Tom Allen on Loneliness, Coming Out & Why San Francisco Changed His Life

Tom Allen is one of Britain’s most beloved comedians, presenters and writers — but behind the wit, sharp observations and perfectly delivered stories is a fascinating journey of self-discovery through travel. In this episode of The Travel Diaries, Tom shares how solo travel became a way of challenging his own insecurities, from arriving alone in New York at 18 and stepping nervously into his first gay bar, to finding a sense of belonging in San Francisco that would stay with him forever. Along the way, we explore childhood package holidays in Spain, getting lost in Gran Canaria at the age of five, travelling across Japan alone, the hidden gems of Alicante and Scotland, and why Benidorm may not quite have lived up to expectations. Tom also talks about writing his debut novel, Common Decency, growing up in suburbia, learning to trust himself, and the destinations that have shaped his life. Destination Recap 📍 Gran Canaria, Spain 📍 Maspalomas, Spain 📍 Javea, Spain 📍 Alicante, Spain 📍 Benidorm, Spain 📍 San Francisco, USA 📍 New York City, USA 📍 Philadelphia, USA 📍 Cherry Hill, USA 📍 Tokyo, Japan 📍 Kyoto, Japan 📍 Osaka, Japan 📍 Hiroshima, Japan 📍 Nara, Japan 📍 Menorca, Spain 📍 Wakefield, England 📍 Elgin, Scotland 📍 Banchory, Scotland 📍 Highlands & Islands, Scotland 📍 Beijing, China 📍 Forbidden City, China 📍 Great Wall of China Tom Allen's debut novel, Common Decency, is out now. Today's episode was filmed in the Westminster Suite at London Marriott County Hall. #TomAllen #TravelDiaries #SoloTravel #SanFrancisco #JapanTravel #comedypodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/22P5lyR... 🍏 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/is/podcast... CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: Armchair Travel & Sunbed Reservation Etiquette 01:06 Recharging on an All-Inclusive Holiday in Gran Canaria 05:23 Chapter 1: Ominous Childhood Steps & Getting Lost at Age Five 10:20 Flat Suitcases & Obnoxious Brits Abroad: The Allen Family Dynamic 13:25 Dignified Promenades & Creme Caramel Memories in Javea 14:53 Suburbia Inspirations: Writing the Secrets and Drama of Bromley 21:09 Chapter 2: Precocious Teenagers & The Magic of American Breakfasts 23:33 Chapter 3: Frightened Insecurities & Finding Freedom in San Francisco 26:48 Shared Dorm Glutes & The Unforgettable Youth Hostel Butt 28:12 Solo Tunnel Disasters & Stepping into a New York Gay Bar at 18 34:54 Snatching Attention: The Vulnerability of Mainstream Comedy Clubs 38:05 Chapter 4: Escaping the Olympics to Travel Japan Completely Alone 41:35 Rail Passes, Immaculate Subway Fails & Shoe Guilt in Kyoto 47:09 Chapter 5: Port Cities, Highland Jellyfish & Creative Art in Wakefield 51:22 Chapter 6: Quadratic Snobbery & Quad Bike Chaos in Benidorm 53:34 Chapter 7: The Bucket List & The Hidden History of China's Forbidden City