Chris and Rosie Ramsey Defend Criticizing Their Kids on Hit Podcast

Chris and Rosie Ramsey recently addressed the negative comments they’ve received about how they discuss their children on their podcast.

The comedian, 38, and children’s author, 38, who tied the knot in July 2014, co-host the award-winning podcast Sh**ged Married Annoyed, where they often talk about the stresses of family life and the behaviors of their sons, Robin, 8, and Rafe, 3.

Since its launch in 2019, the podcast has been downloaded 170 million times. Over the years, listeners have frequently questioned the Ramseys for publicly criticizing their children. However, the couple insists that this approach is character building for their boys.

In a conversation with The Times, Chris explained that those who take issue with his jokes about his sons’ behavior “obviously don’t get us.”

“We love our kids more than anything,” he said. “But it’s that thing: I can slag my kids off, you can’t slag them off, just like I can slag my partner off but my mates can’t.”

Rosie added that she’s “not worried” and doesn’t “have any regrets” about the stories she’s shared on the podcast, which include details about Robin and Rafe’s bathroom habits.

“I’d like to think everybody loves their children more than life itself, but it’s really hard,” she explained. “I hope us talking about parenting might make somebody feel a little less guilty about feeling that way.”

When asked how their children might feel about listening to Sh**ged Married Annoyed when they’re older, Chris said, “I’ll tell them how annoying they were long before that.

“I’ll say, ‘You were a nightmare, mate. Your mam and I couldn’t have a conversation without you screaming and shouting.’”

He continued, “You can’t grow up just being praised non-stop; you have to have the piss taken out of you. [Praise] is definitely not the way to develop a good sense of humor. The best kind of comedy is self-deprecating.

“I feel you’ll get really well-rounded, funny kids if they’re well-loved but also know that sometimes they’re not the most perfect thing in the whole world.”

Both hailing from South Shields, Chris and Rosie have been together for more than 10 years after meeting when they were 14. They started dating in 2021 after reuniting at a local nightclub.

Chris, already a working comedian with appearances on Strictly and Taskmaster, was encouraged by his fans to involve his wife Rosie in his work. She made a memorable impression during one of Chris’s Facebook live streams, gaining popularity and leading them to start working together.

Their podcast became a commercial hit, and they released a book in 2020 also titled Sh**ged, Married, Annoyed, offering a humorous take on love, sex, and relationships.

The couple took their podcast on tour, performing to sold-out venues around the UK in 2021 and 2023.

Chris previously told the BBC, “There’s no secret to our marriage.” Rosie added, “We have a laugh. And it makes life a little bit more enjoyable, doesn’t it?”