23 January 2026: Harry Styles pop emergency and wrong shoes

A huge pop emergency at 6.30

Friday began with Scott binning the usual warm-up completely. “We begin the show differently this morning because this is a huge, huge pop emergency,” he announced, before revealing that brand new Harry Styles music had landed at midnight. Scott was fizzing as he explained that not only was the single out, but Harry had also “casually announced a world tour last night as well.”

Before 7am, Radio 2 became the place where the new era officially began, with Aperture getting its first breakfast show spin. Scott promised a proper catch-up with Harry too, reminding everyone, “this is the place that the biggest stars in the world talk to first.”

Harry Styles, sweat, shorts and staying human

When Harry joined Scott just after the track, the mood was instantly warm and familiar. Scott apologised for their last encounter, admitting, “I had just been to the gym… and I think I said something really rubbish like, ‘I hope things are going well.’” Harry reassured him it was “a totally normal and nice thing to say,” before Scott fondly recalling, “You had very small shorts on, if I remember.”

Their chat drifted into how Harry values normality — being spotted in bookshops, at marathons, or just out for a coffee. Harry explained how important it was to stay in the world, saying it’s hard to write about “the human experience” if you’re not living one. Scott reflected on how different things are now compared to the early days when Harry barely left hotel rooms, clearly delighted at how grounded he still is.

Aperture, openness and Treat People With Kindness

Talking about Aperture, Harry revealed it was the last song written for the album and became a kind of mission statement. He described it as being about “opening and kind of allowing for more things,” including accepting mistakes and transitions rather than denying them. Scott leaned in, listening closely, before teeing up Treat People With Kindness and reminding Harry how loved he is on this show.

Later, Scott and Ellie both admitted the song already felt like summer, with Ellie saying it made her think of “summer festivals, being with your mates,” while Scott thanked Harry once again for mentioning the shorts.

Shoes on the wrong feet 👟

Back in breakfast show business, Scott addressed the Radio 2 presenter AGM photo doing the rounds on Instagram. He’d been tipped off that something wasn’t quite right. Sitting proudly at the front next to Ellie, surrounded by Radio 2 legends… Scott had his shoes on the wrong feet.

“I thought that you and me had a pact,” he said, reminding Ellie of the breakfast show code about stains, hair, or lipstick on teeth. “Why not do him the favour and tell him he’s got his shoes on the wrong feet?” After initially doubting it, photo analysis confirmed it: “They are 100% on the wrong feet.” Scott suggested either exhaustion or someone sneaking in overnight and “changing my legs over without me noticing.”

Pause for Thought and small first steps

Carl Mawson returned for Pause for Thought, gently opening by checking Scott’s footwear. Carl shared a story about his great-niece Poppy learning to flip over, connecting it to the idea of starting small. Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he reminded listeners that “faith is taking the first step,” even if you can’t see the whole staircase. Scott thanked him warmly, noting how much last week’s Pause had resonated.

The Easiest Quiz and a brutal banana skin 🍌

Friday’s Easiest Quiz brought family listening pride and heartbreak. John from Battersea was playing along with his whole household and full of Friday feeling, but the quiz lived up to its reputation. After sailing through, he stumbled on the classic trap: “What colour’s honey?” His answer of “gold” wasn’t enough.

Scott pleaded his case but VAR ruled him out. Even so, John signed off with a heartfelt thank you, telling Scott, “Life is always a bit better when you’re on the radio,” prompting Scott to raise a virtual glass to the next 20 years.

Big Guest Friday: Peter Andre

Peter Andre arrived with instant Big Guest Friday energy, greeting Scott like no time had passed. Scott reminisced about Radio 1 days and a more recent run-in at Trecco Bay Holiday Park, recalling how a relative had nearly “wet herself with excitement” at seeing Peter. Peter laughed it off, saying how much he loves meeting people and how nice it is to reconnect after all these years.

The conversation quickly turned reflective as Scott dropped the bombshell: it’s 30 years since Mysterious Girl. Peter admitted the era was “a blur” but remembered it fondly, joking about the sheer amount of baby oil involved and how “life’s too short for abs” now. When asked if those days were over, Peter agreed, saying you’ve got to let things “hibernate” and enjoy life instead of chasing perfection.

Scott revealed Peter has re-recorded his back catalogue to mark the anniversary, prompting a playful “Alright, Taylor Swift” from Scott. Peter explained he wanted to own his masters but also reconnect with the original songwriters, many of whom now feature on the recordings. He named Brian McKnight, Kenny Thomas and others, describing the project as full-circle and celebratory rather than nostalgic.

A major moment followed as Scott premiered Peter’s brand new track Rock You Right. Hearing it on the radio for the first time clearly meant something, with Peter saying he wrote it as a nod to the music he grew up loving. He spoke about the legendary musicians involved, including Mo Pleasure from Earth, Wind & Fire, and how the sound reflects his love of 70s and 80s funk and soul.

As the chat wrapped, the tone stayed warm and affectionate. Peter praised Scott’s Harry Styles interview, Scott praised Peter’s energy, and both seemed genuinely delighted to be sharing the morning. It felt like one of those Big Guest Fridays where history, new music and easy chemistry all lined up.

Big Guest Friday: Michelle Visage

Michelle Visage swept into the studio with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what early mornings feel like. Scott immediately hailed her as a radio legend, reminding listeners she spent 17 years doing breakfast radio in the US. Michelle laughed, explaining she stayed on after RuPaul left, joking, “He got smart. He didn’t have to get up.”

Fresh from hearing Peter Andre’s new track, Michelle described it as “very vibey,” praising its disco-funk feel. Scott filled her in on the Harry Styles chat she’d missed, promising she’d love the new song and describing it as electro-poppy with a “Robin feel.” Michelle was instantly intrigued, agreeing Harry “has something” and joking that he might just make it in the business.

The conversation turned personal when Scott asked Michelle to confirm a long-standing rumour — that she’d won a Madonna lookalike competition at 16. “Confirm,” she said instantly, before explaining how Madonna, and before her Belinda Carlisle and The Go-Go’s, gave her permission to be herself. She spoke about not fitting in and seeing strength in women who broke the mould.

Michelle described Madonna as someone who smashed glass ceilings and crossed every line, though she admitted she has no desire to meet her. The honesty landed well, with Scott listening intently as Michelle spoke about influence, admiration and keeping idols exactly where you need them.

By the time the chat moved on, Michelle felt fully woven into the morning — funny, reflective and completely at ease. It was classic Big Guest Friday energy: big stories, no rush, and room to breathe.

Big Guest Friday: Harry Hill

Harry Hill’s arrival was immediately flagged by Scott clocking something he hadn’t expected to hear before 9am. “One of the things I wasn’t expecting this morning is, as Harry Hill walked in, did his own rendition of Nelly Furtado,” Scott said, before asking for it again. What followed was “I’m like a bird, gonna fly away,” quickly rechristened “Harry Furtado,” prompting Scott to pause and declare, “Big Guest Friday. It’s Radio 2. I love my job,” as Peter Andre, Michelle Visage and Harry Hill all sat in the room together.

Harry’s first contribution was suitably surreal. “I’m a bit perturbed this morning because I woke up to find that my name has been trademarked by Victoria Beckham,” he said, before undercutting it immediately with “of course not,” and then asking, “What are we really here for?” The room went quiet just long enough for Harry to add, “Too soon? I don’t know,” neatly establishing the tone for everything that followed.

With the inevitable comparison to the other Harry in the building, Harry Hill leaned into it, acknowledging that his appearance had been “slightly overshadowed by the other Harry.” He pointed out, “Pop stars are pop stars. They’ll do what they want to do,” before adding, “But he couldn’t be bothered to come in, could he? At least I’ve come in, Scott,” which Scott immediately agreed was “very true, actually.”

The chat turned properly to work as Scott brought up Harry’s new podcast, The Harry Hill Show. Harry explained it was a video podcast and that “you do have to watch it, really,” revealing that each episode ends with guests dressing as hamsters. He described how Stuart Lee appeared in the first episode, how there’s a “theme of the week,” and how it ends with the “haunting ballad, Butterfly in Blue Jeans,” sung while the guest is in full costume. When Scott asked where the hamster outfits came from, Harry said Rob Beckett had already texted asking where to get one, before telling him, “Get your own hamster costume. Honestly, get your own.”

As the segment widened out to include Peter and Michelle, Harry happily imagined them on the podcast, with Scott insisting Peter would agree “at the drop of a hat.” Michelle wasn’t so sure, pointing out fashion dilemmas, while Harry noted that Sammiatt’s red hair had “blended really well with the hamster costume.” By the time the hour wrapped, Harry was fully woven into the room — podcast plugs done, jokes landed, and Big Guest Friday ticking along exactly as intended.