28-05-2025
Move over nepo babies... it's time for the rise of nepo parents! From Jack Whitehall's parents podcast tour to Romesh Raganathan's iconic mum
He is one of the UK's most loved comedians starring in the hit series Bad Education and regularly hosting the BRIT Awards.
However Jack Whitehall is at serious risk of being outshone by his parents Michael and Hilary, who thanks to their son have become famous in their own right.
While the rise of the nepo baby has been well documented with many celebrity offspring being accelerated into the spotlight, it appears there is also a market for nepo parents.
Michael, 85, rose to fame after starring on his travel documentary Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father alongside the comedian.
The hit series, which ran for five seasons from 2017 until 2021, propelled Michael into the limelight.
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Michael and his wife went on to launch their own podcast The Wittering Whitehalls in 2022, which has since had over five million downloads.
The couple have also appeared together in Celebrity Goggle Box Stand Up To Cancer, as well as Chris and Rosie Ramsey's TV Show. The trio also co-authored the book How to Survive Family Holidays.
And now Michael and Hilary are stepping out without Jack as they bring their hit podcast The Wittering Whitehalls, to the stage later this year.
They promise an evening of unfiltered wisdom, wit, sage advice and opinions, drawn from nearly 40 years of marriage, bringing up three children and their onward journey with grandchildren.
But they aren't the only parents to launch new found career success off the back of their children's popularity.
Just like Jack and Michael's popular travel show, similarly Russell Howard recruited his mum for a road trip reality series.
Russell Howard & Mum: USA Road Trip saw the comedian and his mum Ninette drive around the USA in a minivan as they met people with a range of unusual hobbies and obsessions.
After airing on Comedy Central back in 2016, the pair went on to film three more series' including Russell Howard & Mum: Globetrotters which saw them also visit India, Thailand and Vietnam.
Meanwhile Romesh Ranganathan's mum Shanthi has become a much-loved figure in her own right thanks to various TV appearances alongside her son.
Romesh's family faced a turbulent time after his father Ranga left his mother Shanthi when the comic was just 12.
Originally, he and his younger brother Dinesh attended Reigate Grammar School, but were forced to move to a local comprehensive when their father was jailed for fraud and their family home was repossessed.
Romesh and his mother were forced to live in a B&B for 18 months before they finally found a council house.
And his close bond with his mum is evident and she has featured in a range of shows including BBC Three series Asian Provocateur, Just Another Immigrant and BBC Two show The Ranganation.
Most recently she appeared on Romesh's ITV show Parents Evening alongside Alison Hammond and her son Aidan, Carol Vorderman with her son Cameron, and Iain Stirling with his mum Alison.
Comedian Adam Buxton has also worked with his late father, who was a travel writer for the Daily Telegraph and wine critic.
Nigel Buxton was most known for appearing as BaaadDad in the Channel 4 comedy series The Adam and Joe Show as he frequently served as the butt of their jokes.
Nigel sadly died from complications arising from lung cancer at Adam's Norfolk home back in 2015.
The rise of the nepo parents has surprised Michael most of all as he spoke about turning the podcast into the live thing.
He said: 'The Wittering Whitehalls as a Podcast seemed a strange idea; What was a Podcast? But turning it into a Live show seems even stranger.
'But who knows? I never thought Travels with my Father would work. Come and see us and decide for yourself.'
Hilary added: 'It's bad enough trying to keep Michael under control at home. What on earth am I doing carting him around the country and putting him in front of live audiences? I must be mad.
'Where's Jack Whitehall when I need him? I'll just have to rely on marital banter, squabbles and laughter. Come and join the fun!'
