Explore every episode of the podcast Unlikely Friends

"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.

“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.

“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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

“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.

"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.

“I think I might die soon…”

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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, the gang get into food shopping habits, Leigh’s alleged selfishness, his terrible parking, and the awkward art of being recognised in public — including how to answer the dreaded question: “Are you who I think you are?”

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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, there’s a very special guest contributor in the mix: Timmy Mallett.

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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, the pals are catching up and diving into the world of Coachella from a slightly more seasoned perspective — trying to work out what it is, why everyone’s obsessed, and whether they’re now under pressure from their children to go. From Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter to a hilarious mix-up with Burning Man, there’s plenty of festival chat along the way.

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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, the gang are joined by some brilliant guest questions from Iain Stirling — and one question in particular opens the floodgates: what’s the most memorable thing that’s ever been stolen from you? What follows is a surprisingly robbery-heavy chat, with stories involving houses, cars, and even Emma’s iconic Spice Girls dress.

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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, the first topic out of the mix is shopping trolleys, which sparks chat about dodgy wheels, the thrill of sitting in the trolley as your mum pushed you round, and all the strange little memories that come with a supermarket trip.

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.

This week on Unlikely Friends, Jill wonders whether turning 50 really feels any different, while the gang get stuck into the timeless issue of embarrassing parents — and whether that ever actually stops, even once you’ve hit 50 yourself. Jade reveals he’s something of an expert when it comes to mortifying his kids, while everyone shares stories of the many ways mums and dads can still make you cringe.

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.

Louis Spence — friend of the show and, in particular, friend of Emma Bunton — joins Unlikely Friends with a round of spicy questions that spark even spicier answers. It all kicks off with: what is it the person opposite you doesn’t know about you? That opens the door to some gloriously revealing chat, including Emma’s bathing habits, a particularly disgusting confession from Jade Jones, and even a detour into Jade’s grey moustache. Alongside the chaos, there’s also a more thoughtful conversation about the joys, lessons and unexpected benefits of having children.

This week on Unlikely Friends, what starts as a chat about the world’s best beaches quickly turns into one of the wildest stories yet… involving a trip to Mexico, Richard Branson, and an unexpected moment on an airplane wing that Leigh definitely wasn’t prepared for.

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.

The Best Hugger in Showbiz Has Questions

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.

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

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 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 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

How hard is it to become a new mum? In this episode of Unlikely Friends, Judi Love sparks an honest and hilarious conversation as the group opens up about the realities of parenthood, fame, and life-changing moments.

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

It’s the first episode back after Christmas and the January blues are in full swing! 🥶

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. 🍍🎙️

TV starlet Stephen Mulhern is putting the topics to the Unlikely Friends in this hilarious episode of the podcast...and it all gets very sexual! The important questions include what TV shows they'd love to host with Leigh Francis wanting to bring back Art Attack, Emma Bunton putting her best Judith Charmers on for Wish You Were Here and Jill wants to go cruising (it's not like it seems).

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

It’s a very happy New Year from the Unlikely Friends — and absolutely nothing has changed. Plucking straight from your favourite pineapple, the gang dive headfirst into spirited debates about animals, tattoos, and the soundtrack to their own lives.

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. 🍍

This week on Unlikely Friends, we’re celebrating that magical in-between time after Christmas and before New Year with a brilliant festive special — and a very special celebrity guest.

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.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and Unlikely Friends is getting fully festive 🎄

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. 🎁✨

It’s the ultimate festive interruption 🎄

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. 🎅✨

Leigh, Emma, Jill and Jade are back to get well and truly into the festive spirit — with tangents, showbiz stories and a healthy dose of chaos along the way.

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 Bon Boulash popped in the pineapple and asked some brilliant questions and as a result we're introduced to the drag personas of the Unlikley Friends. All we'll say is you might want to keep an eye out for Caesar Fairlight at your local disco.

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 Unlikely Friends discuss the phenomenon was Stranger Things with Emma Bunton almost having to lie to Millie Bobby Brown that she had seen it (Awkward!).

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.

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

Actress Anna Friel is posing the questions to Leigh Francis, Emma Bunton, Jade Jones and Jill Francis in this episode of Unlikely Friends - and there's some shocking revelations!

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

This week on Unlikely Friends, we don’t so much ease into the episode as dive head-first into hemorrhoids.

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.

Alison Hammond and Joel Dommett are asking today’s big (and not-so-big) questions for the Unlikely Friends - and things get honest, a heartfelt and very, very real.

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