Twenty-five years of the Angel of the North
Scott marked the 25th anniversary of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North.
The sculpture stands beside the A1 near Gateshead, measures 20 metres tall and has a wingspan almost as wide as a jumbo jet.
Ernie, a former Durham police traffic officer, had helped escort the sculpture through the county in pieces late one Saturday night in 1997 before it was assembled on site.
Scott read reviews from visitors.
One American tourist described the giant figure as guarding the road and correctly observed that almost everyone posed with their arms stretched out.
A local admitted previously assuming it was only for tourists before visiting and discovering an ideal picnic spot.
A less impressed reviewer called it rusty but still praised its huge wingspan.
Mark in Manchester had driven past twice without seeing it. On the outward journey he was asleep, and on the return he was wearing protective eye coverings after laser surgery.
Scott admitted that he too had only ever driven past.
The Birthday Game: Rich
Rich from Harlow turned 51 and owned two unusually old goldfish.
His daughter had received them when she was very young and was now 17, but the family could no longer remember the fish’s original names or exact ages.
Scott investigated the connection between Guinness World Records and Guinness beer, learning that the record books had originally been established by the brewery but were no longer part of the same company.
The oldest recorded goldfish had reached 43, leaving Rich’s pets some distance from the record.
Rich shared his birthday with Ed Sheeran, Paris Hilton and Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong.
His first Birthday Game spin was George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord, number one in 1971. Rich loved the song but decided to gamble.
The second was Olivia Rodrigo’s Drivers License. Rich admitted he did not know who she was and immediately requested the third spin.
His compulsory final song was Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, recorded for Titanic.
Rich called it better than his second option, while listeners sang along with the key change and celebrated the dramatic Friday-afternoon choice.
More from the S Club reunion
Scott looked back at the week’s major interview with all seven members of S Club.
He replayed Jo O’Meara explaining that her teenage son had learned to use her pop career to impress girls.
An extended version of the interview and a full hour of S Club music were available on BBC Sounds.
Listeners also admitted returning to Miami 7 on YouTube after the reunion.
Plans for Survivor
Scott mentioned that applications had opened for a new series of Survivor, hosted by Joel Dommett.
Matt from Norfolk immediately messaged to say he had submitted an application.
Scott suspected the mention would cause a rush of Radio 2 listeners to apply.
The Wonder Years
The Friday Wonder Years began in 1988 and moved forward through successive years.
The selection included Transvision Vamp, Todd Terry with Martha Wash and Jocelyn Brown, and the Scissor Sisters.
The available transcript ends during the feature and does not contain the final handover.
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