Welcome to White Wine Question Time; the podcast that asks it's guests three thought-provoking questions over three glasses of wine.

Today, we're heading back down to the cellar for another episode from the archives, and as part of our mini literature festival we're holding this month, it's from another bestselling author...

My guest today has written more than a hundred books, and is also a broadcaster, a knitwear designer, a former politician, and a celebrated raconteur.

Having become well-known on breakfast television in the 80s, in no small part thanks to

his choice of knitwear, he's been a mainstay on TV shows like The One Show,

Countdown, Celebrity Gogglebox, This Morning, and Radio 4's Just a Minute.

He was also the host of the award-winning Something Rhymes with Purple podcast with Susie Dent, and on his latest pod, Rosebud he talks to famous and fascinating people about their first experiences.

This is the last of our November authors - I hope you've enjoyed this look back - and for December we've lined up some festive episodes designed to put you in the perfect mood for Christmas.

Enjoy!

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Our guest on this episode of White Wine Question time is the 'Queen of Burlesque' Dita Von Teese

She's a performer at the very top of her game who’s elevated striptease and burlesque into high art – from martini glasses to Swarovski carousels, she’s transformed a vintage niche into sell out tours around the world, and has her own residency in Vegas.

But her story began far from the spotlight. Born Heather Renée Sweet, she was a shy, self-conscious child who cleaned toilets at her ballet school in exchange for lessons, and dreamed of escaping into the Technicolour world of 1940s Hollywood.

Alongside her stage career, she’s written books, launched perfumes, created lingerie lines, and is even producing her own French gin. She’s appeared in films and music videos for artists from Green Day to Taylor Swift, and continues her Las Vegas residency with over 100 performances a year.

At 53, she shows no signs of slowing down. Next up is Noctornelle, her most ambitious production yet, inspired by 19th-century stage magicians, which will tour the UK in 2026.

She's an incredible artist and this was a Dita at her very honest best. Enjoy!

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Each week, in addition to a brand new episode, we delve into our back catalogue to serve up a vintage episode from our cellar.

All this month we're choosing from our excellent selection of authors - a mini literature festival if you will.

Today it's Donna Ashworth - a Scottish poet who shot to stardom during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been credited with revitalising a national interest in poetry.

So as the weather takes a turn for the worse why not snuggle in and treat yourself to 45 minutes of something inspiring.

I hope you enjoy this episode - and we'll see you back here for a brand new interview next time.

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