Hellish
@hellishpod.com
Podcast, from Hell. We ask our guests for the five tracks they will meet in Hell: the songs that will be used to torment them for all eternity. Hosted by @danielwhelan.com and Alex Gale.
Independent Podcast Awards finalist, as seen in the Sunday Times.
Independent Podcast Awards finalist, as seen in the Sunday Times.
Happy New Year everyone!
Here’s a little treat to welcome 2026: we got another chance talk to one of our favourite guests, Valerie Phillips!
This time, she’s bringing us her REDEMPTION SONGS - the music choices she hopes will get her out of Hell!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Here’s a little treat to welcome 2026: we got another chance talk to one of our favourite guests, Valerie Phillips!
This time, she’s bringing us her REDEMPTION SONGS - the music choices she hopes will get her out of Hell!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
January 1, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Happy New Year everyone!
Here’s a little treat to welcome 2026: we got another chance talk to one of our favourite guests, Valerie Phillips!
This time, she’s bringing us her REDEMPTION SONGS - the music choices she hopes will get her out of Hell!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Here’s a little treat to welcome 2026: we got another chance talk to one of our favourite guests, Valerie Phillips!
This time, she’s bringing us her REDEMPTION SONGS - the music choices she hopes will get her out of Hell!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
So here it is: the end of the Hellish Advent Calendar for 2025!
We’ve saved something very special for the end: @casperandpam.bsky.social not only give us the Xmas song they cannot stand, they also treat us to a Hellish first: an exclusive performance of said song!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
We’ve saved something very special for the end: @casperandpam.bsky.social not only give us the Xmas song they cannot stand, they also treat us to a Hellish first: an exclusive performance of said song!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
So here it is: the end of the Hellish Advent Calendar for 2025!
We’ve saved something very special for the end: @casperandpam.bsky.social not only give us the Xmas song they cannot stand, they also treat us to a Hellish first: an exclusive performance of said song!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
We’ve saved something very special for the end: @casperandpam.bsky.social not only give us the Xmas song they cannot stand, they also treat us to a Hellish first: an exclusive performance of said song!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Day 23’s door reveals musician Alexander Wolfe, who - as well revealing the Xmas song he can’t stand - tells us about being ‘a bit of a Scrooge’.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Pre-order Alexander’s new album, Everythinglessness, now - out January 16th.
alexanderwolfe.bandcamp.com/album/everyt...
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Pre-order Alexander’s new album, Everythinglessness, now - out January 16th.
alexanderwolfe.bandcamp.com/album/everyt...
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Day 23’s door reveals musician Alexander Wolfe, who - as well revealing the Xmas song he can’t stand - tells us about being ‘a bit of a Scrooge’.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Pre-order Alexander’s new album, Everythinglessness, now - out January 16th.
alexanderwolfe.bandcamp.com/album/everyt...
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Pre-order Alexander’s new album, Everythinglessness, now - out January 16th.
alexanderwolfe.bandcamp.com/album/everyt...
As the advent calendar gallops towards its end, it’s time for us to get reacquainted with top actor and Xmas Enthusiast Laura Checkley! the Christmas song she cannot stand prompts a barrage of song facts, not all of them seasonal…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 22, 2025 at 9:17 AM
As the advent calendar gallops towards its end, it’s time for us to get reacquainted with top actor and Xmas Enthusiast Laura Checkley! the Christmas song she cannot stand prompts a barrage of song facts, not all of them seasonal…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
The solstice brings us a mini Xmas episode with writer/actor Oliver Lansley - which Xmas song will be making his midwinter bleaker? Listen along to find out! podfollow.com/hellish
Oliver’s show ‘Where is Wanda?’ Is on Apple TV. And, if there’s any justice, multiple ‘best of year’ lists too.
Oliver’s show ‘Where is Wanda?’ Is on Apple TV. And, if there’s any justice, multiple ‘best of year’ lists too.
December 21, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The solstice brings us a mini Xmas episode with writer/actor Oliver Lansley - which Xmas song will be making his midwinter bleaker? Listen along to find out! podfollow.com/hellish
Oliver’s show ‘Where is Wanda?’ Is on Apple TV. And, if there’s any justice, multiple ‘best of year’ lists too.
Oliver’s show ‘Where is Wanda?’ Is on Apple TV. And, if there’s any justice, multiple ‘best of year’ lists too.
Today’s advent calendar mini episode reacquaints us with songwriter Ray Heffernan, whose choice of a Xmas song he cannot stand is accidentally autobiographical. (Check out our May two parter with Ray if you haven’t already!)
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 20, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Today’s advent calendar mini episode reacquaints us with songwriter Ray Heffernan, whose choice of a Xmas song he cannot stand is accidentally autobiographical. (Check out our May two parter with Ray if you haven’t already!)
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Dec 19th brings you a second helping of adult film-maker Ed Aldridge of altshift!
Ed chooses a ‘creepy’ helping of one of the more derided Christmas albums of all time as the Christmas song he cannot stand.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Ed’s slasher-filth film ‘Blowie’ is out now!
Ed chooses a ‘creepy’ helping of one of the more derided Christmas albums of all time as the Christmas song he cannot stand.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Ed’s slasher-filth film ‘Blowie’ is out now!
December 19, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dec 19th brings you a second helping of adult film-maker Ed Aldridge of altshift!
Ed chooses a ‘creepy’ helping of one of the more derided Christmas albums of all time as the Christmas song he cannot stand.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Ed’s slasher-filth film ‘Blowie’ is out now!
Ed chooses a ‘creepy’ helping of one of the more derided Christmas albums of all time as the Christmas song he cannot stand.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Ed’s slasher-filth film ‘Blowie’ is out now!
Today on the Hellish Advent Calendar @mollynaylor.bsky.social tells us all about the Xmas song she cannot stand. Then Alex gives us some timely astronomy news, AND births a new unit of measurement. All in one mini episode!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 18, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Today on the Hellish Advent Calendar @mollynaylor.bsky.social tells us all about the Xmas song she cannot stand. Then Alex gives us some timely astronomy news, AND births a new unit of measurement. All in one mini episode!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Another episode on the Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here!
December 17th brings us a second helping of Leoni Jan Kennedy, whose chosen detested Xmas song results in a truly hellish piece of music that has never been heard before…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 17th brings us a second helping of Leoni Jan Kennedy, whose chosen detested Xmas song results in a truly hellish piece of music that has never been heard before…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Another episode on the Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here!
December 17th brings us a second helping of Leoni Jan Kennedy, whose chosen detested Xmas song results in a truly hellish piece of music that has never been heard before…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 17th brings us a second helping of Leoni Jan Kennedy, whose chosen detested Xmas song results in a truly hellish piece of music that has never been heard before…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today’s Hellish Advent Calendar door reveals tip-top stand-up Katie Gill, who chooses the Xmas song she cannot stand! Plus, we discuss what is Father Christmas canon, and @danielwhelan.com skates on thin ice for a bit.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today’s Hellish Advent Calendar door reveals tip-top stand-up Katie Gill, who chooses the Xmas song she cannot stand! Plus, we discuss what is Father Christmas canon, and @danielwhelan.com skates on thin ice for a bit.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Behind the advent calendar door today is Gill German MP, who - due to a clerical error - gets to choose the Track We Had To Ban as the Xmas song she cannot stand. Then Alex and Daniel have a Xmas-themed crack at what might be called ‘lobbying’?
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Behind the advent calendar door today is Gill German MP, who - due to a clerical error - gets to choose the Track We Had To Ban as the Xmas song she cannot stand. Then Alex and Daniel have a Xmas-themed crack at what might be called ‘lobbying’?
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today’s door on the Hellish advent calendar reveals @adamscottglasspool.bsky.social of the excellent @whatismusicpod.bsky.social - who gives us the Christmas song he cannot stand!
It also features what is becoming an annual advert for the Fountain Inn, Ashurst.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
It also features what is becoming an annual advert for the Fountain Inn, Ashurst.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Today’s door on the Hellish advent calendar reveals @adamscottglasspool.bsky.social of the excellent @whatismusicpod.bsky.social - who gives us the Christmas song he cannot stand!
It also features what is becoming an annual advert for the Fountain Inn, Ashurst.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
It also features what is becoming an annual advert for the Fountain Inn, Ashurst.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Behind today’s advent calendar door is @flotationtoyw.bsky.social frontman Paul Carter! We talk about the Christmas song Paul cannot stand, and whether a Xmas song can be considered a threat…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Behind today’s advent calendar door is @flotationtoyw.bsky.social frontman Paul Carter! We talk about the Christmas song Paul cannot stand, and whether a Xmas song can be considered a threat…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Day 12 of the Hellish Advent Calendar 2025, and screenwriter Catherine Tregenna gives us a carol she cannot stand, as a substitute for a disturbing children’s TV theme tune…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Catherine’s series, The One That Got Away, is on BBC iPlayer now!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Catherine’s series, The One That Got Away, is on BBC iPlayer now!
December 12, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Day 12 of the Hellish Advent Calendar 2025, and screenwriter Catherine Tregenna gives us a carol she cannot stand, as a substitute for a disturbing children’s TV theme tune…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Catherine’s series, The One That Got Away, is on BBC iPlayer now!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Catherine’s series, The One That Got Away, is on BBC iPlayer now!
On today’s Advent Calendar, Gonzalo C. Garcia gives us a Xmas song he cannot stand.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Gonzalo’s excellent ‘Telenovela’ is out now on @galleybeggars.bsky.social - to hear more about it from Gonzalo himself listen to the latest @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.social!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Gonzalo’s excellent ‘Telenovela’ is out now on @galleybeggars.bsky.social - to hear more about it from Gonzalo himself listen to the latest @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.social!
December 11, 2025 at 10:07 AM
On today’s Advent Calendar, Gonzalo C. Garcia gives us a Xmas song he cannot stand.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Gonzalo’s excellent ‘Telenovela’ is out now on @galleybeggars.bsky.social - to hear more about it from Gonzalo himself listen to the latest @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.social!
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Gonzalo’s excellent ‘Telenovela’ is out now on @galleybeggars.bsky.social - to hear more about it from Gonzalo himself listen to the latest @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.social!
For today’s advent calendar @whenisbirths.bsky.social brings a controversial festive fave to Hell as the Xmas song he cannot stand…
Justin’s book, Into the Groove, is a great gallop through pop in the 80s. AND a great gift for the song facts fan in your life…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Justin’s book, Into the Groove, is a great gallop through pop in the 80s. AND a great gift for the song facts fan in your life…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 10, 2025 at 10:46 AM
For today’s advent calendar @whenisbirths.bsky.social brings a controversial festive fave to Hell as the Xmas song he cannot stand…
Justin’s book, Into the Groove, is a great gallop through pop in the 80s. AND a great gift for the song facts fan in your life…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Justin’s book, Into the Groove, is a great gallop through pop in the 80s. AND a great gift for the song facts fan in your life…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today actor Stephen Lobo tells us about the Christmas song he cannot stand! And we get to listen to an unexpected festive twist on one of the tracks he picked back in June when he was on the main show.
Stephen’s show Allegiance is now on U&Alibi in the UK.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Stephen’s show Allegiance is now on U&Alibi in the UK.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 9, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Today actor Stephen Lobo tells us about the Christmas song he cannot stand! And we get to listen to an unexpected festive twist on one of the tracks he picked back in June when he was on the main show.
Stephen’s show Allegiance is now on U&Alibi in the UK.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Stephen’s show Allegiance is now on U&Alibi in the UK.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today on the Advent Calendar #scarenthood creator @nickroche.bsky.social gives us the Xmas song he cannot stand!
It only has 19 words, so prepare for deep textual analysis. And Nick and Daniel swap graphic novel recommendations. Ho-ho-hope you like serial killers.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
It only has 19 words, so prepare for deep textual analysis. And Nick and Daniel swap graphic novel recommendations. Ho-ho-hope you like serial killers.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Today on the Advent Calendar #scarenthood creator @nickroche.bsky.social gives us the Xmas song he cannot stand!
It only has 19 words, so prepare for deep textual analysis. And Nick and Daniel swap graphic novel recommendations. Ho-ho-hope you like serial killers.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
It only has 19 words, so prepare for deep textual analysis. And Nick and Daniel swap graphic novel recommendations. Ho-ho-hope you like serial killers.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today on the Advent calendar we’re re-joined by @louiestowell.bsky.social for a quick mini episode about the festive favourite she cannot stand, and we listen to two versions of it to see if it gets any better.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Today on the Advent calendar we’re re-joined by @louiestowell.bsky.social for a quick mini episode about the festive favourite she cannot stand, and we listen to two versions of it to see if it gets any better.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today on Hellish advent, @jnraeside.bsky.social brings us a Xmas song she cannot stand: a (justly? sadly?) forgotten tune from 1989, the year of Neighbours chart duets…
Julia’s funny & fierce novel, Don’t Make Me Laugh, is out now! (and would make a perfect Xmas gift)
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Julia’s funny & fierce novel, Don’t Make Me Laugh, is out now! (and would make a perfect Xmas gift)
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 6, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Today on Hellish advent, @jnraeside.bsky.social brings us a Xmas song she cannot stand: a (justly? sadly?) forgotten tune from 1989, the year of Neighbours chart duets…
Julia’s funny & fierce novel, Don’t Make Me Laugh, is out now! (and would make a perfect Xmas gift)
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Julia’s funny & fierce novel, Don’t Make Me Laugh, is out now! (and would make a perfect Xmas gift)
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Today’s advent mini-pod has certified Xmas Music Xpert, writer/comic Marc Burrows! @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk
We discuss songs which are Xmas songs but aren’t, and find out how some songs became classics.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Marc’s book, “Mistletoe and Vinyl” is out now!
We discuss songs which are Xmas songs but aren’t, and find out how some songs became classics.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Marc’s book, “Mistletoe and Vinyl” is out now!
December 5, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Today’s advent mini-pod has certified Xmas Music Xpert, writer/comic Marc Burrows! @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk
We discuss songs which are Xmas songs but aren’t, and find out how some songs became classics.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Marc’s book, “Mistletoe and Vinyl” is out now!
We discuss songs which are Xmas songs but aren’t, and find out how some songs became classics.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Marc’s book, “Mistletoe and Vinyl” is out now!
Today’s Advent mini-pod sees @emmanewman.bsky.social give us the Xmas song she cannot stand!
Emma has been putting out daily doses of festive podfun for years, so it’s an honour and privilege to have the OG with us this year.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Links to Emma’s Advent Calendars below👇👇👇
Emma has been putting out daily doses of festive podfun for years, so it’s an honour and privilege to have the OG with us this year.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Links to Emma’s Advent Calendars below👇👇👇
December 4, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Today’s Advent mini-pod sees @emmanewman.bsky.social give us the Xmas song she cannot stand!
Emma has been putting out daily doses of festive podfun for years, so it’s an honour and privilege to have the OG with us this year.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Links to Emma’s Advent Calendars below👇👇👇
Emma has been putting out daily doses of festive podfun for years, so it’s an honour and privilege to have the OG with us this year.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Links to Emma’s Advent Calendars below👇👇👇
The Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here! Dec 3rd brings us a very seasonal guest: Captain Hook himself, Anthony Spargo!
Anthony tells us about spending the Christmas season doing panto, including what a pantomime villain gets up to on Christmas Day.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Anthony tells us about spending the Christmas season doing panto, including what a pantomime villain gets up to on Christmas Day.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 3, 2025 at 9:47 AM
The Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here! Dec 3rd brings us a very seasonal guest: Captain Hook himself, Anthony Spargo!
Anthony tells us about spending the Christmas season doing panto, including what a pantomime villain gets up to on Christmas Day.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Anthony tells us about spending the Christmas season doing panto, including what a pantomime villain gets up to on Christmas Day.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
The Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here! 24 daily episodes of returning guests telling us about the Christmas song they cannot stand…
Dec 2nd, and we’re joined by CHUCK CHUCK BABY director JANIS PUGH to discuss a particularly British phenomenon…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Dec 2nd, and we’re joined by CHUCK CHUCK BABY director JANIS PUGH to discuss a particularly British phenomenon…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
December 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here! 24 daily episodes of returning guests telling us about the Christmas song they cannot stand…
Dec 2nd, and we’re joined by CHUCK CHUCK BABY director JANIS PUGH to discuss a particularly British phenomenon…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
Dec 2nd, and we’re joined by CHUCK CHUCK BABY director JANIS PUGH to discuss a particularly British phenomenon…
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
The Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here! Behind the 1st door is awesome author @jennycolgan.bsky.social
Jenny’s new book, The Secret Christmas Library, is out now. We talk about that a bit, as well Doctor Who, Jesus, and not getting sued.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
#hellishadvent2025
Jenny’s new book, The Secret Christmas Library, is out now. We talk about that a bit, as well Doctor Who, Jesus, and not getting sued.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
#hellishadvent2025
December 1, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The Hellish Advent Calendar 2025 is here! Behind the 1st door is awesome author @jennycolgan.bsky.social
Jenny’s new book, The Secret Christmas Library, is out now. We talk about that a bit, as well Doctor Who, Jesus, and not getting sued.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
#hellishadvent2025
Jenny’s new book, The Secret Christmas Library, is out now. We talk about that a bit, as well Doctor Who, Jesus, and not getting sued.
Listen podfollow.com/hellish
#hellishadvent2025