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ill-advised by Bill Nighy — Arts
ill-advised by Bill Nighy

A podcast for people who don’t get out much and can’t handle it when they do.

A refuge for the clumsy and the awkward.

Join Bill Nighy to squander some time as he attempts to answer your questions and dilemmas without actually making things worse.

If you have questions about anything – from choosing the right shirt to how to hide at parties, please send us a voice-note via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy

or you can email us contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

There will also be a recommended book and a ‘playlist of the week’ and given that Bill is making this up as he goes along, who knows what other features might develop.

He would further like to add that he knows you have busy lives and wants you to feel free to ignore this podcast

Stay loose

Produced by Alice Williams & Ciara Gregory with assistant production by Angelique Somers.

Cover image by Charlie Gray.

Artwork by Anna Davie.

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening and early access to new episodes, events and merchandise and more – see you there.

If you would like to join it’s important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © EYEPOD Studios

Latest Episodes:

No Stranger To A Sherbet Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Join Bill as he tries to answer some more questions. In this episode he addresses facial hair, pillows and coffee drinking.

The playlist this week is called ‘No Stranger To A Sherbet’ and includes:

‘Kick Me’ by Starcrawler
‘Guitar’ by Prince
‘Dirty Blvd.’ by Lou Reed
‘Slow Down’ by The Beatles
‘Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere’ by David Bowie

Listen to the playlist on Spotify - HERE

Listen to the playlist on Apple Music - HERE

The book of the episode is Pink Soap by Anju Gaston

Keep your questions and contributions to our features coming - you can get in touch via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Haven't Had That Much Exposure To Donkeys Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Bill answers questions on fabric handkerchiefs, facial hair & fracture boots. Some more words have been in front of the permissions committee for review, plus another listener has been good enough to share some of their embarrassing lyrics for the 'I'm With The Band' feature.

This episode's playlist is called ‘Hands Free, Pockets Empty’ and includes:

‘The Holy River’ by Prince
‘I Found My Smile Again’ by D’Angelo
‘Am I Wrong’ by Anderson .Paak (feat. ScHoolboy Q)
‘Be Thankful (For What You’ve Got)’ by The Winstons
‘Turn On Some Music’ by Marvin Gaye
‘Rain On Me’ by Tamia
‘This Day Is For You’ by Leela James

Listen to the playlist on Spotify - HERE

Listen to the playlist on Apple Music - HERE

The book is of the episode is ‘The Blackmailer’ by Isabel Colegate

Keep your questions and contributions to our features coming - you can get in touch via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Those Were The Days When We Used To Work Nights Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Bill tackles sleeping habits, birds, bovril and how to spend the perfect day in Paris.

‘Those Were The Days When We Used To Work Nights’

‘Crosstown Traffic’ by Jimi Hendrix
‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ by The Rolling Stones
‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, Pt. 1’ by James Brown & The Famous Flames
‘You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go’ by Bob Dylan
‘Into the Mystic’ by Van Morrison
‘Dirty Old Town’ by The Pogues

Listen to the playlist on Spotify - HERE

Listen to the playlist on Apple Music - HERE

Keep your questions and contributions to our features coming - you can get in touch via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more - see you there.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Think I Was Kidding Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Bill attempts to answer questions about pavement etiquette, singing and saxophone solos in this episode.

This episode's playlist is called: ‘I Think I Was Kidding...’ and includes:

‘Dancing With Myself’ by Royel Otis
‘Sarah, Calling From A Hotel’ by Craig Finn
‘Born Asleep’ by Starcrawler
‘I Don’t Know What To Do’ by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
‘Under The Milky Way’ by The Church

Lint to the playlist on Spotify can be found HERE

Link to the playlist on Apple Music is HERE

The book of the episode is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Keep your questions and contributions to our features coming - you can get in touch via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more - see you there.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Relax, I've Got Your Keys Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Bill answers questions on wristwatches, cat flaps, birthdays and how to stop smoking.

Just a heads up, the book reading in this episode has quite a few swear words in it.

This episode's playlist is called 'Relax, I've Got Your Keys' and includes:

‘Lost Boys’ by Phoebe Bridgers
‘Since I Lost My Baby’ by The Temptations
‘Real Thing’ by Drugdealer & Weyes Blood
‘Deep One Perfect Morning’ by The Jesus and Mary Chain
‘My Favourite Picture of You’ by Guy Clark

Listen to the playlist on Spotify - HERE

Listen to the playlist on Apple Music - HERE

The book of the episode is 'Attention Seeking Behaviour' by Aea Varfis-Van Warmelo

Keep your questions coming - you can get in touch via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more - see you there.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irony Left The Building Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Bill is back to answer your questions and in this episode he attempts to address dreams, diaries and baseball caps. As well as our regular features we debut our first contribution to 'According To Your Grandmother'.

This weeks playlist is called: ‘Barefoot She’s Heart High’

‘The Mermaid Parade’ by Phosphorescent
‘How You Get Hurt’ by Courtney Marie Andrews
‘Strung Out’ by Johnny “Guitar” Watson
‘Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most’ by Bill Charlap Trio
‘Don’t Go To Strangers’ by Amy Winehouse, Jools Holland, Paul Weller

Link to playlist on Spotify - HERE

Link to playlist on Apple Music - HERE

The book of the episode is 'My Phantoms' by Gwendoline Riley.

Keep your questions coming - you can get in touch via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more - see you there.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Death To Superstition Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

How to take a compliment, whether to finish a book, flesh coloured clothing and sausage size are some of the topics tackled by Bill in this episode.

This episode's playlist is called 'I Just Need Some Air, I Won’t Be Long':

Lou Reed - The Great Defender (Down at the Arcade)

The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You

Prince - She Spoke 2 Me

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Deep One Perfect Morning

Sjowgren - AJSF - 2much2soon

Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders - I’ll Stand By You

Link to Spotify here

And to Apple music here

Bill's book recommendation this week is 'Lolly Willowes' by Sylvia Townsend Warner

We'd love to hear from you! Send us questions for Bill or 'I'm With The Band' submissions via instagram

@illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more - see you there.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Was in Crisis Long Before Midlife Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the 3rd series of ill-advised! Bill is back to answer the all important questions of whether you can have too many hats, the correct way to make tea and he concertedly attempts to advise on a midlife crisis…

Plus this week we have a brilliant contribution to our 'I'm With The Band' feature, we say goodbye to some more words as they are added to the Banned Words list (as ratified by the permissions committee) and Bill announces a brand new feature.

The playlist this week is called ‘No I Was Awake, Honestly’:

‘Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’ by The Isley Brothers
‘Damn U’ by Prince
‘Misty Blue’ by Mary J. Blige
‘Til Tomorrow’ by Marvin Gaye
‘Between You Baby and Me’ by Curtis Mayfield
‘Fire We Make’ by Alicia Keys, Maxwell

Link to Spotify - HERE

Link to Apple Music - HERE

The book that Bill recommends this week is: Beside the Syrian Sea by James Wolff

We'd love to hear from you! Send us questions for Bill or 'I'm With The Band' submissions via instagram

@illadvisedbybillnighy or by email: contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com

If you like to hear more of Bill, you can join him in The Back Room on Patreon (www.patreon.com/illadvisedbybillnighy) for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, events, the long-awaited merchandise and more - see you there.

If you would like to join it's important to sign up online first to avoid the Apple fees in their app, then download it later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A taste of what is happening in The Back Room Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Bill is off ill-advising duties for the summer but there are all sorts of things happening in The Back Room over on Patreon. If you are missing your weekly dose you can hear Bill giving recommendations, ranking Songs with Speaking in them, answering Back Room members questions and reading Night and Day by Virginia Woolf all summer - visit www.patreon.com/illadvisedbyBillNighy.

He'll be back in September with Season 3 of ill-advised but in the meantime he looks forward to squandering time with in The Back Room.

It's important to sign up online on Patreon first to avoid the Apple fees in their app. You can download it later in the app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He Showers In The Dark May 21, 2026

Show notes

It's the Season finale! In this episode Bill attempts to answer questions on ear worms, feeling at home in foreign lands, handshake etiquette and school reunions.

The episode's playlist is called ‘Songs That, Like, Hound Me...’  and includes:

‘The Kids are Alright’ by The Who
‘You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go’ by Bob Dlyan
‘Guilty’ by Randy Newman
‘When You Awake’ by The Band
‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ by Marvin Gaye
‘Take Some Time Out for Love’ by The Isley Brothers
‘I Threw It All Away’ by Bob Dylan
‘Any Major Dude Will Tell You’ by Steely Dan
‘Nancy with the Laughing Face’ by Frank Sinatra
‘It Happened in Monterey’ by Frank Sinatra

You can find the playlist on Spotify HERE

And Apple Music HERE

The book of the episode is ‘The Fire Next Time’ by James Baldwin

Thank you for all your questions and contributions over the last season.

Bill will be back with Season 3 in September. You can still squander time with Bill this summer in The Back Room on Patreon. It's important to sign up online on Patreon first to avoid the Apple fees in their app. You can download it later in the app.

Members will have early access to bonus episodes, ad free listening, new features, merchandise, events and Bill will be reading some of his favourite books week by week. Plus, over the next few weeks Bill will be pulling names out of a hat and the winners will receive one of the recommended books from the last 2 seasons, dedicated and signed by Bill.

Keep your questions and contributions coming in for Season 3 - you can email us at contactus@ill-advisedbybillnighy.com or message us via Instagram @illadvisedbybillnighy

Stay loose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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