Jo Whiley revealed that her son Cassius has already laid down some strict rules for the family ahead of the arrival of Grand Theft Auto 6, during Thursday night’s Shiny Happy Playlist on BBC Radio 2.
Introducing a new track associated with the game, Jo explained that Cassius had warned he wouldn’t be speaking to the family throughout November and that nobody was to enter the room where he plays PlayStation.
The gaming confession was one of several entertaining moments across the two-hour programme, which also featured an unexpected engagement announcement, a remarkably determined yoga teacher and a special playlist celebrating pioneering mathematician Ada Lovelace.
Jane from Peterborough had woken up to the wonderful news that her son Liam had become engaged to his girlfriend Harriet while the couple were on holiday in Canada. She was so excited that she forgot to switch on the kettle, leaving her first cup of tea of the morning made with cold water.
Jo congratulated the happy couple and their delighted family.
Listen: Jane’s engagement surprise text
Elsewhere, Kingsley was providing a taxi service for his wife Penny after she broke her elbow while ice skating with their daughter and granddaughter. Despite the injury, Penny has continued teaching her yoga classes, just as she did 13 years ago when she broke her foot and refused to cancel a lesson.
“She is hard,” Jo observed, sending her best wishes to the couple.
There was also a touching message from Sean, whose son had returned briefly from university to collect an inflatable mattress before heading straight back on the train two hours later. Jo reassured him that being apart gets easier, although parents never entirely stop missing their children.
The programme brought new music too, with Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill sending a special message introducing the band’s latest track. He explained how the song had been inspired by memories of childhood freedom and the importance of holding on to the people and things that matter.
Jo reflected on a recurring theme of optimism among musicians she’d been speaking to, saying that despite everything going on in the world, there were still moments of happiness to be found.
Scottish singer Alice Faye also introduced her new single, explaining how she’d drawn inspiration from old-fashioned rock and roll, femme fatales and Kirsty MacColl to explore the balance between playfulness and wanting to be respected.
There was a little confusion earlier in the evening when Jo told listener Kingsley that she didn’t have any U2 to play, only to discover that a new track was scheduled after all.
“So I was lying in the first 10 minutes of the show. Apologies for that,” she admitted.
The final half-hour was handed over to listeners for a special maths-themed playlist in honour of Ada Lovelace, widely regarded as a pioneer of computer programming.
Suggestions included De La Soul’s The Magic Number, Feist’s 1234, Haircut One Hundred’s Love Plus One, Big Audio Dynamite’s E=MC² and Radiohead’s 2 + 2 = 5, before Cherry Ghost’s Mathematics brought the evening to a close.
One listener even challenged Jo to play Steps’ 5, 6, 7, 8, but she wasn’t having any of it.
“No, absolutely not,” came the immediate response.
Along the way, Jo also celebrated Self Esteem singer Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s birthday, sent good wishes to a listener preparing for his first Ironman event in North Carolina and heard from workers enjoying the music during a stormy night shift on a North Sea platform.
Discuss this show and more on our forums and chatbox.
This update was produced using AI transcription. Spotted an error? Get in contact.
