Pick of the Podcasts: Postcards From The Edge, Microscope and The Lockdown Tactics

She might be best known as Robbie Williams’ wife, but Ayda Williams has shown she has plenty to say in her own right.

Married to the pop star, with whom she has four children, since 2010, Ayda has an impressive acting CV including long-running soap Days Of Our Lives, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip and Fresh Meat.

But it was her performances as a regular panellist on chat show Loose Women and as a judge alongside Robbie on The X Factor that proved she was strongly opinionated and was a good talker.

The 41-year-old has carried that on in not one but two podcasts.

First came (Staying) At Home With the Williamses, which is now in its second season. Each episode is narrated by comedian Sarah Millican, who gives listeners an entertaining guide to life in the Los Angeles home of the couple.

The first season debuted at Christmas and went to number two on the Apple podcast charts, and has now had more than 150,000 listeners. It’s had rave reviews, with NME saying: “It turns out podcasting is the ideal format for the husband and wife duo’s playful, gossipy conversation. Ayda, in particular, is ready with the quick-witted comebacks, consistently bringing the garrulous Williams down a peg or two.”

Ayda’s new podcast is Postcards From the Edge, which is based on the concept of an American living in the UK (sometimes), sitting down with a famous British guest to discuss the cultural differences between the two sides of the pond.

As well as occasionally being joined by Robbie, Ayda will also have her mother, Gwen, as part of the podcast, making it a genuine family affair.

Guests taking part so far include Olly Murs, Alan Carr, David Walliams, Scott Mills and Judge Rinder.

(Acast/Apple)

Microscope (Plosive Productions)

Comedians Mat Ewins and John Kearns host this improvised podcast in which they attempt to solve some of the world’s biggest mysteries, with laughs clearly at the forefront of their investigative work. Usually recorded in front of a live audience, the amateur sleuths have so far investigated an obscure theme park that appears to be haunted, a farmer kidnapped by penguins and a gym that’s been infiltrated by wizards.

The Lockdown Tactics (YouTube)

Former footballer Kris Boyd and current player Robert Snodgrass team up to interview big names from across sport, with a specific focus on football. Guests so far include Tyson Fury, Paul Merson, Gregor Townsend and Darren Fletcher. As well as stories from their careers, there is an emphasis on mental health awareness issues, with the guests opening up about their own experiences, such as addictions and depression.Postcards From The Edge