Show Diary - 12 January 2026: Scott Mills returns with Robbie Williams

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Christmas Eve Eve Eve on Radio 2

Scott opened the programme by encouraging listeners to bring festive energy as Christmas approached. Messages came in from people commuting, working through the holidays and preparing for Christmas Day, with Scott positioning the show as company during a busy and emotionally charged time of year. Festive music featured heavily from the outset, reinforcing the countdown to Christmas.

Early in the programme, Scott shared a viral police bodycam clip involving a runaway goat in Wiltshire, playing audio from the officers involved. Ellie and the team reacted live, with Scott joking about the situation sounding like a scene from a film. The clip became a recurring reference point as the show continued, setting a playful tone for the morning.

Scott and Ellie discussed the recent team Christmas drinks, which had taken place the previous Friday. Ellie described events from the afternoon, while Scott prompted listener reactions and texts asking about what had happened. The conversation moved between light teasing, shared anecdotes and references to how the team had been feeling since the event.

Running jokes returned throughout the show, including Scott referring to himself as a “bow-fluencer” following comments made about Strictly styling. Ellie and the team challenged and expanded on the joke, while Scott referenced comments made about him on other BBC stations. These exchanges continued intermittently across the morning.

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Ellie Brennan’s Tin Whistle Moment

A major early segment focused on Ellie Brennan’s tin whistle performance from the team’s Christmas drinks. Scott set up the moment by explaining that Ellie had learned the instrument specifically to perform part of Fairytale of New York. Ellie repeatedly stressed that she had never played a tin whistle before, lowering expectations ahead of the reveal.

Scott played audio recorded during the event, capturing Ellie’s performance alongside reactions from colleagues in the room. The clip included cheering and encouragement, which Scott and Ellie discussed immediately afterwards. Ellie reflected on hearing it back on the radio and described how it felt performing in front of colleagues.

Scott replayed listener messages responding to the performance, with Ellie reacting to praise and comments from listeners who said they had followed the build-up to the moment. The segment expanded into discussion about the atmosphere at the Christmas drinks and how the team had supported each other during the performance.

The conversation shifted to the aftermath of the event, with Scott and Ellie discussing recovery timelines and how different members of the team were feeling. References were made to Rennies, tiredness and the emotional group huddle that had taken place later in the afternoon.

The segment ended with further teasing about whether certain team members had attended the drinks at all. Scott and Ellie joked about social media posts appearing the following day, extending the narrative beyond the event itself.

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Pause for Thought: Paul Corenza

Paul Corenza joined the programme to deliver Pause for Thought, introducing a reflective segment focused on radio history and Christmas storytelling. He explained that the BBC’s first-ever radio drama was broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1922 and was titled The Truth About Father Christmas. Paul outlined how only the title had survived for many years.

Paul described researching the drama’s author, Phyllis Twigg, and discovering she had written under a pseudonym. Through further investigation, he located a related short story at the British Library, which revealed details of the original drama’s narrative.

He explained the story’s plot, describing Father Christmas as a wise man who declined to travel to Bethlehem. The character later regrets the decision and commits to generosity towards children to mark the birth of Jesus, linking Father Christmas traditions with the nativity.

Paul confirmed that the rediscovered story has been adapted for broadcast on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds on Christmas Eve. He provided transmission details and explained the significance of restoring the BBC’s first radio drama to the schedule.

After the reading, Scott spoke with Paul about their shared interest in radio, referencing broadcasting history and the role radio plays during Christmas. The segment concluded with Christmas greetings and details of the upcoming Radio 4 broadcast.

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Anneka Rice and Junior Choice

Anneka Rice joined Scott to discuss hosting Junior Choice on Christmas Day. Scott introduced the programme as a long-running Christmas tradition, and Anneka spoke about listening to it as a child before later becoming its presenter. She referenced the show’s history and longevity on BBC radio.

Anneka described Junior Choice as a programme that reaches listeners of all ages, including families listening together and people spending Christmas alone. She explained how the show acts as a companion on Christmas morning and why that role matters to her personally.

Scott and Anneka discussed the type of music featured on Junior Choice, with Anneka explaining that novelty and humorous songs are preferred over pop or conventional Christmas tracks. She encouraged younger listeners to submit requests.

Anneka outlined how listeners could get in touch, providing email details and asking contributors to include their names and where they would be spending Christmas. Scott reinforced the invitation and referenced past listener involvement.

The segment included discussion of traditional Junior Choice songs, with Scott asking Anneka to choose between familiar favourites. Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) was selected, with both referencing its place in the programme’s history.

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Strictly Come Dancing Winner: Karen Hauer

Scott spoke to Karen Hauer following her win in the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. Karen described the immediate aftermath of the result and explained that she had not expected to win. She said she had no prepared speech and initially questioned whether the announcement was real.

Karen spoke about her approach to the competition, explaining that she focused on enjoying the experience rather than outcomes. She described the final as overwhelming and referenced the reaction of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

She discussed her partnership with professional dancer Carlos Gu, describing the intensity of the process and how closely they worked together throughout the series. Karen mentioned that she had rarely spent time apart from Carlos during the competition.

Karen confirmed that the glitterball trophy was at her home and said it was placed on the mantelpiece. Scott asked where Carlos’s trophy might be, prompting further discussion about their partnership.

The conversation concluded with references to Christmas preparations and Karen’s plans following the final. Scott congratulated her before closing the interview.

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Hollywood Guests: Jack Black and Paul Rudd

Jack Black and Paul Rudd joined Scott in the studio to discuss their new film Anaconda. Scott introduced them as Christmas guests and immediately engaged them in conversation about being in the UK. Jack referenced plans to explore different locations while visiting.

The interview included discussion of British television, with Jack naming Gogglebox as a programme he regularly watches and follows closely. Escape to the Country was also mentioned, with Jack describing watching it extensively during the COVID period.

Scott prompted discussion about working together on Anaconda, with Jack and Paul explaining that the film involves characters recreating their favourite movie. They described time on set, including singing and playing music between takes.

Paul discussed watching the completed film at its premiere and how rarely he revisits his own work. Jack spoke about watching the film with his family and noticing their reactions during the screening.

Scott invited the pair to choose a song from the Radio 2 jukebox, with Feliz Navidad selected. The segment ended with Christmas greetings and details of the film’s release.

The post 22 December 2025: Tin whistles, Strictly glory, Jack Black and Paul Rudd first appeared on Unofficial Mills.

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