Marian Keyes is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. She has written more than 20 books and sold over 35 million copies worldwide. Marian studied law in Dublin to placate her parents but had no interest in pursuing a legal career. Instead her rebellious nature took her to the UK where she lived in a squat in East London. It never occurred to Marian that she might be a writer until one day when she was inspired to write a short story. Her first novel, Watermelon, was published in Ireland in 1995 and was an overnight success. Marian’s books are as charming and chatty as she. Her latest novel, My Favourite Mistake, is out now.

Angela prepares a showstopping carrot tarte tatin which Marian adores and the experts at Waitrose pair the dish with a Loved and Found Susumaniello Rosato Organic Puglia Rosé. As the proudest Irish woman out there, Marian kicks off conversation with talk of the motherland, she speaks candidly about her unconventional route to becoming an author and Nick and Angela challenge her to a round of the oven glove quiz.

Just so you know, our podcast might contain the occasional mild swear word or adult theme.

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A transcript for this episode can be found at waitrose.com/dish

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Marian Keyes, carrot tarte tatin and purple sprouting broccoli