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Ed Sheeran, AJ Odudu and Nicky from Westlife

Ed Sheeran calls Zoe to share details of his upcoming album, "=". AJ Odudu looks ahead to Channel 4's Black to Front Project and Zoe releases Westlife's set for Radio 2 Live.

It's another Friends Phone In Friday with Zoe Ball.

Ed Sheeran calls Zoe with an update on his upcoming album, "=". Ed is an era-defining pop megastar, who was awarded an MBE for his services to music and charity in 2017. He's the proud recipient of four Grammys; four Ivor Novello’s, six BRIT Awards (including two consecutive wins for ‘Global Success’ in 2018 and 2019); seven Billboard Awards and so much more. At the end of 2019, he was presented with the Official Chart Company’s first-ever ‘No.1 Artist of the Decade’ award following a host of accomplishments including the most No.1’s across the UK’s Official Singles and Albums chart from the years 2010-2019.

AJ Odudu looks ahead to Channel 4's Black to Front Project, part of their on-going commitment to improve Black representation on screen and more widely in the TV industry. As part of the project, The Big Breakfast is making a one-off return to screens almost 30 years after first launching. A staple of the channel’s morning schedule from 1992 to 2002, The Big Breakfast defied the rules when it came to breakfast telly. With its original anarchic spirit, distinctive energy and unique sense of humour reimagined through an unashamedly Black British lens, the live two-hour special will be hosted by Mo Gilligan and AJ, flanked by a mix of famous guests to kick start the day with a bang.

Plus Zoe speaks to Nicky Byrne from Westlife to reveal the final set to be released from Radio 2 Live, a series of exclusive concerts hosted across the UK, to celebrate the return of live music. Zoe’s releasing one fabulous set every day this week, from Texas, Westlife, Steps and Manic Street Preachers. You can watch Westlife now on iPlayer, or by pressing the Red Button from any BBC TV channel. Or hear the whole thing on the BBC Sounds app – just search for Radio 2 Live.

Along with Clare Runacres on news, Jules Lang on travel and Mike Williams on sport, Zoe and the team have the best start to your morning. With celeb guests, quizzes, headlines, tunes chosen by listeners and more music than you can shake a glitterball at!

There's also a Pause For Thought from Alan Sorensen and listeners on the line as Zoe entertains the nation with fun for the family!

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Fri 10 Sep 202106:30
BBC Radio 2

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Music Played

  • Coldplay

    Viva La Vida

    • Viva La Vida Or Death & All His Friends.
    • Parlophone.
    • 1.

  • Steps

    Take Me For A Ride

    • What The Future Holds Pt. 2.
    • BMG Rights Management (UK).

  • Mick Jackson

    Weekend

    • Mick Jackson.
    • Atlantic.

  • Natalie Cole

    Wild Women Do

    • Pretty Woman - Soundtrack.
    • EMI.

  • CeeLo Green

    Forget You

    • (CD Single).
    • Warner Music UK.
    • 1.

  • Bee Gees

    Stayin' Alive

    • Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits.
    • Polydor.

  • David Guetta, MistaJam & John Newman

    If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.

  • Adele

    Set Fire To The Rain

    • 21.
    • XL.
    • 5.

  • The Divine Comedy

    Something For The Weekend

    • Fresh Hits 96 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Music TV.

  • The Emotions

    Best Of My Love

    • Mellow Madness (Various Artists).
    • Epic.

  • Basement Jaxx

    Bingo Bango

    • Glamour (Various Artists).
    • Warner Stategic Marketin.

  • N‐Trance

    Set You Free

    • (CD Single).
    • All Around The World.

  • Laura Mvula

    Magical

    • Pink Noise.
    • Atlantic.

  • James Blunt

    Love Under Pressure

    • The Stars Beneath My Feet (2004-2021).
    • Atlantic.

  • Black Eyed Peas

    I Gotta Feeling

    • (CD Single).
    • Interscope.
    • 4.

  • Ed Sheeran

    Shivers

    • = Equals.
    • Atlantic.

  • Elton John & Dua Lipa

    Cold Heart

    • (CD Single).
    • Virgin/EMI.

  • Sheila & B. Devotion

    Spacer

    • NOW Yearbook 1980 (Various Artists).
    • Now.

  • Go West

    We Close Our Eyes

    • Now 1985 - The Millennium Series.
    • EMI.

  • Westlife

    You Raise Me Up (Radio 2 Live 2021)

  • The Weeknd

    Take My Breath

    • (CD Single).
    • Republic Records.

  • Phil Collins

    You Can't Hurry Love

    • Singles.
    • Rhino.

  • Diana Ross

    Upside Down (POTP)

    • DMC.

  • Saint Etienne

    He's On The Phone

    • The Best Album In The World Ever!(Va).
    • Virgin.
    • 11.

  • Björk

    Big Time Sensuality (Fluke Minimix)

    Remix Artist: Fluke.
    • Brit Awards 1994 (Various Artists).
    • EMI.

  • ABBA

    I Still Have Faith In You

Pause For Thought

Pause For Thought

Squirrels. How do we feel about squirrels? I saw one the other day– how cute! ….except that he was busy eating the seeds I had put in a birdfeeder stuck on the outside of my window. The squirrel, let’s call him Cyril – it’s what we always do, isn’t it, name them? – is pretty smart, he understands the concept of glass. I gesticulated wildly, I threw something soft at the window, I tapped it – not a flinch! I got my camera, and did the flash disturb him? Not a jot!

Then I started to lift the window - and he scarpered. He understands the concept of glass! Who knew?! Now, I know the old saying, “Rats are rats, pigeons are rats with wings and squirrels are rats with good PR” but, despite knowing he’s not to be encouraged, I can’t help feeling a sort of a bond with him. He’s got a name now, after all.

I didn’t realise I was such a softie until l started feeding birds. I put out some bread once and watched some magpies having a bite at it, and I said to them…. “clear off you ugly, big brutes! That’s not for you – that’s for the cute little ones!” How arbitrary! How terribly British! My “care” for animals is completely capricious – I’ll feed you if I think you’re cute. I suspect most of us are like that – we like ladybirds, we don’t like beetles. Why? They’re the same!

It’s probably a good thing to want to favour the small, the fragile – and in my faith that’s pretty close to God’s heart. But there’s a wider truth I also believe: that the whole of creation, the big and the small, the cute and the ugly, all of life – animal and human - is valuable and to be respected and nurtured. Just as it seems daft, unjust even, to only feed or care for one group of birds over another, surely we have to be concerned for the welfare of all with whom we share this planet – from refugees to royalty. We are all made and valued by God – yes, even you, Cyril the squirrel…you’re simply a rat with a fluffy tail, but hey, you have your place…it’s just not in my bird feeder!

Broadcast

  • Fri 10 Sep 202106:30
    BBC Radio 2