“January Drags On, But We’ve Got a Whole Week”
Scott opened Monday with a promise and a plea, admitting that January was still “dragging on,” but insisting the week ahead would fly by thanks to “amazing music and loads of fun and great guests.” He immediately asked for gossip, calling out to the “faithful” and setting up what was coming after eight: “a long overdue catch-up with my mate and your long-time morning companion Zoe Ball.”
He also flagged the danger zone early, warning listeners that at 8.30 “your melons will be twisted” by Shaun Ryder and Bez, adding, with caution, that he did have the emergency beep button ready “at any time.”
Shoes on the Wrong Feet (It Will Not Go Away)
Before 7am, Scott accepted reality: the Radio 2 family photo had officially become a thing. He admitted that “all of my messages on social media at the weekend from you guys are about my shoes,” confirming that, yes, they were on the wrong feet and, worse, “clearly visible right at the front of the picture.”
The situation escalated when he sent listeners to Josh Widdicombe’s Instagram, pointing out that Josh had travelled from Devon to be in the photo only to be “ball-blocked,” with “just the head of Michael Ball and Josh’s glasses” visible. Scott called it “Where’s Wally level” cruel.
Admin Night: Wine, Panic and Passwords
A casual chat about procrastination quickly turned into a fully-formed lifestyle proposal. Scott admitted he’d been doing “the daily double — done nothing” for three weeks, while Ellie described herself as “a deadline woman” who waits for “that panic feeling” before becoming efficient. Tina, unsurprisingly, revealed she has “lists upon lists upon lists.”
Scott’s solution was immediate: a communal admin night. Everyone brings wine, wears comfies, and finally does all the life admin they’ve been avoiding. Subscriptions, passwords, inboxes, camera rolls, passport renewals — everything. He pitched it as “something you don’t want to do but becomes almost enjoyable,” before Ellie pointed out that it mainly sounded like “coming to your house to do your admin.”
Scott did not deny this.
Wrong Shoes Support Group
Nadine from Bideford rang in with a story designed to make Scott feel better, describing her husband discovering mid-meal in a posh restaurant that he was wearing two completely different shoes. Scott listened carefully before admitting the fatal detail: “At least he didn’t have them on the wrong feet.”
The segment turned into a confessional, with Scott revealing he’d once gone to the gym wearing “two completely different trainers, one black, one white,” prompting Nadine to suggest pairing shoes before putting them away, like a toddler.
The Easiest Quiz: Monday Cruelty
The first Easiest Quiz of the week reset the streak, which Scott described as “great news for everyone” after the previous run of 41. Aaron from Burton-on-Trent played for an egg cup for his new flat and got off to a shaky start with a very slow “rocket.”
Things fell apart on “how do you get rid of knots in your hair,” where Aaron said “untie them.” Scott fought for him, Ellie tried to reason it out, but the quiz — still haunted by Olive Oil Gate — refused mercy. Aaron went out on five, becoming “technically streak of the week,” which Scott described as “something.”
Robbie Breaks the Record
Amid the chaos, Scott dropped genuinely huge chart news: Robbie Williams’ Britpop had gone straight in at number one, giving him 16 UK number-one albums — more than The Beatles. Scott called it “massive” and “huge,” noting how long Robbie had wanted this and how “absolutely over the moon” he was on socials.
Take That Tomorrow (Finally Allowed to Say It)
Scott then revealed what he’d been sitting on: the new Take That documentary landing, which he’d already watched in full and described as “everything,” packed with footage he’d never seen before. He explained that the boys mostly narrate rather than appear on screen, which he said made it “even better.”
Then the real reveal: “Tomorrow on this show, Gary, Mark and Howard will be here. A full hour. Eight till nine.” He admitted he’d been “keeping this a secret for a while” and immediately played Never Forget, calling it “perfect for my Monday morning.”
Zoe Ball Back Where She Belongs
Just after eight, Zoe Ball walked into the studio and immediately acknowledged the weirdness, saying it felt like they were “sat in the wrong seats.” Scott welcomed her with visible relief, and Zoe reassured everyone she was not there to reclaim the breakfast show, despite everyone’s panic.
They talked shoes (obviously), winter wake-ups, the luxury of not doing breakfast radio anymore, and Zoe’s joy at doing the school run, which she described as her favourite part of the day. She spoke warmly about gardening, batch cooking, and having time she never had before, while Scott admitted he loves her podcast with Jo Whiley and learning things he “absolutely did not expect.”
It was relaxed, affectionate, and exactly what it needed to be.
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