Pete Wicks spoke to BAFTA winning comedian, writer and actor Tom Davis on the latest episode of his Man Made Podcast.
The conversation delves into what happens when the man the world expects you to be doesn’t match how you feel inside.
Tom discusses navigating anxiety, burnout and sobriety, and reflects on the pressures of the male image in modern society.
He shared candid thoughts on his close friendships with fellow comedians Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett, highlighting the support, honesty and everyday banter that underpin their relationships.
“Banter is the most underestimated thing,” he said, describing how their camaraderie helped him both personally and professionally.
Tom also revealed a lighter passion: his love for pop ballads. “I love Westlife. I f**king love them. I went on my own… I was at the Royal Variety and I sat backstage, I f**king tanked that night, I wasn’t great, I sat and watched that,” he laughed, reflecting on how music offers him comfort and joy.
The podcast also takes a deeply personal turn as Tom opens up about his journey to fatherhood. He recounted the emotional challenges he and his wife faced when trying to conceive and the intense moments in hospital leading up to their child’s birth.
“When someone says next of kin, that’s a very cold moment… you sort of start making prayers with someone to go, look, just get me through this, get us through this, and that’s enough,” he said.
In a touching aside, Pete Wicks revealed that if he had married while his Nan was alive, she would have been his best man, showing the profound influence of family and personal connections in shaping his life and values.
