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Sir Michael Parkinson and Burgers

Chris speaks to TV legend Sir Michael Parkinson about his friendship with Muhammad Ali and talks burgers with American chef DJ BBQ.

Chris is joined by TV legend Sir Michael Parkinson who tells us about his new book Muhammad Ali: A Memoir and his unexpected friendship with one of the most celebrated sporting figures in the world. We also hear from American burger boffin DJ BBQ who shares his top tips on how to make the best burgers. Vassos is joined in the Sports Locker by British racing driver Jolyon Palmer and journalist Remona Aly has the Pause For Thought.

2 hours, 59 minutes

Music Played

  • Chic

    Le Freak

    • The Very Best Of.
    • Rhino.
  • Clean Bandit

    Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul & ´¡²Ô²Ô±ðâ€M²¹°ù¾±±ð)

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.
  • The Killers

    Mr Brightside

    • (CD Single).
    • Island.
  • Alison Moyet

    Love Resurrection

    • Alison Moyet Singles.
    • Columbia.
  • Blur

    Parklife

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.
  • Madness

    Baggy Trousers

    • More Greatest Hits Of 80's (Various).
    • Disky.
  • Laura Mvula

    Ready Or Not

    • The Dreaming Room.
    • RCA.
    • 001.
  • Nickelback

    Rockstar

    • (CD Single).
    • Roadrunner.
    • 5.
  • Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott

    D.I.Y.

    • What Have We Become.
    • Virgin EMI.
    • 001.
  • Perry Como

    Magic Moments

    • 50's Number Ones Vol 1.
    • Old Gold.
  • Adele

    Water Under The Bridge

    • 25.
    • XL.
    • 6.
  • Level 42

    Something About You

    • The Complete Polydor Years: Volume 2 (1985-1989).
    • Cherry Red Records.
  • Original Dodger & Romina Johnson

    Movin' Too Fast

    • Huge Hits 2000 (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.
  • EMF

    Unbelievable

  • Queen

    Radio Ga Ga

    • Queen - Greatest Hits II.
    • Parlophone.
  • Status Quo

    Hold You Back

    • Aquostic II - That’s A Fact!.
  • Jamie Cullum

    These Are The Days

    • (CD Single).
    • Universal.
  • Renée & Renato

    Save Your Love

    • For My Valentine.
    • Disky.
    • 1.
  • McAlmont & Butler

    Yes

    • Bridget Jones's Diary 2 (Various).
    • Mercury.
  • Sheryl Crow

    All I Wanna Do

    • The No.1 Acoustic Rock Album (Variou.
    • Polygram Tv.
  • The Wonder Stuff

    The Size Of A Cow

    • Now 1991 - The Millennium Series.
    • Now.
  • John Legend

    Love Me Now

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.
  • Buzzcocks

    Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

    • Greatest Hits Of The 70's (Various).
    • Disky.
  • The Psychedelic Furs

    Pretty In Pink

    • Teenage Kicks (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Tiffany

    I Think We're Alone Now

    • Now 12 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • Ward Thomas

    Cartwheels

    • (CD Single).
    • Sony.
    • 001.
  • The Darkness

    Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.
  • Tom Odell

    Real Love

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.

Pause for Thought

Pause for Thought
From Remona Aly, freelance journalist and editor:


One of my favourite festive times of year is around the corner – Christmas - yes even for Muzzies like me, but don’t worry, Eid still has top billing - thank God someone’s thought of Eid crackers.  

But I do look forward to the season of logs on the fire, mistletoe and wine - though mine’s an elderflower fizz - and speaking of mistletoe in particular, I want to tell you about my first ever kiss.

Before anyone gets too excited with thoughts of bicycle sheds, spotty teenagers or indeed my mum goes into meltdown over my upbringing let me say straight up - that it was all very much above board.

Because my first kiss was innocently planted on the front cover of a book - the Muslim holy book to be precise.  

My mum first taught me how to read the Quran when I was four years old. I remember how she’d take it out of the dark velvet pouch, wrapped up like a treasured love letter, and teach me to pronounce the sacred swirls of Arabic.

As soon as I finished a lesson, I’d give the cover a gentle little kiss and touch it to my forehead.

Kissing the Quran is a familiar tradition for many Muslims. It reflects a heart full of love for the scripture. When I kiss it, I kiss it for all the beauties and lessons it holds in its pages: the poetical reminders of the natural world, the compassion for humanity, the miracle of Jesus and the resilience of Mary.  


The ups and downs of life has made my relationship with the Quran and with God - well, more complicated. Some days I’ve been so busy, so distracted, that I’ve neglected to even touch it.

I think that Hafiz, the Persian poet who was known as a master memoriser of the Quran, got it spot on 700 years ago when he wrote: “One regret, dear world, that I am determined not to have when I am lying on my deathbed, is that I did not kiss you enough.â€

Life is going at warp speed and I get so caught up in it, I sometimes forget to kiss all the funny little moments, to savour every friendship, to bask in the sunshine after a rainy day. 

All of these make up the verses and chapters of life, and every kiss for them tells its own greatest love story.

Broadcast

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