Captain Sir Tom Moore becomes one of Britain’s oldest podcast hosts as he launches The Originals

Captain Sir Tom Moore is set to become one of Britain’s oldest podcast hosts as he launches his new series The Originals.

The much-loved veteran will guest host the podcast, in partnership with Cadbury and Age UK’s ‘Donate Your Words’ campaign, which is aimed at encouraging people to start a conversation with an older person, to help combat loneliness. 

To show just how easy and rewarding it can be to spark up a conversation with someone of the older generation, Captain Tom, who became a national hero during the pandemic due to his fundraising triumphs, interviews fascinating older people and learns more about their incredible lives.

Some of the entertaining guests include a 79-year-old woman who revealed she shared a kiss with Elvis and an 83-year-old body building champion. 

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Captain Tom said: ‘I’m thrilled to have joined forces with Cadbury to support a cause every close to my heart. 

In the podcast, which he is launching in collaboration with Cadbury and Age UK, Captain Tom Moore, 100, interviews people to learn more about their lives. Pictured clockwise from left: Rose Knox Pebbles, 79, Captain Tom Moore, 100, Winston Garvey, 83, Geoff Lean, 73, and John Starbrook, 89

‘The ‘Donate Your Words’ campaign in collaboration with Age UK, encourages people to start a conversation with an older person today, to help combat loneliness. 

‘To show just how easy and enjoyable these conversations can be, I’ve created my first podcast ‘The Originals.’ 

‘I’ve interviewed some fascinating people and discovered some incredible stories. From kissing Elvis Presley, to an 83-year-old body building champion, these are only the start of the surprising tales to come!’ 

Not interested in talking about the weather or whether someone enjoys walks, Captain Tom gets down into the stuff we all want to hear – what people got up to in the 70s and what life lesson they would like pass on to their grandchildren. 

Captain Tom (pictured) became a national hero during the pandemic due to his fundraising triumphs and has now made it his mission to raise awareness of loneliness in the elderly generation. He hopes his interviews with fascinating older people will encourage people to spark up conversations

Winston Garvey, 83, spoke to Captain Tom about his bodybuilding and the fact he is still lifting weights three times a week. Pictured, Winston working out on the exercise bike and rowing machine

Captain Sir Thomas Moore added: ‘I hope The Originals podcast will help encourage everyone to start a proper conversation with an older person today. 

‘We truly are The Originals and believe it or not, we have more in common than you may think – we have hundreds of amazing stories just waiting to be told.’

During the entertaining episode, the 100-year-old veteran chats with Rose Knox Pebbles, 79, who uncovers her wild side and Winston Garvey, the 83 year old bodybuilder, who still lifts weights three times a week.

He also speaks to award-winning, environmental journalist Geoff Lean, 73, who has been fighting against climate change for over half a century. 

The Originals podcast shows its listeners some of the best questions they could ask older people, to uncover unexpected tales and common experiences.

In future episodes, Captain Tom speaks to John Starbrook, 89, who is the oldest London Marathon runner having last completed it in 2018 for Age UK and Rajinder Singh, a 73-year-old skipping expert. 

Not interested in talking about the weather or whether someone enjoys walks, Captain Tom  (pictured) gets down into the stuff we all want to hear – what people got up to in the 70s and the most unique elements of their lives

On the list of fascinating interviewees for Captain Tom’s new podcast The Originals was Rajinder Singh, a 73-year-old skipping expert

Mr Singh started a skipping challenge at his home in Harlington to raise funds for the NHS and spoke all about his life with the 100-year-old veteran

Mr Singh started a skipping challenge at his home in Harlington to raise funds for the NHS. 

Captain Tom added: ‘My mission is simple, but important. I hope The Originals podcast will help encourage everyone to start a proper conversation with an older person today. 

‘We truly are The Originals and believe it or not, we have more in common than you may think – we have hundreds of amazing stories just waiting to be told.’ 

Even before this year’s lockdown 225,000 older people would often go for a week without speaking to anyone, and over six million older people said just a few minutes of conversation make a difference to their week.

This year, the issue of loneliness amongst older people within Britain’s communities has become more important than ever before.  

Captain Tom, together with Cadbury and Age UK, is encouraging the nation to go out and ‘Donate Your Words’ by taking the time to start a conversation with an older person today.

The ‘Donate Your Words’ campaign aims to tackle loneliness amongst the older generation following research, which revealed that in a typical week almost 2.6 million people aged 65 and over speak to three or fewer people they know, with more than 225,000 often going a week without speaking to anyone at all.

The Originals podcast shows its listeners some of the best questions they could ask older people to uncover unexpected tales and common experiences

Award-winning environmental journalist Geoff Lean, 73, has been fighting against climate change for over half a century and speaks about his experiences on the new podcast

The impressive John Starbrook, 89, who is the oldest London Marathon runner having last completed it in 2018 for Age UK, also spoke to Captain Tom about his life 

Laurie Boult, fundraising director at Age UK, said the charity have heard through their advice lines that many older people have started to feel anxious, depressed and lonely due to the pandemic. 

‘The effects of loneliness can be devasting, we know that loneliness is a threat to our physical and mental health, and that it can also increase the risk of developing dementia,’ she added.

The Originals podcast will launches today and will be available to download from all good podcast providers.

The next three episodes will launch on Monday 12th October when Captain Tom uncovers more surprising tales and life lessons.  

Claudia Miceli, Senior Brand Manager at Mondelez says, ‘Through The Originals and our partnership with Captain Tom and Age UK , we want to shine a light on the amazing stories that older people have to tell… if you take the time to listen. 

‘We hope to help inspire everyone to ‘Donate Your Words’ to an older person to help combat loneliness – you never know what you’re going to get back.’