Olly Smith (Part One)

In this first part of a two-part episode of 'Walking the Dog with Emily Dean,' host Emily Dean welcomes wine expert, author, and Saturday Kitchen regular Ollie Smith for a heartfelt and whimsical stroll through the Sussex countryside. The conversation unfolds with warmth and humor as they bond over their shared love of dogs—particularly Ollie’s Shih Tzu, Busby—and explore Ollie’s rich life journey. From his childhood in Jersey, his early days as a chorister at King’s College Cambridge, and his formative years working in wine shops and potato farms, Ollie reveals how his upbringing instilled a deep work ethic and a passion for storytelling. The episode delves into his creative career, including his work on beloved children’s shows like Pingu and Charlie and Lola, and his newly released crime novel, *Death by Noir*, which he describes as a joyful, character-driven mystery set in the very landscape they’re walking through. The emotional core emerges in tender reflections on loss—his sister’s passing and the profound grief of losing his beloved Border Terrier Barney—highlighting how deeply dogs shape his sense of connection and joy. Throughout, the episode radiates warmth, humor, and a celebration of quiet, meaningful moments in life.