Bangers and mash in action for our first poet.

Tim Key, an English poet, comedian, actor and screenwriter, joins Nick and Angela to fire up Dish in 2026. Last year was a huge one for Tim, made notable by the release of The Ballad Of Wallis Island, a film he stars in alongside best friend Tom Basden. The pair wrote the screenplay together, basing it on a short film they had made nearly 20 years earlier. It has amassed critical and popular acclaim, winning three British Independent Film Awards.

Alongside The Ballad... Tim released a book of poems, L.A. Baby!, and launched his latest stand-up show Loganberry, which returns for a new tour across the UK from February. He’s a long-time collaborator with former Dish guest Steve Coogan, appearing with Coogan in Saxondale and a number of Alan Partridge projects.

Tim loves the pub, loves fish and chips, and believes he has worked out how to get the most out of Dish through his list of likes and dislikes. With a Five Points beer in hand, he is served sticky sausage & apple braise with a mash that, as always, becomes quite the talking point. Waitrose’s wine experts have paired the meal with a Château Maris Organic Les Planels.

With poetry, laughter and stories about pub characters and eating in the bath, our first episode of the year is a bumper one to get us all going. And, in case you are wondering, Helena Bonham Carter is up next week for our final episode of Season 8.

You can watch full episodes of Dish on YouTube and, new for this season, on Spotify.

All recipes from this podcast can be found at waitrose.com/dishrecipes

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

If you want to get in touch with us about anything at all, contact dish@waitrose.co.uk

Dish from Waitrose is made by Cold Glass Productions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices