Episodes

  • Matt Allwright rewinds to 1991
    Sep 6 2026

    TV presenter Matt Allwright takes us back to 1991 with his flashback track: Man Walks Among Us by Marty Robbins…

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, as we explore Matt’s memories of his musical childhood in the ‘70s and ‘80s, pretending to speak Italian in Japan, playing live music for charity at petrol stations around Europe, and the incredible moment involving his mother’s tumble-dryer that sparked his career in TV spanning 30 years, hosting everything from to the BBC’s Watchdog to Rogue Traders and The One Show, to his current daily show on Channel 5.

    Matt shares stories of the glory days of Television Centre in the nineties, of chasing fraudsters, of performing on stage at the Albert Hall, hanging out with Michael Sheen, and he tells the touching story of the final days of his beloved dad.

    I am SO grateful to Matt for spending this time with you and me and I really hope you enjoy hanging out with us today. Please subscribe/follow and share with anyone you think might enjoy it too.

    Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    All links at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Bringing back the '90s after brain injury, with my best friend from school, Chris Stansell
    Sep 2 2026

    In this special episode, my best friend from school helps me remember things I thought my brain injury had wiped forever — and it turns out, I was a pretty weird kid! He takes us straight back to 1997 with Sunchyme by Dario G, triggering his memories of the early morning milk round he did to pay for one of those massive super-cool HiFi stereo systems, and from there we relive some of the ridiculous things we did as kids in the ‘90s…

    Everything from the embarrassing thing I did at 12 to get someone (anyone!) to date me, being totally unsupervised on a trip to France, the ridiculous get-rich-quick scheme I came up with in 1998, some outrageous classroom shenanigans, to our love for Woolworth’s Pick n Mix, that legendary Pizza Hut buffet, and how gutted we were when the Spice Girls split.

    I also talk about my life with amnesia and some of the hilarious situations I got into when attempting to pass as a totally normal adult in the world of work — when really I didn’t have a clue what anyone was talking about and still believed the world was magical…

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, and Chris Stansell for this special episode.

    Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    All links at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

    Instagram: flashbacktracks.podcast

    YouTube: FlashbackTracksPodcast

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    Facebook: thomasleedsbooks

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    44 mins
  • JJ Arcanjo rewinds to 1995
    Aug 25 2026

    Best-selling author JJ Arcanjo of the hit Crookhaven series (and TV series) takes us back to 1995 with his flashback track: Kaoma by Lambada, and what a journey it takes us on!

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, as we explore memories of a carefree childhood in Portugal, of being scared witless in a remote South African school, and of the moment JJ Arcanjo first arrived on a busy film set to see his wonderful stories come to life.

    We also talk about his thrilling new series, Beast Mode. Available now from all good bookshops.

    I really hope you enjoy hanging out with us today and make sure you don’t miss my next amazing guest — subscribe today and please share with anyone else you think might like to hang out with us too.

    Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    All links at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

    Instagram: flashbacktracks.podcast

    YouTube: FlashbackTracksPodcast

    TikTok: flashbacktracks.podcast

    Facebook: thomasleedsbooks

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    48 mins
  • Abigoliah Schamaun & Joe Wells rewind to 1995
    Aug 18 2026

    Award-winning comedians and authors Abigoliah Shamaun and Joe Wells take us back to 1995 with their flashback tracks: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones, and Frownland by Captain Beefheart — and what a time to be alive it was!

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, and two of my favourite comedians as we explore memories of everything from listening to music in the dark woods, to elaborate school assemblies featuring a turtle and Jet from Gladiators, to cycling diamonds around New York City, to the night they shared a dressing room with Take That!

    We also talk about their fantastic new book, Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) To Pack A Suitcase. It had me laughing, crying and I literally couldn't put it down, even when my children needed feeding — sorry, kids! Available now from all good bookshops.

    I really hope you enjoy hanging out with us today and make sure you don’t miss my next amazing guest — subscribe today and please share with anyone else you think might like to hang out with us too.

    Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    Visit us at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

    Instagram: flashbacktracks.podcast

    YouTube: FlashbackTracksPodcast

    TikTok: flashbacktracks.podcast

    Facebook: thomasleedsbooks

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    #FlashbackTracks #comedy #standup #90s #memories #nostalgia

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    56 mins
  • Cressida Cowell rewinds to the '70s
    Aug 11 2026

    Best-selling author-illustrator of the hit How To Train Your Dragon franchise, Cressida Cowell, takes us back to the 1970s with her flashback track: Romantic Flight by John Powell from the soundtrack of her first movie — and what a journey it takes us on!

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, and my idol Cressida Cowell as we explore everything from her childhood summers on a wild Scottish island, to her difficult school years, to the extraordinary journey from her first sketch of that little viking boy to selling millions of books around the world in 46 languages and seeing them brought to life in no fewer than 4 Hollywood movies, 3 TV series and even their own theme park in Florida!

    She shares with us some really beautiful stories of her lovely dad who inspired Hiccup’s father Stoick in the books, and there’s plenty of glorious ‘70s nostalgia too! I really hope you enjoy time-travelling with us today.Make sure you don’t miss my next brilliant guest — subscribe today and share with anyone else you think might fancy escaping to the past with us. Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    Visit us at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Joanna Woodward rewinds to 2004
    Aug 4 2026

    West End star Joanna Woodward takes us back to 2004 and beyond with her flashback track: I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston - and WHAT a journey it is!

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, and the phenomenal Joanna as we explore everything from her beautiful memory of belting-out this song in front of her whole school, then back to the '90s when she chose her theatrical career at the age of just three! She then takes us through her remarkable life, masking her AuDHD into motherhood when, incredibly, she managed to keep her feet on the stage between births and her young daughter's brain surgery, sharing some unforgettable moments along the way with stars including George Clooney, Liam Neeson, Richard Kind and her gorgeous pal Duncan James of Blue.

    What a woman!! I am so grateful to Joanna for spending this time with you and me today before she's back on stage as Ulla, shining bright for another lucky audience in the Olivier-nominated hit show The Producers (The Mel Brooks Musical) which is an absolute tonic, by the way! It left my face literally aching from laughter. If it's not sold-out yet GO SEE IT before the show ends in September!

    I really hope you enjoy hanging out with us today and also I'd love to hear about your own flashback track. What special memory does it take you back to? Let me know on our socials and I might read out your story in a future episode.

    Don't miss all the brilliant guests I'll be chatting with in new episodes - subscribe today and please share with anyone else you think might like to hang out with us too.

    Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    Visit us at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

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    51 mins
  • Nikki Fox rewinds to 1989
    Jul 28 2026

    Beloved broadcaster Nikki Fox takes us all the way back to 1989 with her flashback track: Take the Long Way Home by Supertramp.

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, and Nikki as we explore everything from Nikki's gorgeous childhood road-trips to Spain, her memories of growing up disabled, how the music of Kate Bush kept her 'stronger for longer', as well as all the hilarious situations her misbehaving scooter has landed her in, and some of the priceless moments she's had with all those celebrity guests on the One Show...

    I really hope you enjoy hanging out with us today and I'd love to hear about your own flashback track. What special memory does it take you back to? Let me know on our socials and I might read out your story in a future episode. Don't miss all the brilliant guests I'll be chatting with in new episodes - subscribe today and share with anyone else you think might like to hang out with us too.

    Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    Visit us at: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

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    52 mins
  • Trailer
    Jul 9 2026

    Welcome to Flashback Tracks — the podcast where we go back in time with the magic of just one song.

    Join me, Thomas Leeds, each week with a special guest and the song that transports them to a meaningful moment in their life. From hilarious childhood memories and career-defining moments to stories of love, loss and everything in between, every conversation is a journey through the soundtrack of a fascinating life. Featuring bestselling authors, comedians, TV presenters, actors, musicians and more, Flashback Tracks celebrates the memories that shape us.

    Subscribe now and join us for unforgettable conversations and nostalgia overload! What's your flashback track? Share your memories in the comments or via our socials — I'll be reading some out in future episodes!

    Instagram: @flashbacktracks.podcast

    TikTok: @flashbacktracks.podcast

    Facebook: @thomasleedsbooks

    Website: www.flashbacktracks.co.uk

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    1 min