Breakfast at Wimbledon
Scott and Chris broadcast from Wimbledon on men’s semi-final day, with Andy Murray due to face Roger Federer. Their base on the media roof overlooked the courts and London skyline before the crowds arrived, giving Chris the dangerous feeling that the grounds belonged to him.
Scott reminded him that access did not remove the rules. Chris was already investigating shaped bushes, considering shouting across the site and admiring his pale-blue jacket-and-shorts combination. The outfit that had seemed too jazzy in the shop was attracting compliments from staff and listeners.
The programme’s annual men’s semi-finals joke arrived with a carefully worded report about the likely size, climax and finish of Murray’s semi. It was a familiar tradition, now delivered live from the place it was supposedly analysing.
Annabel Croft’s Wimbledon facts
Former British number one Annabel Croft assessed Murray’s chances against Federer. Federer led their head-to-head meetings by 12 to 11, had won seven Wimbledon titles and had looked exceptionally efficient during the tournament. Murray had beaten him on Centre Court in the 2012 Olympic final but never at Wimbledon itself.
Annabel then played a tennis edition of Real or No Real. Used Wimbledon balls really were donated to make nests for harvest mice. The John Isner and Nicolas Mahut match really did stretch across three days, although the claim about Judy Murray buying a £300 pedicure to stop biting her fingernails was deliberately impossible.
Grunting in the queue
Scott sent Chris into the enormous public queue with another fake-report challenge. Chris claimed to have lost his accreditation and asked people to supply tennis grunts so his boss would believe he had reached a practice court.
The volunteers produced a convincing rally while Chris delivered his sports report. The recording went online, but an even bigger television opportunity appeared when the show noticed Carol Kirkwood presenting the weather from beside Centre Court.
The weather photobomb
Scott urged Chris to run behind Carol’s BBC One forecast. He expected a small background appearance, but the camera moved towards him and Carol directly acknowledged “Chris from Radio 1”, noting that the sunshine matched his bright-blue suit.
Chris gave thumbs-up signs and filled the screen as screenshots spread across social media. He returned shaking with excitement and declared it the best thing he had ever done. The personal shopper’s outfit, bought only for Wimbledon admission, had now been seen by millions.
Emily survives the cuts
Ball girl Emily met Scott after several days as Radio 1’s Wimbledon correspondent. She had survived another reduction in the teams but still did not know which court she would work on until shortly before play.
Emily hoped for Murray against Federer and described the stress of further cuts that evening and the next day. Scott thanked her for revealing the training, scoring, towel etiquette and uncertainty behind the calm television pictures, then finished Breakfast from Murray Mound in brilliant sunshine.
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