Stephen Fry on passion, privilege, and the power of storytelling

Stephen Fry on passion, privilege, and the power of storytelling

Author: Kate Thornton April 25, 2025 Duration: 58:04

Joining us today is one of the most celebrated thinkers and entertainers of our time – a writer, actor, comedian, and cultural icon whose voice and wit have been part of the fabric of British life for decades. From Blackadder and Wilde to QI and Harry Potter, he’s done it all – and now he’s back on our screens hosting Jeopardy! It’s the incomparable Stephen Fry.


In this captivating conversation, Stephen reflects on a career that’s spanned comedy, drama, literature and documentary, offering profound insight into his extraordinary life, both on and off the stage. He speaks candidly about the privileges and opportunities that shaped his early path, the importance of working hard once doors are opened, and the creative hunger that’s driven him for over 40 years.


Stephen also delves into his global activism through projects like Out There, explores the impact of Greek myths and the Harry Potter universe as moral compasses in turbulent times, and shares how his love of quizzes drew him to the iconic game show Jeopardy! From his Oxford days with Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie to his belief in storytelling as a force for good, this is Stephen Fry at his most thoughtful, passionate, and utterly brilliant.


You can catch Stephen hosting Jeopardy! on ITV and stream it on ITVX. And if you haven’t yet, dive into all three volumes of his autobiographies – they’re essential reading!


For all the latest news, click here to follow us on Instagram!


***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***


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


There’s a particular kind of conversation that happens after a glass or two of wine, where guards come down and real stories emerge. That’s the atmosphere White Wine Question Time captures so perfectly. Hosted by Kate Thornton, each episode gathers well-known friends for a relaxed yet revealing chat, structured around three thoughtful questions and, of course, a shared bottle. What unfolds is less a formal interview and more a glimpse into the genuine friendships behind the public personas. You’ll hear laughter, unexpected confessions, and perspectives on culture, society, and current events that rarely make the headlines. This podcast thrives in the space between entertainment and intimate disclosure, often veering into comedy as these candid discussions unfold. With a vast back catalogue of over 450 episodes, each one feels like pulling up a chair to a fascinating table. Whether you start with the latest release or browse the extensive archive, you’re guaranteed a listen that’s as engaging and relevant as it is genuinely enjoyable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

White Wine Question Time
Podcast Episodes
Inspirational Women - Brenda Edwards - An Episode from the Cellar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:13
For the last of March's Inspirational Women episodes we're looking back to 2023 and our chat with Brenda Edwards. From X Factor to the West End and spot on the Loose Women panel Brenda has kept moving forward through tim…
Inspirational Women - Jane McDonald - An Episode from the Cellar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
Time for another trip to our cellar archive to find another brilliant inspiration woman - as we've been doing throughout March. This is one of our favourite EVER episodes - recorded in 2024 we surprised Jane McDonald wit…
NEW EPISODE: Steve Backshall, Adventurer in Residence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:55
Steve Backshall is a BAFTA winning nature presenter famous for bringing wildlife and adventure to life for audiences of all ages. His infectious enthusiasm and a fearless approach to exploration, has inspired millions to…
Inspirational Women - Hannah Waddingham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:46
As we celebrated International Women's Day earlier in the month we've been looking back at inspirational woman who've appeared on the podcast over the past seven years. Today it's the triple threat of Hannah Waddingham.…
NEW EPISODE: Richard Herring Creates Chaos... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:25
Richard Herring became half of a decade-defining comedy act with Stewart Lee – thanks to a chance meeting in an Oxford cricket pavilion which was the genesis of a 13-year creative partnership which included the cult clas…
Inspirational Women - Bonnie Langford - An Episode from the Cellar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:18
To celebrate International Women's Day we've dug deep in our archive to find some truly inspirational women. Bonnie Langford has been treading the boards and entertaining us since before she was a teenager. Her career is…
Lucy Beaumont on Hull, comedy inheritance and life after Traitors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:21
On this week's episode we're chatting to one of the most instantly recognisable voices in British comedy. Lucy Beaumont was raised by her mother – the playwright Gill Adams in Hull, she went to school and University in t…
Joanna Page on Gavin & Stacey, Margot Robbie, and Nude Scenes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:29
Our guest on this episode of White Wine Question Tim is Joanna Page, an actor and presenter from Swansea, who was told whilst she was training at RADA that she was not a bad actress, the problem was that she was Welsh…Lu…