Let Me Be Frank Podcast

TV favourite and lifelong West Ham fan Ben Shephard joins Frank McAvennie for a brilliant football chat as they look back on one of the most iconic seasons in West Ham United history.

With 2026 marking 40 years since West Ham’s unforgettable 1986 campaign, Ben and Frank relive the players, moments and atmosphere that made it such a special year for Hammers supporters, and why it still still means so much today.

Ben also opens up about his lifelong love of West Ham, shares stories from his own celebrity football appearances, reveals which Scottish club he has a soft spot for, and explains how he manages to keep a remarkably low golf handicap alongside a busy TV career.

Packed with nostalgia, laughs and proper football stories, this is a relaxed and entertaining conversation between fans who truly get it.

Frank and Simon return with a fiery Frankly Speaking after Celtic’s underwhelming draw with Hearts at the weekend.

Frank does not hold back as he questions Celtic’s physicality, describing the performance as lightweight and saying Hearts bullied their way through the game at key moments. He also reacts strongly to the Trusty red card, insisting the referee got it right initially and that VAR official John Beaton should never have got involved in overturning the decision.

The conversation then turns to the wider picture at Celtic. Frank accuses Dermot Desmond of showing a complete lack of respect to supporters and says the disconnect between the board and the fans has never felt wider. There is also concern over Martin O’Neill, with Frank suggesting the Celtic legend looks disheartened by the current situation.

With the transfer window dragging on and pressure building, Frank makes it clear where the responsibility lies and why the board must act now.

Raw, angry and completely unfiltered Frank McAvennie, exactly as Frankly Speaking should be.

Paul Hartley joins Simon and Frank for a brilliant conversation reflecting on a career that took him to the very top of Scottish football.

A former Hearts, Celtic and Scotland midfielder, Paul gives his honest view on who he sees as favourites ahead of Sunday’s Hearts vs Celtic clash, drawing on his unique perspective of having worn both shirts.

He looks back on an outstanding career, sharing memories from Tynecastle, Celtic Park and the international stage, and speaks warmly about the managers who shaped him, including Tommy Burns, Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan.

Paul also relives the sheer brilliance of Shunsuke Nakamura, explaining why he was mesmerised by playing alongside him, and opens up on the chaos, characters and unforgettable moments from the Vladimir Romanov era at Hearts.

Insightful, honest and full of great stories, this is a must listen for anyone who loves Scottish football.

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Frank and Simon return with a new Frankly Speaking after a flat and worrying Celtic cup win over Auchinleck Talbot.

Despite getting through, the performance raises serious questions. Frank gives his honest reaction to what he saw, why the result papers over cracks, and why Celtic cannot afford to drift through another transfer window.

The pair discuss Martin O’Neill’s body language and frustration, with Frank questioning whether the interim boss looks fed up with the lack of backing. Attention quickly turns to the Celtic board, with Michael Nicholson firmly in the spotlight as calls grow for decisive action in the market.

It is blunt, passionate and exactly how Frank sees it. No spin, no excuses, just straight talk on where Celtic are heading and what must change quickly.

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Lee Martin joins Simon and Frank for a wide ranging and insightful conversation covering two of the biggest clubs in British football and the problems both continue to wrestle with.

A former Manchester United and Celtic player, Lee gives a fascinating inside view on why United have never truly replaced Sir Alex Ferguson. Drawing on his own experiences under Fergie, he explains how standards, authority and culture shifted once Ferguson left, why that era has proven impossible to replicate, and why modern football struggles to produce figures like him.

Lee also looks back honestly on his time at Celtic, describing himself as one of the unluckiest players in the club’s history. Injuries, timing and circumstance combined to derail his spell in Glasgow, and he speaks candidly about how frustrating that period was for him.

Alongside the interview, Frank reacts to Celtic’s recent win at Falkirk, gives his unfiltered view on the performance, and does not hold back on what he sees as yet another shocking transfer window. As ever, standards are questioned, opinions are strong, and nothing is sugar coated.

A thoughtful, candid and lively episode that blends football history, hard truths and classic Let Me Be Frank honesty.

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