Jason Donovan is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. I grew up knowing him as the golden boy from Neighbours so, it was surprising to hear how desperate he was to shake off that teenage heart throb image.

Fame hit him young and fast, and before he’d had chance to figure out who he was, Jason found himself trapped in a world that expected him to stay the same blue eyed, blonde haired version of himself that everyone had fallen in love with.In the ‘90s, he pushed back hard: three-day bender, a coc*ine overdose at LA’s Viper Room and using dr*gs to escape the squeaky-clean persona that followed him from Neighbours to the West End.

He doesn’t regret those years, but says they taught him a hell of a lot about himself.

We cover:

• His need to shake off the teen heartthrob image and be “cool”
• Bingeing on coc*ine at the height of his fame
• How becoming a dad changed everything and led him to quit dr*gs
• His relationship with Kylie and how it’s followed him throughout his career
• What it’s like to age in the public eye

This conversation is a reminder that even the brightest stars carry shadows and that facing them can be the most powerful comeback of all.

Jason Donovan is Great Company.

This episode contains sensitive topic discussions including substance abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by anything in this episode and need support, please see the suggested helpline and website links below.

Coc*ine Anonymous UK

0800 612 0225

helpline@cauk.org.uk

Frank

talktofrank.com

If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

THE CREDITS

Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Portas is a retail expert who has built her career on instinct, creativity and a drive to do things differently.

She redefined Britain’s shopping culture in the 1990s, transforming Harvey Nichols from a tired department store into the ultimate shopping destination and later, became a household name through her hit TV series, Mary, Queen of Shops.

I first met Mary a few months ago and she completely blew me away. What I didn’t know then were the circumstances that pushed her into retail in the first place. By 19, Mary had lost both her parents and found herself homeless, suddenly responsible for supporting herself and her younger brother. What began as a search for a ‘proper’ job turned into the beginning of an extraordinary career.

We cover:

• Losing both her parents by the age of 19
• Becoming homeless and finding her unexpected start in retail
• Her game-changing years at Harvey Nichols and the magic behind her iconic shop windows
• How her brother, Lawrence, became the biological father of her son
• The significant loves of Mary’s life

In this conversation, Mary reminded me that identity isn’t inherited, it’s created. And sometimes it’s only after losing everything that you learn how to build a life that feels like home.

Mary Portas is Great Company.

If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

THE CREDITS

Executive Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Editor: Dan King

Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Garraway is a woman who has lived several lifetimes. There’s the broadcaster we all know: bright, curious, endlessly warm. And then there’s the Kate who has weathered unimaginable change, held a family together through crisis, and somehow emerged with her hope and positivity intact.

This episode isn’t a retelling of headlines - it’s the Kate we rarely hear: a woman learning how to breathe again after six years of being on high alert and re-discovering her joy.

We cover:

• Losing her husband and life after grief
• Kate's wild years in her 30s
• How she met her late husband Derek
• Growing up with low confidence
• Starting out in the TV industry
• Celebrity Traitors

Kate showed me that strength isn’t about being unbroken, it’s about allowing yourself to be broken and choosing to rebuild.

Kate Garraway is Great Company.

You can find out more about Kate's new project, The Sharing Life, HERE

If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.