Davina McCall opens up on why her new show My Mum, Your Dad is so relatable
"It's quite innocent and lovely"
Last updated 14th Sep 2023
Davina McCall joined Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio for Golden Years, where she chose three songs from 1985, Mister Mister's 'Broken Wings', Tears For Fears' 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' and Whitney Houston's 'Saving All My Love For You'.
1985 was a great year for Davina as she'd left school, where she'd been troubled, so she wanted to be free, and work. "I was taken by my dad and step-mum to Australia," Davina told Ken, continuing: "They went for a few weeks holiday, and then I stayed for a few months, and I had the time of my life."
As an 18-year-old, Davina had a job in a nightclub in Melbourne, where she met loads of great people and had a her first love.
The TV presenter who has hosted shows such as Big Brother and Long Long Family, also spoke to Ken about her brand new series called My Mum, Your Dad.
Despite many dubbing the show as middle-aged Love Island, Davina said it's so much more than that. She told Ken that there aren't any cameras in the bedrooms, and no prize fund.
"It's called My Mum, Your Dad, and the premise is that adult children, of single mid-lifers, nominate their parents to spend time together to try and find love," she explained.
As Davina went on to say, it is all about the journey and hopefully the singletons finding love. "We'd much rather watch the excitement of someone enjoying someone's company, than just sex! You know, it's quite innocent and lovely."
The TV presenter continued to explain how as mid-lifers, they've all had experiences, and relationships both good and bad, and its: "shaped who we are."
Continuing: "Sometimes it's shaped who we are in a way where we build up walls, and they're hard to get down."
The show started on ITV/STV on Monday 11th September, and viewers quickly found themselves tearing up as they met Roger, a 58-year-old widower, and his daughter, 28-year-old Jess, who was encouraging her dad to get back in the dating game.
Throughout the show you'd be forgiven if you thought you'd been listening to Greatest Hits Radio, as the soundtrack included hits from Boston, U2, Cyndi Lauper, Fleetwood Mac and many more fantastic artists.
Take a look through other Greatest Hits Radio interviews:
Jackie Brambles spoke to Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert opened up about touring with Queen for 10 years. The singer spoke to Jackie Brambles on Greatest Hits Radio back in March 2023.
He told Jackie: "There's always going to be haters. That's just how it goes and it's fine - I get being protective of your memory of the band, I totally understand. I think early on that actually lit a fire in me to prove myself and prove them wrong."
Jackie Brambles spoke to Samantha Fox
Samantha Fox reflected on 40 years in show business, revealing that she wouldn't encourage young girls to follow in her footsteps.
"I wouldn't encourage it these days – there's no Page Three anymore and now I think all the reality stars are like the new glamour girls," she told Jackie.
Ken Bruce spoke to Ben Elton
Ken Bruce spoke to Ben Elton back in April, when he joined us for Golden Years. Ben chose 1987 as his Golden Year, which was the year he started dating his wife Sophie.
Ben also told us about the incredible kindness George Michael showed the couple after the birth of their twins.
Ken Bruce spoke to Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Ulvaeus joined Ken Bruce to talk about ABBA Voyage, as it celebrated its one year anniversary. He explained what it was like to see a hologram version of himself on stage saying: "I feel it's HIM from the 70s. I've felt that for a long time, because I've been exposed to him almost daily for the past 40 years. It was easier to do it if I looked at myself as a kind of historical figure, as 'him'."
Ken Bruce spoke to Noel Gallagher
Following the release of his latest album 'Council Skies', Noel Gallagher spoke to Ken Bruce, revealing how the Covid Pandemic affected it.
Explaining that it wasn't all bad, Noel said: "My plan in 2019 was to always put a record out in 2023 anyway so I've not kind of lost any ground but it is a reflective album."
Ken Bruce spoke to Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax joined Ken Bruce to talk about her new book called I'm Not as Well as I Thought I Was.
During the interview, Ruby revealed the key to good mental health, saying: "I know this sounds corny, but be generous and be nice to people. We work as a community, but we've lost that, so if you can even pick up a piece of paper and say 'you dropped this' it's a tiny thing, but it releases a hormone in you that is so good for your health."
Mark Goodier spoke to Björn Ulvaeus
ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus joined us once again at Greatest Hits Radio, this time to talk to Mark Goodier about the possibility of an ABBA biopic.
Björn explained why one hasn't been done before saying: "I think our story is boring, yes it is.... Two couples. No, we've been approached obviously, you know many times, somehow we always say no. But who knows, someone comes up with a great idea of doing it maybe, some great talent, some talented writers, some talented director, who knows!"
Ken Bruce spoke to Elton John
As Elton John nears the end of his epic 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour he joined Ken Bruce to talk about what's next for him, and also revealed that he doesn't actually need to wear glasses!
Elton, who has just launched a new eyewear range said: "I just love wearing glasses, and even though I've got 20/20 vision, I still wear glasses because I feel naked without them."
Jackie Brambles spoke to Suggs
Madness front man Suggs joined Jackie Brambles to reveal the mischievous way he acquired his first record. He also told Jackie about the first act he saw live which was The Who.
He reminisced: "I do remember The Who come on. They did that 'Baba O'Riley', it was the first laser show in the world. And literally it was like one green beam was bouncing off some sort of car."
Ken Bruce spoke to Martin Kemp
Greatest Hits Radio presenter and Spandau Ballet singer, Martin Kemp joined Ken Bruce to talk about his Golden Year which was 1985.
1985 was the year that Spandau Ballet performed at Live Aid, and he revealed the terrible moment they decided to perform a new song on stage.
Jackie Brambles spoke to Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher joined Jackie Brambles in June to talk about his appearance as part of Oasis on Top of The Pops.
Calling it a 'comedy of errors', Noel said: "It's like you've made it when you did Top of the Pops - that was it. But as great as it is, it kind of shatters the illusion because I always thought everyone that was on was a multi-millionaire. We turned up in a diesel transit van that somebody had put petrol in, so it broke down. It was all a comedy of errors."
Simon Mayo spoke to Paul Simon
Joining us for a world exclusive, Paul Simon spoke to Simon Mayo about his new album 'Seven Psalms'. Paul's 15th solo album is designed to be listened to as a single body of work, in full and in order.
During the interview, Paul told Simon how the idea came to him in a dream, he explained: "This particular album happened to come out of a dream that I had that said: 'Oh you're working on a piece called 'Seven Psalms' and it was a very powerful dream.
"It was so strong that I woke up and wrote it down on a piece of paper. 'Seven Psalms', and the date January 15th 2019. And that's when this album began."
Ken Bruce spoke to Sharleen Spiteri
Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri joined Ken Bruce for the Golden Years, and chose 1977, when she was just 10 years old.
The first song Sharleen chose was 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac, she explained why she chose that song saying: "Texas' first ever gig... the first gig we played was Dundee University in the bar," she reminisced, continuing: "The second gig we played was opening up for Fleetwood Mac at the Edinburgh Playhouse, because the band that were supporting them had got Top of The Pops!
Shirlie Kemp spoke to Jackie Brambles
Shirlie Kemp spoke to Jackie Brambles about how she met George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, she said it was heart-breaking to share George Michael with the world when Wham! became famous.
Rob Brydon discusses Gavin & Stacey with Ken Bruce
Actor and comedian Rob Brydon joined Ken Bruce for Golden Years and to answer some listeners questions. As to be expected some of the questions were about the hit show Gavin & Stacey.
Dolly Parton spoke to Ken Bruce
Ahead of the release of her album 'Rockstar' and her book Behind The Seams My Life In Rhinestones, Dolly Parton joined Ken Bruce, admitting she never wants to retire.
Shirlie Kemp spoke to Ken Bruce
Shirlie Kemp joined Ken Bruce for Golden Years, where she talked about growing up with Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael from Wham! and the music she loved as a youngster.
ABC's Martin Fry joined Ken Bruce
ABC's Martin Fry joined Ken Bruce for Golden Years to talk about David Bowie, Top of The Pops and his upcoming tour.
Paul Carrack spoke to Ken Bruce
Paul Carrack, the Ace, Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics singer, joined Ken Bruce to talk about his Golden Year which was 1974. It was also the year that Paul sang on the hit 'How Long' as part of Ace.
Davina McCall spoke to Ken Bruce
Davina McCall opens up on why her new show My Mum, Your Dad is so relatable. The show sees middle-aged singletons with grown-up children, looking for love. The parents spend two weeks in a retreat, where they get to meet the others taking part, and go on dates.
Richard Osman spoke to Ken Bruce
Richard Osman joined Ken Bruce to talk about his pivotal Golden Year, which was 1987. Richard also chatted about his fourth novel, The Last Devil to Die.
Carol Vorderman joined Ken Bruce
Carol Vorderman joined Ken Bruce for Golden Years, where she shared some fun memories from her chosen year of 1974 and spoke about her Perfect 10 podcast.
Rick Astley spoke to Ken Bruce
Rick Astley joined Ken Bruce to talk about his Glastonbury performance, and what it was like to perform ahead of Elton John at the iconic music festival.
Emeli Sandé joined Ken Bruce
Emeli Sandé joined Ken Bruce to talk about her inspirations who are Annie Lennox and Tori Amos. She also reminisced about how she used to listen to music when she was just five-years-old.
Boy George spoke to Ken Bruce
Boy George spoke to Ken Bruce about his experience in the I'm a Celebrity jungle. Boy George also gave Sam Thompson, a presenter on our sister station Hits Radio, a pep talk as he heads into the jungle this year.
Jackie Brambles spoke to Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne joined Jackie Brambles, where she shared her thoughts on The X Factor, moving back to the UK and her husband Ozzy.
Pete Waterman reveals how 'I Should Be So Lucky' became a success
Pete Waterman joined Ken to talk about one of the biggest hits he wrote for Kylie Minogue, 'I Should Be So Lucky' and how Lenny Henry had a part in that being a huge hit.
When can you hear Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio?
You can hear Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio every weekday between 10am and 1pm.
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