Ruby Wax has revealed she once saw Louis Theroux as her “nemesis” during a candid podcast interview.
Appearing on Katherine Ryan’s What’s My Age Again, Ruby said the feeling lasted for 12 years as their careers overlapped in documentary making.
She explained she had wanted to remain in that space but felt she was pushed aside as Theroux rose to prominence, although she added she has since forgiven him and described him as “a nice person”.
Ruby also reflected on her own presenting style, admitting she once relied on a “smiley persona” that became difficult to escape.
She credited late actor Alan Rickman as an early mentor who encouraged her to drop the habit, telling her it made her appear “desperate”.
Speaking about her interviewing approach, Ruby said she would spend time building trust with contributors before filming, creating deeper and more revealing conversations.
She also revisited some of her most controversial encounters, including interviews with Donald Trump and Bill Cosby, describing difficult experiences and strong first impressions.
Ruby said her meeting with Trump reminded her of her father, influencing how she behaved during the interview and leading her to ask questions she later reflected on critically.
“I laughed in his face thinking this guy is hilarious and then he said, that’s it I’ve had enough but he said you’re angry with a smile, and I thought he nailed me. He has gutter instincts,” she said.
Despite the intensity of some past interviews, she told Katherine she is not concerned about potential repercussions, joking she may simply struggle to return to the United States.
