Dev’s Strictly exit shocked the show
Radio 1 colleague Dev Griffin had been eliminated from Strictly.
Scott had expected him to go much further.
Dev had genuinely been good.
The result therefore felt more brutal than the ordinary early-series exits.
Scott, who knew exactly what leaving Strictly felt like, was sympathetic.
He still could not resist analysing the judges’ language, including the idea that other performances were “cleaner”.
Chris briefly wondered whether that meant hygiene.
Scott explained it meant sharper execution.
Highly educated people could still do ridiculous things
The show also continued a theme inspired by Oxford fresher Rob.
Academic intelligence did not guarantee common sense.
Listeners sent examples of highly qualified people doing simple things badly.
Scott and Chris enjoyed the contrast because titles and qualifications created an expectation of competence which ordinary life could immediately puncture.
The show was not mocking education.
It was celebrating the fact everybody could be stupid somewhere.
Ask Me Anything went unexpectedly elite
Scott and Chris were told only that the day’s mystery guest was a big one.
They expected another world-record holder or unusual professional.
Then the caller introduced himself.
Joe Gomez.
Liverpool defender.
England international.
Champions League winner.
Chris instantly understood how big the booking was.
Scott knew the name but needed a moment to appreciate the scale.
He asked if they could put Joe on hold while he thought of better questions.
Joe agreed.
The Champions League medal could theoretically get him into clubs
Back on air, Chris asked what practical use a Champions League medal had.
Could Joe simply place it on a table if he wanted to impress somebody or get into a club?
Joe said he had not really tested it.
Perhaps retirement would be the time to start.
Scott texted his boyfriend’s dad, a huge Liverpool fan, who could not believe Radio 1 had suddenly connected Scott with Joe Gomez.
The interview also covered the pressure of supporters, fantasy football and the knowledge that people spent real money following the team.
Joe described that responsibility much more seriously than Scott’s medal-as-nightclub-ID idea.
Don’t Tell the Bride reached a new level
The programme then discussed an episode of Don’t Tell the Bride which had gone beyond the usual bad-theme chaos.
The groom’s plans were so disastrous that the wedding was effectively called off.
Scott and Chris considered it one of the strongest episodes the format had ever produced.
The show normally relied on the bride eventually turning up despite hating a dress, venue or theme.
A wedding which genuinely failed raised the stakes completely.
Chris had also upset his mother-in-law
Chris had referred on air to private time between his in-laws using a phrase they did not appreciate being broadcast.
The resulting family WhatsApps made him realise his mother-in-law listened more closely than was convenient.
Scott enjoyed the symmetry.
Chris had spent the first half of October making Scott’s relationship public.
Now his own family were pushing back.
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