Andi Oliver was in a band with Neneh Cherry - 'We had the time of our lives'

Virgin Radio

30 Aug 2024, 13:21

Andi Oliver and Mark Wogan at Pub in the Park in Chiswick.

Credit: YouTube @VirginRadioUK

The latest episode of Spooning With Mark Wogan comes live from Pub in the Park in Chiswick, and features chef, television and radio broadcaster, Andi Oliver.

Andi is best known for her appearances on hit BBC cooking show the Great British Menu, and is the author of the book The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories From My Caribbean Table. However, she was also in a band, back in the early 80s. 

When podcast host Mark says to her: “What a lot of people may not realise is, your first incarnation was as a pop star,” Andi replies: “Well, people keep saying ‘pop star’. I mean, we did alright. I wouldn’t say pop star!”

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The TV star was part of post-punk banned Rip Rig + Panic, which also featured none other than Brit Award-winning singer, songwriter and rapper, Neneh Cherry. Andi tells Mark. “Me and Neneh Cherry were the lead singers, and we had the time of our lives. I mean, who does not want to spend their teenage years travelling the world with their friends, having the odd beverage?

“We once stole a bottle of Grappa from a hotel, but it was so strong, we put it back.”

She continues: “It was the middle of the night, and we crept down, climbed over the bar, got this Grappa, took it back upstairs, drank it, went ‘Oh no’, and crept back down and put it back. We didn't know what else to do with it, because they would have found it. So we had to put it back!

“But we did have the most incredible time. And I think, actually, it's interesting how many people in food come from music. The two things are so deeply connected. And I think that music and food are the building blocks for who we are, because… they create passion. They create connection.” 

The son of late broadcasting legend Sir Terry Wogan says to her: “So, you're a pop star, you're travelling around the world with Neneh Cherry, and then you become a mum...”

Andi replies: “Well, then I got knocked up, yeah! That will happen. She's 40 now. Wow, that was a while ago!”

Andi’s daughter is Miquita Oliver, who came to fame as a presenter of Channel 4's Popworld and T4, “nursing people through their hangovers,” Andi says. “And, apparently, prison, she gets this whole thing where people in the street go, ‘I used to watch you when I was in prison.’ She's like, ‘You're welcome. Thank you.’”

Watch the full chat - in which Andi opens up about her love of Fray Bentos pies and her hatred of roasted tomatoes - here: 

Read what Mark Wogan told Chris Evans about why he blindfolds guests on his Spooning podcast here

Previous Spooning guests include Claudia Winkleman, Helen Skelton, Gaby Roslin, Beverley Knight, Jimmy Carr, Jason Fox, the Appleton sisters, Tom Rosenthal, The Hairy Bikers, Tim Lovejoy James Martin, Midge Ure, Joe Wicks, Eddie Izzard and Virgin Radio’s own Ryan Tubridy and Angela Scanlon.

Spooning is out wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are released every Thursday. Watch along via @virginradiouk on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok.

See Spooning With Mark Wogan at Pub In The Park in St Albans from 6th-8th September 2024. For more information visit www.pubintheparkuk.com. Mark will also be at CarFest 2024 on August bank holiday weekend.

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