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Eynsford 11-year-old launches her own podcast The Lockdown Show with star guests

Enterprising Zoë Giles like many other 11-year-olds is at home with her family and busy home schooling right now.

But unlike other 11-year-olds, the Eynsford schoolgirl has also launched a podcast during lockdown - and attracted some big name guests to it.

Zoe GIles, 11, has started her own podcast
Zoe GIles, 11, has started her own podcast

She launched The Lockdown Show three weeks ago from home and has already quizzed the likes of Lee Connelly - Blue Peter's The Skinny Jean Gardener, who has 100,000 listeners to his own podcast each week - and chatted to Isabel Clifton, Hetty Feather in the popular CBBC drama.

She's also spoken to Alex Horne, the man behind Dave's popular TV series Taskmaster; Tom Hart Dyke at Lullingstone Castle; Phil Harrison - DJ from BBC Radio Kent; authors Alex Bell (The Polar Bear Explorers Club), Michelle Harrison (A Pinch of Magic) and Children's Book Award 2019 winner Tom Palmer (Armistice Runner).

It's an impressive line-up for a schoolgirl. Zoë says: "It's been a lot of hard work but it's been fun and the best bits have been getting to interview Issy Clifton."

Each show has a ‘task’ at its centre to entertain children during lockdown, which has so far ranged from making a DIY Escape Room at home; creating a time capsule, and creating a family tree.

The Lockdown Show has had some big name guests
The Lockdown Show has had some big name guests

Listeners to the show are mainly from the UK but the show has also been downloaded in other countries including Australia, and has received 550 downloads tin its third week alone

She added:"I'm going to keep going until lockdown is over." Her dream guests would be JK Rowling and Tom Holland.

Guests have included Lee Connelly - better known as Skinny Jean Gardener from CBBC’s Blue Peter
Guests have included Lee Connelly - better known as Skinny Jean Gardener from CBBC’s Blue Peter

Her tips for those starting out are:

1. Come up with an original idea, or a new angle on something.

2. Plan your guests and running order before you start recording, and research your guests so you know what questions to ask.

3. And have fun.

Tom Hart Dyke of Lullingstone Castle has appeared on the podcast
Tom Hart Dyke of Lullingstone Castle has appeared on the podcast

She may have also had a little help from mum Vikki, publicity consultant, who adds: "If you want to put a podcast together, there are lots of software packages and information guides on YouTube but if you have GarageBand (on your phone or Mac) or Audible on your PC you can make a start with those. A good microphone makes a difference plus a ‘pop’ filter which literally does what it says and stops your ‘p’s from popping as you record."

Check out Zoë's show at: buzzsprout.com/1013320/3525019-uncover-your-family-secrets

For more ideas of things to do in lockdown click here.

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