Keira Knightley joins Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett for a festive episode of Dish from Waitrose.
The British actress and author appears on the latest episode of the popular foodie podcast following the release of The Perfect Gift, Waitrose’s four-minute festive film for 2025.
The short-form romantic comedy stars Knightley alongside comedian Joe Wilkinson, who reprises his role as Phil from the supermarket’s 2024 Christmas campaign, offering a fresh take on the traditional festive advert.
During the episode, Knightley discusses filming the advert, working with Wilkinson, and navigating on-screen romance at Christmas.
Reflecting on the experience, she jokes about the now-infamous beard involved in their kiss and laughs about discovering Wilkinson’s appearance on The Traitors only near the end of filming.
The conversation quickly turns festive, with Knightley sharing her Christmas Day traditions at home with her two children.
She describes early-morning excitement, a strict seven am present-opening rule, family films, and her preference for a Die Hard-style watch, even if Elf currently wins out.
Food is central to the discussion, with Knightley admitting she leaves most of the Christmas cooking to her husband James.
She explains that while she enjoys eating, she lacks confidence in the kitchen, preferring to help with preparation while he takes charge of the main event.
Knightley also talks candidly about her relaxed approach to food, saying she has very few dislikes and will try almost anything.
From tripe-based pasta sauces to pungent French sausages, she reveals an openness to flavours, even if some take time to grow on her.
Looking back on her career, Knightley recalls asking for an agent at the age of three and how dyslexia shaped her early acting journey.
She explains how reading practice was encouraged by linking auditions to schoolwork, a method that helped lay the foundations for her long-running career.
The episode also explores her relationship with wine, including writing for Noble Rot and previously owning a vineyard in France.
Knightley describes being drawn to the stories behind winemakers and the craft involved in producing wine organically by hand.
Speaking on the podcast, Knightley says: “Food is a love language, it really is, and Christmas just amplifies that feeling.”
On family life, she adds: “My Christmas Day starts with screaming excitement, but there’s a firm rule, no presents before seven, and coffee must be made.”
Filmed video versions of the episode of Dish from Waitrose are available on YouTube and Spotify, with the audio edition streaming now on podcast platforms.
