Amuse Douche with James Haskell

Prepare to be entertained, surprised, and thoroughly amused as James Haskell takes to the stage with his first full-length 35-minute comedy set. Stepping away from the rugby pitch and into the spotlight, James fearlessly delves into the intricacies of his personal life, sharing hilarious anecdotes and unfiltered observations. Drawing upon his experiences as a professional athlete, he masterfully weaves tales of triumph, failure, and the absurdities of fame, while embracing vulnerability and a refreshingly self-deprecating humour. Get ready to witness the hilarious transformation of a rugby legend into a comedy force to be reckoned with. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

It’s the last episode of Amuse Douche before James’ full length set. Luckily, he’s teamed up with the brilliant comedian Suzi Ruffell to explore the power of comedy in breaking down barriers. Together, they delve into the often unspoken challenges faced by comedians, particularly when confronting misogyny and homophobia.With her trademark wit and wisdom, Suzi Ruffell fearlessly opens up about her personal experiences, sharing anecdotes that shed light on the pervasive stereotypes and prejudice she has encountered throughout her comedy career.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

As the twenty minute live set draws closer, another comedian takes a look at Hask’s previous eight minutes. This time, it’s former dominatrix and American comic Desiree Burch who casts her eye over his material. A far cry from the prudish British stereotype, Desiree isn’t afraid to tackle provocative subjects and speak her mind - so what will she make of James’ work? And has he finally met his match in comedy?Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

Seven weeks in and the reality of having to do a 20-minute set is hitting James hard. So he decides to share his eight minute set with today’s guest Jordan Gray, to get some constructive criticism alongside her advice.After a career change no one saw coming, moving from singing to comedy, Jordan knows a thing or two about how to transfer skills. She shares her wisdom on why the rule of three never fails, how comedy can be used to bridge divides and why ending a show naked has become a regular occurrence for her.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

For Hask, today’s episode feels like meeting an old mate at the pub. But what comedian, actor and classically trained singer Lloyd Griffith teaches him, is that in comedy, this could be a recipe for disaster. What’s funny in the pub with your mates isn’t always funny on stage, and vice versa. Lloyd takes James through his non-traditional route to comedy success and the surprising lengths he went to to hone his craft - a magic recipe made up of an overnight sleeper train, a packet of sleeping pills and a few tinnies. And as they explore Hask’s own comedy journey, Lloyd reveals what compering can do for performance skills and why opening yourself up to criticism from other comics is the best thing you can do. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

Rachel Parris wears many hats when it comes to comedy. You name it, she’s done it: musical, stand-up, sketch, improv. So it should come as no surprise that she’s also the first woman to front a topical TV comedy show in the UK. No subject is too left-field for a piano rendition, no topic is too serious to find the funny in. So what can she teach James about stepping outside his comfort zone?They talk about breaking the gender mould of the industry, the importance of thinking on your feet and why taking on a 20-minute set isn’t as scary as James might think. And in discussing her remarkable comedy evolution, Rachel brings her earliest notebook to the studio for reflection. Does she have any regrets? Listen to find out…Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

In this episode James is joined by the husband Amuse Douche season one guest, Harriet Kemsley. Canadian comic Bobby Mair is used to being introduced alongside his wife, and therefore being paired with funny people - so James, the modest man that he is, thinks he’s in for an easy ride with today’s episode. But in discussing the value of knowing your audience and how not planning too far ahead can be a blessing in disguise, Bobby reveals that the path to comedy success isn’t always smooth sailing.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

You would think rugby podcasts and stand-up comedy would make for strange bedfellows but it turns out James isn’t the first person to dip his toe into these two worlds.Hal Cruttenden has appeared on some of the UK’s biggest comedy shows including Live At the Apollo, Would I Lie to You? and the Royal Variety Performance, alongside comedy he’s a massive rugby fan, presenting shows such as 'Rugby’s On' and 'The Huddle'. Hal went from BBC traffic reporter to stand-up comedian to rugby pundit but this week he hopes to tackle a new challenge…James Haskell.Correction: Suzy Eddie Izzard was incorrectly named as ‘Eddie Izzard’ and the wrong pronouns were used. This was unintentional and we wish to apologise to Suzy for any offence caused. Pronouns are important for affirming gender identities and creating a safe space for our guests and listeners. Everyone deserves to have their name and pronouns respected. For more information on pronouns and why they are important please see this guide from Stonewall: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace-trans-inclusion-hub/beginner%E2%80%99s-guide-pronouns-and-using-pronouns-workplace

In this episode James is joined by Kae Kurd, a comic taking the UK comedy scene by storm. Savvy to the changing nature of its landscape, Kae’s become a household name in the world of social media - amassing close to 2 million followers on TikTok and thousands more across other platforms.After making his big comedy debut in 2017, he’s quickly climbed up the ranks, so knows how to navigate the comedy scene of today better than most. So what can James learn from him about boosting his profile?Kae chats to James about why coming to the UK at six-months-old as a refugee set him up for resilience in comedy, the power of social media and why just being funny isn't enough. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

Simon Brodkin AKA Lee Nelson AKA Jason Bent AKA Britain’s Greatest Hoaxer. Simon has pranked some of the world’s most powerful and famous people…Donald Trump, Theresa May, Phillip Green, Kanye West, Sepp Blatter…the list goes on.Despite being renowned for his characters and world-famous stunts, Brodkin is taking the brave decision to start all over again. Like James, he’s going through a metamorphosis. They are both well-known for their previous lives, and more than aware that this comes with advantages and challenges. The two discuss the price of fame and the need to be authentic on stage.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

It’s crunch time from James as he invites his mentor, Russell Kane, back into the studio to dissect James’ first ever stand-up set. Performed at the prestigious 99 Club in Central London, this is the first time James has played it to anyone.Has James got what it takes to be a stand-up comedian? Let’s find out…Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

This is the last chance for advice before James takes to the stage for his first 5 minute set. To help him he’s enlisted comedy writer Dom English for a last counsel before road-testing his very first stand-up routine.Dom’s worked on a staggering number of British TV staples spanning across decades, from the '90s to the '20s, including hit shows 'Big Breakfast', 'The 11 O’clock Show', '8 Out of 10 Cats' and 'The 1% Club' to name a few. He’s worked along side the likes of Jimmy Carr, Katherine Ryan, Lee Mack and now…James Haskell.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

James welcomes into the studio fellow ‘I’m a Celeb’ contestant Andrew Maxwell. The two reminisce about their time in the jungle. Andrew discusses his roots in a turbulent Ireland and how he was already establishing himself as a stand-up at the grand age of 16.With over 30 years as a stand-up comedian and comedy writer Andrew offers some invaluable tips and tricks he’s learnt over his decades in the limelight.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

This week James gets physical with Larry Dean. The Glaswegian comic has become well known for his high energy and physical style on stage. James wonders if that could work for him and how he would incorporate it into his set.Larry tells some saucy tales of his time as a pizza delivery boy and explains the value of being yourself onstage. James also gets a masterclass on dealing with hecklers and the importance in always having fun.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

A familiar face on nearly every British comedy show going, Shappi Khorsandi has a staggering list of achievements to her name. From stand-up comedian to accomplished writer, from Margaret Thatcher to nude life model, Shappi bares all in a touching interview with James.Shappi shines a light on the darker side of the entertainment industry, fleeing Iran and her struggle with mental health. The two share tales of living life with ADHD and dealing with pressure at the top.This show covers topics of bulimia and mental health.For information, help and support on bulimia visit the website for Beat, or email and call using the details below.Beat: The UK’s Eating Disorder Charity - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/Beat support for England: 
help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call free on 0808 801 0677Beat support for Scotland:
 Scotlandhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call free on 0808 801 0432Beat support for Wales:
 Waleshelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call free on 0808 801 0433Beat support for Northern Ireland: NIhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call free on 0808 801 0434For more information or help regarding mental health contact Samaritans via their website https://www.samaritans.org/ or call for free on 116 123.

If anyone knows about changing hats its Paul ‘The Sinnerman’ Sinha. James traverses Paul’s life from doctor to comedian to quizzer and surgically removes any tips and hints he has to offer.James quizzes Paul on his trajectory from snappy one-liner comedian to story teller and on how to find his uniqueness in the world of stand-up. The two reminisce about their respective time on Mastermind and what it’s like finding the balance between being professional in two very different fields.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

It’s important not to run before you can walk, so maybe it’s time for James to start thinking about taking his first steps into comedy.Who better to guide him than seasoned pro Ed Byrne, with over twenty years as a comedian, he offers James some words of wisdom that he’s learnt over his many years in the limelight. From MCing student karaoke nights to making it big Down Under, Ed certainly has a range of skills for any audience, big or small. Ed gives James a lesson on formulation, structure and crowd control. Also provides a word of caution around tackling tricky and controversial subjects.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

Four weeks in and James is finding comedy isn’t all laughs as he struggles to get to grips with his homework. Running out of excuses, he seeks the advice of comedian Harriet Kemsley. She discusses her own writer's block and how to overcome it.Harriet explores the importance of honesty and how using real life experience is the foundation of any great stand-up. She recalls her steep learning curve as she went from being unknown to an award winner within months of starting her comedy career.In the meantime, James flirts with the idea of bringing family into the fray, as Harriet shares her experiences, good and bad, of making comedy a family affair.

The brilliant Lou Sanders is the latest comic to sit down with Hask to talk him through the tricks and the pitfalls of embarking on a stand up career. She recalls gigs that have gone wrong, emphasises the importance of being yourself and her secret to writing comedy.Lou also talks about her own path into stand up: why she was terrible at doing office jobs - don't get her to book your trip to Russia - and how it was harder for women at the start of her comedy career.Meanwhile, James wonders how he should deal with hecklers and reveals a hidden talent for chess.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskellFollow Lou on Twitter @LouSanders and Instagram @LoulieSanders, and for more info on her latest projects and gigs please visit lousanders.com

Every apprentice needs a master and James has found his for his comedy journey: Russell Kane. The two meet to make a plan of action for Hask: why size matters, his opening gags and which wild animal he should mimic when he first walks on.Along the way, Russell reveals lots about himself: why did he take short stories with him on nights out with his mates? Why did he come to comedy late? And what else was he receiving when he won Australia's top comedy award?

Strap yourselves in as James Haskell takes his first baby steps towards performing a live comedy set in his new podcast. In this episode he sits down with the brilliant Sindhu Vee. Why was a set in India her worst ever? Why did her mum compare her unfavourably to Oprah Winfrey after just eight gigs? And how did she not know James appears in the dictionary under 'toxic masculinity'?James learns the answer to all of these questions and more, including Sindhu's three rules for writing and performing comedy and there's an appearance from his good mates Alex Payne and Mike Tindall, who give their verdict on his new career path.

James Haskell is facing an existential crisis. Since retiring as an international rugby star, he has become a ubiquitous personality, shape-shifting week-to-week from elite athlete to reality TV star, DJ, podcaster, author, MMA fighter, influencer and pundit. While James adapts to rapid-onset fatherhood, he is looking for his final form. In Haskell's opinion, the common thread running through his many post-rugby ventures is his unique brand of ‘comedy’... which brings us here. Amuse Douche puts Hask to the test in the most brutal arena: a live stand-up set. To prepare himself, he is speaking to some of the funniest comedians, actors and writers in the country, including Russell Kane, Sindhu Vee, Lou Sanders and Ed Byrne. While picking up tips and tricks, he’ll learn all about their journeys into comedy and find out what life is really like as a stand-up. But it's not all laughs as James and his guests also tackle serious issues such as alcohol dependency, living with ADHD and struggles with self-confidence. At the end of the series, James will take everything he's learned and get up in front of a live audience to see if he really is – or isn't – as hilarious as he says he is. Whether car crash or surprise success, the end result is sure to be compelling either way.

Season 2 review. James looks back at season 2 of the podcast picking out some of his favourite moments. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to ex-rugby player Ed Jackson about his incredible story. Sustaining life-changing spinal injuries, Ed fought back to defy the odds, setting his sight on a new challenge: mountaineering.  His book LUCKY is a must-read and is out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook, narrated by the man himself. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on the podcast Haskell talks to James and Oliver Phelps, best known for their roles as Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films. They talk about their time on such a huge, high profile franchise, the cutthroat world of acting more broadly, and projects outside of their work as actors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell speaks to Bournemouth 7s Festival Founder Dodge Woodall about his unique upbringing, his entrepreneur spirit starting from a very young age and his development from event promoter to brand builder to festival founder and podcast host. Dodge also talks about the keys to success: the importance of becoming an expert in your field, not taking no for an answer, and how, personally for him, it was his passion for events and sport and making people happy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell speaks to Craig White about how he changed the face of strength and conditioning across the game of rugby around the world. Craig discusses his mentorships, being a good communicator, the importance of a good mindset, and the team benefits of looking after players individually and emotionally.James Haskell's book is available now in paperback in all good book shops. His new book Ruck Me is also available to pre-order.Visit Craig's website www.craigwhitecoaching.com to find out more about Craig and the Men Without Masks retreats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

2019 & 2020 UK Master Coach Of The Year and author of Paul Mort Will Save Your Life, Paul Mort, speaks to James Haskell about his difficulties with his mental health, his history with drugs and alcohol, and the link between the two. They discuss the issues of shame, responsibility, happiness, suicide and the media, the difficulties of having a sense of purpose in men after a certain age and the importance of giving yourself permission to feel happy.James Haskell's new book, Ruck Me, is available to pre-order in hardback, ebook and audio.Paul Mort's audiobook, Paul Mort Will Save Your Life, is available wherever you get your audiobooks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell speaks to Alistair Brownlee about his huge success as an athlete, where he gets his motivation, mental strength and determination from, and the very root meaning of what motivation means. They discuss the pros and cons of training independently versus training with partners, the need for routine in training, and Alistair's new book Relentless.You can find Alistair Brownlee's book Relentless in all good bookshops. Also available in ebook and audio, read by Alistair himself.James Haskell's new book Ruck Me is available to pre-order in print, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to Henry Firth and Ian Theasby aka BOSH! about the online vegan recipe channel taking the food world by storm. Changing the planet one plate a time, BOSH! are celebrating their 5th birthday this June! Check out BOSH!’s cookbooks, available online and in all good book shops. Henry & Ian's new cookbook BOSH! on a Budget is out on 9th December and now available to preorder.James’ book What A Flanker is also out now and his brand new book, Ruck Me, is available to pre-order on Amazon and Waterstones. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell talks to Phil Learney about personal training - from the general public through to athletes, including getting Haskell himself back to his very best after injury. They also discuss business management and the best ways to deal with peers.James Haskell's What a Flanker is out in paperback, ebook and audio now. His next book Ruck Me is available to pre-order. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell speaks to Alan Fitzpatrick about his beginnings in DJing, golden handshakes with record store owners, nerves after a year off playing live, and getting his son to work on one of his tracks.James Haskell's What A Flanker is out in paperback, ebook and audio now! His next book, Ruck Me, is available to pre-order. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell talks to Michael Cheika about coaching all over the world from Australia to Leinsterto Argentina, and winning the World Rugby Coach of the Year Award along the way.James Haskell's new book Ruck Me is now available to pre-order in hardback, audiobook and ebook. Signed copies are available exclusively at Waterstones.com.What a Flanker is out now online and in all good bookshops. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Joe Marler speaks to James about his own struggles with mental health, how he has combated that, and the support available in rugby and beyond. They also reflect on their time playing rugby together as well as the umpteen times Joe has 'retired' from the sport.James’s new book Ruck Me is now available to pre-order in hardback, audiobook and ebook. Signed copies available exclusively at Waterstones.com.What a Flanker the book is out now online and in all good bookshops. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell talks to health coach and personal trainer Graeme Tomlinson about extreme diets, dangerous messaging in the media, body image and what it means to be truly healthy.What a Flanker is out now in print, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to Paul about his upbringing in Ireland, body doubling for some of the biggest athletes in the world and misleading wellness advice on social media.James Haskell's book, What a Flanker, is out now in print, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to comedian and actor Jack Whitehall about Jack's experience at private school, terrible stand-up gigs, writing comedy and Jack's relationship with his now famous parents.James Haskell's What a Flanker is out now in print, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to Warren Gatland about where he draws his inspiration from, how he coaches and the mistakes he's made along the way. They look at the importance of leadership and their time at Wasps together.James Haskell's book What a Flanker is out now in print, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sky Sports pitlane reporter Natalie Pinkham talks to James about life in the F1 paddock and being a woman in a male-dominated sport.Listen to Natalie's podcast In The Pink and follow her @natalie_pinkham on Instagram.James's book What A Flanker is out now! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week James talks to comedian Jimmy Carr about how he got into comedy, causing offense, and the joke that will end his career.James Haskell’s book What A Flanker is out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What A Flanker: The Podcast is back! To kick things off, James speaks to legendary Carl Cox. Oh yes, oh yes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell's What a Flanker podcast, Series 2 - bigger and better and nearly upon us. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James speaks to old school friend and fellow rugby player Paul Doran Jones about their friendship from a young age, what they got up to in their early years, and their questionable fashion sense (deep V-necks were a staple for a night out). Paul talks about his time in Ireland and training with Trinity, to being sent to New Zealand and living with next to nothing in his bank account, and then to his set up at Gloucester. He also touches on his journey into fatherhood, and the many obstacles he has faced in trying to be the best dad he can be through his experiences of the family court system.You can find Paul on Twitter and Instagram at @PaulDoranJones.You can buy James Haskell's What a Flanker, out now in hardback, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eddie Jones speaks to James Haskell about his journey to becoming England's legendary Head Coach, what he's learnt along the way, and the current importance of focusing on players' cognitive health in today's sporting landscape, approaching players on an individual level to ensure the best results on and off the field. Eddie talks about his balanced approach, coaches that have inspired him, and his personal and professional goals.Eddie Jones' autobiography My Life and Rugby is out in print, ebook and audio now.James Haskell's book, Not A Flanker, is also out in hardback, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Grammy-nominated producer and DJ, Nic Fanciulli, talks to James about growing up in an Italian household with a footballer dad, wanting to become a footballer himself, and then how he found himself pursuing and succeeding in a career in music instead. Nic speaks of his favourite places he's performed around the world, the nerves he still gets before a set, and how the industry has had to diversify and change in the past year.'MEDIUM RARE' feat Andrea Oliva F is available to listen to now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and any other music streaming service. Find Nic on nicfanciulli.com or @nicfanciulli on Twitter.James Haskell's What A Flanker is out now in print, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell talks to podcast extraordinaire, Jamie Morton, about the success of My Dad Wrote A Porno. From reading porn in a church in their first live show (which James attended), to selling out the Sydney Opera House four times, selling out The Royal Albert Hall, and recording one of their episodes for HBO, Jamie and James discuss how it sky-rocketed as one of the most listened to podcasts, and how it shows just how much the world needs humour, escapism and laughter (in the shape of Jamie's dad's dodgy porn) right now.There will be a special Christmas episode of My Dad Wrote a Porno airing on Monday 7th and Monday 14th December. Find the podcast where you usually listen to your podcasts, on Instagram at @mydadwrotea and Twitter at @DadWroteAPorno. Find Jamie himself on @uncleegor on all platforms.You can also buy James' book What a Flanker, out now in hardback, ebook and audio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to wife Chloe Madeley about how they met, what it's like dating a rugby player, and the mentality of being a 'WAG' in today's sports culture. She also shares some hilarious insight into drinking with the team and what life was like for James (and her) under Eddie Jones' management.Chloe's new cook book, Eating For Results, is out on December 31st 2020. If you want to join The EC Method, you can find them here: https://www.theecmethod.co.uk/James' book Not A Flanker is also out in hardback, ebook and audiobook now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James talks to adventurer-athlete Ross Edgley about resilience, motivation and James's 'unique' swimming technique.Ross' bestselling new book The Art of Resilience is out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook. Follow Ross on Instagram and Twitter: @rossedgley.James' book What A Flanker is also out now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jay Morton spent 10 years in the SAS and 4 years in the Parachute Regiment knows what it takes to be the best of the best. James talks to Jay about the art of soldiering.Jay's book Soldier: Respect Is Earned is out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook. Follow Jay on Instagram here: @jay_morton.James Haskell's book What A Flanker is also out now online and all good bookshops. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Capital Breakfast Show and Sunday Best host Roman Kemp talks about life in the public eye including broadcasting during a pandemic, relationships, dating and Spandau Ballet basslines.Follow Roman on Instagram and Twitter @romankemp.Check out James' bestselling book What A Flanker in hardback, audiobook and ebook. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ex-England rugby captain Dylan Hartley joins James to talk about leadership, the 'power of words', what makes a great captain and dubious player hygiene.Dylan's book, The Hurt, is out now in all good bookshops. Follow Dylan on Instagram or Twitter @dylanhartley.You can also order James' book What A Flanker in hardback, audiobook and ebook. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

No-nonsense PT and No.1 bestselling author James Smith has ruffled a lot of feathers in the fitness industry. Here he talks calling out BS, dealing with criticism, online beefs and reveals his secret weapon. James Smith’s Not A Diet Book is out now and new book Not A Life Coach is out this November. Follow James on Instagram @JamesSmithPT. James Haskell’s bestselling book What A Flanker is out now in hardback, audiobook and ebook. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James Haskell introduces his new solo podcast What A Flanker and what you can expect coming up on the show. Like and Subscribe to ensure you don't miss the first episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.