Unlikely Friends

Another one gone, another one gone… another one bites the dusty cake of turning 50! 🎂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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, Ricky Gervais ( co-owner of Dutch Barn Vodka… apparently) drops in with a set of brilliantly uncomfortable questions guaranteed to spark debate.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?

This week on Unlikely Friends podcast, the gang dive into Olympic memories, royal cake, and the awkward world of second dates.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. 🎙️

Everyone's favourite 90s heartthrob, Robbie Williams is asking the Unlikely Friends the questions and in this episode we find out who has the most disgusting feet as the gang discuss what they'd change about themselves. Emma Bunton reveals why she may start wearing heels again, Leigh Francis reveals why his ginger hair will always remain cool and Jade Jones and Jill Francis open up their internal anxiety and how they cope in new situations.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 tells us about a lovely day out with his daughter at the Prince Charles Cinema before grabbing pizza at Rudy's Pizza Napoletana.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.

Haway Unlikely Friends, how’s it gannin’? Today on the bonus celebrity edition of Unlikely Friends The lovely Laura Smyth squeezes into the pineapple to ask about dad gags and accents.

The Pineapple throws up auditions, providing us with an amazing story of Emma's time in LAand Leigh kicks off Me Me Me by bringing in some of Michael Hutchence’s clothing..Get involved! Email us at unlikelyfriends@global.com or follow us on socials @UnlikelyPodFriends. 🎙️

Which member of the gang can sniff out a liar the best? Who has witnessed the best wedding speech and why was Emma Bunton's mum taking her to the Old Bailey court for her family days out?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

This week on Unlikely Friends, Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis are fresh from a wholesome Sunday well spent together — and yes, it involved a very serious roast dinner.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.

It’s a celeb double whammy today! Johnny Vaughan and Howard from Take That are asking the questions, and they take us on a nostalgic trip back to the 90s to reminisce about old TV shows.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

Jill and Leigh had a scare this week as a pizza pick up turned into a hairy car incident, whilst Emma share how Geri Halliwell got stuck on a roundabout! Plus Jade Jones reveals the time he could have died whilst trapped in a lift with floor collapsing beneath him.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

Unlikely Friends listeners, if you love gossip, scandal and rivalries - we’ve got a podcast we think you’ll love!Step inside sport’s greatest soap opera, Formula One, with a brand-new podcast Up To Speed. Hosted by Drive to Survive star Will Buxton, racing driver-turned-broadcaster Naomi Schiff, 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, and F1 content creator Jolie Sharpe.Expect razor-sharp reaction, behind-the-scenes insight, blockbuster interviews and answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask! With their deep knowledge, expert analysis and infectious love for racing, Will, Naomi, DC & Jolie dive into the stories that matter - on and off the track.It’s fast-paced, unfiltered and full of the gossip that keeps the paddock buzzing.They’ll react to the weekend's race drama every Monday. On Thursday they’ll deep dive into the biggest stories of the week. Watch and listen to episode 1 now on Global Player, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Does Emma Bunton have road rage? Why does Jade Jones HATE'S people who can't say words correctly and is the podcast about to end the happy marriage of Jill Francis and Leigh Francis?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 CHEESEBURGERPlus 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 on Unlikely Friends, Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis kick things by singing a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jade. Who is definitely NOT 50.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.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

Presenter Chris Moyles is asking the questions in this week’s celebrity episode of Unlikely Friends and he wants to know the inside scoop on the Spice Girls and what their WORST song is? And he puts Leigh Francis vs Keith Lemon to the test.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 😬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 on Unlikely Friends, Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis kick things by talking about Emma’s big birthday. How long is too long for birthday celebrations? A week? A month? A year?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

Is A.I about to ruin the music industry for good? And what would the Spice Girls have been with A.I if it was around in the 90s!? Emma Bunton, Jade Jones, Leigh Francis and Jill Francis discuss the impact it's going to have on our future, including Katie Price's A.I Only Fans twin as 80s legend Rick Astley (A.K.A Jill's super crush) asks the questions.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

This week on Unlikely Friends, Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis kick things off with a surprisingly passionate debate about biscuits, before stumbling into a genuine mystery: a missing bin from the Francis household. Who took it? Why would anyone steal a bin? And what does it say about society?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. 🍍

How did ITV's Loose Women scar Jade Jones from do TV interviews for years? How on earth did Leigh Francis realise he was allergic to cat Urine? And What's Emma Bunton's favourite bit of Spice Girls merchandise?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!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

Well this week, it couldn’t be anything else but a dedication to the great Emma Bunton. Leigh Francis has, of course, made her a card, and the studio is decked out with balloons — including a “50” balloon… which must be a mistake, right?The pineapple doesn't seem to do birthdays, as it spat out crabs and hotels — and needless to say, good conversation still reigns strong.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