Why Oliver Gildart decided to launch his own podcast

He had just launched his own podcast, Offload, when the lockdown was put in place.

The England centre plans to revive the weekly chat once social distancing rules are relaxed, having got the idea to start his own from American comic and UFC commentator, Joe Rogan. Gildart said: “For the last two years I’ve really got into my podcasts, Joe Rogan, Peter Crouch, Mike Tyson... when I get into my car, instead of putting the radio on, I’ll put on a podcast.

“Joe Rogan speaks to so many people from different walks of life, and I’m lucky that I get to know so many interesting people through what I do, and I thought it’d be something good to do.

“My friend, Josh Parr, has his own social media agency and so between us we’ve got it going. I enjoy speaking to people and learning about them and their journeys, and who knows? It may be something that helps me in life after rugby.”

Team-mate Liam Marshall was recruited for the first episode of the podcast at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Standish.

A second, featuring Zak Hardaker, is also in the can and Gildart plans to venture away from rugby league and speak to other athletes as well as artists and other public figures. “We wanted to do one a week but then the lockdown happened,” said the 23-year-old. “Rather than do them on the phone I’d rather wait and do it with the right set-up and film it.

“I don’t want them all to be about rugby – there are plenty of very successful athletes in Wigan, let alone further afield - and I’d like it to grow so it’s more widespread.

“Anyone who has got stories to tell.”

The first episode of Offload is available through Apple, Spotify and on YouTube.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.