Duvet Days

Humanitarian and reality TV star Camilla Thurlow invites Abby to her new pad to chat about how Love Island pulled her out of a dark time in her life, how falling in love with Jamie Jewitt on the show changed her and why she lets their new french bulldog puppies snuggle in bed.Camilla discusses growing up in Dumfries, as a shy and self-proclaimed 'uncool' kid, going off to boarding school at the age of 10 and receiving a letter from her Mum every day to help her cope with homesickness.She opens up about her work as a bomb disposal expert in Cambodia and reveals that witnessing the devastating affects landmines have on civilians left her feeling guilty and emotionally shut off. Love Island was her last ditch attempt to shake off these feelings - and it worked!Give yourself a duvet day and check out the final episode of Series 2, as Camilla kicks back and talks about the car crash she survived at 18 and why her and Jamie are not the perfect Instagram couple.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Yola invites Abby Hollick for a duvet day as she talks about growing up with nothing in Portishead and how her mum disproved of her singing.The country soul star explains how Dolly Parton inspired her to be unapologetically herself and why she ended up sleeping on the streets when she was trying to make it in London.Plus, she opens up about how stress caused her to lose her voice for a year and a half and how she was made to feel that she should be a backing singer instead of up front.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Poet and writer Lemn Sissay takes a duvet day with Abby Hollick to discuss being taken from his Ethiopian mother, memories of his foster family and discovering why he was forced out of that home at the age of 12. He details his life in care, recalling the racism, the system of punishment and never receiving a hug during his teenage years, but ultimately reveals what it taught him about family and home. For the first time, Lemn discusses notes from his care files, reading reports his foster mother made accusing him of being threatening and amoral. He describes how he forgave her and why being able to read about his childhood helps him understand himself better. Plus, Lemn explains why he’s fighting to change perception of children in the care system and how he’s defined by his ability to heal rather than the scars he has.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Comedian Rosie Jones is pulling a duvet day to chat with Abby Hollick about how she’s always been a show off, her love of Gareth Gates and why being disabled is way better when you’re on TV.She opens up about how having Cerebral Palsy has often meant she’s patronized, why she thought the comedy world wouldn’t welcome her and why she doesn’t mind representing other young people with disabilities.She admits that she’s not actually the funniest person in her family and that her mum said she’d never want to watch her on stage, but ended up watching her with 10,000 other people at Wembley.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Munroe Bergdorf invites Abby Hollick for a Duvet Day on her sofa. She explains how she’s learnt to love her bedroom again after the trauma of sexual assault, but why it’s still off limits for visitors.She describes growing up in the middle of nowhere and not fitting it, being bullied for being effeminate at school, and being written off by her teachers.The model, DJ and activist opens up about how she finally learnt that being trans doesn’t mean you can’t be happy, deciding who she wants to be and how learning to talk about her feelings has helped in her recovery from an eating disorder.Plus, she explains why she’s fed up with explaining how people can be better allies to the trans community.If you have been affected by issues discussed in this episode such as eating disorders, emotional distress and sexual violence, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Joel Golby overcomes his phobia of sharing his bedding and reluctantly lets Abby Hollick onto his bed to talk about grief, gaming and his relationship with alcohol. The Vice writer explains how it felt to see his essay on becoming an orphan go viral, and how it led to some strange conversations with friends who hadn’t known.He chats about his mum’s use of lurid bright colour on the walls of his childhood home, growing up in the midlands and how his dad’s alcoholism affected him.Plus he spills the beans on what it’s like to meet a sex robot, and some of his slightly weird worries (hint: dogs and his genitals are involved.)Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Ray BLK is lighting her candles and staying in her silk pink pjs to talk escaping bad relationships, growing up in South London and working with her hero Ms Dynamite.She recalls childhood memories of blasting Whitney Houston with her mum, plastering her walls with Justin Timberlake, and watching MTV all day.The first unsigned artist to win BBC Sound of, she explains how she struggled with her newfound fame and why being compared to Adele can be a lot of pressure.Ray shares her excitement at going back to Nigeria for the first time since the age of four and how her brother’s autism teaches her not to judge others.Plus she gives Abby the goss on her new album, and why it’s worth the wait.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan invites Abby Hollick into her County Galway childhood bedroom for a frank and funny chat about playing Claire, 'the wee lesbian’, growing up in Ireland and why her career has been a slow burn. Sitting on her childhood bed next to fabulous pink doll wallpaper Nicola shares how rejection has made her better and hungrier, how unemployment led to one of the lowest points in her life and why she wishes her dad could see her current success. She chats about the comments she’s received from one reviewer about her weight and why she has campaigned for gay marriage and abortion law changes in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Plus, she tells us how she’s fallen in love with the people of Derry and why a true Derry girl loves a blow dry! Sit back and relax and take a duvet day with Nicola and Abby.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Poet and children’s author Laura Dockrill has a duvet day and a cuppa with Abby Hollick to chat about her punk childhood, surviving postpartum psychosis with help from her best mate Adele, and why she’s finally beaten her fear of the dark. She shares her memories of meeting Adele at the BRIT school, why she keeps notes of encouragement under her pillow, and how turning 30 and going through a divorce made her rethink her life.Laura also talks in detail about her experience of postpartum psychosis and why she felt as though she’d pushed her personality out along with her baby. Laura is determined to speak openly about mental illness and her recovery as she hopes that it will help others and will prove that mental illness can affect anyone and does not discriminate. This episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts and paranoia. If you have been affected by issues relating to emotional distress, pregnancy-related issues or suicide help and support is available via the BBC Action Line: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian Kellett Duvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Yrsa Daley-Ward is hiding under the covers with Abby Hollick to open up about growing up with her Jamaican, Seventh Day Adventist grandparents, why she’ll never forget peeling off their '80s bubbly wallpaper and feeling out of place at school in Lancashire. The model, writer and poet discusses her teenage depression and anxiety and reveals how Jeanette Winterson and Roald Dahl inspired to write the truth in her memoir 'The Terrible'.Yrsa shares her experiences as a model in South Africa compared to the draining castings in London where usually only one black model would book a job compared to many white models. She explains how she used Instagram to launch her poetry career and how social media brought her to the attention of Penguin. Stay in bed and join Yrsa and Abby as they talk about recovery, refusing to be shamed for having worked as an escort and her new move into acting.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

The five time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft invites Abby Hollick for a duvet day in her bed overlooking the stunning hills of Halifax.Get cosy as Hannah chats sexism in sport, growing up in an able-bodied world and preparing for Tokyo 2020. She also discusses the impact of her first loss, why she keeps her gold medals in socks and how she nearly died at birth. Plus, she shares her thoughts on sponsorship in Paralympic sport, why she continues to fight for equality and why she wants to change the public perception of disability. Hop into bed as Hannah and Abby chill out in her childhood bedroom (which, if Hannah’s mum is reading this, is very tidy!)Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Emeli Sandé is taking a duvet day and opening up about writing her new album Real Life, growing up as the only person of colour at her school, and putting her shyness aside.The chart topping singer songwriter snuggles up in Abby Hollick’s bed to talk about how splitting from her manager and husband changed her, how she’s dealt with losing her mind at the Olympics, and how a guy in the park with a prison tag stopped her from quitting the music industry altogether.Plus, she shares her love of Eternal and Mariah Carey, explains why her sister is her best friend and tells Abby how her dad gave her the confidence to succeed.Grab a cuppa and a biscuit and join Abby and Emeli as they chat fame, being the nerdy shy kid, wanting her music to heal people, and why she built a studio in her East London home.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

If you're a fan of honest chat, how about hopping back into bed with Duvet Days? Abby Hollick’s back for a second series, and she’s convinced more amazing guests to let her climb into their beds for a deep and meaningful. Emeli Sandé, Lemn Sissay, Nicola Coughlan and Ray BLK are just a few of the brilliant people joining Abby under the covers to talk about life's big questions - mental health, childhood bedrooms and happiness.You’ll hear how Paralympian Hannah Cockroft dealt with losing her first race after seven years unbeaten, how Love Island saved Camilla Thurlow, and why Emeli Sandè almost gave it all up. They kick back and relax in the best place ever - BED. Who doesn’t love bunking off work and staying in bed for a natter?

Christine and the Queens is hiding under the covers as she joins Abby Hollick in her huge hotel bed to chat about performing on stage and recovering afterwards, being socially awkward and looking after her body.The musician and performer, real name Héloïse Letissier, is opening up about using art and humour to deal with childhood bullies, experiencing sexism at theatre school and refusing to be slut-shamed for owning her sexuality.She chats about her love for Michael Jackson, being a loner, and realising she will never be free from sexism.Join Chris and Abby as they block out the outdoors, get cosy, and settle in for a really good chat.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Scarlett Curtis is staying in bed and chatting about insomnia, dismantling the patriarchy, and watching all the TV as she pulls a duvet day. The activist and author of Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies) is joining Abby Hollick for a frank conversation about suffering from scoliosis as a teenager, how chronic pain affected her and knitting her own Prince William. Plus, she explains the impact of panic attacks and PTSD, recalls how chronic pain led her to drop out of school, and gives us interior tips from her amazing, and very pink, new flat. Grab yourself a cuppa, snuggle up, and join Scarlett and Abby in Scarlett's bright pink bed. Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian Kellett Duvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Paris Lees is Abby Hollick’s guest under the duvet this week, and she’s got lots to talk about – from her passion for silk pyjamas to the realities of being bullied and total social exclusion. The trans activist and writer discusses growing up in Nottingham, being repeatedly told she couldn't be a girl, and why escaping out of the window and into a world of clubbing changed her life. She opens up about going to prison as a teenager, sex work, and why she believes people who have experienced childhood trauma need to be given more empathy and stop being shamed by society.Plus, she gives her top tips for good sleep and shares some of her favourite things: Madonna’s business card, anyone?! Join Paris as she snuggles up in 'cosy corner' with her best pillows, and take a duvet day! Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian Kellett Duvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Jordan Stephens jumps back in to bed and opens up about the highs and lows of fame, learning to feel pain, and his ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).The musician and mental health campaigner, best known for being one half of pop duo Rizzle Kicks reveals his love of unicorns, foxes and a hot pink headboard! Over a cup of tea in bed he tells Abby why he began thinking about toxic masculinity and why it was ruining his relationships.Pull the covers up, put your headphones on, and lie back with Jordan and Abby in the best place ever: bed.Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Zawe Ashton is talking burnout, how women of colour are treated by the medical world, and making your voice heard as she joins Abby Hollick under the duvet. The actor behind the infamous Vod in Channel 4’s Fresh Meat gets frank about her own experience with having doors slammed in her face, and the impact that can have on mental health, especially when you’re the only person of colour in the room.She tells us about her teenage bedroom, her love of Blur and Will Smith and the times she spent wandering around with a duvet draped over her head!Plus, she explains what it’s like to be an child actor when you just want to fit in at school, and why writing her first book is her version of rebelling against a life spent acting.Get cosy and join Zawe and Abby for the type of honest chat that only happens when you’re horizontal and in the best place ever: bed. Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production

Bryony Kimmings is climbing under the covers and getting frank about postnatal mental health, hitting rock bottom, and sticking strangers' pubes to her face (really!). Abby Hollick joins the performance artist and screenwriter in bed to chat about the year that inspired her latest solo show: ‘I’m a Phoenix, Bitch’. Bryony suffered from postnatal anxiety, became a single mother, and discovered that her baby was seriously ill, before bouncing back and making a show about survival.She tells Abby about her teenage bedroom, growing up in Peterborough, and dancing naked to Björk. Plus, she gives Abby the lowdown on ‘Last Christmas’, the film she co-wrote with Emma Thompson.   Snuggle in and join Bryony and Abby for a Duvet Day and the kind of honest chat that only happens when you’re really comfortable.   Presenter and Producer: Abby Hollick Executive Producer: Mike Hally Assistant Producer: Rosie Stopher Composer: Ian KellettDuvet Days is a Square Dog Media production.

Duvet Days features frank under-the-cover chats with musicians, artists and activists.