The morning after Chelmsford
Scott returned from Radio 2 in the Park with live recordings, backstage stories and messages from listeners recovering at hotels and on long journeys home.
One couple woke in a Premier Inn in Braintree with sore throats but “happy hearts” after laughing through the weekend with friends.
The programme replayed highlights including Ella Henderson and Def Leppard and directed listeners to the complete performances on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
The Good Morning Minute
The minute became a rapid account of the morning after the festival.
Abby in south Wales was starting a new job after getting home at 1am and named Paddy McGuinness removing a Bucks Fizz-style skirt as a highlight.
Arthur, 13, celebrated his mum catching a guitar pick during Def Leppard. Glenda in Lincoln recovered with crumpets before returning to “the real world”, while Helen had recorded 44,000 steps dancing.
Other messages included school-photo day, a first bike ride to work, a sister moving to America and a pupil starting high school.
The Easiest Quiz: Chris from Swindon
Chris played after his wife Wendy told the programme he considered himself king of the quiz, despite regularly shouting incorrect answers with complete confidence.
Their children Josh and Harriet played along at home and had recently started years four and one.
The first dispute came when Scott asked who “sells a boat”. Chris heard “sails” and answered around the sound of the word, prompting the quiz to ask whether Scott needed to enunciate more clearly after the festival weekend.
Chris continued through jelly, treasure chests, SpongeBob, compasses, octopuses and theme parks.
His run became trapped by “Name anything bigger than a caterpillar.” Chris answered “a big worm”. Scott defended the logic, while the quiz argued that a big worm might not be larger than a big caterpillar.
The exchange captured Scott’s post-festival exhaustion and the quiz’s refusal to accept an answer whose size depended entirely on the individual animals involved.
Festival gossip
Scott spoke to performers and presenters about the moments that had happened away from the main broadcasts.
Vincent and Olaf described dancing with Rick Astley and the atmosphere around their performance. The programme also revisited backstage meetings with Ronan Keating and Joe Elliott.
Scott and Vernon agreed that Chelmsford had felt larger and more responsive than previous Radio 2 in the Park weekends.
The Birthday Game: Estelle
Estelle turned 59 and planned to look for a Colin the Caterpillar Arctic roll after a family Sunday roast in Ormskirk.
She asked for cheerful, upbeat music from the 1970s or 1980s.
The first selection was The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s Closer from 2016. Estelle rejected it because it was outside her preferred era.
The second was Gorillaz’s Dare from 2005, featuring Shaun Ryder. It was more upbeat, but she still chose the final spin.
The third song was Black Box’s Ride on Time from 1989. Scott explained that Heather Small had re-recorded vocals after the intended sample could not be licensed.
Estelle immediately recognised it as “a bit of me” and became another satisfied three-spin Birthday Game contestant.
8 September 2025: Vernon Kay
Scott closed with Def Leppard’s live performance of Animal. Vernon praised Chelmsford as exceptionally warm and receptive, and both thanked the crowd and the teams who had delivered the weekend.
COMMENTS