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Strictly Final Preview with Anton Du Beke

Anton Du Beke reviews the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals and looks ahead to the grand final. He also gives us a glimpse behind the curtain as he answers your questions.

Chris is joined by Anton Du Beke, who reviews the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals and looks ahead to the grand final. He also gives us a glimpse behind the curtain as he answers your questions and confirms if your Top Tenuous claims to his fame are true or false. It’s International Radio 2 Calling, you tell us where in the world you are listening and Rachel and Vassos share your Christmas tips. Parkrun's COO Tom Williams explains his incredible forfeit after losing a bet with his colleague in the Sports Locker and we Pause for Thought with Remona Aly

2 hours, 59 minutes

Music Played

  • Slade

    Merry Xmas Everybody

    • (CD Single).
    • EMI.
  • Clean Bandit

    Baby (feat. MARINA & Luis Fonsi)

    • What Is Love?.
    • Atlantic.
  • Annie Lennox & Al Green

    Put a Little Love in Your Heart

    • Scrooged O.S.T. (Various Artists).
    • A&M.
  • Anastacia

    I'm Outta Love

    • (CD Single).
    • Epic/Daylight.
  • George Michael

    Faith

    • George Michael - Ladies & Gentlemen.
    • Epic.
  • Bob Dylan

    Here Comes Santa Claus

    • Christmas In The Heart.
    • Columbia.
    • 1.
  • Ariana Grande

    thank u, next

    • (CD Single).
    • Universal Motown.
  • The Beach Boys

    Good Vibrations

    • Smiley Smile (Stereo Version).
    • EMI.
  • The Supremes

    Love is Like an Itching in My Heart

    • Diana Ross & The Supremes - 25th Anniversary.
    • Motown.
  • Rick Astley

    She Makes Me

    • Beautiful Life.
    • BMG Rights Management.
  • Phil Collins

    Two Hearts

    • Singles.
    • Rhino.
  • Pretenders

    2000 Miles

    • The Best Christmas Album In The World.
    • Virgin.
  • Kim Wilde

    Hey Mister Snowman

    • Wilde Winter Snowman.
    • Wildeflower Records.
    • 001.
  • Michael Bublé

    Holly Jolly Christmas

    • Christmas: Deluxe Special Edition.
    • Reprise.
  • James Arthur & Anne-Marie

    Rewrite The Stars

    • The Greatest Showman: Reimagined (Various Artists).
    • Atlantic.
  • Little Mix

    Woman Like Me

    • (CD Single).
    • Syco Music.
  • Elton John

    Step Into Christmas

    • Caribou.
    • Mercury.
  • Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

    Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)

    • 20 Number 1's Of The 70's (Various).
    • MFP.
  • Glenn Frey

    The Heat Is On

    • Above The Clouds: The Very Best Of.
    • Universal.
  • Katy Perry

    Cozy Little Christmas

    • (CD Single).
    • Capitol.
  • Ocean Colour Scene

    Travellers Tune

    • The Best Of Ocean Colour Scene.
    • Island.
  • The Beautiful South

    Song For Whoever

    • Beautiful South - Carry On Up The Cha.
    • Go! Discs.
  • Lady Gaga

    Always Remember Us This Way

    • A Star Is Born O.S.T..
    • Interscope.
    • 17.
  • Portugal. The Man

    Feel It Still

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.

Pause For Thought

Pause For Thought

From Remona Aly, Freelance journalist and editor:

I was trying to find an email the other day, I typed a couple of words into the search bar, and hundreds of messages rose up like an e-tidal wave. Of course, I didn’t find what I was looking for. But I did find something that was looking for me - an unread email, which had waited ten years to be opened.

It was from a guy I used to know. Reading it now, I realised his email was a love letter - not the conventional kind - but subtle, so subtle that I'd missed it. I still feel a bit guilty about that time, as I didn’t fancy him. But Cupid had his justice with me too – I’ve had my dose of unrequited love.

Like, for example my first crush. I was a goofy 13 year old, and he was a Greek Adonis - tall, dark and a hundred percent oblivious to me. And yet I wrote him love letters in a diary that he and no one else would never lay eyes on - I burnt them all a year later in the back garden, my embarrassment turning to ashes.

It is bizarre how love can make you feel, and what it can make you do.

Love made one woman in the 8th century reject all marriage proposals, and embrace life as Islam’s first female Sufi saint. Islam isn’t a religion of celibacy, yet Rabia al Basri chose divine love over human love.

Rabia wrote a poem as a love letter to God. It read: “My joy, my hunger, my shelter, my friend, my food for the journey, my journey’s end. You are my breath, my hope, my companion, my craving, my abundant wealth. I look everywhere for your love. Then suddenly I am filled with it.â€

Rabia al Basri has made me think of her, and myself as a walking, living love letter to the Divine. Every kiss, every tear, every plea of mine is like the ink on my page. Yet when it comes to guys or to God, the love doesn’t always come easy. With the big G, I struggle with the trials in life, and my restless heart can waver. But somehow I find my way back, knowing that this love will always be requited.

Broadcast

  • Mon 10 Dec 2018 06:30

Farewell Chris Evans: The best bits from his last shows at Radio 2

After eight years of hosting the Breakfast Show, Chris Evans leaves Radio 2.

500 Words

Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2's story-writing competition for kids.