Unlikely Friends

Global Player Originals
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Unlikely Friends, A brand new podcast from BAFTA winning comedian Leigh Francis, Spice Girl turned radio host Emma Bunton, Damage frontman Jade Jones, and Jill Francis - where anything can (and probably will) happen! Each week, they’ll be taking questions, topics and conundrums from listeners, diving headfirst into whatever you want to hear about. Nothing is off limits. From parenthood and fame to 90s fashion and cold wedding buffets, the conversation is driven solely by you brilliant lot! Unlikely Friends is all about laid-back chats that are funny, honest, insightful, and sometimes surprisingly deep - with a few shocking revelations and celebrity guests along the way. You can watch or listen to full episodes of Unlikely Friends on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts every Monday & Thursday. 💌 Get in touch at unlikelyfriends@global.com 📱 Follow on socials: @unlikelypodfriends Unlikely Friends is a Global Production For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells Executive Producer: Adem Waterman Senior Producer: Ben Tulloh Creative Video Content Producer: Samson Falodun

  1. 2d ago

    The Secrets Behind the “Wannabe” Video

    "I do one dance move in the video, that all the girls take the piss out of me for now..." Emma Bunton shares behind-the-scenes stories from the iconic Spice Girls Wannabe music video on Unlikely Friends, as Leigh Francis, Jade Jones and Jill Francis hear all about filming at St Pancras Hotel before it became the landmark fans know today. This week, Emma reveals Easter eggs, behind-the-scenes details and unreleased stories from one of the most famous music videos in British pop culture. There’s also a roast dinner from Emma, more decorating updates from Jade, and a catch-up on Leigh and Emma’s recent trips to Leeds, including Emma visiting Mel B for a TV show she absolutely cannot talk about. The conversation then takes a more reflective turn after a kind listener letter about a limited edition Spider-Man postcard from 2002, which was destroyed before publication because it featured an image of the Twin Towers. It leads the friends to discuss where they were when they heard the news of 9/11, and how moments like that stay with you. Also in this episode: the gang talk about what made them think they would work well together, and Leigh rounds things off with a classic Unlikely Friends detour into aliens in the desert. 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.

    35 min

  2. May 28

    What if we swapped bodies?

    “I’d probably have a little feel of my boobs.” Emma Bunton, Leigh Francis, Jade Jones and Jill Francis are joined by Paloma Faith on Unlikely Friends, as she hops out of the pineapple with a very pregnant, very surreal Freaky Friday question. This week, Emma looks back on life on tour with the Spice Girls, including the specialist tattoo and piercing artist who travelled with them, and the eyebrow piercing that gave Jade his money’s worth, even if the story ended in a slightly less glamorous way. Then, big pineapple points go to Paloma Faith, who recorded her question just one day before she was due to give birth. Leigh shares how long he has known Paloma, from before she was famous, before Paloma asks the gang who they would body swap with and what they would do first. Emma has a very honest answer involving urinating standing up, Jade and Leigh are predictably immature, and Jill thinks she’d quite enjoy the freedom of the male form. 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.

    19 min

  3. May 27

    When Fans ATTACK!

    “You’ve stolen my party trick!” Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis are back on Unlikely Friends with fan encounters, Spice Girls chaos, Pilates holidays, annoying household noises and a big Friends versus Modern Family debate. This week, Leigh shares the breaking news from a traumatic gig visit, where he was accidentally clawed by an overexcited fan. It sparks a full “when fans attack” conversation, including Emma’s own dramatic Italian incident from her Spice Girls days. Also in this episode: Jill’s trip away, how a Pilates holiday can still involve drinking wine on the beach until 10pm, and how Leigh survived at home with the help of Jill’s million post-it notes. Plus, the friends discuss washing machine noises, Alexa alarms, and whether some household sounds are simply impossible to live with. And finally, it’s Modern Family versus Friends, as the gang ask whether Friends should ever be rebooted, and why it could never be the same without Matthew Perry. 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.

    38 min

  4. May 18

    What PRINCE said after he WATCHED the Spice Girls

    "Which version of Happy Birthday are we going to sing?!" 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.

    35 min

  5. May 14

    WHAT is WRONG with US?! |

    "Well he rimmed me..." 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.

    24 min

  6. May 11

    Emma’s Pregnancy Surprise & Watching Awkward Scenes With Your Kids

    "What came first the colour orange or the fruit orange?" 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.

    35 min

  7. May 7

    When Emma met Leonardo Dicaprio

    “And all of a sudden, in slow motion, I grabbed his cheeks…” 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.

    16 min

  8. May 4

    When Was the Last Time You Cried?

    "Welcome to our new podcast - called DOGGING" 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.

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Unlikely Friends, A brand new podcast from BAFTA winning comedian Leigh Francis, Spice Girl turned radio host Emma Bunton, Damage frontman Jade Jones, and Jill Francis - where anything can (and probably will) happen! Each week, they’ll be taking questions, topics and conundrums from listeners, diving headfirst into whatever you want to hear about. Nothing is off limits. From parenthood and fame to 90s fashion and cold wedding buffets, the conversation is driven solely by you brilliant lot! Unlikely Friends is all about laid-back chats that are funny, honest, insightful, and sometimes surprisingly deep - with a few shocking revelations and celebrity guests along the way. You can watch or listen to full episodes of Unlikely Friends on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts every Monday & Thursday. 💌 Get in touch at unlikelyfriends@global.com 📱 Follow on socials: @unlikelypodfriends Unlikely Friends is a Global Production For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells Executive Producer: Adem Waterman Senior Producer: Ben Tulloh Creative Video Content Producer: Samson Falodun

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