Emma Bunton reflects on radio life in Global podcast

Emma Bunton says early starts and missing family time led her to step back from the Heart breakfast show back in 2018.

Speaking on the Unlikely Friends podcast this week with Jill Francis, Jay Jones and Lee Francis, Emma described how hosting breakfast radio became difficult alongside raising young children.

She said she felt she was missing out on the school run and admitted: “I got to a point where I was just very tired.”

Emma also shared what she enjoyed after leaving early mornings, including being able to stay up later and spend more time with her family, while still keeping her love of radio.

Lee Francis reflected on his own experience at Virgin Radio, describing it as unexpectedly isolating. He said: “I found it incredibly lonely. Three hours a day by myself in a room.”

The discussion also turned to pirate radio, with Jay revealing he grew up in a house where his father ran an illegal station.

He explained how DJs would come to the house with vinyl, while transmitters were kept elsewhere to avoid detection.

The group also spoke about how listening habits have changed, suggesting younger audiences may not experience radio in the same way, while admitting they still get a thrill from hearing their names mentioned on air, and regularly message Chris Moyles for a shout out.