“Nobody panic, but it’s a week until the big day.”
“You’re an influencer, Scott.”
“This is one of the best films I’ve seen in such a long time.”
Thursday Before Christmas: Big Energy, Bigger Guests 🎄
Scott Mills arrived on Thursday morning fully aware that the nation is now operating in that strange, jittery zone where work still exists but Christmas has very much taken over the brain. With Ellie Brennan on travel and Stefan Powell delivering the news, Scott leaned into the collective mood, declaring it officially “one week to go” and acknowledging that most listeners are already emotionally clocked off. He revelled in messages from the Faithful who were wrapping presents before sunrise, starting Christmas breaks early, or simply trying to hold it together in retail, hospitality and healthcare roles. Scott took a moment to shout out those under the most pressure, reminding listeners to “be nice please” to anyone serving them this week
A running theme of the morning was Scott’s accidental festive influence. Returning to his now-legendary Christmas tree bow, Scott shared an email claiming Portsmouth Guildhall had copied his decoration idea. “You said it, John, not me,” he laughed, as listeners gleefully confirmed they too had been inspired by Scott’s oversized ribbon aesthetic. It was classic Mills — faux-modesty, genuine delight, and a sense that the show’s tiny moments somehow ripple out into real life.
Phone Contacts, Panto Chaos and Team Bonding 📱
The early chat took a turn into wonderfully relatable territory as Scott revealed a discovery from a team panto outing: one member of staff still has everyone in his phone saved under nicknames rather than real names. This opened the floodgates. Scott, Ellie and Stefan compared their own contact lists, admitting to partners still saved under names from when they first met. Ellie confessed her other half remains “Stefan Fresh Air” — a relic from their student radio days — while listeners sent in increasingly brilliant examples, from “Blind Date Jamie” (20 years and two kids later) to “£6.50 Lost Fare” from a taxi driver romance.
Scott delighted in the British awkwardness of it all, reading messages about people hiding in bushes after prematurely saying “if I don’t see you, have a lovely Christmas,” or panicking after gifting chocolates to a postie they then saw every single day. Tina Dehealy energy was referenced more than once — that smug, half-working, half-festive mindset Scott loves to tease — while Ellie Brennan’s Northern resilience was celebrated during stories of Londoners marvelling at countryside horses like they’d discovered a new continent
Pause for Thought: Ramona Ali 💛
Ramona Ali delivered Thursday’s Pause for Thought with tenderness and depth. Speaking about returning from a writing masterclass in Marrakesh, she reflected on childhood memories, first crushes, grief and the way moments can feel eternal even though nothing lasts forever. Her story moved from a 12-year-old infatuation glimpsed through “granny-pink NHS glasses” to the pain of losing her father and watching her mother’s grief soften into laughter over time.
Ramona’s message centred on honouring each moment fully — bitter or sweet — and doing justice to where you are right now. Scott thanked her warmly, clearly affected, as listeners texted in to say how much they needed to hear it. It was a calm, grounding pause in a show otherwise buzzing with festive excitement, and a reminder of why Pause for Thought remains such a powerful part of Breakfast.
Strictly Finalists: Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin 💃
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin arrived in the studio with the Strictly final just days away, and the mix of exhaustion, adrenaline and disbelief was palpable. Amber shared the extraordinary way her journey began — a last-minute phone call on a Wednesday night asking her to step in for an injured Dani Dyer and dance a waltz live that Saturday. “Thrown into it” barely covered it, and Scott marvelled at how fate had perfectly aligned with a rare gap in Amber’s schedule.
Amber spoke honestly about learning ballroom and Latin from scratch, describing it as “a completely new language” that challenged her body and confidence in ways she hadn’t expected. Nikita, now in his second final, praised Amber’s work ethic and openness, stressing that she never shied away from criticism or pressure. Scott gently addressed online opinions, applauding Amber for embracing the opportunity fully and reminding listeners how rare and brave that leap was
The conversation turned joyful as they revisited standout moments — including the Charleston that Anton called one of the best he’d ever seen. Nikita explained the infamous “swivel” with affectionate seriousness, admitting it’s often designed to keep Craig Revel Horwood happy. Both agreed that the Instant Dance was one of the most thrilling experiences of the series, with Nikita calling live television chaos “the best thing Strictly does.”
As the final loomed, Amber said the pressure had lifted. For her, reaching the final already felt like winning. “I never thought I’d be on Strictly,” she said, calling it a badge of honour she’ll carry for life. Scott sent them off with genuine affection, urging them to soak up every second on Saturday night.
The Zero Percent Club: Natalie’s Redemption (Sort Of) 🎯
The Easiest Quiz delivered one of its most emotionally charged moments yet as Natalie from Manchester returned, infamous for previously getting three times three wrong. Natalie explained she’d been on maternity leave, sleep-deprived, and mercilessly teased by children in the playground ever since. Scott listened sympathetically, joking about how one wrong answer on Radio 2 can haunt you for life.
Despite everyone rooting for her, Natalie stumbled again — this time on the number of days on an advent calendar. Scott tried to soften the blow, admitting it was a trickier question than it sounded, but Natalie ended with just one point. Scott genuinely felt for her, even deploying the tiny violin with real compassion. Listeners immediately texted in demanding she be brought back again, proof that the Zero Percent Club has become as much about kindness as comedy
Timothée Chalamet: Hollywood, Ping Pong and the Cotswolds 🌟
Just after 8.30, Scott welcomed “one of Hollywood’s brightest stars” — Timothée Chalamet — and from the first moment, the excitement was unmistakable. Scott told him outright that Marty Supreme was one of the best films he’d seen in a long time, praise Timothée received with humility and gratitude. He explained the film’s six-year journey, calling it a rare, original indie project about ambition, belief and dreaming big.
Timothée described Marty Supreme as a morally ambiguous character — cocky, flawed, sometimes unlikeable — and admitted that was part of the challenge. Scott praised his total commitment, from learning guitar for Dylan to training intensively in table tennis. Timothée revealed he’d turned his New York apartment into a ping pong training zone during lockdown, even injuring director Josh Safdie in the process due to dusty floors. “There are worse things than learning guitar and table tennis for a living,” he laughed.
The chat flowed effortlessly into British life, with Timothée confessing his love for watching Cotswolds house tours on YouTube and fantasising about Sunday roasts, rain and walking boots. Scott gleefully suggested he move there, prompting a flood of messages from Cotswolds pubs offering him lunch.
As Scott referenced the “cute little place names” found around the Cotswolds, such as Chipping Norton, Chalamet interjected with “Grimsby,” prompting immediate bemusement in the studio. Scott and listeners were quick to point out that Grimsby is not, in fact, in the Cotswolds, something Chalamet readily acknowledged — admitting he’d never actually been there.
Scott wrapped the interview by championing the cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow, and cheekily predicting awards success. It was a warm, funny, deeply nerdy film chat — exactly the kind Scott excels at — and a genuine Breakfast Show moment to remember
Birthday Game, Beatles and British Joy 🎂
The Birthday Game took Scott back to Southampton with Keith, celebrating alongside an all-star list including Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg. When The Beatles’ I Want to Hold Your Hand landed, Scott refused to skip it, revelling in the pure joy of playing a timeless number one. The chat drifted into nostalgic territory — childhood theatres, pantos and first flats — giving the segment its familiar warmth and ease.
Claire Balding and the Vernon Kay Handover 🏆
Broadcasting royalty Claire Balding joined Scott ahead of Sports Personality of the Year, outlining the nominees with infectious enthusiasm and pride. Scott gently teased her about travel recommendations and matching outfits with Alice Arnold, while Claire delivered expert insight into a diverse and exciting shortlist.
As the show drew to a close, Vernon Kay arrived buzzing, openly fanboying over Timothée Chalamet and confessing to FaceTiming his daughter mid-interview to introduce her hero. Scott laughed, understanding completely. “Willy Wonka doesn’t turn up every day,” he said, handing over to Vernon with warmth and festive camaraderie.
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