What connects Barack Obama, a tabloid sting and Love Islander Alex George? Have a Blue Peter badge if you were thinking of Richard Bacon...
While the broadcaster and producer is perhaps best known for the time his Blue Peter contract was terminated - following a tabloid reveal of his cocaine use - there is so much more to the man. His storied time in television led to him founding a production company and creating numerous TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic. He credits this restless creativity to his ADHD, a diagnosis he only received later in life.
We discuss how neurodivergence fuels him; how the cocaine exposé in the 90s impacted who he is; his relationship with his parents; his failed move to America, landing an interview with Barack Obama... and being tracked by the Secret Service.
Richard talks movingly about being an addict, going to AA, his failure to quit drinking and a near-death experience that could have been averted by a certain doctor on Love Island. Trust me, an hour with Richard Bacon is quite the ride - strap in!
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
03:57 Defining Success Today
04:15 Botox Water And Moisturizer
05:32 Parents And Upbringing
10:05 ADHD Intelligence
11:38 Blue Peter Cocaine Exposé
21:06 Fallout Press And Shame
25:42 Dad Crying in Secret
26:35 Public Humiliation to Resilience
29:01 Trust After Betrayal
30:05 America Move
32:37 Woody Harrelson
33:30 Obama Interview Whiplash
35:36 Work as Identity and Failure
37:53 Addiction Coma and Gratitude
LINKS + MENTIONS:
Richard’s podcast ‘Why Are You More Successful Than Me?’ is available now
Join the How To Fail community: www.howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Elizabeth’s Substack: www.theelizabethday.substack.com
WANT MORE?
Claudia Winkleman – swap.fm/l/Q65AatVGMWgB27BoS0g2
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Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
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Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Alex Lawless
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