BBC Radio 2

Harry Clark has joined Pause For Thought in a permanent role just one day after viewers saw The Traitors star leave Celeb Sas: Who Dares Wins

Harry Clark has joined Pause For Thought in a permanent role. The reality star, who won The Traitors in 2023, has just left Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins after being dismissed from the tough military programme, and appeared on BBC Radio 2’s long-running segment where he opened up about his religious beliefs.

Joining Scott Mills live on air, he said: “I know that some of your listeners will know me from winning The Traitors, and I wanna know more about that next week but for now, for this Pause For Thought, I thought I’d tell you more about what makes me tick. So, I’m Harry, I’m 24, and I come from a massive family.

“There’s five of us children, I’ve got two brothers, two sisters and a mum and dad. Despite achieving something, I’m still just a normal kid from Slough who lives with his parents and sisters in a council house. Both of my brothers have now moved out. Luckily, thanks to my mum, religion has always been a big part of my life and has helped me all the way through.”

READ MORE: Celebrity SAS star Harry Clark’s life off-screen from famous girlfriend to army careerREAD MORE: Celebrity SAS star Harry Clark gets brutal telling off by chiefs who mock looks

“Faith has been, and it means a lot to me always and it’s amazing to be a part of something bigger that is outside of myself. As soon as I could I decided I was off to North Yorkshire at the age of 16 to become an avionics technician, which is technically a helicopter engineer, which is easier to understand but it’s still just as crazy as it sounds. I’d never seen a helicopter before I left Slough, so becoming a helicopter engineer is the coolest thing ever.”

The engineer, who has also appeared on celebrity editions of The Weakest Link and Antiques Roadshow since winning £90,000 on the hit BBC game show, recalled tough times when he was in the army and how he found solace in turning to God. He added: “My first real connection with Christianity though was when I went through a hard time in the army and being away from home. My mum said ‘Listen, Harry just try praying and do what you know,’ and that has saved me throughout my life. Suddenly, I didn’t feel alone and I managed to get myself out of the hole I’d dug myself into.

“I was asked to go on Traitors series two, which to my surprise, I actually managed to win somehow. Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster of ups and downs and around summertime again last year, I seemed to lose myself mentally but then the thing that saved me for a second time was my faith. When I prayed, I didn’t feel alone and I felt that there was something there for me just like there always has been.”

Harry also admitted that while he used to be a regular churchgoer, it is not something he needs to do on a weekly basis now and then Scott said: “It’s so good to have you as part of your Pause For Thought team and to hear a bit more about you,” and added: “I’ll see you next week!” as the segment came to an end.

Earlier this year, Harry turned down a reported £300,000 to appear on Celebrity Big Brother in favour of an appearance on the BBC Two show Pilgrimage instead, Speaking about the choices he made, Harry said: “I think it was just because it meant so much to me that I wanted to do this show. It was just me as a whole, and when my manager brought it to me, it was like, again, this whole career that we’re trying to carve out in this industry is one of authenticity.”

Harry, who is a practising Catholic, added: “It’s like, I want it to be authentic to me, and what means the most to me, and that’s religion, and that’s my family. Also I know it made my mum proud. But also for me personally, I knew that my religion itself had got a little bit cloudy.”

Harry, who is a practising Catholic, added: “It’s like, I want it to be authentic to me, and what means the most to me, and that’s religion, and that’s my family. Also I know it made my mum proud. But also for me personally, I knew that my religion itself had got a little bit cloudy.”

Continuing about his spirituality, Harry said: “It was always strong faith. I was always still praying, but then I never really knew… It’s easy to go off the rails a little bit and see, well, what am I even actually praying for?

“The pilgrimage was that sort of wipe where it made it a clear vision again.”

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BBC Radio 2’s presenter switch-up has seen the channel lose half a million weekly listeners.

Back in December, former Radio 1 broadcaster Scott Mills, 51, was revealed as Zoe Ball’s replacement as she took a break from the plum presenting spot.

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At the time Zoe, 54 – who had been absent from a handful of shows due to issues off air – told how December 20 would be her last early-morning programme after six years as she chose to “focus on family.”

Listeners were quick to spot three clues she was set to up sticks, including a family tragedy.

She has since returned to the BBC Radio 2 fold with The Zoe Ball Show, which airs every Saturday.

Yet between April and June 2025 the station has lost half a million listeners compared to figures from three months earlier.

Scott took over in January 2025.

Between January and March 2025, 13.11million listeners tuned into the station overall.

Yet during the most recent time period reviewed, this dropped to 12.62million.

Specifically for the Breakfast Show, figures marked 6.45million average weekly listeners from January to March.

Yet between April and June, this has dropped to 6.22million.

ALL CHANGE

Zoe’s last BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show was on Friday, December 20 – with “plenty of fun and shenanigans” ahead of Christmas.

Yet at the time, Zoe said she would remain on BBC Radio 2.

She said: “After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family.”

Telling her listeners about her decision, she said: “I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

Zoe Ball’s career so far

Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia.

She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children’s show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.

The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.

After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.

In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One‘s saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.

But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.

Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.

The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox.

As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.

In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.

In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.

In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.

She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.

After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.

Zoe’s journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O’Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.

After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot’s Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.

In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019.

“We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.”

She added she would also miss her colleagues, saying they were “like family to me”.

The early morning presenter added: “But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest.

“You know I love you all to bits.”

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BBC show Pebble Mill at One was an iconic magazine programme that ran throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – and here’s what happened to the original faces of the daytime series

They were the familiar faces that lit up Britain’s afternoons – the hosts, producers and personalities behind Pebble Mill at One, the BBC’s beloved daytime magazine programme that ran from 1972 to 1986. Whether they were interviewing celebrities, dispensing gardening advice or covering human interest stories from the famous foyer of the Birmingham studio, the Pebble Mill team became a fixture of the nation’s lunchtime telly.

But what happened to the show’s stars when the cameras stopped rolling?

From telly legends who went on to headline primetime shows, to behind-the-scenes figures who subtly influenced British broadcasting, many continued to leave their mark across radio, film and theatre. Others quietly stepped out of the spotlight – while some faced scandals that shook their public persona.

Here, we reminisce about the highs, lows and unexpected twists in the lives of Pebble Mill’s most recognisable faces. From gardening guru Marian Foster and broadcasting legend Alan Titchmarsh to the late Donny MacLeod and troubled DJ Dave Lee Travis, here’s what unfolded for the faces who once dominated daytime TV.

Dave Lee Travis

Dave Lee Travis was best known as the host of The Golden Oldie Picture Show and a DJ on BBC Radio 1. However, his career was later marred by legal issues.

In 2014, he was found guilty of indecently assaulting a woman working on The Mrs Merton Show in 1995 and was handed a three-month suspended sentence.

Though acquitted of several other accusations, the conviction resulted in the presenter’s episodes of Top of the Pops being no longer repeated by the BBC. Travis expressed being “mortified” and “really disappointed” by the verdict.

Despite the scandal, the now 80-year-old made a comeback to broadcasting. Throughout the years, Travis has presented programmes on various UK radio stations, including periods at Classic Gold, BBC Three Counties Radio, and United DJs Radio.

In 2025, he hosts a Sunday morning programme on Heritage Chart Radio.

Currently residing in Buckinghamshire with his Swedish wife Marianne, whom he wed in 1971, Travis enjoys photography and vintage automobiles.

Jock Gallagher

Gallagher began his BBC career in 1966 as a news producer and swiftly climbed the ladder, ultimately leading the Pebble Mill at One.

His influence extended beyond the programme’s triumph to nurturing celebrated BBC radio productions including The Archers, alongside programmes such as From the Grassroots and Offshore Britons.

Following decades of broadcasting service, Gallagher stepped down from the BBC in 2014.

He died in May 2025 aged 87 at Worcester Hospital. Former colleagues and admirers paid tribute, with one remembering: “I remember having a conversation with Jock in the late 1980s when I was trying to become a researcher, and fancied working on Radio 4 series.”

Donny MacLeod

Donny was a beloved figure on television, known for his warmth, professionalism, and innovative approach, becoming a staple in homes as the leading presenter of his show and shaping daytime TV for countless viewers.

He was one of the original faces of Pebble Mill at One, hosting the show from its beginnings in 1972 until his sudden death in 1984.

His career was studded with standout moments, including major BBC specials like MacLeod’s Soviet Union and MacLeod’s America, and memorable interviews with prominent figures such as Edward Heath, Les Dawson, Terry Wogan, Dame Edna Everage, and Morecambe and Wise.

Touching tributes have continued to honour Donny’s legacy, with one colleague fondly remembering: “He was kind and ever prepared to lend this novice a helping hand… For 11 years Donny was Pebble Mill at One.”

Passing away at the young age of 52 from a heart attack, Donny is still deeply missed as a trailblazer in British daytime broadcasting.

David Attwood

Starting his career as an assistant floor manager, David Attwood climbed the ladder, contributing to series like Out of Town Boys (1978), Keep Smiling (1979), and the BAFTA-winning Boys from the Black Stuff (1982).

After completing the BBC Directors course in 1984, he quickly made a name for himself as a director.

Attwood’s portfolio includes directing All Together Now, Airbase, and the intense thriller Killing Time.

He later pursued a freelance career, directing critically acclaimed projects such as Wild West, Fidel, and Stuart: A Life Backwards, which starred Tom Hardy.

David sadly died on 21 March 2024 after battling illness.

Remembered by peers as a talented and considerate director, David left an indelible mark on British television drama over three decades.

Marian Foster

A multifaceted broadcaster, Marian Foster was celebrated for her engaging on-screen personality and a deep-rooted passion for horticulture, which became her signature.

She broke new ground as one of the original presenters on Top Gear and went on to host gardening segments for BBC Look North after her time at Pebble Mill.

Foster boasts an extensive career in radio, having presented shows on BBC Radio 2, Woman’s Hour on Radio 4, and currently hosts Garden Mania every Sunday on BBC Radio Newcastle and Radio Tees.

A familiar face at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, she has imparted her horticultural wisdom to audiences for more than three decades.

Her diverse work includes documenting the impact of Live Aid in Ethiopia and even sharing the stage with The Who for a rendition of Tommy.

In recent times, she has continued her role as a judge for Northumbria in Bloom, been featured by Radio Times, and remains an endearing presence in the North East.

Alan Titchmarsh

Alan Titchmarsh rose to fame as the beloved presenter of Ground Force and later captivated viewers on ITV’s Love Your Garden, affirming his status as one of the nation’s favourite gardeners.

His natural charm extended beyond the garden, leading him to host various programmes including The Alan Titchmarsh Show, Popstar to Operastar, and Secrets of the National Trust.

In 2024, he made waves when North Korean TV censored his jeans, prompting Titchmarsh to quip that it gave him “a bit of street cred”.

The 76 year old father of two is a prolific author, having penned over 70 books, including best-selling novels, gardening guides, and memoirs.

He currently presents a Saturday afternoon programme on Classic FM and continues to write regularly for the press. Now in his mid-70s, he divides his time between his farmhouse in Hampshire and his residence on the Isle of Wight.

Titchmarsh was awarded an MBE in the 2000 New Year Honours for his contributions to horticulture and broadcasting, and was later promoted to CBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for his services to horticulture and charity.

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Austria was crowned the winner of Eurovision 2025 as the UK ended up with nul points from the public for the second year in a row

The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland, concluded tonight with Austria taking the crown in a thrilling finale to the 69th edition of the international song contest.

Representing the UK this year was pop group Remember Monday, who performed their song, What The Hell Just Happened?, on Swiss soil. The trio, consisting of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, captivated the audience with their tune inspired by their friendship and upbringing in Hampshire.

They were the eighth act to take the stage during Saturday’s grand event. The group amassed a total of 88 points, securing them the 19th spot.

However, they faced disappointment as they received zero points in the public vote for the second consecutive year. The UK is part of the Big 5, which also includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain, reports the Liverpool Echo.

This year’s song contest saw 37 countries participate, with 26 making it to the grand final. Alongside the Big 5, this included last year’s victor, Switzerland, and the 20 qualifying semi-finalists.

The UK has graced every Eurovision Grand Final since 1959 and has been crowned champion five times. The winner is decided by a mix of points from national juries and viewer votes in the participating 26 countries, supplemented by a separate rest of the world poll.

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is poised to deliver the UK’s national jury votes for Eurovision as Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdraws from his role as British spokesperson due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

BBC One slated Graham Norton once more to provide TV coverage for the final at 8pm on Saturday, while Rylan Clark and Scott Mills hosted the affair over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

The UK has historically struggled in the points department during the public vote, often being left with nul points from country juries. A comprehensive dissection of Remember Monday’s Eurovision figures was part of The ECHO’s coverage, highlighting which nations handed the UK those dreaded nul points.

Take a look at the tally detailing exactly how Remember Monday fared:.

Remember Monday received zero love from Sweden, Azerbaijan, Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia, Armenia, France, Croatia, Latvia, Montenegro, Greece, Serbia, Germany, Belgium, Israel, Albania, Lithuania, and Georgia — all awarding nul points to the UK entry.

A smidgeon of recognition came through with Luxembourg giving six points, San Marino attributing two points, Ukraine offering 10 generous points, and Norway along with Austria each dishing out seven points.

Italy proved to be a fond ally scoring douze points to Remember Monday, while Portugal and Ireland allocated two points each, Denmark opted for four, Poland chipped in with one point, Czechia matched Ukraine with 10 points, Spain tossed in six, Finland threw five points into the mix, and Iceland matched that with another five.

Cyprus – no points.

Estonia – five points.

Switzerland – four points.

The public vote – no points.

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