Howzat? 4.1 / 6

Cooked up from the fires of hell (Essex) and moulded from the ambers of sludge (reality TV), Rylan has had a surprisingly successful career, albeit somewhat generic. The singer reality contestant TV presenter radio presenter podcaster is riding high on a career fuelled by the needs of media executives to appeal to the broadest audience possible, whilst careful not to offend others. ‘Natch.

So it makes sense that ‘Aunty beeb’ has launched what seems to be the most generic podcast idea of all time with our boy Rylan at the helm.

At first glance, ‘Rylan: How to be in the spotlight’ reeks of an answer AI might give to the question, “(please for the love of God) come up with an idea for a really awesome podcast!” – put that sausage meat through the grinder and see what comes up. 

The show deals rather abruptly with the topic of fame and how the invited guests deal with the exposure. And in the current economical environment, listeners must gaze upwards towards the sunny uplands of fame and only imagine its riches. However, this show aims to broadcast a frequency of reality to the business of show and tells – in a nutshell – that it ain’t all that.

Actor Emily Atack is the guest on this episode and lays it all out to all and sundry, talking through her life in chronological order: from growing up with famous parents; to her first gig with Caroline Quentin and bagging her career-defining role as the sexy schoolgirl Charlotte “Big Jugs” Hinchcliffe on the cult hit TV show, The Inbetweeners; and breaking free of the shackles of a typecast by going into the (TV) jungle. She comes across well.

And what Rylan does well is to genuinely connect with Atack.

She feels comfortable talking about both taking advantage of and being a victim in an industry that prays on click bait and sexual exploitation. And as a listener, you feel that connection too.

Yes, this may not be a generational-defining-interview-masterpiece for the ages but it proves one thing. The BBC may paint by numbers when it comes to formats and talent but more often than not, those numbers usually add up.