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“It’s Christmas in a week and a day.” “I’ve never watched Love Actually… and I’ve been blagging it for years.” “This is not a band performing — this is a celebration.” Scott Mills powered into Wednesday with that very specific pre-Christmas confidence — the kind where half the country is quietly clocking off while pretending to still be productive. He called out the “Tina Dehealy energy” of people secretly on their final working day, invited smug voice notes, and immediately set the tone as warm, mischievous and deeply festive. With Ellie Brennan on travel and Stefan Powell alongside him, Scott revelled in Christmas traditions, from playing Wrap Myself in Paper exactly one week and a day before Christmas to continuing the national reckoning over his Love Actually confession. The show felt like a shared countdown, equal parts silliness, comfort and ritual Pause for Thought: Ashley John-Baptiste Ashley John-Baptiste delivered one of the most moving Pause for Thought moments of the week, reflecting on Christmas through the lens of growing up in foster care. He shared a vivid memory of being five years old, living with a much-loved foster mum who was the heart of her community, famous for her Christmas Day rice and peas and jerk chicken — “no time for dry turkey.” His story centred on Christmas morning and a longed-for Nintendo Game Boy, mirroring the one given to his foster mum’s grandson, and the quiet fear that came with wondering whether he mattered as much. Ashley described the moment he realised there was also a Game Boy under the tree for him, and how that gift symbolised belonging, love and equality. He spoke powerfully about the joy his foster mum took in giving, suggesting that the act of generosity meant as much to her as the gift did to him. His reflection gently encouraged listeners to think about how small acts — a smile, time, encouragement — can mean everything at Christmas. Scott thanked him sincerely, clearly moved, as the studio fell into that rare, thoughtful silence that only Pause for Thought brings. Strictly Finalists: Karen Carney and Carlos Gu Karen Carney and Carlos Gu joined Scott fresh from the Strictly bubble, and the relief of hearing Christmas music for the first time in weeks was immediately apparent. Karen admitted she hadn’t even put her tree up yet, laughing that Strictly completely takes over your sense of time and reality. Scott loved how Karen analyses her dances when chatting to Claudia — likening it to post-match football punditry — something Karen blamed on her sporting background and instinct to break everything down. Karen spoke candidly about the physical and mental demands of the show, admitting she’s actually fitter now than when she retired from football. She revealed she’s gained muscle during the series and praised the pros as elite athletes, highlighting their strength, grace and stamina. Carlos, in turn, described Karen as the dream partner — relentlessly hardworking, always giving more than asked, and utterly committed in the rehearsal room. Their mutual respect and affection was palpable. The conversation turned emotional when discussing their near-perfect waltz to Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time. Karen admitted ballroom had always scared her, but this dance was about showing elegance she didn’t know she had. She described it as a moment just for them — not for family, not for tribute — but for their partnership. Carlos explained that for the final, his only wish is for Karen to fully enjoy the experience, calling it “a once in a lifetime moment.” The Zero Percent Club and Quiz Redemption The Easiest Quiz continued its festive redemption arc with Mark from Wiltshire, returning after his infamous zero-point performance involving Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee and Mr Tumble. Mark revealed the ripple effect of his original appearance — Peppa Pig advent calendars, workplace posters, and relentless teasing — all of which Scott delighted in. Determined to put things right, Mark powered through the quiz, navigating everything from archaeology to nativity animals with calm confidence. Despite some controversial moments — including colourful beetles and regional geography — Mark soared to an impressive 32 points. Scott celebrated the comeback as one of the Zero Percent Club’s greatest success stories so far, turning past humiliation into full festive triumph. It was classic Breakfast Show storytelling: kind, funny, and deeply satisfying. Boyzone: Ronan, Shane and Keith Take Over Boyzone’s arrival after 8.30 felt like a genuine radio event. Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy filled the studio with 90s nostalgia and warmth, immediately transporting listeners back to bedrooms plastered with posters and cassette players on repeat. Scott reminded them that it was on this very show that a comeback had first been teased — and now it was real, with two huge “One for the Road” shows booked at the Emirates Stadium. Ronan explained that these concerts aren’t about perfection, but celebration. Shane summed it up perfectly, describing the shows as a shared moment between band and fans — a massive after-party marking what Boyzone meant to people’s lives. The band reflected on how different fandom feels now, compared to the intense loyalty of the 90s when you were either Boyzone or Take That, never both. They shared behind-the-scenes stories from their early years, from crammed dressing rooms to Shane revealing he’s kept entire stages from old tours — now stored in what Scott dubbed “the Boyzone Museum.” The chat was full of laughter, warmth and affectionate ribbing, especially around Ronan’s presenting nerves on The One Show the night before. Scott finally delivered on his promise to play Love Me For A Reason, sending the studio — and listeners — into full nostalgia mode. Messages flooded in from fans remembering dancing in their childhood bedrooms, cassette players in hand. The lads also discussed Ronan’s New Year’s Eve BBC One show, featuring surprise Boyzone appearances, before Scott thanked them for decades of memories and the unmistakable joy they still bring. James King’s Christmas Movie Rescue Mission Determined to rehabilitate his festive credibility, Scott welcomed film expert James King for a rapid-fire guide to essential Christmas films. James didn’t hold back, starting with It’s a Wonderful Life, before tackling Die Hard, Elf, Home Alone and, of course, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Scott leaned into the conversation, openly admitting his love for cheesy Christmas films involving secret princes, small towns and stressed executives in red coats. James introduced Champagne Problems, a modern festive romcom complete with Paris, romance and Taylor Swift-adjacent vibes, which Scott immediately embraced. The pair discussed why Christmas films matter — familiarity, warmth, redemption and that comforting sense of knowing everything will be okay by the end. James plugged his A–Z of Christmas Films on BBC Sounds, proudly confirming Scott himself appears on the “C for Cheesy” episode. Magnus Carlsen Day and the Vernon Kay Handover The emotional peak of the morning arrived with the annual playing of Wrap Myself in Paper — Scott’s sacred Christmas tradition, exactly one week and a day before Christmas. Long-time listeners, families and even grandchildren joined in, sharing stories of how the song has become part of their festive rituals. Scott treated it with the reverence it deserves, knowing this is one of those moments that defines his show for fans. As the show wrapped up, Vernon Kay arrived for the handover, immediately bonding over Christmas films — including a passionate defence of Arthur Christmas. Scott teased Thursday’s guest, Timothée Chalamet. The post 17 December 2025: Smug Last-Days-at-Work Vibes first appeared on Unofficial Mills.View the full article

“I have to speak my truth… I’ve never watched Love Actually.” “Mary Berry says you should get up and get dressed.” “If you don’t feel festive after this, you have a cold heart.” Tuesday Energy, Festive Voices and the Walking in the Air Takeover Scott Mills leaned fully into Tuesday morning with warmth, mischief and maximum Christmas spirit. Still dealing with the fallout from his Love Actually confession, Scott opened by sharing listener reactions as the mailbag continued to “bulge”, with emails ranging from polite disappointment to outright disbelief. Ellie Brennan and Stefan Powell were firmly in the mix, keeping the show grounded with travel, news and gentle teasing, while Scott embraced his role as festive chaos conductor. The tone was set early when Scott encouraged listeners to send in their attempts at Walking in the Air, insisting he “wasn’t asking” but absolutely loving that everyone did anyway. What followed was a surprisingly emotional and hilarious parade of voice notes. From warm-ups involving “minimal animal” to unexpectedly operatic performances, Scott treated each effort like a West End audition. One listener’s vibrato stopped him in his tracks, while another was invited to “warm up properly and try again later”. It was a classic Scott Mills segment — inclusive, silly, and joyful — with the added bonus that it paved the way for one of the day’s biggest guests later on. Pause for Thought: Solitude, Christmas and Being Fully Yourself Tuesday’s Pause for Thought came from Governor B and landed with real emotional weight. Reflecting on Christmas, identity and the idea of “two halves of life”, he spoke honestly about shedding old masks and learning to live more authentically. He shared that this Christmas morning he’ll go for a solo run before picking up his children, explaining that being alone doesn’t always mean being lonely — sometimes it means peace. Scott listened intently, clearly moved, and thanked him warmly afterwards, while listeners texted in to say the words had made them cry and rethink their own festive routines. Strictly Finalists: George and Alexis George Clarke and Alexis Charleston joined Scott live in the studio ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing final, and the excitement was unmistakable. Scott began by locking eyes with George and saying the words out loud: “You’re in the Strictly final.” George laughed in disbelief, admitting it still didn’t feel real and joking they must have “got the wrong George.” With no prior dance or performance experience, George reflected on how surreal the journey has been, especially learning not just the steps but how to command a stage — something Scott was keen to praise repeatedly. Alexis spoke with pride about George’s transformation, describing the early hesitancy and overthinking that gradually gave way to confidence and trust. She pinpointed a turning point when George stopped analysing every move and started fully committing emotionally. Scott related deeply, sharing his own memories of learning to dance and how vulnerable it feels when performance isn’t your natural comfort zone. The partnership between the two felt genuine, affectionate and supportive — exactly the sort of dynamic Strictly fans love to root for. Family came up often, with George sharing how meaningful it’s been for his grandparents and parents to watch him on a show they truly understand. Scott joked that radio success never quite impresses grandparents, but Strictly absolutely does. Listener messages poured in calling George “what Strictly is all about”, leaving him visibly touched and slightly embarrassed. Alexis added that what audiences see is exactly who George is off-camera — kind, genuine and thoughtful — a comment Scott wholeheartedly agreed with. The conversation moved on to the final itself, with three dances looming and hopes of a perfect 40 still alive. Alexis admitted she’s “manifesting it” and jokingly suggested twerking again if that’s what it takes to win Craig over. Scott loved the optimism, teasing that anything is possible on final week. Talk of the Strictly tour followed, with Scott reminiscing about his own experience and warning George that tears at the end are mandatory, no matter how tough the rehearsals get. Before they left, Scott read out one final listener message praising George’s confidence growth and kindness. Alexis looked like a proud sister, and George quietly absorbed the love, saying how strange — and lovely — it feels to be supported by people who didn’t know him a few months ago. Scott sent them off with genuine warmth, reminding listeners they could watch the final on Saturday night, and promising more Strictly finalists all week. Aled Jones and Carrie Hope Fletcher: Elf, Legends and Walking in the Air The festive atmosphere ramped up even further when Aled Jones and Carrie Hope Fletcher arrived to talk about Elf the Musical. Scott immediately addressed the elephant in the room — Walking in the Air — and Aled took it all in good humour, admitting he used to mind the constant references when he was younger but now just thinks about “the money”. Carrie laughed along, clearly loving the energy of the studio and the affection everyone still has for Aled’s iconic voice. Carrie spoke passionately about playing Jovie, describing her as jaded, anti-Christmas and very New York — until Buddy the Elf softens her. Scott was delighted to learn that Buddy is played by Carrie’s real-life husband, Joel Montague, and that he barely leaves the stage for the entire show. Carrie joked that she spends half the night drinking tea in her dressing room while Joel tap dances relentlessly, before helping him with his tap routine each evening. Aled shared stories from his childhood, including listening to Les Misérables on repeat during long train journeys to London to avoid people staring at “the kid from The Snowman”. Carrie, a huge Les Mis fan herself, was visibly impressed, and Scott immediately suggested a duet. This led — inevitably — to Scott producing his tin whistle and attempting Walking in the Air live on air. Carrie diplomatically praised the effort, while Aled kindly suggested “everyone has to start somewhere”. When Aled finally sang Walking in the Air properly, the studio fell into reverent silence, with Scott calling it “one of the all-time greats”. He reeled off Aled’s career highlights — singing for royalty, the Pope, selling millions of albums — before declaring that being a traffic cone on The Masked Singer might still be the pinnacle. Aled agreed, admitting it was also the hottest he’s ever been on television. Carrie reflected on how joyful it is to perform a Christmas show in December, especially when audiences are craving escapism. She teased the snowy finale that leaves some audience members soaked and laughing, while Ellie Brennan confirmed she’d experienced it firsthand. The pair spoke warmly about working together and their shared theatre history, with Scott finishing by urging listeners to catch Elf the Musical before it closes in early January. The Easiest Quiz: Redemption and the Feast of Stephen The Zero Percent Club redemption continued with Rachel from Cornwall returning to the Easiest Quiz after previously not knowing the colour of the TARDIS. This time, she stormed ahead with confidence, only to be momentarily derailed by a lyric-based curveball involving Good King Wenceslas. Scott gleefully explained “the Feast of Stephen”, while Rachel laughed it off and celebrated a very respectable 16 points. “The redemption tour,” she declared — a phrase Scott immediately adopted. Birthday Game The Birthday Game took Scott to the Tyne Valley to celebrate Rachel’s 50th, complete with romantic Lake District memories, future Amalfi Coast dreams and a teams call her boss didn’t know she was missing. When Green, Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones landed on the spinner, Scott celebrated a Welsh cultural moment with full sincerity — briefly interrupted by his own instinct to move things along, before apologising and letting the emotion land. The post 16 December 2025: Strictly Finalists, Elf Stars and Aled Jones Light Up Radio 2 first appeared on Unofficial Mills.View the full article

“I have to speak my truth… I’ve never watched Love Actually.” “It’s part of British culture!” “Christmas is rubbish.” Monday Mood and the Final Week Before Christmas Scott Mills opened Monday’s show acknowledging exactly how it felt for a lot of listeners: the final full week before Christmas, running on fumes, but determined to power through together. With Ellie Brennan and Stefan Powell alongside him, Scott leaned into the shared exhaustion, joking that the team had “a touch of Ian Beale about us this week” and promising to get everyone through with warmth, humour and plenty of festive chaos. He welcomed listeners heading into their last days of work, posties on their rounds, paramedics on shift and parents deep in nativity logistics, setting a familiar, comforting tone for the morning The Love Actually Revelation That Shook the Nation The biggest talking point of the morning arrived early with what Scott described as a “massive festive revelation” from the Breakfast Show WhatsApp group. First, Stefan admitted he hadn’t done any Christmas shopping with just ten days to go. But it was Scott’s confession that truly stopped the show: he has never seen Love Actually. Gasps echoed through the studio as Scott doubled down, admitting he’d been “blagging it for years,” even during interviews with Keira Knightley and Rowan Atkinson. “None of it means anything to me,” he said, as Ellie and Stefan struggled to process the betrayal. Listeners flooded in to either defend or condemn him. Some admitted they’d never seen it either, while others demanded Scott watch it immediately “if you want us to keep listening.” Clips were played back of Scott confidently discussing plot points with the film’s stars, now exposed as pure performance. Eventually, Scott surrendered, promising a Love Actually watch-along for the nation. It was peak Scott Mills: honesty, chaos and the audience firmly part of the moment. Festive Kindness, Pause for Thought and Being There Amid the fun, the show made space for reflection. Rabbi Adam Zagoria Moffat delivered a particularly moving Pause for Thought, reflecting on Hanukkah, miracles, and how “real miracles don’t always look like miracles up close.” Referencing the tragic attack at a Jewish celebration in Sydney, Adam spoke about finding meaning in small, human acts during dark moments. Scott thanked him warmly, acknowledging how poignant it felt on a Monday morning filled with both celebration and heaviness. Later, Scott spoke directly to listeners who struggle with Christmas, reminding them it’s okay not to love the season and that the show would be there for them regardless — a quiet, sincere moment that resonated deeply. Mary Berry: Christmas Wisdom from the Icon Dame Mary Berry arrived just after 8am to huge affection, instantly elevating the studio with calm authority and festive warmth. Scott introduced her as “the sage” of Christmas kitchens, and together they played a game of “Berry Good or Berry Bad,” tackling festive dilemmas faced in homes across the UK. Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner? A firm no. “You have them all year round,” Mary explained, suggesting Christmas should be about variety and special touches instead. Mary shared practical wisdom for cooks under pressure, especially those with one oven. She recommended prepping vegetables like celeriac purée ahead of time and even roasting potatoes the day before and reheating them on Christmas Day. Scott listened intently, clearly relieved by the permission to plan ahead. Mary emphasised that Christmas food should be joyful, not stressful, and that organisation is the real secret ingredient. When asked about putting the tree up in November, Mary gently but firmly sided with December. She spoke fondly about family traditions, remembering homemade decorations her children made from egg boxes and foil — keepsakes she still treasures. Cooking Christmas dinner in pyjamas, however, was less encouraged. While early-morning prep might justify it, Mary admitted she prefers getting dressed properly for such a special occasion. “It’s an event,” she said, and Scott concluded that Mary Berry has absolutely never cooked in her pyjamas. The chat turned playful with viral Christmas games, including the online trend of eating a crème caramel without using your hands. Mary was unimpressed, calling it “uncouth” but conceded that Christmas games are essential. Her favourite? The sticker-on-the-forehead guessing game, which she declared perfect for all ages. Scott shared that it’s the only game his mum will play — a detail Mary loved. The segment ended with Mary addressing Rylan’s long-running claim that he doesn’t know what Brussels sprouts are. She firmly called him out, revealing she’d taken him sprout-picking herself, complete with white wellies. Scott promised to pass on her message, and signed off with, “Have yourself a berry little Christmas,” as Mary laughed and wished everyone a joyful festive season. Breakfast with the Beales: EastEnders Royalty Arrives Michelle Collins and Adam Woodyatt — Cindy and Ian Beale — joined Scott for what became a masterclass in soap nostalgia and behind-the-scenes brilliance. Scott greeted them as legends, and the affection was immediate. Adam revealed he listens to the show on his way to set every morning, especially loving the quiz, while Michelle joked about her tendency to forget major plot points — including who’s related to whom. Adam reflected on his extraordinary career, from joining EastEnders in 1985 to becoming its longest-serving cast member. He shared stories of starting out at the National Theatre as a teenager and being signed to Sylvia Young’s agency at just nine years old. Scott marvelled at how Adam has “pretty much always worked,” while Adam admitted there was only one month in his life where he didn’t know what job was next. Michelle spoke about Cindy’s return, admitting she was originally signed for just 11 episodes back in the 80s. “I’m still stuck with her,” she laughed. The pair discussed how viewers briefly rejected Cindy when she returned and behaved nicely. “They don’t want her good,” Michelle said. “They want her bad.” Adam agreed, noting that chaos is part of Cindy’s DNA. Christmas in Albert Square was teased heavily, with both guests carefully avoiding spoilers. They confirmed filming Christmas episodes months in advance, often forgetting details by the time they air. Adam recalled a legendary moment involving Bill Treacher, a turkey and nails — revealing that a turkey leg once had to be nailed back on for reshoots due to a shortage of backup birds. Scott was delighted. They confirmed that Pat Butcher’s return on 23 December will be unmissable, and hinted at further returns, including Barry Evans. Michelle admitted she hadn’t even known about some of these comebacks until after filming, underscoring how tightly guarded the secrets are. The conversation wrapped with talk of the New Year flash-forward storyline, which even the cast don’t fully understand yet. “You’re acting scenes without knowing why,” Michelle explained — a bold move that Scott praised. As Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline played them out, Scott thanked them for being such a huge part of British Christmas culture. “Christmas Day wouldn’t be Christmas without EastEnders,” he said — a sentiment no one argued with. Birthday Game and Zero Percent Club  The Birthday Game brought classic tension and laughs, with Sean the postie from the Scottish Highlands celebrating his birthday mid-rounds. Proudly wearing shorts year-round, even in snow, Sean eventually landed on Clean Bandit’s Rockabye, wisely avoiding a potential Vanilla Ice disaster. Elsewhere, the Zero Percent Club continued its festive redemption arc, with Grace from Brighton finally escaping her zero-point past and earning four points — greeted with genuine celebration from Scott. Handover with Vernon Kay As the show wrapped up, Scott handed over to Vernon Kay, sharing festive energy and teasing the packed week ahead — including Strictly finalists, Carrie Hope Fletcher from Elf, Alan Jones and a huge Big Guest Friday lineup. The post 15 December 2025: Scott’s Love Actually confession first appeared on Unofficial Mills.View the full article

It's a shame because there's so much great radio about at the moment, I can't listen to it all! 

2nd-4th January Conor Knight in for Sam with Danni

I’d say it is a bit of a surprise that it’s Emma. She’s had to miss two different occasions of covering Sara with someone else stepping in at the last minute. She also hasn’t been used on weekend in a little while so I wasn’t sure about her. 

Maybe... she's dipped in and out of Radio 2 both as cover and with permanent slots so you never know, she might pop up again one day... No surprise that Emma has got the gig. She's been a regular cover presenter over the past few years (mostly on Saturdays for Dermot and Claudia/Romesh, and more recently for Sara Cox on drive).