<p>This week Emily and Ray take a stroll in Stratford with comedian <strong>Mark Simmons</strong>, widely regarded as one of the sharpest one-liner comics around.</p><br><p>Mark chats to Emily about growing up in Canterbury, his time working in a gym, and the spontaneous decision to try stand-up comedy that ended up changing his life. Since then, he’s picked up the prestigious <strong>Joke of the Fringe Award</strong> at the Edinburgh Festival, appeared on <em>Mock the Week</em>, and supported the likes of <strong>Rob Beckett</strong>, <strong>Seann Walsh</strong> and <strong>Rob Brydon</strong> on tour.</p><br><p>It was a rainy walk, made all the more memorable by Mark insisting on carrying Emily’s handbag the entire time, a small gesture that said a lot. The conversation also turns to their mutual friend, comedian <strong>Gareth Richards</strong>, with a moving and heartfelt moment as they remember him together.</p><p>Mark is currently touring his show <em>Jest to Impress</em>, and you can book tickets at <a href="https://marksimmons.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://marksimmons.co.uk</a>. You can also listen to his podcast <em>Jokes with Mark Simmons</em>.</p><br><p>It’s a funny, thoughtful and genuinely lovely walk with a brilliant comic and an even better human.</p><br><p><strong>Follow Emily:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a></p><br><p><strong>Walking The Dog</strong> is produced by <strong>Will Nichols</strong></p><p><strong>Music:</strong> Rich Jarman</p><p><strong>Artwork:</strong> Alice Ludlam</p><p><strong>Photography:</strong> Karla Gowlett</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>