Radio Recap – 1 December 2024

BBC RADIO 2: LOVE SONGS WITH MICHAEL BALL
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024
“My favourite place in Britain is West Wittering. We have a house there and all my best decisions and most difficult times have been dealt with on that beach. It’s great for giving you perspective and realising we’re all tiny and only here for a short time, while that view is eternal.” Michael Ball
The ocean has a way of doing that. And Michael, being the intelligent creature that he is, uses that beach when he has a problem or a tough choice to make. Watching that surf endlessly roll in and out reminds him that we’re all a minuscule fragment of this vast universe. I’m convinced this is what keeps him grounded and humble. Yes, Michael is a celebrity, a man with a great gift that he’s been able to share with the world. But he also loves his home, his family, his dogs – and his idea of relaxation is cooking and watching the telly.
“Hello, my lovelies. Welcome to the show. Two hours of me. I promise I’m going to put a little love in your heart.” And for a change, Michael opens with the Song of the Week. “Ahhh … Hello, my lovelies. Welcome to Sunday. So. Here we are. December the 1st. I’m letting Christmas happen now. I’ve resisted it up until this moment. I thought we’d all kicked off to an early— I mean, for goodness sake, before Halloween we were having Christmas adverts. Wrong. On every level. Now, December the 1st, it’s allowed. I’m going to put up my trees this week. I’m very excited about that. I say ’trees’. I have 3. I have a Memory Tree. I have the Posh Tree. And I have the—” and Michael’s voice changes, full of pathos—, “little dinky one that is in the hallway when you come in – I blooming love it! I hope you do as well. I’m not doing Christmas films yet. That’s not allowed. But I did do a bit of Black Friday. OH MY LORD that was CHAOS!” And he sighs heavily. “But who cares? We’ve got 2 hours now together to chill out and relax. So I’m saying, welcome to Love Songs with me, Michael Ball. And without you, we know I wouldn’t have a show. I always say it. I always mean it. It’s not my show. It’s our show.” Wow, what a lovely l-o-n-g opening monologue from Michael – I hope he continues to do this every week. A great way to open.
Michael chats with Debbie on the Love Line. When her marriage broke up, she moved in with her good friend Jane who had a spare room. Then … during the lockdown, their relationship changed and they became a couple. They recently got married, which was Debbie’s ‘special day,’ as Michael calls this segment, and Michael plays Westlife’s ‘You Lift Me Up’ for them.
Michael reads some messages that came in over the past week. He’s all over the place as he reads them, sometimes humorous, sometimes sweet, sometimes moving, always entertaining with a giggle tucked in here and there. I love the way he presented this segment. It was SOOO Michael when his spirits are soaring.
Back on the Love Line Michael speaks with Theresa. He gets all excited when he learns that Theresa lives in the same town as his mum – absolutely adorable, he’s like a little boy! Theresa and Colin are celebrating 35 years of marriage despite the fact that they’re polar opposites, which Michael finds delightful. This is a fun segment because of Michael’s teasing and laughter. He next speaks with Alicia who wants to thank her husband, Andy, for being the bedrock of her family as she went through cancer (now cancer-free!). A really lovely conversation between Michael and Alicia. One other thing I need to mention – In one of the segments when listeners read their messages to their loved ones, one man stood out – Nigel – in his tribute to his wife Nicki. Afterwards, Michael says, “Am I the only one thinking you should be in radio? That was just so professional. You make me look rubbish! Well done.”
Love Letters. Michael speaks with Sarah who is celebrating her amazing mum, Terry, on her 60th birthday. Michael calls Terry, “Hello, Terry, you’re expecting a call, aren’t you?” She replies, “I am expecting a call.” Michael, with a bit of whimsy in his voice, says, “I bet you’re not expecting one from me, though.” Terry gasps. “No way,” she proclaims. “Why? Who do you think this is?” Michael asks. “I’m nervous to say who I think it might be.” Michael comes back with “Well, have a go.” Terry says, “Michael Ball.” You can hear the smile in Michael’s voice as he responds, “Hello, my lovely. How are you?” Sarah reads her beautiful letter, and Terry is quite emotional afterwards. Like Michael, I always love this segment.
The Last Dance is for Liz. Her husband Derek of 58 years wrote to Michael saying she’s been going through a tough time lately but tries to stay positive. Michael decides to play ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause’ to cheer her up. Good choice, Michael.
Michael loves telling us about his everyday life on his radio show. He connects with his audience by reminding his listeners he’s one of them. Is the weather getting you down? Listen to Michael talk about walking his dogs in the rain. Addicted to something streaming on the telly? So is Michael – and he’ll go on and on about it. Proud of that gorgeous tomato or perfect pepper from your garden? Michael can crow about his latest crop of vegetables better than anyone. Are you sniffling and sneezing and complaining about a cold? No one whines better than Michael when he’s not feeling well. Today we got his feelings about the early start of the Christmas season – also about wading into that Black Friday crowd (what a brave soul!). Michael is 2 extraordinary men rolled into one: a star of the highest magnitude and a regular guy who remembers that he’s just one of millions that populate this universe. That beach in West Wittering is where Michael Ball goes to keep both sides of himself in proper perspective. Today I feel like LOVE SONGS has come full circle. Michael has completely made the broadcast his own. People tune into radio shows because of the host, and Michael has succeeded by bringing his true self to his listeners. His humor, his generous heart, his spontaneity and his intelligence is on full display every Sunday. Thank you and congratulations to Michael, long-time producer Ste Softley & Billy Draper. You’ve made LOVE SONGS ‘must-listen-to-radio!’
Song Track List: Natasha Bedingfield ‘These Words’; Elton John & Brandi Carlile ‘Never Too Late’; Westlife ‘You Raise Me Up’; Madonna ‘Crazy For You’; Luther Vandross ‘So Amazing’; Mariah Carey ‘Always Be My Baby’; Lenny Kravitz ‘Honey’; James Bay ‘Hold Back The River’; Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan ‘Especially For You’; Fleetwood Mac ‘Dreams’; Robbie Williams ‘Forbidden Road’; Pretenders ‘2000 Miles’; Dean Martin ‘That’s Amore’; Tom Odell ‘Another Love’; ABBA ‘Little Things’; Clairo ‘Add Up My Love’; Christina Perri ‘A Thousand Years’; Dusty Springfield ‘I Only Want To Be With You’; Jon Secada ‘Just Another Day’; The Ronettes ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’; Song of the Week: Annie Lennox & Al Green’s ‘Put A Little Love In Your Heart.’