Back to reality, back together ☕
Scott opened the first full week of January fully aware of the collective mood, returning after time away with a gentle reset rather than a fanfare. From the outset, the tone was shared reality rather than forced energy — early alarms, routine returning, and the sense that everyone was easing themselves back into normal life together.
He acknowledged the messages already coming in, thanking listeners for being there and framing the programme as familiar company after the Christmas break. The emphasis was on togetherness rather than momentum — the show settling back into its rhythm alongside the audience.
Almost immediately, the focus widened to the team, with Scott greeting Ellie and Tina on air and establishing where everyone was at physically and mentally after the holidays. It felt deliberately conversational, a soft landing rather than a launch.
Tina, Ellie and the reality of January graft
The early chat quickly turned practical. Tina checked in from a place of completion rather than chaos, explaining that delivery season was done and that the busiest period of the year was finally behind her. Scott picked up on the irony that this didn’t quite mean rest, pointing out Tina’s continued presence across the schedule and joking about the concept of “days off in lieu”.
Ellie’s Christmas output became a talking point, with Scott admitting he’d listened back to her festive shows — selectively — to hear how she handled long-form hosting. Ellie played it down, describing the period as busy but enjoyable, with lots of moving parts and people involved.
The dynamic was relaxed and familiar, built around teasing, affirmation and shared experience rather than formal links. It re-established the trio as a unit after the break.
Illness, listeners and “Robot Ellie” 🤖
A message from a listener prompted a health check-in, with Scott revealing he’d heard about Ellie’s flu before hearing it from Ellie herself. That gap between on-air persona and real-life updates became part of the humour, with Ellie explaining she’d posted online asking whether she could “just go to bed” and admitting she’d woken up with “tonsils the size of golf balls”.
Scott reacted to the idea of finding things out via listeners rather than colleagues, which quickly spiralled into the creation of “Robot Ellie” — an exaggerated, AI-style version of Ellie who would simply respond, “Hello, I’m here. If you need help.”
The joke ran lightly through the hour, becoming shorthand for January exhaustion, automation and the slightly unreal feeling of being back at work.
The quiz returns and first-of-the-year nerves 🎯
The Easiest Quiz on the Radio returned with its first contestant of the year, framed by Scott as a low-stakes way back into routine. There was some self-reflection on scores and expectations, with Scott noting how the quiz often sounds easier than it feels in the moment.
As answers were talked through, hesitation and second-guessing became the familiar downfall, with Scott gently narrating how the contestant had “talked yourself out of the right answer”. The tone stayed supportive rather than competitive, marking the quiz as comfort radio rather than jeopardy.
The round closed with thanks rather than drama, reinforcing the sense that this was about easing back in, not proving anything.
Good Morning Minute and shared January voices ❤️
The Good Morning Minute returned as a familiar burst of voices, with Scott attempting to fit as many names, jobs and locations as possible into sixty seconds. He acknowledged that the delivery sometimes falters, sometimes flies, and that both outcomes are part of the format.
Messages reflected the January reality — people back at work, back on shifts, back in routines — and Scott leaned into the idea that simply being up and moving counted as a win at this point in the year.
The segment acted as a bridge between Christmas intensity and everyday normality, grounding the show in lived experience rather than seasonal spectacle.
TV catch-up and The Traitors energy 📺
Later conversation turned to television, with Scott checking whether Ellie had caught up on The Traitors during the break. The chat moved easily into observations about contestants, authority, body language and presence, with Scott remarking on how certain people simply look like police officers.
There was light speculation about who might appear on the show later in the week, teased without commitment, keeping the focus on conversation rather than promotion.
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