I am always surprised that people want to listen to me
Ex-england International James Haskell talks to MARION MCMULLEN about taking hit podcast the Good, The Bad & The Rugby on tour with rugby star Mike Tindall and presenter Alex Payne
The Good, The Bad & The Rugby has grown to become the UK’S top sporting podcast with more than three million listeners and more than 20 million viewers online. How did the tour come about?
We’ve always talked about wanting to do a tour. We wanted to go out and meet our fans because the podcast has grown into one of the biggest sporting podcasts in the world.
It’s one of those things we started during lockdown and I think we were people’s daily dose of relief. A lot of people’s mental health was affected during lockdown and the feedback we were getting was that we were really helping.
Now we are going out on tour and it means we are going to actually meet these people for the first time and be able to perform in front of a crowd. I’m a massive show-off performer so I love doing it.(fellow former England rugby player) Mike Tindall is always fantastic in front of a live crowd and Alex is always very polished whatever he does.
How is your own fitness?
I had surgery about six months ago on my spine which was pretty intense. I had to have it done because a disc was crushing my spinal cord.
I basically go and train with a guy around the corner [from home]. I find after years of doing stuff under my own steam I want to pay someone to think for me. I come home in pieces and I feel better for it.
I’m also editing my sixth book, a bit of a mind-set book, I’ve got DJ gigs booked until the end of the year, I’ve got to go to Dubai twice to do some work stuff and we are having a baby and moving house. I’ve got enough stuff to fill a laundry list.
If I was still able-bodied
I’d still be playing rugby even at the age of 35, but my right ankle is stuffed. I’ve got arthritis, I can’t really walk properly. I love the life I have now, but the transition was very hard.
What is the secret of the podcast’s success?
It’s been going now for two years and it’s been a pretty special journey.
We wanted to create an entertaining podcast and one that didn’t talk just about rugby, but also about the personalities and the people and the big issues. We wanted to be ourselves and in varying degrees that can be quite roguish in some ways, a bit non-conformist, but we wanted to be ourselves talking about important things.
I think, for me,
just grew and grew and grew and people enjoyed it. (Laughs) I’m not sure why, but they seem to. I’m always surprised that people want to listen to me in any way, shape, or form, but I also know that the podcast is a quality product that we want people to really enjoy.
I actually did a fivedate tour before this just by myself, essentially me doing stand-up and stories, so I’m very comfortable. The bigger the crowd the better for me.
Are you looking forward to the challenge of touring?
I could say there is a busy time ahead of me, but I’m always busy. I haven’t really stopped, but I am a workaholic so I really enjoy going out.
The only person who is not going to be overly happy is my wife (Chloe Madeit ley). I’ve been out doing so many different things. I DJ, I do the podcasts, rugby and everything that goes with it really.
We’re expecting our first child and I’m making sure I’m around, but a 16-date tour around the country is just adding a bit more to everything that is going on, but I am very excited about it.
What is the first thing you will be packing for the tour?
I always take my own pillows (Laughs). My wife might try and hide in my bag so I take her everywhere. She’ll certainly be coming to some of the venues.
What can audiences at the live shows expect?
At most venues we have got some incredible guests, some players from all around the world of rugby, every country, will come in and we’ll interview them and talk with them, recount stories and basically have a load of fun.
We are playing the London Palladium, which I think is already sold out. It’s about bringing entertainment. I don’t think it’s going to be overly planned. It’s not going to be the same show every night, it’s going to be something different.
How do you relax?
That’s a good question. My wife would say I don’t unwind and relax enough, but both of us enjoy eating nice food and going to nice places and if I really want to relax I’ll go outside and have a cigar and a coffee and just watch the world go by.
You were one of the last to do I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in Australia. What is your strongest memory of the experience?
The hunger was horrific. Really, really bad because they just don’t give you enough food. I’ve never had a panic attack, but I almost had a panic attack about being hungry. I thought ‘I’m going to pass out in a minute.’ That was very, very hard.
There was also the lack of instant feedback. It was very weird. A lot of people think it is the hardest thing ever and have an emotional breakdown. I got hungry and annoyed. People were debating undebatable questions and I would just think ‘Oh, gawd, just
shut up’.
The hunger was horrific... they just don’t give you enough food On I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here,