James English, a former reality TV star who once dated Kerry Katona, has built one of Britain's most talked-about podcasts, AnythingGoesWithJames, by landing interviews with controversial and high-profile figures including alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan and activist Tommy Robinson. His trajectory from tabloid fixture to interviewer of underworld and political figures illustrates how the podcast boom has created a new, less regulated route to fame and influence outside traditional broadcast media.

English's rise has seen him secure access to figures rarely willing to speak to mainstream press, giving his channel a reputation for landing exclusive and provocative conversations. His guest list, spanning from entertainment personalities to figures linked to organised crime and far-right politics, has fuelled scrutiny over the platform's editorial choices and the access such podcasters can obtain compared with established journalists.