Eddi Reader - aka The voice of Fairground Attraction

It's Christmas! What better way to celebrate than to listen again to Genevieve's chat with Aled Jones, the child voice of Christmas in the '80s.      =====      Aled joins Genevieve to reminisce about his rise to fame and explains how he came to sing Walking in the Air, famously associated with the classic 1982 animation The Snowman.      He chats about having to deal with constant press speculation and predictions as to when his voice would break and end his career, turning down Johnny Carson and the Queen Mother - and reveals how he ended up in Bob Geldof and Paula Yates's official wedding photos.      Aled also explains why he was relieved to retire his boy soprano career at 16, the pressure of starting an adult singing career and how he has Songs of Praise to thank for relaunching it.      Plus he relives his part in the infamous Royal It's A Knockout tournament, rubbishes claims his award-winning actress daughter Emilia is a nepo baby and chats about the latest album in his One Voice series, which sees him duet with his younger self.      =====      Aled’s latest album One Voice - Full Circle is out now and the Full Circle tour runs from March - November 2024.  More information and dates can be found on Aled's website - officialaledjones.com.      =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, you can donate to help with running costs. ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop Bright Eyes courtesy of Decca/Universal Music.

Cracking! Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park joins Genevieve for a special Christmas episode to reminisce about the beginnings of his beloved characters.      He talks about the 7-year-long journey it took to make A Grand Day Out, how Gromit originally had a voice and why he'll never make a new extended director's cut.      He recalls competing against himself at the Oscars, when he picked up the first of his four statues for Creature Comforts - and the hilarious misunderstanding it led to at a Hollywood hotel.      Nick also discusses his proudest achievement, how Wallace and Gromit have helped raise more than £40m through their charitable children's foundation and reveals whether Wallace will ever find love...      Plus, he takes us behind the scenes of the new Wallace and Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl - which sees the return of the villainous Feathers McGraw!      ===== Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl will be on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6:10pm on Christmas Day - and will be on Netflix globally from 3 January 2025.     =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on X @CelebCatchUpPod. Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast - or email [email protected].     And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Pat joins Genevieve to reminisce about making the whirlwind of fun and excitement that was the iconic kids' game show, Fun House.      He chats about gunge, getting knocked over by Fun Karts, the pitfalls of working with children and of course the Fun House twins Melanie and Martina.      He also explains how despite running for a decade, Fun House only took up 11 weeks of his whole life.      Pat also talks about his 40-year radio career, his foray into pop stardom and why he's happy to live away from the spotlight now.      Plus he reveals the future of Fun House, his unexpected passion for car washing and reflects on the legacy of his iconic '80s mullet.      =====      If you fancy a gigsaw jigsaw - or indeed a t-shirt with Pat’s face on it - you can snap one up at patsharp.co.uk.      =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Eddi joins Genevieve to reminisce about her quick rise to fame after Fairground Attraction's debut number one hit Perfect.      She talks about how she came to front the band, how she modelled her style on a French resistance fighter and the tempestous relationship that caused the band to be short lived.      Eddi explains how she regained her confidence after the band split and the challenges she faced in the music industry as a solo artist while trying to keep her musical authenticity.      She also chats about how Fairground Attraction came to reunite, their new album and tour, the importance of healing past grievance and celebrating their musical legacy.      Plus she reveals the hazards of travelling with an accordion...!      **This episode contains some swearing**     =====      Fairground Attraction’s new album, Beautiful Happening, is out on 27 September.      You can catch the band on tour this autumn:        Saturday 28 September – Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall      Sunday 29 September – Manchester, Opera House      Tuesday 1 October – York, Barbican      Thursday 3 October – Gateshead, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music      Friday 4 October – Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall      Saturday 5 October – London, Royal Festival Hall      Monday 7 October – Cambridge, Corn Exchange     Tuesday 8 October – Brighton, Dome     Thursday 10 October – Oxford, New Theatre     Friday 11 October – Bristol, Beacon     Monday 14 October – Perth, Concert Hall     Wednesday 16 October – Aberdeen, Music Hall     Thursday 17 October – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall     Friday 18 October – Edinburgh, Usher Hall       You can also get more information about Eddi's upcoming solo tour dates on her website - eddireader.co.uk/.      =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Genevieve's on her summer holibobs, so the usual trip down memory lane is paused for two weeks - but in the meantime, there's a fourth birthday to celebrate!      =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Brentley joins Genevieve to reminisce about starring in '90s US teen musical sitcom California Dreams.      He reveals some of the famous faces he beat to land the role of Matt Garrison, talks about the enduring popularity of the show's songs and explains why he struggled to accept his role as a Saturday morning teen heart-throb.      Brentley also discusses the reasons behind why he left the show in unhappy circumstances after two seasons - and how he came to make peace with his decision.      He explains how he turned to music and how despite facing several unlucky setbacks, he persevered with his passion and has finally released a collection of songs in an album almost 30 years in the making.      Plus he talks about reuniting with the California Dreams Band, reveals a tricky encounter with Mickey Rourke and spills the beans on his day at Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's wedding!      *Please note this episode contains one instance of swearing*     =====      Brentley's album, At The Ready, is out now. You can find out more information at brentleygore.com      You can also find out when the California Dreams Band are playing in a town near you at californiadreamsband.com =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Valerie joins Genevieve to reminisce about making the hit '80s TV show Fame.      She talks about missing out on the original role of Doris in Alan Parker's Oscar-winning version, before landing the part on the small screen - and how the character's issues with body image reflected her own experience in real life.      Valerie also chats about "Fame mania" that spread around the world, her famous fans and pays tribute to Leroy actor Gene Anthony Ray.     She also opens up about the toll the heavy workload took on the cast, her subsequent move into writing and directing, and tells the unusual story of how she got together with her current partner.      Plus she reveals how she recently had to decide whether to have a belly button or not...      =====     If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop    

Martin joins Genevieve to reminisce about the heady days of Spandau Ballet when the band was one of the biggest in the world during the 1980s.      He chats about being banned by the BBC, his disasterous first meeting with David Bowie and reveals why he doesn't actually play on one the band's biggest hits, True.      Martin also explains why he had mentally checked out of Spandau Ballet in its last year before they split up and how he experienced a whole new level of fame after his award-winning turn in British soap opera EastEnders.      He opens up about the difficulties he faced after being diagnosed with two brain tumours and why he credits his wife Shirley with saving his life.     Plus he shares a cheeky experience he had in a German sauna...!     =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Series 7 of Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did begins next week!    Another host of much-loved TV, film and music stars of the 1980s to 2000s, will be joining Genevieve to take you on a trip down memory lane and talk about how their lives unfolded after.    Find out who the first guest will be and follow or subscribe now so you don't miss it!      =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop  

Join Genevieve as she picks out some memorable celebrity guest moments from Season 6 of Celebrity Catch Up.      Hear a rare interview with Peter Ostrum - better known as Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - as he reminisces about making the classic film with Gene Wilder.      For TV lovers Blue Peter's Yvette Fielding, The Young Ones' Nigel Planer and Eerie Indiana star Omri Katz walk down memory lane.      And for music fans, pop legends Paul Young, Five Star's Deniece Pearson and Rozalla relive their rise to fame and crazy times in the '80s and '90s.      Plus Aled Jones reveals his unexpectedly brilliant Roland Rat impersonation!      =====    If you enjoy Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, don't keep it to yourself! Please tell a friend or share a screenshot on social media (and tag me!) so others can discover and enjoy it too.    If you'd like to say hello, you can find me on Twitter @CelebCatchUpPod or Instagram @celebritycatchuppodcast.    And if you'd like to support the show, find out more at celebritycatchup.com/support.       ======    Episode hosted, produced and edited by Genevieve.    Theme music by Mark Savage @mrdiscopop