In this unfiltered episode of We Need To Talk, rapper and BAFTA-winning TV chef Big Zuu opens up like never before. Zuu reflects on his childhood, sharing the sacrifices his mother made to give him a better life. For the first time, he reveals the truth about his past relationships and whether he’s truly moved on from his ex. He talks about the explosive highs and crushing lows of his career - from his rapid rise to grime MC to the face of Big Zuu’s Big Eats, and the burnout that followed after winning two BAFTAs. Paul and Zuu dive deep into the challenges of representation in the TV industry, the musical influences that shaped him, and how food became a powerful vehicle for connection. This is Big Zuu like you’ve never seen before. Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod  Follow Big Zuu here: Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/aba8xYKf4Tb  TikTok https://g2ul0.app.link/J0qIDQNf4Tb  (00:00) Intro(01:54) Big Zuu's Real Name(04:42) Big Zuu's Musical Influences Growing Up(05:46) Where Did Zuu Feel Most Safe as a Child?(08:05) When Zuu First Visited Sierra Leone as a Child(11:54) How Zuu Became an MC(21:50) A Message for Zuu from AJ Tracey(24:55) Zuu's Transition from MC to TV Presenter(29:01) Zuu's Marriage(42:20) Zuu's Experience of the BAFTA Awards Ceremony(49:21) The State of Diversity in the UK TV Industry(54:48) Zuu Addresses the Perception of British Muslims Today(59:30) Diversity Behind the Camera in UK TV(1:05:01) Tinder Ad(1:06:14) The History of Sierra Leone and Zuu's Family Connection(1:09:25) Zuu's Mum's Story of Emigration(1:11:23) Zuu's Perception of His Own Masculinity(1:14:44) Zuu's Advice on How to Create Connections with Others(1:18:02) Zuu's Mental Health Struggles(1:22:31) Zuu's Current Love Life(1:26:04) Zuu's Other Business Ventures(1:29:38) Paul Uses AI To Roast Big Zuu Tracks(1:32:06) Most Memorable Conversation(1:35:28) Paul Surprises Zuu with His Favourite Cuisine(1:39:24) Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fashion influencer and entrepreneur Lorna Luxe sits down with Paul for her most revealing interview yet. In this episode of We Need To Talk, Lorna opens up about the battles that shaped her - from growing up in Manchester with a fractured relationship with her father, to her struggle with food that cost her her dream job as cabin crew. She reflects on how she built from the ground up - finding connections through Instagram, building a community of over 1.5 million, launching global fashion partnerships, and creating her own successful brands. For the first time, Lorna also speaks candidly about her first relationship - with a woman she felt too ashamed to tell anyone about - and the life she’s built since with her husband John. She shares the reality of navigating a 21-year age gap and the quiet strength holding them together as John continues his battle with cancer. This is a story of survival, self-worth, and what it really means to take control of your own narrative. Please note this conversation includes sensitive topics that may be distressing. We’ve included support charities below: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ne9MpdtBjTb   Beat Eating Disorders https://g2ul0.app.link/gHK6cjr3ZRb Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod  Follow Lorna here: Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/eyYrzYw6PTb  TikTok https://g2ul0.app.link/Gdch1uz6PTb  No98 Beauty https://g2ul0.app.link/ssYHJ7s6PTb No98 Beauty Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/aGExYSo6PTb (0:00) Intro   (2:47) Lorna's First Childhood Memory   (8:51) Paul Shows Lorna a Picture of When She Was 6 Years Old   (10:04) Lorna's Childhood   (11:05) Lorna's Early Relationships and Sexuality  (14:37) Why Lorna Decided to Work in Cabin Crew   (16:33) Dating in Brighton Post-University   (19:25) Lorna's Time as a Flight Attendant   (22:16) Lorna's Struggles with Eating Disorders   (39:31) Lorna's Marriage to Her Husband John   (58:45) Shopify Ad   (59:49) Tinder Ad   (1:01:07) Lorna's Thoughts on Having Children   (1:03:19) John's Current Health   (1:19:12) How Lorna Got Into Her Influencing Career   (1:32:04) Most Memorable Conversation   (1:36:00) Paul's Takeaways   (1:39:07) Crossed Wires Ad   Sponsored by: Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk  Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB  We Need To Talk LIVE: https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb  We Need To Talk: LIVE in Sheffield! Join Paul and a very special guest for our first ever We Need To Talk live show - coming to Crossed Wires on 5th July 2025. Be part of the conversation, in person https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of We Need To Talk, Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer sits down with Paul for a conversation that goes far beyond the ballroom. Karen reflects on the defining moments that have shaped her life. From Venezuela to New York to the UK, Karen shares the ambition that drove her, the heartbreak that nearly broke her, and how dance became her language of survival. In her most vulnerable interview yet, Karen opens up about one of her most public relationships - the breakdown of a marriage that played out in the public eye. She reveals what really happened behind the headlines. For the first time, Karen speaks candidly about one of the most painful chapters of her life, the lessons she’s learnt about love, and how she’s finally putting herself first. Karen also lifts the curtain on Strictly - sharing what the audience doesn’t see, her thoughts on the infamous “Strictly curse,” and just how competitive the show really gets. This is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of choosing yourself. Please note this conversation includes sensitive topics that may be distressing. We’ve included support charities below: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ne9MpdtBjTb   Survivor's Trust: https://g2ul0.app.link/yh0NrvNsvTb     Refuge: https://g2ul0.app.link/td2zqEPpGTb  Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod  Support Karen here: Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/pj5LZtSpGTb  TikTok https://g2ul0.app.link/pvMCYYWpGTb  Hauer Power https://g2ul0.app.link/B0BsHDALHTb (0:00) Intro (1:55) Karen's Childhood Experience of Moving from Venezuela to New York (3:35) How Karen Discovered Her Love of Dancing (5:02) How Karen's Parents Split Up (9:04) Karen's Early Love-Life (11:55) The Beginnings of Karen's Career as a Dancer and 'So You Think You Can Dance?' (14:38) Karen's First Marriage (16:02) 'Repetition Compulsion' (18:07) Karen's Most High Profile Marriage (23:15) Karen's Audition for 'Strictly Come Dancing' (24:22) Karen's Experience of Moving to the UK and Starting on Strictly (25:26) How Karen's Marriage Was Affected by Being on Strictly (27:08) How Karen's Second Marriage Ended (36:02) Karen Addresses the Strictly 'Curse' (41:33) What Keeps Karen Coming Back for Strictly? (43:46) How Competitive Is Strictly? (48:20) Tinder Ad (49:36) Crossed Wires Ad (50:38) Karen Opens Up On Traumatic Relationship (1:21:34) Karen's Future (1:25:18) Most Memorable Conversation (1:28:54) Paul's Takeaways We Need To Talk: LIVE! Join Paul us for our first ever We Need To Talk live show - coming to Crossed Wires in Sheffield on 5th July 2025. Be part of the conversation, in person https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices