The Bear, “Chef Mike,” and sleepless stress.
Early hour – The Bear, “Chef Mike,” and sleepless stress
Scott began Wednesday’s show by admitting, “I was absolutely convinced today is Tuesday, but it’s not.” He then confessed to finally starting The Bear after meeting Jeremy Allen White, “who plays Springsteen in this new film.” He warned listeners: “Can I strongly recommend not watching it directly before bedtime — it’s brilliant but also the most stressy thing I’ve ever watched.”
Listeners joined in with their own reactions. Lou in Bolton said, “It’s fabulous! The most stressful but most brilliant thing you’ll ever watch. Don’t watch it before bedtime because you’ll be ready in the kitchen for service.” She added, “Wait until you see the one with Jamie Lee Curtis.” Scott and Steffan joked about shouting “Chef!” after everything, with one listener revealing that “Chef Mike” in her old pub was actually the microwave.
Strictly Icons Week and Stars In Their Eyes nostalgia
After chatting about The Bear, Scott turned to Strictly Come Dancing’s upcoming Icons Week: “Vicky Pattison as Cheryl Cole dancing to Fight For This Love — that’s so right!” He and the team compared it to Stars In Their Eyes, reminiscing about “dry ice, sliding doors, and the transformation.”
Listeners texted in with their own Stars In Their Eyes stories, including Steve from Scunthorpe who said, “Back in 1997, I appeared as Julian Clary performing ‘Leader of the Pack.’” Scott laughed: “Good to know I’m the same size as previous contestant Julian Clary — the tux still fit.”
Wednesday’s quiz – Chuckle Brothers and “Tim Henman!”
The Easiest Quiz on the Radio featured Annie from Darlington, who recently restarted tap-dancing “after 15 years.” Asked to name a famous tennis player, she froze completely until Scott prompted, “Annie? Annie?” She eventually shouted, “Tim Henman!” Scott teased, “All very well and good saying that now, isn’t it?” Her slow answer to “How are the Chuckle Brothers related?” sparked a running gag: “Do you think I should give it to you? To me? To you?”
Stars In Their Eyes memories – from Ronan Keating to Sinead O’Connor
After the quiz, Scott revisited Stars In Their Eyes stories. Lance, a 2003 contestant, phoned in to say he was “Ronan Keating on the kids’ version with Cat Deeley” and came second in the live final. He recalled, “They dyed my hair blonde and then sprayed it brown and washed it out — even my eyebrows.” Scott urged him to sing, and Lance performed a few lines of “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Scott exclaimed, “He’s got the range!”
Texts poured in: “My friend Lisa won as Sinead O’Connor in 2004,” wrote Emily from Devon. Dave in Hannam said he appeared “as Andy Williams.” Another listener added, “My decorator was on as David Bowie — turns out he’s a tribute act!”
“Bruce Day” – Springsteen and Jeremy Allen White in studio 🎸
At 8:20 Scott finally introduced “a radio exclusive: Bruce Springsteen and Jeremy Allen White.” He told them, “This film is brilliant. I learnt so much about your life, Bruce.” Springsteen replied, “A lot of it is my family life. I had a long history of mental illness that ran through the blood of the Irish side of my family.”
Scott said he sensed Bruce was “a reserved, private man,” to which Springsteen answered: “I’d like to be Bruce Springsteen all the time, but I only get to be him for three hours. The film is about trying to figure out what to do with the other 21.”
Jeremy described preparing for the role: “I had to ask myself, what do I have in common with Bruce Springsteen? Getting to know him, I realised we shared doubts, anxieties and fears.” Bruce praised him: “He worked from the internal out — he captured the psychology.”
They discussed Jeremy learning instruments: “I told him, I don’t know how to sing and play guitar,” Jeremy said, “and Bruce said, ‘We can learn those things.’” Bruce added, “I was surprised how well he did — and how well he sang.”
On working with Stephen Graham, who plays his father, Bruce said, “He just immediately inhabited my father’s physicality. He captured my dad’s struggles and spirit really well.” The conversation turned emotional as he recalled his own upbringing: “There was no medication, no psychological help — people were simply left on their own.”
Springsteen spoke openly about his depression: “I was totally embarrassed. I’d disguise myself going into the psychiatrist’s office with a baseball hat and glasses. It took me years to feel fine about walking in.” Scott ended the interview calling it “incredible — honest and moving.”
Closing hour – listener tributes and musical nostalgia
After Born in the USA (Electric Nebraska version), messages flooded in: “Bruce is a family affair; I cried when I saw him in Hyde Park,” said one listener. Another wrote, “He’s managed to sing a song to get me through every single part of my life.”
Scott reflected: “I was quite taken aback hearing Bruce talk so openly about his experience with depression.” He directed listeners to BBC Action Line for mental-health support.
The morning finished with Mark Radcliffe joining by phone, revealing he once appeared on Stars In Their Eyes as Shane MacGowan: “I did ‘The Irish Rover.’ They must have been short — I presume someone dropped out.” Scott called it “an all-time great reveal.”
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