James Barr Announces Pause for A Gay and A NonGay Podcast After Ten Years | Here’s Why
For fans of A Gay and A NonGay, one of the UK’s most loved and influential LGBTQ+ podcasts, the news comes with a mix of nostalgia, gratitude, and curiosity. After ten years of conversation, comedy, activism, allyship, and cultural exploration, co-host James Barr has announced that he is stepping back from the show — marking a significant pause in the podcast’s decade-long run.
This moment is not a goodbye, nor an ending, but a pivot. And in a reflective piece for Attitude, James explains exactly why now feels like the right time to pause, reassess, and look toward the future.
A Decade That Changed Both the Hosts — and the LGBTQ+ Landscape
When A Gay and A NonGay launched, the concept itself felt cheeky, provocative, and refreshingly simple: What happens when a gay man (James) and his straight best friend (Dan Hudson) explore life, love, politics, identity, and friendship with honesty and humour?
Over ten years, the answer turned out to be far more powerful than anyone expected.
Key milestones the podcast achieved:
Multiple award nominations and wins, including a prestigious Webby Award in 2025
Global listenership, with fans tuning in from the UK, the US, Europe, and beyond
A supportive community that grew around the show’s themes of allyship and visibility
Thousands of listener stories describing how the podcast helped people come out, feel represented, or feel less alone
Live shows, tours, collaborations, and festival appearances
A unique space in the podcasting world bridging LGBTQ+ and straight audiences with humour and vulnerability
James notes in his reflection that these messages from listeners — some emotional, some life-changing — are what kept the show going even during difficult periods.
“The World Has Changed” — Why the Original Format No Longer Feels the Same
In his piece for Attitude, James explains that when the show began, the idea of pairing a gay man and a straight man in conversation felt “playful, disruptive, and in some ways radical.”
But ten years later, the cultural landscape has shifted.
How society has changed since the podcast’s launch:
LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media has increased
Conversations about sexuality, gender, identity, and allyship have become more nuanced
Straight-LGBTQ+ friendships are now more widely acknowledged and understood
Younger audiences engage with queer content differently
The political climate around LGBTQ+ rights has become both more visible and more contentious
What once felt like a bold statement — that a gay man and a straight man can be best friends, challenge each other, and grow together — is now more commonplace, or at least less unusual.
James explains that this changing environment has made him rethink what kind of work he wants to create next, and what kind of conversations he wants to lead.
A Personal and Professional Turning Point
James shares that over the past decade, A Gay and A NonGay has shaped him both personally and professionally. The project became more than a podcast — it became a platform, a learning space, a point of connection, and a form of community service.
But with ten years of growth comes a moment of reflection.
James’ reasons for stepping back include:
A desire to redirect his energy into new creative projects
The need for fresh challenges after a decade in one format
Space to explore new ways of supporting the LGBTQ+ community
An opportunity to step out of the rhythm of the show and reconsider what comes next
A recognition that personal evolution sometimes requires letting go
He emphasises that he is not bowing out because the show lacks relevance or passion — but because he has grown, the world has grown, and the time feels right for a reset.
What This Means for Dan Hudson — And Their Friendship
One of the biggest questions among fans has been: What does this mean for the dynamic duo? James addresses this directly, reassuring listeners that his relationship with co-host Dan Hudson remains strong.
They remain close friends, professional partners, and creative collaborators.
James describes the decision as:
“A natural step forward rather than a farewell”
“A moment of evolution, not separation”
“A pause, not an ending”
Both hosts have expressed pride in what the project achieved — from creating a safe, funny, heartfelt space for LGBTQ+ stories to becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable queer podcasts.
What Comes Next? A Pause — Not a Goodbye
At the heart of James’ message is the idea that A Gay and A NonGay is not disappearing forever.
Possible future directions include:
New series formats
Special one-off episodes
Event-based collaborations
Live appearances or community events
A refreshed concept that reflects the evolving cultural landscape
For now, James encourages fans to read his full reflection in Attitude, where he goes deeper into the emotional, practical, and creative reasons behind the decision.
The Legacy of A Gay and A NonGay
Over its ten-year run, the podcast has built a legacy that will continue to resonate:
Championing queer visibility
Normalising gay–straight friendships
Addressing taboos with humour and respect
Offering relatable support during coming-out journeys
Giving LGBTQ+ audiences representation in an accessible format
Even in pause, the project’s impact is undeniable — and its future remains open.
