Prestwick podcaster David McIntosh has told how he bagged a big name interview with comedian Jimmy Carr on his YouTube channel last week.

David, 25, runs a podcast called 'The Development by David Podcast' which he started from his bedroom during Covid, after sadly losing his mum in 2020.

The podcast was born from the idea that David had only limited role models growing up and so had instead sought out digital role models by reading books and listening to podcasts. His experience was that they were often very highly geared and not inclusive for people who weren’t already well-read with good levels of commercial understanding, so his podcast has been designed to be inclusive for all people, regardless of background.

Since its launch, David has interviewed over 100 people, including Reebok founder Joe Foster, Sir Tom Hunter, Sinitta and Example. The podcast is now played in 45 countries worldwide.

Jimmy Carr became one of the biggest names so far to join David on his podcast
Jimmy Carr became one of the biggest names so far to join David on his podcast

David, who grew up in a council estate in Prestwick, told Ayrshire Live: "The podcast uses origin stories to help people who don’t have immediate access to role models or roadmaps. It’s the podcast I needed in my teens and early twenties.

"I started it to foster connection during Covid when we lived in an isolated time. I wanted to make my weeks unique and distinctive so interviewing the most interesting people I know on a weekly basis became a new hobby - plus they were all stuck inside anyway. But, I thought podcasts gave listeners the ability to join conversations and feel part of dialogue especially if they felt lonesome."

David was "delighted" to get Jimmy on the show after he reached out to the comedian earlier this year. When David heard back from Jimmy, he "dropped to the floor" from the disbelief.

He said: "I dropped to the floor when I found out Jimmy would take part in my podcast. Jimmy is my hero as I am a stand up comedian too.

"I brought my little sister to London to meet him and sit in on the podcast - alongside my videographer Andres McNeill. My sister Freya and I used to watch 8 out of 10 cats in our council house - when times weren’t so easy at home.

"I remember watching the highlight reel with her not long after our mother died. So, bringing her to meet Jimmy was a delight. She was so excited that Jimmy even called her out on the podcast mid-recording."

David continued: "I’d love to add that I’m not special. These opportunities aren’t because I’m well connected, lucky or have access to these celebrities. I just work really hard, have lots of self belief and take risky shots - which include guessing Jimmy's email and shooting my luck. It’s how I’ve gotten all my 100 guests on."

David, with his sister Freya and Jimmy Carr
David, with his sister Freya and Jimmy Carr

David's episode with the 8 out of 10 Cats host, covers a range of topics, from Jimmy talking about being 'cancelled' to discussing intimate details of David grieving his mum.

David said: "Beyond the dark mask you've seen on stage and on TV, Jimmy's origin story is complex, and his thinking is philosophical. I was blown away by how he has turned his remarkable life story into a set of lessons for us all.

"Despite how he presents himself, Jimmy’s story is one that begins as a working-class Irish immigrant in Slough and will inevitably end with him being cemented as a legend when his physical being is no longer around.

"He also astounded me with novel ideas around comedy’s role in society, how to serve your future self, and the importance of experiential learning."

To watch David's podcast with Jimmy Carr, visit here.

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