‘People like it because it’s the messy truth’: Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver on their hit podcast Miss Me?

The pop star and the TV presenter are lifelong friends, and it’s their intimacy – and honesty – that gives their new BBC show its edge. They discuss their storied careers, and how they turn life’s challenges into audio goldIn a photographer’s studio in north London, sitting at a wooden table with mugs of tea, two friends are having a chat. They’ve discussed food and clothes, but now they’re on to their actual friendship: the reason why we’re here.“I think before this podcast,” says Miquita Oliver, “a lot of people who were aware that Lily and me have a friendship would be basing it on pictures of us leaving the Groucho pissed when we were 23...” She looks at Lily Allen, who is laughing quite hard. Continue reading...

I n a photographer’s studio in north London, sitting at a wooden table with mugs of tea, two friends are having a chat. They’ve discussed food and clothes, but now they’re on to their actual friendship: the reason why we’re here. “I think before this podcast,” says Miquita Oliver, “a lot of people who were aware that Lily and me have a friendship would be basing it on pictures of us leaving the Groucho pissed when we were 23.

..” She looks at Lily Allen , who is laughing quite hard.

“When we used to leave the Groucho,” says Allen, “there would be these paparazzi outside...

And Miquita would always grab a copy of the Evening Standard , to try to make herself look more studious!” Oliver (also laughing): “Just so you know, I’ve been reading the paper, while they all got fucked up!” View image in fullscreen Allen and Oliver backstage at V festival, 2006. Photograph: Jon Furniss/WireImage Allen: “I’m going to get a picture of you doing that and frame it.” “Never,” says Oliver, “get any framed photo of us leaving the Groucho.

Ever.” Lily Allen, pop star and actor, and Miquita Oliver, TV presenter, are not 23 any more. They’re 39 and 40, respectively, with much calmer night lives than their Groucho years, though their mischief-making and mickey-taking attitudes remain.

For evidence, we have their new twice-weekly podcast, Miss Me? . On paper, it’s not so different to other chum-pods out there, meaning it’s two famous people, having a .