Michael Greco- "She Doesn't Drive But She Drives Me Mad!" cover art

Michael Greco- "She Doesn't Drive But She Drives Me Mad!"

Michael Greco- "She Doesn't Drive But She Drives Me Mad!"

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Would you believe it? This week's guest President is Michael Greco; actor, football fanatic and forever remembered by millions as EastEnders' charismatic Beppe di Marco. Tony's enchanted bingo machine is on particularly fine form this week, sending our ramblers on a journey that encompasses dreams, Italy, criminal law and one or two stories that were probably never meant to be told.


So pull on your gloves and join us for another ramble as Sir Stephen Fry's reassuringly omniscient voice guides us through three entirely unpredictable destinations.


Our first stop is 135 – Dreams. Michael has one recurring dream that sounds like heaven for any football fan: pulling on the famous blue shirt of Chelsea. Sadly, the dream rarely goes according to plan. Football has always been a huge part of Michael's life and, remarkably, he even played against the legendary Diego Maradona at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 people. But how did life steer him towards the Guildford School of Acting instead? Along the way we discover how a performance by a certain Tony Slattery inspired him to pursue acting, and the unforgettable feeling of receiving that first pay cheque. We also explore how EastEnders unexpectedly brought Michael into contact with an Oscar-winning director, his latest project alongside the phenomenal 50 Cent, and whether theatre, television or film truly feels like home. His recent appearance in Twelve Angry Men may just provide the answer.


Our next destination is 479 – Other Italic Languages, which turns out to be wonderfully apt. With parents and grandparents from Italy, Michael reflects warmly on his family's heritage and his regret that he no longer speaks Italian as fluently as he once did. The conversation becomes a celebration of family, identity and the Mediterranean way of life. From Sicily and sunshine to olive oil, walking, fresh food and abandoning the dreaded beige diet, our ramblers happily embrace everything that makes Italian culture so enduringly appealing. We also discover how the discipline instilled during Michael's training at the Guildford School of Acting continues to shape his professional and personal life—and why, on occasion, being spat at on stage can actually be a compliment to everyone's craftsmanship.

Finally, Tony's bingo machine delivers


345 – Criminal Law. We begin with some of Britain's more gloriously absurd laws, including the curious prohibition on handling salmon under suspicious circumstances. Before long, however, the conversation turns to policing of a rather different kind, as Michael reflects on playing Detective Beppe di Marco in EastEnders. Would he ever consider returning? Along the way Michael shares memories of working alongside television legends Barbara Windsor and Mike Reid, talks about his time as a professional poker player, and reveals that, impressive though his career has been, his greatest achievement has nothing to do with acting at all. For Michael Greco, nothing comes close to being a father to his two sons.

Then it's back to the Presidential shed, where Chelsea are apparently winning the league, the olive oil is flowing freely, and nobody is brave enough to pick up a suspicious salmon.


Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan Lear

Music composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell

The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesley

www.michaellivesley.com

Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson

Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris

Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson

Join the rambling club and receive your club membership card, badges, exclusive content and access to early release episodes, an exclusive extra podcast you won't hear anywhere else and exclusive club-only perks!

www.patreon.com/SlatteryLive

Official Website- www.tonyslattery.com

Twitter/X: @SlatteryLive

Instagram: tony_slattery_official

BlueSky: @ramblingclub


Michael's Instagram: thegrecs


Paul's Twitter: @PaulCarmichaelV

Paul's Bluesky: @paulcarmichaeluk

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