Can't Stop The Pop – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you…ready for it? In this episode, sparks fly as Matty and Craig discuss Taylor Swift's breakthrough (and, for several years, only) hit in the UK: 'Love Story'.

Join us as we look back at the lead single from the 'Fearless' album, a music video that left us both enchanted and a relentless promotional campaign that went out of the woods to include appearances on The Paul O'Grady Show and Loose Women. After running through some crazier chart stats, Matty and Craig each name their favourite Taylor Swift song, plus there's some overdue exoneration for 'Me!'

If you like what we do, please make sure there's no bad blood and leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop 
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

Presenting Glitter & Gold vs Can't Stop The Pop – LIVE!

This special episode was recorded live at the Here & Now Gala Night pre-show fan event on September 4th 2025, as we set out to determine our favourite Steps single.

The rules were simple (after Craig explained them several times): every Steps single* went head-to-head, with the winner staying on until each podcast was left with their favourite. Then it was down to the audience to choose between them and declare the ultimate Steps single. Which song won? Listen to find out.   

Craig, Matty, Shane and Brad also answered some listener-submitted questions, including our favourite Steps B-sides, thoughts on Eurovision, any notable misfires and our hopes for the 30th anniversary.

Thank you to Ultimate Steps and Claire Richards Central for co-hosting the event, Banyan Bar & Kitchen at Spinningfields, Manchester, for being such a welcoming venue, and to all the fans who came along to the pre-show event, helping us raise more than £1,000 for charity.

You can follow Can't Stop The Pop at:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop 
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

You can follow Glitter & Gold at:
Linktree
Instagram: @glitterstepspod
TikTok: @glitterstepspod

You can follow Ultimate Steps at:
Facebook
Instagram: @ultimatesteps

You can follow Claire Richards Central at:
https://clairerichardscentral.com/
Instagram: @clairerichardscentral

Welcome to the fourth and final episode of a special series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off.  

Here's how it works:

The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. By this point, we're deep into the S Club Juniors/8-era of the S Club brand, as we compare and discuss:

Here and Now vs New Direction
You'll Be Sorry vs Puppy Love
Chain Reaction vs Fool No More
Words Are Not Enough vs Sundown
I Know Him So Well vs Don't Tell Me You're Sorry

Which act will triumph? Listen to the full series of episodes to find out. 

Follow CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show on X: @cctvpops, Instagram: @cctvpops and on YouTube: @cctvpops

Follow Craig on X: @cantstoppop, Instagram: @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstop_thepop

Follow Matty on Instagram: @mat_atkins9 and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

Welcome to the second episode in a special four-part series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off.  

Here's how it works:

The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. In this episode, we compare and discuss:

Better Best Forgotten vs Natural
Love's Got A Hold On My Heart vs Never Had A Dream Come True
After The Love Has Gone vs Don't Stop Movin'
Say You'll Be Mine vs Have You Ever
Better The Devil You Know vs You

Which act will triumph? Listen to the full series of episodes to find out. 

Follow CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show on X: @cctvpops, Instagram: @cctvpops and on YouTube: @cctvpops

Follow Craig on X: @cantstoppop, Instagram: @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstop_thepop

Follow Matty on Instagram: @mat_atkins9 and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

It's time...

For our Christmas episode, we're celebrating 30 years of All I Want For Christmas Is You and discussing how Mariah Carey's 1994 festive hit has become a perennial chart staple.

Among the talking points are the song's origins (and an embarrassing attempt by Craig to pronounce Walter Afanasieff's name), its initial chart success and what's happened in the streaming era, we look back at some iconic live performances, reflect on how the track has become an annual meme, and Matty shares his thoughts on All I Want For Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!) featuring Justin Bieber. 

We hope you enjoy the episode as much as we did recording and editing it. Happy holidays to all our listeners. 

If you like what we do, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

Welcome to the third episode in a special four-part series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off.  

Here's how it works:

The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. In this episode, S Club pass the baton to S Club Juniors as we compare and discuss:

Deeper Shade Of Blue vs Alive
When I Said Goodbye vs Say Goodbye
Summer Of Love vs Love Ain't Gonna Wait For You
Stomp vs One Step Closer
It's The Way You Make Me Feel vs Automatic High

Which act will triumph? Listen to the full series of episodes to find out. 

Follow CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show on X: @cctvpops, Instagram: @cctvpops and on YouTube: @cctvpops

Follow Craig on X: @cantstoppop, Instagram: @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstop_thepop

Follow Matty on X: @matkinsactor, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

Welcome to the first episode in a special four-part series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off.  

Here's how it works:

The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. In this episode, we compare and discuss:

5, 6, 7, 8 vs Bring It All Back
Last Thing On My Mind vs S Club Party
One For Sorrow vs Two In A Million
Heartbeat vs You're My Number One
Tragedy vs Reach

Which act will triumph? Listen to the full series of episodes to find out. 

Follow CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show on X: @cctvpops, Instagram: @cctvpops and on YouTube: @cctvpops

Follow Craig on X: @cantstoppop, Instagram: @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstop_thepop

Follow Matty on X: @matkinsactor, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

Easy V doesn't come for free! For our second season finale, we're discussing an artist and a song so seismic that they allegedly brought down an entire record label. It's Victoria Beckham with her dance-pop track, Let Your Head Go.

We delve into a complicated situation that resulted in two different albums being recorded (neither of which was officially released), Victoria Beckham's prominent role in relaunching Top Of The Pops, the brilliantly self-deprecating music video for Let Your Head Go and the song's continued absence from streaming platforms.   

If you like what we do, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts! 

To read about Let Your Head Go on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2019/12/23/victoria-beckham-let-your-head-go/ 

You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

It's confessions on a podcast this week as we discuss Madonna's ABBA-sampling smash hit, Hung Up. To help us dissect this behemoth pop song we're joined by a special guest: James Rodriguez, host of The Original Doll. 

With James' expert knowledge, we delve into the circumstances surrounding the single and why Madonna's tenth studio album - Confessions On A Dancefloor - was such a significant moment in her career. Matty shares his memories of Hung Up and what it means to him as a Madonna fan, while there's an unexpected drag battle revelation from Craig. 

Please check out The Original Doll with James Rodriguez. You can find information about the show at: https://theoriginaldoll.com/ 

You can follow James on X: @JamesRodriguez, Instagram: @the.original.doll and TikTok: @thejamesrodriguez 

You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast

Dude, you wanna crash the mall? Grab your air guitars because, in this episode, Craig and Matty are coming back down to earth to talk about Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi. 

We discuss what it was like to be a teenager when pop-rock took over the charts (think baggy jeans, hoodies and those chains that hung from everyone's pockets) and how Sk8er Boi managed to condense pretty much everything that era represented into a 3½ minute song. Plus, no critique of Avril Lavigne would be complete without acknowledging the enduring conspiracy theory that is...Melissa. 

If you like what we do, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts! 

To read about Sk8er Boi on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2023/10/16/avril-lavigne-sk8er-boi/  

You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast