Romesh Ranganathan's mum issues ultimatum to high street retailer as comedian jokes about Crawley shops
Romesh Ranganathan's mum has issued a tongue-in-cheek ultimatum to high street retailer Next – send her some free clothes or risk losing one of its most loyal customers.
Shanthi Ranganathan made the playful demand during an episode of her son's podcast, prompting the comedian to joke about the limited shopping options in their hometown of Crawley.
Shanthi, who joins Romesh on the podcast on Thursdays, was discussing her outfit when the conversation turned to her favourite clothing retailer.
"Can you tell us what you are wearing today?" Romesh asked.
"I am wearing the trouser and top from Next," Shanthi replied.
"You seem to shop exclusively at Next," Romesh observed.
Shanthi explained that she was a big fan of the retailer because its clothes ‘fit perfectly’.
But she added: “I am still waiting for freebies. Nobody is listening."
Romesh encouraged his mum to make a direct appeal to the company, suggesting it might be time to take advantage of her regular appearances on the podcast.
"Next are going to be watching – why don't you shoot your shot?" he asked.
Shanthi responded: "I have been shouting and screaming, I am wearing your clothes. You are not responding. I am bit disappointed. That's all I can say, at the moment."
Romesh then jokingly put the pressure on the retailer.
"Your move, Next. She's wearing your stuff on one of the biggest podcasts and you've not responded at all. Next, the ball is in your court."
However, the comedian quickly questioned why Next would have any reason to offer his mum free clothes when she was already such a loyal customer.
"Although, what is the incentive? I'm now trying to think what is the logical incentive for Next to give you freebies – there is none. You're buying everything from Next and wearing it on the podcast.
"What advantage do they get? You could say, 'this is the last time I'll wear it on the show, unless you give me some freebies.'"
Shanthi appeared willing to consider taking her business elsewhere.
"I'm going to try all the shops and the clothing," she declared.
Romesh seized the opportunity to poke fun at the shopping options available in Crawley.
"Now you're in trouble, Next. She is going to start looking at other shops. What are you going to do now?
"You thought you were the only shop in town. She lives in Crawley, there are two or three shops she can go to. So how do you feel about that?"
Shanthi then delivered her final warning to the retailer.
"Don't be stingy, send some goodies please or I'm changing the shop."
The light-hearted exchange was another example of the banter between Romesh and his mum, whose regular appearances on the podcast have become a popular feature of the show.
The comedian, who grew up in Crawley and previously worked as a maths teacher at Hazelwick School, regularly references his hometown during conversations with guests and family members.
Whether Next will respond to Shanthi's appeal remains to be seen.
You can find The Romesh Ranganathan Show, wherever you get your podcasts – including YouTube and Spotify.