Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis get into celebrity encounters, starstruck moments and some seriously big names, including Michael Jackson and Prince.

This week on Unlikely Friends, the gang start with a chat about TV theme tunes and why birthday songs on telly always sound slightly wrong. Then Roxy returns with a very sensible question about how to revise and do well in exams, which may be the wrong podcast for serious academic guidance, although Emma does manage to turn a bit of Spice Girls wisdom into surprisingly useful exam advice.

Leigh, Emma, Jade and Jill also reveal who they have been most starstruck by, with name-dropping galore, embarrassing celebrity meet stories and a listener confession about once spotting Jade in the public domain and only being able to shout, “Hey, it’s Jade from Damage!” Plus, Emma and Jade remember the moment they first met, and why Emma decided to go down the forward route.

Unlikely Friends is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. Tell your mum, don't tell the council.

Tony Pitts joins Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis for a very dry Unlikely Friends question: what’s wrong with you and what do you want?

This week on Unlikely Friends, Tony Pitts, star of All Creatures Great and Small, or just All Creatures if you’re in the know, brings a question that sends the gang deeper than expected. There is talk of feeling down, feeling anxious, feeling tired and generally being 50-something, with everyone getting unusually honest about what is going on in their heads.

Leigh, Emma, Jade and Jill also get into Stanley Tucci, microphone muffs, and whether the right bit of fluffy kit could have helped Jade avoid picking up a cold sore while performing the other night. Plus, as always, things take a turn that no one could have predicted from the words “what’s wrong with you?”

Unlikely Friends is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. Tell your mum, don't tell the council.

Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis tackle one of life’s great listener questions, before spiralling into hairlines, big fears, pregnancy changes and the generational mystery of why kids don’t dance at parties anymore. This week on Unlikely Friends, Jade explains why growing his hair out might not be the best idea, Lee reveals why he would never concede to going bald, and Leigh has his forehead measured. Lee also reflects on his birthday celebrations and admits he may have got a little bit too drunk.

Jill and Emma give a brilliantly honest look at what can happen during pregnancy, from hair growing and falling out to feet, noses and heads changing. Plus, the gang finally discover the word for a fear of big things, Lee shares which oversized objects scare him this time, and everyone gets into a proper Gen X versus kids today debate about dancing, parties and communication. Unlikely Friends is a Global Original podcast.

Tell your mum, don't tell the council.

Emma Bunton reveals how she met Leonardo DiCaprio on Unlikely Friends, as Leigh Francis, Jade Jones and Jill Francis are joined by questions from Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash.

This week, Unlikely Friends’ first couple contributors Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash ask the gang which character they wish they had invented. Emma easily takes the win with the best answer, while Joe somehow manages to answer his own question terribly.

Also in this episode: Joe Swash reveals his celebrity crush is Emma Bunton, Emma shares the story of meeting her own celebrity crush Leonardo DiCaprio, and the conversation takes a very Unlikely Friends turn.

Unlikely Friends is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. Tell your Mum, don’t tell the Council.

Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis are back for a Bank Holiday bumper episode of Unlikely Friends, with radio voices, 90s TV nostalgia, marathon stories and a very divisive Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? question.

This week, the friends discuss Leigh’s radio voice, whether he could ever truly crack the airwaves, and why his self-deprecating style might be getting in the way. There’s also a trip back to 90s Saturday morning and kids’ TV, with Zoe Ball, Denise Van Outen, Jenny Powell, Cat Deeley and Blue Peter all mentioned.

Also in this episode: Emma Bunton’s radio voice, what it would feel like to lose your voice, last week’s marathon, Emma’s lovely story about her nephew, and Pauline the Pineapple causing chaos with the question: who from Unlikely Friends would you take on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Plus, the friends answer a more sensitive question — when was your last cry? — leading to a surprisingly vulnerable moment from Leigh.

Unlikely Friends is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. Tell your Mum, don’t tell the Council.

Leigh Francis celebrates his birthday on Unlikely Friends, with Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis joined by very special guest Eric Stoltz for a brilliantly strange birthday episode.

Leigh may be the birthday boy, but things get weird almost immediately as he reflects on getting older, becoming older than his dad ever was, and why every year now feels like a bonus.

He’s cheered up quickly though, as Eric Stoltz is inside the pineapple this week - until Eric starts asking some surprisingly uncheery birthday questions about reincarnation, the apocalypse and what animal everyone would come back as.

Also in this episode: why you should never wake Emma up, Emma’s fear of big things, and a surprisingly long detour into whales.

Unlikely Friends is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. Tell your Mum, don’t tell the Council.

Pauline the Pineapple returns with questions all about loss, sparking tales of lost wallets, Jade and Emma’s ongoing battle with the same missing keys, and the story of how Damage first managed to get radio play — including pretending to be from Manchester to enter a talent competition.

Leigh looks back on his days in a call centre selling kitchens — or at least pretending to — while Emma reveals her first job on reception at a builder’s company. And, somehow, Leigh explains how he once got sand into Pamela Anderson’s bed.

Inspired by his own treasured letters home from boarding school, Timmy asks the gang which possessions they could never give away. Leigh’s answer will surprise absolutely no one, Emma shares why her family photo albums mean so much after some very bad luck in the past, and everyone gets wonderfully nostalgic about the sentimental things they’d save forever.

There’s also a chaotic round of Mallet’s Mallet with Timmy himself, where poor Emma takes a fairly hefty whack to the head, plus plenty of seaside chat as the gang swap stories about their favourite coastal towns.

The conversation then takes a nostalgic turn as they look back at the Brat Pack, the Rat Pack, and iconic supermodels including Naomi Campbell.

Plus, in the second half, it’s all about life updates: Emma and Jade share the story of their trip where they unexpectedly saw the Pope, while Jill and Leigh talk about their time in Amsterdam, plans for a future holiday, and in a moment of pure chaos, Leigh and Jade agree to go on I’m A Celebrity.

There’s also, naturally, plenty of Love Island chat, as the gang imagine how they’d have fared in the villa back in their prime — and whether they’d have been coupling up, causing chaos, or getting dumped early.

From there, the gang move on to radio. Emma reflects on her long career hosting the Heart breakfast show, sharing what she misses most and what she definitely does not. Leigh talks about his own time on Virgin Radio and why he found radio a surprisingly lonely place, while Jade reveals a genuinely fascinating detail from his past: growing up with a pirate radio station in his house.

Elsewhere, gold leads to some fairly eye-watering stye chat, while charity work brings out some heartfelt conversation as Emma talks about the causes closest to her. Plus, Pauline the Pineapple rounds things off with a longer letter touching on Emma’s Irish country roots.

There’s also a passionate debate over breakfast in bed — is it a thoughtful treat, or is no one really asking for eggs in the sheets? And then comes Pauline the Pineapple’s big reveal: which Unlikely Friend is responsible for the death of a pet? CLUE: it might be more than you think.

Elsewhere, we hear an incredible behind-the-scenes story from the Spice Girls reunion - including what it was really like being eight months pregnant during the photoshoot, and then heading straight out on tour.

The gang also dive into a listener dilemma about a husband who might be spending a bit too much time on video games - is it harmless downtime or a relationship red flag?

And finally, things take a bizarre turn into the world of children’s books… why are they so weird? Does the wolf really eat the grandma? And what’s it like writing your own? Leigh shares his experience as an author, alongside everyone’s stories of reading (and questioning) these classics with their kids.

This week, the gang is joined by the one and only Davina McCall — officially certified as the best hugger in showbiz — and she's come with a big question: if you could go back to university, what degree would you do?

It's the question that opens the floodgates. From dream careers that never happened to the winding, chaotic roads that led everyone to where they are now — including the extraordinary story of how five girls ended up in a room together, got through an audition process like no other, and somehow became known as… the Spice Girls.

This week on Unlikely Friends, it’s Jill Francis’ turn to be celebrated as she hits the big 5-0, and Leigh has gone all out to make sure she feels every bit as special, loved, and iconic as she truly is. Expect surprises, chaos, and a whole lot of heart as the gang pull together for a birthday she won’t forget.

There are incredible messages from some very familiar (and very secret) celebrity voices, plus all the usual nonsense – including a healthy serving of pineapple-powered madness.

It’s joyful, it’s emotional, it’s slightly unhinged… it’s Unlikely Friends.

Would you really want to know the exact date of your death?

Would you lie in court to protect someone you love—and where’s the line?

And, crucially, would you rather be two foot taller or one foot shorter?

Spice Girls star Emma Bunton takes us behind the scenes of one of the most iconic pop moments of the decade — the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London. Emma relives the night the Spice Girls reunited after five years apart, arriving in style on top of personalised taxis before performing a huge choreographed set for the world. She reveals what it was really like behind the scenes… including the slightly brutal fact that her own son slept through the whole thing.

Elsewhere, the conversation turns to the Winter Olympics, and Emma tells us about her recent visit to a care home run by Louis Spencer, where residents are getting the VIP treatment thanks to his entertainment-focused approach.

Plus, Emma brings in a truly regal Show & Tell — an actual slice of cake from the wedding of Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom. Yes… that wedding cake.

And finally, the gang get stuck into the unpredictable world of second dates, as Emma, Jade Jones, and Jill Francis share their stories of romantic follow-ups that didn’t quite go to plan.

Olympic nostalgia, royal leftovers and dating disasters — just another week with some very Unlikely Friends. 🎙️

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Then it’s straight into the Brit Awards chat — was Sombr’s big moment staged? to the on-stage antics of host Jack Whitehall - And why was this year’s BRITs actually… brilliant?

Plus, Emma Bunton tells us about her trip to Iceland, the gang discuss whether they’d go to space like Katy Perry, and somehow the conversation ends up on chakras.

Today on the bonus celebrity edition of Unlikely Friends The lovely Laura Smyth squeezes into the pineapple to ask about dad gags and accents.

Get involved! Email us at unlikelyfriends@global.com or follow us on socials @UnlikelyPodFriends. 🎙️

Plus Jade Jones has reached peak 'dad taxi' phase of parenting.

Everyone's favourite Judge, Rob Rinder, is asking the Unlikely Friends the questions in this weeks episode.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

The gang recap their trip to a friend’s house for a feast of epic proportions, debating whose desserts stole the show (let’s just say Emma and James may have edged ahead of Jill and Leigh in the kitchen stakes). There’s chat about comfort food, competitive cooking, and why a proper Sunday roast can fix almost anything.

Almost.

Because the weather? Bleak. The kind that makes you question your entire existence while doom-scrolling Instagram from under a blanket. The foursome get honest about grey skies, low energy, and those cosy-but-slightly-melancholy days where not much happens… and yet somehow everything gets discussed.

Things take a wonderfully weird turn when Leigh opens up about his intrusive thoughts and “cute aggression” — that overwhelming urge to squish something adorable — leading to a surprisingly relatable (and slightly chaotic) conversation about brains, impulses and animals.

And just when you think it couldn’t get more unexpected… we’re off to the water. Fishing stories surface, lines are cast, and Emma drops a genuinely shocking revelation about her fishing past that nobody saw coming.

From roast potatoes to rogue impulses and secret fishing lives — it’s another beautifully unpredictable week with four very unlikely friends.

Plus, Jill and Leigh share the story of being in the clurrrb before their child was born.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

And did you ever think you’d find the Spice Girls in a cupboard with Louie Spence? Us neither but it happened!

Also if you're a foodie lover, you may hate these weird food combinations that they reveal they love.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Take That are asking the questions in this week’s celebrity episode of Unlikely Friends and Gary Barlow wants to know what really gets on their nerves! Which leads to a hilarious story of Emma getting hit in the face from a white van driver with a CHEESEBURGER

Plus Mark Owen also has an animal themed question where Leigh is convinced he'd be able to fight a pig and maybe Jade has been fooled by A.I AGAIN?

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

This week, the pineapple took them under the sea, who’s been scuba diving? Definitely not Emma. Plus how did Jade get mistaken for Vin Diesel!

And today there’s a special game of Who’s That Age Again, but who will become the outright winner and be crowned champion?

Another birthday, no cake, guessing games and holiday stories - this episode has it all.

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💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Plus Jade shares the secrets to being in a music video and why you have to sing in double speed when the cameras are rolling.

So, what's the worst Spice Girls song? Over to you Emma Bunton 😬

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💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Leigh also went to a toy fair on his own, and had his very own Pretty Woman moment.

The pineapple took a slightly morbid turn, with a discussion about funeral songs. Grease megamix, anyone?

And another question led to the guys talking about the joys of being a parent, and the expectations vs the reality of free lifts to the pub when your kid learns to drive. Spoiler alert, it’s not very many. Plus, they’re put on the spot about their last text message.

Death, birthdays, toy fairs and children – this episode has it all 🍍

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

And the Unlikely Friends discuss what their favourte books are...with Jade revealing an astonish fact about his reading habits. But what's really better - the book or the film?

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

After cracking open the pineapple, the conversation turns nostalgic as the group reminisce about computers, old tech and Atari consoles — leading to one very important question: does owning an Atari growing up mean you were posh? From there, it’s a joyful dive into The Big Breakfast, sharing their love for Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan, before landing on an undeniable truth of adulthood: schools should absolutely warn you how long it takes to buy a sofa.

Just when things couldn’t get more Unlikely Friends, the pineapple gets philosophical — posing questions about “now or then”, familiarity, and the oddly comforting (or unsettling) smell of your own.

Biscuits, bins, nostalgia and big thoughts — Leigh, Emma, Jade and Jill in another anything-can-happen episode of Unlikely Friends. 🍍

Comedian Rob Beckett is asking the question in this weeks celebrity episode of Unlikely Friends and he wants to know everything from heated rivalries to opinions on nuts (as you do).

Plus Jill Francis share how her tolerance is getting lower with each passing day!

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💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

The pineapple doesn't seem to do birthdays, as it spat out crabs and hotels — and needless to say, good conversation still reigns strong.

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Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Emma Bunton delivers a refreshingly candid take on motherhood, revealing just how painful breastfeeding can be - and why no one ever warns you. Leigh Francis admits the overwhelming fear he felt the first time he held his newborn, offering a raw and relatable glimpse into new-parent anxiety.

Plus Jade Jones, who shares the brilliant story of being signed to his record label at just 15 years old (with champagne in hand), and Jill Francis takes listeners on a nostalgic journey back to the most cherished moment of her life.

You can see fabulous Judi Love on tour across the UK in 2026.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Emma Bunton, Leigh Francis, Jade Jones and Jill Francis reunite to swap festive stories — from Emma and Jade’s magical trip to Disneyland Paris to Jill and Leigh’s chilly seaside escape in Whitby.

Plus, the Pineapple drops this week’s topic: Extreme Sports 🏂 — including the dramatic reason Emma swore she’d never ski again…

Festive chaos, travel tales and post-Christmas reality checks — this episode is packed with laughs, stories and a touch of January madness. 🍍🎙️

Meanwhile Jade Jones is thinking hard about where he wants to go on holiday and the gang mourn the loss of MTV as it comes off our television screens for good and what it means for the music industry.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Emma and Jade shock Jill and Leigh by admitting they’re not fans of chihuahuas (brace yourselves), while Leigh reveals he’s basically suspicious of… all animals. From there, things get even weirder as the group swaps tattoo stories — what they’ve got, what they’ve inked on others, and what Leigh might get one day… despite being terrified of needles, skin, and probably commitment.

To top it all off, everyone picks their Theme Song for Life, and Jill’s choice is one you won’t see coming.

New year. Same friends. Same beautifully unhinged energy. 🍍

The wonderful Simon Rimmer joins us with a handful of questions designed to spark stories, laughter and a little friendly debate. He asks which part of the Christmas dinner you would happily “can” (as in get rid of forever), and invites everyone to share their favourite songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

What follows is a joyful mix of festive food opinions, musical nostalgia and unexpected memories, as we travel from classic Christmas plates to timeless tracks across three iconic decades.

Welcome to the Unlikely Friends Christmas Special, packed with chaos, crackers and Christmas nonsense. There’s a Secret Santa exchange that genuinely does not disappoint, Leigh turns up with some top-tier merch, and Jade and Emma somehow convince Jill to voluntarily have fake poo lobbed at her head (yes, really).

The Christmas crackers are stuffed with your festive topics and suggestions, along with some truly awful Christmas cracker jokes — expertly (and painfully) delivered by Emma. As ever, the chat wanders merrily off course, with detours into favourite meats, first Christmas memories, and a little forward planning for Emma’s 50th next year.

It’s festive, it’s ridiculous, and it’s exactly the kind of Christmas catch-up you’d expect from four friends who can’t stay on topic for more than 30 seconds. Pop the kettle on, grab a mince pie, and enjoy. 🎁✨

On this Christmas week special of Unlikely Friends, the gang sit down to answer questions sent in by the brilliant Judy Love – starting with a big one: what were the standout moments of 2025?

But before they can even get through the first answer, everything goes completely off the rails when Santa Claus himself crashes the episode. What follows is pure Christmas chaos, featuring unexpected singing, surprise presents, and some genuinely mind-blowing revelations – including where Leigh and Emma might be landing on the naughty list.

A festive special that’s best experienced rather than explained. Just press play and enjoy. 🎅✨

The gang kick things off with Christmas tree chat, comparing notes on when (and how seriously) everyone decorates. Jade and Emma reveal they made a wholesome trip to a Christmas tree farm to choose the perfect tree — now proudly up and looking sensational, with thanks to Goose Hill Farm.

From trees to trimmings, conversation quickly turns to Bunton’s baubles — and Emma’s ever-growing collection of quirky, slightly questionable Christmas decorations, many of which her mum definitely does not approve of.

Naturally, things then spiral into a nostalgic detour via the MTV Awards, before Jill shares stories from her time working at Selfridges. Leigh rounds things off with a classic showbiz anecdote involving Dermot O’Leary and Johnny Vaughan.

But peace doesn’t last long…

The Pineapple is awakened 🍍 — and it demands chaos. The gang are forced into a deeply questionable game that sees them opening their phones and reading out their texts and notes, revealing things that absolutely should have stayed private.

Festive, funny, and wildly oversharing — just how we like it. 🎅🍍

Bimini joins us fresh from the Sahara Desert, where they took on a brutal 100km trek for CoppaFeel!, helping raise vital funds and awareness for the breast cancer charity and its life-saving message around early detection.

The pineapple spits out the topic of circuses where the gang reveal their trips to see jugglers and clowns where the conversation moves on to fears and phobias. Leigh Francis and Jill Francis give us their biggest horrors.

Plus they recount their childhood holidays and first romantic couples trips aways.

AND what really happens on a Spice Girl tour and what's in their ryder? Emma reveals all - including how they get nervous as they walk to stage. Plus Jade reveals the excitement of a Damage tour.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

And they're taking a trip to A&E. How has Emma massively let down her husband after keyhole surgery? Why was Leigh hospitalised at the age of 9 because of poo and Jill discusses dealing with Crohn's disease and how important it is that we speak about it.

The gang also get confused about the rise of Matcha tea, whilst they reveal their treat drink.

Plus there's lots of belly button chat too. Just like Severance find out who is an innie or and outie.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Pauline kicks things off with a typically delicate question: “Do you give your dentist a Christmas present or—fuck that?”

Naturally, this spirals into Emma suggesting Leigh should be gifting his hemorrhoid doctor, and Jill offering a frankly too-vivid description of the situation. From there, the gang take a scenic tour through arseholes in general (because of course they do).

Jade shares the traumatic tale of being stung by a bee — apparently the worst pain he’s ever felt — before the conversation shifts to Christmas, where everyone realises that kids don’t want toys anymore. It’s all iPhones, tablets, and tech… the magic of Action Men and dollhouses is dead. More festive chat follows, including the now-infamous Leigh-Beat-Bunton Christmas ornament.

Pauline then drops another cracker of a question: If someone owed you money, which member of the group would you actually ask for it back from? This sparks some eye-opening revelations about everyone’s spending habits — including the fact that Leigh is far more of a tough nut than anyone expected.

There’s travel talk, too: how being a celebrity changes the way you move through airports, hotels, and life in general.

And finally? A blockbuster discussion: Why don’t we have girl bands and boy bands like the 90s anymore? The friends dive into how music production and financing have changed, and why the era of endless pop groups might truly be over.

Emma Bunton opens up about dealing with “mind load” and how overthinking can take over, while "shy" Jade Jones reminds us that we’re all a constant work in progress - and that’s actually something to celebrate.

Jill Francis is talking about living in the moment… even when that moment is you worrying about your kids and Leigh Francis admits he cries more than people might think - he’s just a bit embarrassed to do it in front of others. Naturally, conversation seamlessly spirals into… HATS. Yep. What’s everyone’s favourite hat? And why is the humble beret threatening to tear the group apart?

And of course, we couldn’t wrap up without chatting about Jack Osbourne - and why he seems to be everyone’s favourite I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmate.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Leigh launches into his best posh accent and admits he quite fancies talking like that permanently. This sparks a competitive (and slightly accusatory) debate about whose kids have the poshest accents — only for everyone to eventually admit that all their children sound a bit posh-with-a-London-twist.

Emma shares a brilliant mishap from Heart Radio where she ended up with chocolate smeared across her face mid-show, and Jade reveals that whatever Emma eats inevitably ends up on her face too. Leigh joins in with a cinematic confession about finding popcorn buried in his chest hair after trips to the movies.

Jade introduces her term “Kwengy” — those tiny white bits that gather in the corners of people’s mouths — which somehow leads them into a chat about the mysterious white stinky mouth-balls. (Unfortunately necessary.)

They summon the ancient spirit of the pineapple, triggering a chaotic city-naming game in which Jill… really gives it a go. They follow it up with Andrew Garfield’s family Christmas favourite, the Giddy and Honest game, which sends the whole group into joyful chaos.

The pineapple’s topic this week is laundry — prompting memories of laundrettes in Golders Green, childhood wash-days, and confessions about how useless the boys were with laundry when they first met Emma and Jill. Leigh even admits that he once phoned Jill while she was in hospital because he’d run out of pants. Classic romance.

They wrap up with a chat about spiders, frogs, foxes, and some excellent anthropomorphising from Leigh, plus a spirited debate on the mysteries of secret socks.

A wonderfully weird, cosy, and chaotic episode. See you on Monday.

This week, the gang are grilled by none other than TV favourite Vicky McClure, who brings her Line of Duty interrogation skills to the table as she quizzes Emma Bunton, Jade Jones, Jill Francis, and Leigh Francis. Let's home her skills as a BBC detective does the trick!

Emma shares memories of acting on EastEnders as a kid, Jade looks back on the day he became “rich” after finding £50, and Jill opens up about the diary she keeps. Meanwhile, Leigh dives into stories from his childhood - including a run-in with the school bully.

Plus, who’s the shyest of the group? Being on TV or performing on stage doesn’t make you immune to wanting to disappear sometimes… even if you’re a Spice Girl or a member of Damage.

Then, the gang crack open the pineapple to reveal a classic Leigh-style question:

🕰️ If you could time travel back to any point in your life — or history — where would you go?

Jill’s convinced she knows her husband’s answer, but Leigh surprises everyone by choosing 2015 — the peak of his Celebrity Juice and Through the Keyhole days. The conversation soon turns to whether anyone would revisit the birth of their children, leading to a hilarious and heartfelt dive into childbirth stories — from the magical to the mildly traumatic.

The gang wrap things up on a lighter note, chatting about the big shop: Tesco trips, the toy aisle temptations, and whether there’s such a thing as “taking too long” in the supermarket.

First up: Which Olympic sport would each of the Unlikely Friends compete in?

Leigh boldly claims breakdancing (inspired by Ray Gunn, even if it’s not actually in the Olympics anymore) before pivoting to skateboarding. Jill fancies herself a gymnast, Emma’s ready to dazzle in synchronized swimming, and Jade confidently chooses every sport because, well… he’s annoyingly good at all of them.

Then Mel C’s second question gets the studio buzzing: Which song gets each of them on the dance floor? Expect nostalgia, bangers, and one choice from Emma Bunton that might NOT surprise Spice Girls fans.

Tune in for laughs, stories, and a joyful dose of Mel C and Emma Bunton together again. It’s pure Unlikely Friends chaos — with a little extra Spice.

Meanwhile, Jade’s gearing up for a Damage gig, though Leigh’s skipping that one as he’s off to see Terence Trent D’Arby instead. There’s chat about Leigh nearly nodding off on the motorway, everyone’s morning routines (warning: Leigh’s involves a lot of toilet talk), and some strong opinions on the new film Bugonia Starring Emma Stone

You’ll also hear the gang debate when it’s acceptable to start Christmas celebrations, before diving into the big question: What would your death row dinner be? Emma and Jade prove themselves to be the true foodies, while Jill and Leigh’s answers couldn’t be more different.

🎧 Quick note: we’re trying out some new podcast microphones this week — you might hear a bit of rustle here and there. Thanks for bearing with us while we find the perfect setup!

Emma reveals her secret love of hand knitting and roller skating, while the group swap stories about boxing, career fears, and the scariest things they’ve ever done. Jade remembers performing at a very famous wedding in Lake Como as well as performing in front of Michael Jackson.

And of course, Leigh can’t resist asking the big one: Will the Spice Girls ever play Glastonbury?

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Jill and Emma also catch up about their “French crew” (not people learning French—just the ones they’ve been to France with). There’s chat about cooking, listener-sent topics like Ibiza (which only Jade has actually visited), and plenty of travel memories—including Disneyland tales.

Then comes the big debate: Would you rather give up sex or sandwiches? Leigh’s answer is one for the ages. The gang also dive into which Friends character they most relate to, share their love of the Oasis vs Blur Britpop era, and wrap up with a chat about fame and what it really means.

The gang dive into all things Aliens - with Jill Francis absolutely convinced that extraterrestrials are out there, and Leigh Francis predicting they’ll arrive on Earth this November! 👽

Emma Bunton and Jade Jones reminisce about the 90s, sharing what they miss most about the decade - and the embarrassing stories of how they both pretended to run away from home.

Plus, the foursome chat about their shared love of the classic film E.T. (a childhood favourite for everyone) and their deep affection for London.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

In this spooky (and slightly silly) Halloween edition of Unlikely Friends, Leigh Francis (aka Keith Lemon), Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice), Jade Jones, and Jill Francis are back — and this time, they’ve gone full Scooby-Doo! Dressed as their old alter egos — with Leigh as Scrappy, Jade as Scooby, and the gals as Velma and Daphne — the gang dive into tales that are equal parts eerie and hilarious.

From strange superstitions and spine-tingling premonitions to those haunting recurring dreams we can’t quite shake, the team share their own spooky stories and plenty of laughs along the way. And, to end on a lighter note, they rewind to their teenage bedrooms to reveal which posters once adorned their walls (spoiler: some are very of their time).

Grab your Scooby Snacks and settle in for a frightfully fun episode that proves even the bravest of friends get the chills sometimes.

Plus there's awards chat with Jill Francis revealing her prestigious trophy win and Leigh Francis tells all about Jill's terrible cooking... Crab sticks and salad cream anyone?

Chefs beware, you may be disgusted at this epispde!

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

The crew also confess to what they have stole from TV shows and music tours, with one of them involving toilet tissue, Nelson Mandela, and long-lasting guilt that might just warrant a phone call to the police.

Plus, Jade Jones and Leigh Francis open up about their celebrity crushes, the team give their perfect hangover cures and they finally settle one of life’s biggest debates - what is the best kind of potato? 🥔

Tune in for celebrity stories, nostalgic laughs, and the kind of chaos only these Unlikely Friends can deliver.

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

The besties spill their most memorable wardrobe malfunctions — from Emma’s tumble in Vegas to Leigh’s suppository disasters to Jade's on stage trouser tear - before diving into their shared love of fancy dress. Expect stories of wild Halloween parties, ridiculous costumes and a few surprises along the way.

Things take a heartfelt turn as they open up about Crohn’s disease and how it’s affected Jill, in an unexpected but honest conversation.

🎧 Tune in to Unlikely Friends on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music for laughs, real talk and a little celebrity sparkle.

It’s a funny, honest and unpredictable show where no topic is off limits - and the best thing is, you, the listeners dictate the conversation.

In this first episode, the gang answer questions pulled from a pineapple that’s named after Emma’s mum. You’ll understand why once you listen! They also reveal how this group of unlikely friends got their name, thanks to the Daily Mail.

Listener Bev from Tyneside asks the first question: What’s the biggest purchase you’ve ever made? Where Leigh admits to buying a costume from Teen Wolf, Michael Hutchence’s jacket from INXS and even a Cavapooshon dog. Jade confesses to spending a lot on vinyl, while Emma and Jill admit to a few boozy regrets that introduce the term “Hanxiety" to the group.

There's chat about menopause, low libido, “upper action” and why Leigh no longer feels anxiety now he’s over 50.

Plus why did Andrew Garfield (yes, Spider-Man) ghost the text messages from them all and which famous Italian singer did Emma Bunton once duet with?

Subscribe and follow Unlikely Friends wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen on Global Player, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

💌 Got a question or topic for the pineapple? Email unlikelyfriends@global.com

Each week, they’ll be taking topic suggestions and questions from listeners, diving headfirst into whatever you want to hear about. From parenthood and fame to 90s fashion and cold wedding buffets, no subject is off limits.

Unlikely Friends is all about laid-back chats that are funny, honest, insightful, and sometimes surprisingly deep - with a few shocking revelations along the way. Check out full episodes of Unlikely Friends on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 

💌 Get in touch at unlikelyfriends@global.com

📱 Follow on socials: @unlikelypodfriends