This week Emily and Ray take a walk with the brilliant Jess Fostekew, comedian, writer and all-round powerhouse of warmth and wit.

Jess is best known for her acclaimed live stand-up, as well as her appearances on QI, Live at the Apollo, and more. She chats to Emily about growing up in Dorset, how comedy became her social currency, and why she swapped a promising career in law (complete with a very posh law degree) for the world of stand-up, a decision that’s since earned her a devoted following and a Comedy Award nomination.

It’s a funny, thoughtful and joy-filled chat with one of the most effortlessly likeable voices in British comedy, and someone who handled Ray’s rather unathletic walking speed with saintly patience.

You can catch Jess on tour in her brand new show Iconic Breath, running from February to May 2026. For tickets and dates, head to plosive.co.uk.

Follow Emily:

Instagram: @emilyrebeccadean

X: @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the brilliant Nina Conti, the comedian, actress and ventriloquist continues to share stories from her fascinating life and career, from growing up in Hampstead with actor Tom Conti and writer Kara Wilson, to creating her much-loved stage partner Monkey.

If you haven’t already, make sure to catch part one, and don’t miss Nina’s wonderful new film Sunlight, which is out in cinemas now and available to stream on Apple TV from November 28th. You can also find out more about her live shows at ninaontour.com.

Follow Emily:

Instagram: @emilyrebeccadean

X: @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

This week Emily and Ray take a walk with the brilliant Nina Conti, comedian, actress and ventriloquist extraordinaire.

They meet on Hampstead Heath, where Nina grew up with her parents, actor Tom Conti and writer Kara Wilson, and Emily hears about her fascinating childhood (which happened to include David Bowie at one of her birthday parties). Nina talks about starting out in the RSC before finding her true calling in comedy and ventriloquism with her much-loved sidekick, Monkey.

She tells Emily about her hit live show Whose Face Is It Anyway?, which has been extended due to popular demand, tickets are available at ninaontour.com, and her brilliant new film Sunlight, a darkly funny and unconventional love story she co-wrote, directed and stars in. It’s in cinemas now and available to pre-order on Apple TV ahead of its digital release in November.

It’s a warm, funny and utterly charming chat with one of Britain’s most inventive performers (and features the unforgettable moment Nina gives Raymond his very own ventriloquist voice).

Follow Emily:

Instagram: @emilyrebeccadean

X: @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the brilliant Sam Ryder, the singer continues to share his warm, funny and heartfelt reflections on life, music and the whirlwind of recent years.

If you haven’t already, catch up on part one, and don’t miss Sam’s stunning new album Heartland, a beautifully personal and intimate record that showcases his incredible voice and songwriting. You can also see him live at his forthcoming Wembley Arena show.

Head to Sam's website for tickets and to listen to Heartland.

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the wonderful Steve Backshall, the naturalist and Deadly 60 presenter shares more fascinating insights from his life exploring the wild.

If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to part one, and don’t miss Steve’s first ever UK arena tour, Deadly Live, coming to venues across the country this autumn. You can also dive into his brilliant new book Deadly: My Ultimate Lethal Beasts, packed with mind-blowing animal facts and adventures.

Head to Steve's website for tickets, books and beyond.

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

This week Emily and Ray are joined by the brilliant Steve Backshall, naturalist, explorer and presenter of the much-loved wildlife series Deadly 60.

Steve grew up on a small farm surrounded by animals and went on to carve out an incredible career sharing his passion for the natural world. He talks to Emily about everything from hippos and snakes to Raymond’s more mysterious wolf-like habits, as well as life with his wife, Olympic rower Helen Glover.

Steve also tells Emily about his upcoming Deadly Live UK arena tour, a spectacular, action-packed wildlife adventure, and his new book Deadly: My Ultimate Lethal Beasts, full of fascinating facts about the planet’s most extraordinary creatures.

It’s an inspiring, joy-filled chat with one of Britain’s best-loved presenters, a man who may just have stolen Raymond’s heart.

Head to Steve's website for tickets, books and beyond.

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with the brilliant Anthony Kavanagh, the 90s pop star continues to share his remarkable story with honesty, humour and heart.

If you haven’t already, make sure to catch part one, and don’t miss Anthony’s powerful memoir Pop Scars: A Memoir on Fame, Addiction and the Dark Side of 90s Pop, a searingly honest and beautifully written reflection on life behind the spotlight.

Check out Anthony's wonderful book here and make sure you follow him on Instagram

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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

This week Emily and Ray head to Highbury Fields to meet the brilliant Anthony Kavanagh, who first found fame in the 90s as pop star Kavana, with hits like I Can Make You Feel Good and countless appearances on Top of the Pops.

Anthony opens up about the reality behind that glossy pop image, sharing his story with remarkable honesty in his new memoir Pop Scars. In it, he reflects on the pressures of overnight fame, hiding his sexuality, addiction, and the chaotic fallout of being discarded by the music industry in his twenties.

It’s a moving and darkly funny conversation with a hugely likeable guest who’s come through extraordinary challenges with warmth, wit and perspective, and who, most importantly, won Ray’s seal of approval.

Check out Anthony's wonderful book here and make sure you follow him on Instagram

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

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