhood, memories of prison, cooking for his husband – and the comfort foods that have seen him through it all
S10, Ep12: Fatiha El-Ghorri, comedian
Comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri pops round to Grace’s for a snack and a chat. Hackney born and bred, Fatiha is an east London girl through and through, but with her Muslim faith being a huge pillar of her life, and her parent’s Moroccan heritage, Fatiha’s standup covers everything from identity and culture, to the horrors of modern dating. But it was her recent stint as a contestant on Taskma
S10, Ep11: Sally Wainwright, TV writer
This week, TV writer, producer and director Sally Wainwright OBE is pulling up a seat at Grace’s kitchen table. Sally’s love for words started at the age of nine, when she and her sister would stage plays together in their bedroom, a passion that would one day see her writing for beloved British soaps like The Archers, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. But the road to writing royalty has not always
S10, Ep10: Mary Portas, broadcaster
This week, broadcaster, businesswoman and retail consultant, Mary Portas OBE pulls up a chair at Grace’s dining table. Mary initially set her sights on acting and was awarded a place at Rada, but then had to give it up after both her parents died. She was left homeless and she had to look after her younger brother, but she went on to blaze a trail through the world of retail and earn the moniker Q
S10, Ep9: Miriam Margolyes, actor
Sound the klaxon … we’re in National Treasure territory today as Miriam Margolyes joins Grace to discuss the joys of Jewish food, breaking wind and, of course, being naughty on national TV. Miriam is one of Britain’s most beloved actors, with her career spanning seven decades. But life hasn’t always been easy for Miriam, from her early years in wartime Britain, to coming out in the less-accepting
S10, Ep8: Mariella Frostrup, journalist
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by one of Britain’s most beloved broadcasters – Irish-Norwegian journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup. Speaking to Grace, Mariella opens up about her early food memories growing up between Norway and Ireland with a Scottish mother, shares a cringe-worthy dinner faux pas involving Prince Charles and reflects on the perils of being a little too hones
S10, Ep7: Alan Davies, comedian
Today, Alan Davies pays Grace a visit, a dish of his favourite comfort food in hand. The Essex-born comedian has spent more than 30 years making us laugh and his third memoir, which shares the highs and lows of his comedy career, is out soon. But what food does he turn to for energy? • The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 03
S10, Ep6: CMAT, singer songwriter
This week, Grace is joined by a woman who has described herself as the unwashed ITV version of Taylor Swift – CMAT. With her third album, Euro-Country, out now, a summer calendar packed full of festivals and a tour on the horizon, what is this stunning, Irish superstar eating to fuel the ride? Warning: this episode contains descriptions of drug use and disordered eating
S10, Ep5: Nicola Sturgeon, former politician
This week, Grace is buzzing to meet former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Over the past few years, Nicola has weathered an independence referendum, Brexit, a pandemic, countless press briefings and parliamentary spats, an arrest and a divorce. So what food does she turn to when she needs some comfort?
From the archive (season 6): David Baddiel, comedian
As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to February 2024, when legendary comedian and author David Baddiel rocked up to Grace’s house. With a career spanning 40 years on TV, stage and radio, not to mention coining anthemic football songs and writing multiple bestselling books for adults and
From the archive (season 4): Jayde Adams, comedian
As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to November 2022, when Grace welcomed one of that year’s stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Jayde Adams. Jayde and Grace discuss Jayde’s Bristolian beginnings, what it takes to become a fishmonger, and what makes the perfect dinner party. And as always, t
From the archive (season 4): James Norton, actor
As Grace Dent takes a short summer break, the team is delving into the archives to bring you some of their favourite episodes. This week, we rewind to January 2023, when Grace welcomed actor James Norton into her home. Grace realised there’s a lot more to learn about James, from his idyllic early years in Yorkshire, to a stint at a very religious boarding school, his breakthrough on the West End a
S10, Ep4: Irvine Welsh, writer
Scottish writer Irvine Welsh joins Grace to share his ultimate comfort food. Irvine has been a towering figure in our cultural galaxy for 30 years. His bestselling novels include Porno, The Acid House, Filth and, of course, Trainspotting. Trainspotting – famously autobiographical – follows a group of heroin addicts in a deprived area of Edinburgh. It was a huge hit, selling more than a million cop
S10, Ep3: Samson Kayo, actor
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by Bafta-nominated actor, writer and producer Samson Kayo. Samson has been gracing our screens for more than a decade, starring in shows such as Channel 4’s Youngers, Sky’s sitcom Bloods and HBO’s Our Flag Means Death. Now, he’s currently celebrating the release of two blockbusters, Voltron and F1, in which he stars alongside the likes of Brad Pitt, Dam
S10, Ep2: Lulu, musician
Joining Grace on this week’s episode of Comfort Eating is Lulu. Lulu was belting out songs to crowds before most of her classmates had mastered their times tables. By 15, she’d swapped school for showbiz and kicked off a six decade career with a bang – her first single Shout landed her in the charts and on the path to global stardom. She’s duetted with legends, succeeded at Eurovision, survived th
S10, Ep1: Joy Crookes, musician
Musician Joy Crookes joins Grace to kick off a brand new season of Comfort Eating. Born and raised in south London, Joy’s rich, punchy and intimate songs means her music is everywhere. With Bangladeshi and Irish heritage, Joy writes music that’s rich in politics, identity and a lot of raw feeling. Her debut album, Skin, was an intimate patchwork of heartbreak, protest and pride, earning her not ju
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back
Season 10 of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 8 July. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including CMAT, Irvine Welsh, Lulu and Nicola Sturgeon, as they delve into their ultimate comfort food
S9, Ep6: Suzi Ruffell, comedian
Comedian, broadcaster and podcaster Suzi Ruffell joins Grace in her east London home. Suzi’s comedy CV boasts an impressive five sellout runs at the Edinburgh festival fringe, appearances on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and The Last Leg. She talks to Grace about family life with her wife, Alice, in Brighton; her struggles with anxiety; her mum’s sandwich love language; and the moment her dad
S9, Ep5: Babatunde Aléshé, comedian
Joining Grace on Comfort Eating this week is actor and comedian Babatunde Aléshé. Babatunde stole the nation’s hearts with appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. He talks to Grace about how his mum is every bit the Nigerian matriarchal stereotype, the age old debate of who makes the best jollof rice, and how a strong dislike for cheese allowed him the privileg
S9, Ep4: Dave Gorman, comedian
British comedian Dave Gorman joins Grace for another scrumptious helping of Comfort Eating. Across the noughties, Dave took the British comedy scene by storm, and is known for taking the mundane, adding some sparkle and creating an Edinburgh festival fringe show, a UK tour and a book. Now he is back with a reboot of Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish. Dave recounts how his hero comedian Frank Ski
S9, Ep3: Pete Tong, DJ
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by superstar DJ, King of Ibiza, and namesake of his own rhyming slang: it’s Pete Tong MBE. Pete is one of the most influential figures in dance music; without him, house music and club culture would not be what they are today. He is about to go back on the road in the UK with his 10th year of Ibiza Classics – described as an event for the relapse raver.
S9, Ep2: Ellie Simmonds, Paralympian
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by five-time Paralympic gold medalist Ellie Simmonds. At 30, Ellie has hung up her goggles and retired from swimming, but instead of claiming an early pension, she has turned her hand to disability activism and documentary making – in 2024 she won a Bafta for her documentary Finding My Secret Family. She talks to Grace about the food that sustained her
S9, Ep1: Gary Kemp, musician
Songwriter, musician and actor, best known as a heartthrob in one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, Gary Kemp joins Grace for a brand new helping of Comfort Eating. Longtime Spandau Ballet fan Grace hears about the good old days: how Gary poured a tin of golden syrup over baby brother Martin Kemp’s head; how there were eels for dinner kept alive in his nan’s sink; and how hot fish and chips in th
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for a new helping
Season nine of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 18 February. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including Gary Kemp, Ellie Simmonds and Pete Tong, as they delve into what they love to eat when nobody is watching
Sadiq Khan, mayor of London
To welcome in the New Year, Grace is joined by politician Sadiq Khan. Born in south London, to British Pakistani parents, he is one of eight children and was MP for Tooting before becoming London’s mayor in 2016. Now in his third term, Sadiq and Grace talk about how doughnuts fuel him during elections, the art of screwing up a tuna pasta bake, and where he’d like to take Donald Trump for dinner ne
A Comfort Eating Christmas
Christmas has arrived at Comfort Eating HQ, so join Grace as she joyfully wallows in her annual Christmas baking session while musing on her favourite Comfort Eating yuletide memories. From multi-Grammy winner Gregory Porter on his mum’s festive cook-ups, to baking extraordinaire Nadiya Hussain on her childhood turkey midnight feasts, plus Craig David, Michael Ball and many more
S8, E13: Matt Goss, musician
Join Grace for a twinkly helping of festive Comfort Eating, where she is joined by Matt Goss, one third of Bros. One of the biggest boy bands of the 20th century, it was a tabloid sensation when the band split. Since then, Matt has broken the US and holds the record as the longest-running British resident artist in Las Vegas. Grace and Matt discuss the Christmases of his childhood, headlining a se
S8, E12: Paterson Joseph, actor and author
One of the UK’s best loved character actors, Paterson Joseph, joins Grace for another serving of Comfort Eating. The Beach, Peep Show and Wonka actor looks back at his career and muses on the roles he didn’t get, namely the role of Doctor Who to replace David Tennant in 2010. Paterson remembers his parents smuggling yams in from Saint Lucia, the politics of biscuit and toast tax when you’re one of
S8, E11: Diane Morgan, actor
Actor and comedian Diane Morgan joins Grace for another helping of Comfort Eating. Diane is best known for playing mockumentary historian Philomena Cunk, droll antihero Liz in the critically acclaimed BBC sitcom Motherland, and Mandy in … Mandy. Diane reveals how she keeps a straight face when asking world experts very silly questions, why she was sacked from her waitressing job, and what happened
S8, E10: David Gray, musician
The multi-platinum selling musician David Gray joins Grace this week on Comfort Eating. His breakthrough album White Ladder topped the charts worldwide and sold more than 3m copies in the UK, making it one of the best selling albums of the 21st century. Now with his 13th album, Dear Life, he joins Grace to look back at how music changed his life, the food that sustained a three-decade career and h
S8, Ep9: Monica Dolan, actor
Bafta-award winning actor Monica Dolan shares her ultimate comfort food with Grace. Known for playing cardigan-wearing villains, Monica has been described as one of the greatest actors of her generation. She talks about the hell of Covid shopping, how to play a serial killer, and how a weekly Irish stew held her family together during childhood. If you liked this episode then have a listen to Grac
S8, Ep8: Phil Wang, comedian
Funny guy Phil Wang joins Grace this week for another helping of Comfort Eating. Phil has a textbook comedy career: president of Footlights at Cambridge University, graduating with agents sniffing at his heels; sell-out Edinburgh shows; and now purveyor of two Netflix comedy specials. Phil and Grace talk about how to supermarket shop with crocodiles in the aisles, how garlic sauce pervaded his stu
S8, Ep7: Vanessa Feltz, broadcaster
Grace is joined by broadcasting legend Vanessa Feltz. From BBC breakfast to BBC London to LBC, she has graced our airwaves – and our TV screens – since the late 80s. Grace and Vanessa take a trip down memory lane to discuss her granny’s secret Jewish recipes she’ll never pass on, her mother’s ‘bombe surprise’ pudding, and how being in the public eye has shaped her. If you liked this episode then h
S8, Ep6: Richard E Grant, actor
This week on Comfort Eating, Grace is joined by one of the most successful and enduring film stars of the past 40 years: Richard E Grant. The Swaziland-born English actor made his film debut as Withnail in the comedy Withnail and I, and has since starred in the likes of Star Wars, Gosford Park and Saltburn. Richard and Grace chew over the food he ate when he ran away from home as a child, the brea
S8, Ep5: Rob Rinder, barrister and television host
TV presenter Rob Rinder joins Grace in her east London home to share his comfort food. Rob has been on our TV screens for a decade as Judge Rinder on the hit ITV show and, more recently, making documentaries. His 2020 BBC documentary My Family, The Holocaust and Me, about his Jewish heritage, garnered him an MBE for services to Holocaust education and awareness. Listen in as Rob swigs scotch and r
S8, Ep4: Leila Farzad, actor
Joining Grace for a big serving of Comfort Eating is Bafta nominated actress Leila Farzad. Leila is best known for her performance alongside Billie Piper in I Hate Suzie, her Netflix hit show KAOS, and is set to star in the next Bridget Jones film. Grace and Leila ruminate on the moot question of batter versus breadcrumbs, travel back to the Iran of Leila’s childhood, and chew over the best consol
S8, Ep3: Stanley Tucci, actor
Hollywood royalty Stanley Tucci shares his ultimate comfort food with Grace this week. Born in America to Italian parents, Stanley and Grace discuss his love of Italian food, the lows of British food in the 1980s, and exactly which aphrodisiac he and Meryl Streep ate a lot of on set together
S8, Ep2: Maisie Adam, comedian
Maisie Adam joins Grace in her east London home to share her ultimate comfort food. Maisie is a comedian, writer and actress and one of the most exciting rising stars on the UK comedy circuit. Her critically acclaimed comedy sells out theatres across the land, and has bagged her a regular spot on the TV quiz show circuit. Maisie shares memories of pies at Elland Road, home of her beloved Leeds Uni
S8, Ep1: Rag’n’Bone Man, singer
Rag’n’Bone Man joins Grace for a new serving of Comfort Eating. Rag’n’Bone Man, AKA Rory Graham, shot to fame in 2016 with his song Human. A couple of albums later, he’s collaborated with an incredible roster of stars, from Gorillaz to P!nk, and his back catalogue has been streamed billions of times. He and Grace discuss how oven chips are always either too burnt or raw, his dreams of opening a pu
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for a new season
Season eight of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 24 September. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including Richard E Grant, Rag’n’Bone Man and Vanessa Feltz, as they delve into what they love to eat when nobody is watching
Revisited – S3 E4: Big Zuu, rapper and TV personality
The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating, double Bafta winner Big Zuu goes round to Grace’s house for a plate of his ultimate comfort food. They talk about his ‘scandalous’ mother, growing up between extreme wealth and poverty, and the wild success of his show Big Zuu’s Big Eats. A
Revisited – S3 E12: Natalie Cassidy, actor
The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating, Eastenders actor and all-round hun Natalie Cassidy pops over for a chat with Grace. She and Grace remember the 90s London club scene, discuss the perils of having a fitness DVD, and how being part of a soap for so many years shapes your ide
Revisited – S1 E2: Nish Kumar, comedian
The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, comedian Nish Kumar tells Grace about some of the most important moments in his life – and the comfort food that saw him through them. They lament the ‘golden years’ of Pizza Hut, discuss the ‘spicy’ period during his 20s, a
Revisited - S3 E2: Self Esteem, musician
The Comfort Eating team is taking a break. So for the next few weeks, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite episodes. In this episode of Comfort Eating, the pop star Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem, drops into Grace’s kitchen. Their riotous afternoon includes ‘northern women eating carbs’, the joy of buying expensive jumpers, and some unexpected tears. And, as always, Self Esteem revel
S7, Ep8: bonus episode – a few of the tastiest bits from all seven series
This week, Grace takes us on a trip down memory lane to hear some of the best bite-sized tidbits of food tales from seven glorious seasons of Comfort Eating, featuring the likes of Rafe Spall, Scarlett Moffatt and Russell T Davies. We hear the stories of Jay Blades’ school pudding obsession and Russell Tovey’s teenage love of brussels sprouts, and listen to clips that shine a light on how food and
S7, Ep7: Bimini, drag queen
This week, Grace is joined by east London’s plant-based princess Bimini who shot to fame in 2021, after the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, where they captivated the BBC audience with quippy one liners, high fashion runway looks, and death drops. Although Bimini didn’t snatch the crown, they remain the most-followed UK contestant. Since filming the show, Bimini has released several singles
S7, Ep6: Jazzie B, DJ, music producer
Grace welcomes the legendary DJ, producer and founder of Soul II Soul, Jazzie B, to the podcast. Over a bowl of ‘yellow’ – one of his childhood comfort foods –Jazzie takes Grace on a journey from playing his sound system, aged 12, at a silver jubilee street party for the Queen, to finding inspiration on tour in Japan and Korea, and on to Buckingham Palace, where he received an OBE in 2008. The job
S7, Ep5: David Harewood, actor
Joining Grace this week is actor and director David Harewood, who found global fame in the hit CIA-thriller Homeland 13 years ago and hasn’t stopped working since. David was born and raised in Small Heath, Birmingham, where he lived with his older siblings and Barbadian parents. He tells Grace about how his mum kept the flavours of the West Indies alive in his childhood home, while he navigated th
S7, Ep 4: Allan Mustafa, actor and comedian
Allan Mustafa joins Grace to share the dish he turns to for comfort food. Allan shot to fame playing MC Grindah in People Just Do Nothing, his Bafta award-winning, semi-autobiographical mockumentary, which was inspired by his early life in south-west London. Allan talks about growing up with his Czech mum and Kurdish dad and eating the ultimate fusion cuisine. He dishes the dirt on his teenage lif
S7, Ep 3: Golda Rosheuvel, actor
Actor Golda Rosheuvel joins Grace this week to share what she eats when the wigs are off. Golda is best known for her role as the formidable Queen Charlotte in the record-breaking Netflix series Bridgerton. Before Bridgerton fame, Golda’s breakthrough role was playing a female Othello at the Liverpool Everyman, rooting herself as an actor who challenges traditional casting. Golda talks to Grace ab
S7, Ep 2: Joanne McNally, comedian and podcaster
Joining Grace this week is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed comics and host of the award-winning podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, Joanne McNally. With a number of sell-out shows and tour dates in the US later this year, they discuss how Joanne uses comedy to process difficult periods in her life, how her mum is her favourite cocktail buddy, and what exactly she stole to get herself kicked out of th
S7, Ep 1: Katherine Ryan, comedian and writer
Katherine Ryan joins Grace this week to share her favourite comfort foods. The Canadian comedian, writer, presenter and actor is best known for her deliciously wicked comedy, delivered with a side dish of couture. Katherine shares memories from her past, including her father’s attempts to bring Indian food to Canada via Ireland, her difficult early days in London as a single parent trying to makes
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for more
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is back for a seventh course on 11 June. Join her and celebrity guests as they reveal the comfort foods that have seen them through their lives in series seven
S6, Ep 10: Kiell Smith-Bynoe, actor and comedian
Joining Grace this week is the multi-talented actor, comedian and rapper, Kiell Smith-Bynoe. Long before becoming a household name as the exasperated boyfriend in the hit series Ghosts, Kiell (AKA MC Klayze Flaymz) tells Grace how, as a teenager, he combined his performance skills in the ultimate London arena: the chicken shop. With the taste of success, Kiell and Grace chat about his journey to t
S6, Ep 9: Kiri Pritchard-McLean, comedian
Welsh standup, podcast host and panel show queen, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, brings her finest bowl of scran to Grace’s house. Over this steaming ultra-value concoction, she reveals how her upbringing on a Welsh sheep farm led to a hankering for performance, humour and cheap noodles. Cutting her teeth on the Manchester comedy circuit and finding solace with fellow newbies, Kiri learned to win in an in
S6, Ep 8: Tom Kerridge, chef
Comfort Eating’s culinary standards might have been permanently raised after two-Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge’s visit. But he’s not exactly one to show off. Growing up in Gloucester, Tom always wanted to recreate the homely meals he’d find at his local pub or at his mum’s on Sundays. With a brief detour on to the acting stage, Tom started his career working at some of the country’s top restaura
S6 Ep 7: Cat Burns, singer
Platinum-selling singer songwriter Cat Burns cosies up with Grace for a warm plate of nosh and some deep chats. The biggest-selling British female artist of 2022, who won three Brit award nominations after her single Go went viral on TikTok, reveals how she went from shy schoolgirl to stadium gigs in just a few years. While Covid put an end to busking on the South Bank, it opened up another portal
S6 Ep 6: Daniel Foxx, comedian
Sliding into Grace’s sitting room this week is rising star and multitalented comedian, playwright and musical theatre creator, Daniel Foxx. Bringing his concoction of gunk meant only for solo consumption in the small hours, there’s nowhere left to hide. Buckle up and join Grace and Daniel as they go on a tour of the ins and outs of life in the fast lane – or is that the M6 at 1am? Daniel shares hi
S6 Ep 5: Amol Rajan, broadcaster
It’s tough presenting BBC radio’s top morning news programme, hosting the nation’s brainiest quiz show and being a devoted dad to four young children. But someone’s got to do it. And that person is none other than the broadcaster Amol Rajan. Having risen through the ranks of the Independent newspaper to be its youngest editor at the age of 29 and now only the third ever presenter of University Cha
S6 Ep 4: Katie Price, model turned reality TV star
Dropping by this week for a spot of comfort eating is the legendary glamour model turned reality TV star, Katie Price. One of the most photographed and filmed women of our times, splashed across page 3 and lads mags as Jordan 30 years ago, then in six of her own TV series, multiple documentaries and reality shows, everyone thinks they know her. But talking to Grace over a squishy, soft and ‘bald’
From the archive (season 2): Dave Myers, hairy biker
This week, the world learned of the sad passing of a true British icon, TV cook and hairy biker, Dave Myers. To celebrate his life, we wanted to bring you this episode from January 2022 where Dave tells Grace about – ironically – losing all his hair aged eight, his years as a makeup artist, working in the steelyards of Barrow-in-Furness, and the comfort foods that have seen him through it all
S6 E3: Kathy Burke, actor, director and writer
One of the UK’s most loved and versatile actors, Kathy Burke, lands in Grace’s sitting room this week. Transitioning from punk teenager, to award-winning actor and then taking on comedy, Kathy has loved almost all of it. She talks to Grace about her career highlights and when her personal life sometimes got in the way, recounting the food that got her through. Whether it’s eating fish and chips on
S6 E2: Michelle de Swarte, comedian
Model-turned-standup Michelle De Swarte knows how to make an entrance. And arriving at Grace’s with her eat-it-or-climb-it comfort snack of choice, she doesn’t disappoint. For the woman who left school at 14, signed as a model at 19, fell on the Gucci catwalk a month later, modelled for years in New York afterwards and then changed tack to become a comedian, life is what you make it. Straight-talk
S6 E1: David Baddiel, comedian
Pulling up a pew at Grace’s house to launch a new season of Comfort Eating is the legendary comedian and author, David Baddiel. With a career spanning 40 years on TV, stage and radio, not to mention coining anthemic football songs and writing multiple bestselling books for adults and children, David has a unique place in our nation’s popular culture. He brings Grace his favourite comfort snack and
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is coming back for a brand new season
Season six of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday 13 February. Join Grace and her celebrity guests, including David Baddiel, Katie Price and Amol Rajan, as they delve into what they love to eat when nobody is watching
S5 E10: Gregory Porter, singer-songwriter
Bringing lashings of comfort and joy to Grace’s house for the final episode of this season is the legendary jazz singer Gregory Porter. The multi-Grammy award-winner, known for his smooth, silky tones and iconic headgear, is gliding in on a wave of Californian soul to ease us into some truly mellow seasonal joy. Food and music has taken Gregory on a winding path, navigating student digs and kitche
S5 E9: Tamsin Greig, actor
This week, Grace gets a visit from one of her heroes. It’s none other than Tamsin Greig, the small screen acting legend. After treating Grace to a two-course surprise snack, Tamsin talks about growing up with an older dad, her secret Friday Night Dinner food strategies and the strange moments of joy to be found within grief. And, of course, she reveals what she scoffs from the fridge after long da
S5 E8: Keith Brymer Jones, potter
The tables turn for Grace this week as – for once – a TV judge arrives to give her a critique. It’s Keith Brymer Jones, The Great Pottery Throw Down’s famously teary-eyed resident potter. After a quick round of feedback on Grace’s favourite horrible 80s mug, Keith talks her through his post-punk band days, discovering a love for clay and a childhood crammed with Welsh cakes. And, as always, he rev
S5 E7: Adjoa Andoh, actress
Dropping into Grace’s living room for some prime time Comfort Eating is the actor Adjoa Andoh, best known for playing Lady Danbury in the Netflix hit Bridgerton. Sharing a platter of her tastiest morsels, Adjoa talks to Grace about jacking in a law degree, moving into a south London squat, joining a touring feminist theatre group while pregnant, the slog of serving up daily family meals and the jo
S5 E6: Mary McCartney, photographer
Joining Grace for some generous, multi-layered Comfort Eating is the photographer and TV chef, Mary McCartney. Hailing from one of the most famous families of 20th-century culture, Mary lets us into the culinary secrets of the McCartney family – from her dad Paul’s perfect mash to her mum Linda’s ice-cream cake – and the family trips to New York where they’d hit pizza restaurants in search of that
S5 E5: Bridget Christie, comedian
Joining Grace for a leisurely afternoon chat this week is one of the queens of British comedy, Bridget Christie. Bridget is an award-winning standup comedian, actor and writer. After getting into comedy later than most, she won the Edinburgh comedy award for best show with A Bic for Her in 2013, and she recently dipped her toe into screenwriting, with the brilliant Channel 4 series The Change. She
S5 E4: Jamie Demetriou, actor
Grace’s living room gets a professional appraisal this week from none other than Jamie Demetriou. Best known as the bumbling titular estate agent of Stath Lets Flats and long-toothed lover of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, Jamie’s arrived fresh off the Barbie set armed with his favourite comfort snacks. He and Grace talk about his teenage indie band, growing up in his dad’s greasy spoon and the d
S5 E3: Jon Ronson, journalist
It’s time for another mystery snack at Grace’s dining room table, where she’s joined by writer, journalist and podcaster Jon Ronson. Jon’s best known for going on adventures with unlikely people, culminating in hit books such as The Men Who Stare at Goats and The Psychopath Test. This week, he tells Grace about his passion for TV dinners, his rivalry with Louis Theroux and his life as a failed ban
S5 E2: Shirley Ballas, dancer
This week, Grace heads out of her kitchen and into the home of dance legend Shirley Ballas to cha-cha-chat all things Comfort Eating. Shirley’s become TV royalty as head judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, but she’d already been ruling the dancefloor for decades. She and Grace chat about wedding buffets, steamy backstage rendezvous and where to stand in the queue to get the best helping of s
S5 E1: Nadiya Hussain, chef
Cosying up with Grace to launch a new season of Comfort Eating is none other than the queen of baking and all our hearts – Nadiya Hussain. The Bake Off star, whose triumph in the tent launched a TV, writing and culinary career of which dreams are made, is dropping by Grace’s home to share her loves, her hates and her strategies for managing a house of teenagers. Over a plate of something so comfor
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is coming back
Season five of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will kick off on Tuesday, 26 September. Join Grace as she learns what her celebrity guests, such as Nadiya Hussain and Jon Ronson, love to eat when nobody is watching
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