Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 281,454 playable programmes from the BBC

Radio 2 Celebrates George Michael and Wham!

George Michael: Older at 25 - Part 1

Duration: 57 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 2Latest broadcast: on BBC Radio 2

Available for years

In 1996, George Michael finally released his first album in six years. Older would become his biggest-selling studio set of all-time in the UK, featuring six top three singles accompanied by some of the most iconic videos of all-time. George was back on top, pushing his artistry to the highest level and winning a new generation of fans.

While both the creation and success of previous albums Faith and Listen Without Prejudice: Vol. 1 have been heavily documented, it is now the turn of Older to be fully reexamined and appreciated as an incredible body of work of one of the music world’s all-time greats.

This two-part series is narrated by Melanie C, a lifelong fan and eventual friend of George’s, whose own career launched that same year and catapulted her to worldwide fame. Melanie will recall what happened in that six-year gap, and how the album’s release and success would unfold.

The series will include all six singles from the album: Jesus to a Child, FastLove, Older, Spinning the Wheel, Star People and You Have Been Loved, plus other bonus tracks released around the album, such as Desafinado.

Setting the scene along the way and reliving their memories of 1996-97, as well as personal memories of George, will be producer Jon Douglas, lifelong friend and Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman, video director Vaughan Arnell, Bananarama, Rufus Wainwright, Russell T. Davies, Shaznay Lewis, Mark Feehily, Olly Alexander, Mutya Buena, Holly Johnson, Jack Savoretti, James Blunt and more.

Relive the excitement of 25 years ago and fall in love with George all over again through his music and by hearing cherished memories from those who knew him, worked with him and adored him. Show less

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More