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BBC Radio 2

The stories of the biggest artists in the world. We delve deep into the BBC archive and speak to the people who were there, as we look back on their most iconic eras.

Eras

In the final part of Eras: Phil Collins, Zoe Ball sits down with the man himself for a new and exclusive conversation, encompassing everything from Phil’s earliest aspirations as a kid with a drum set to his poignant reflections at the other end of an incredible career. 
 
Featuring special appearances from Robert Plant, Mike Rutherford and Phil’s son, Nic Collins, it’s an emotional grand finale – with Phil reflecting on the private price he paid for so much success, and the health struggles that have left him unable to play the drums in recent years. But while he might not be able to sit behind the kit anymore, that doesn’t mean we’ve heard the last from Phil Collins… 
 
A Cup and Nuzzle Production for BBC Sounds 
Series Producer: Frank Palmer

Phil Collins: Episode 5: The Man Himself

In the 1990s, Phil Collins’ status as rock and roll’s resident nice guy is thrown into question after the collapse of his second marriage, the leak of a certain fax, and a subsequent tabloid frenzy. Bruised by the experience, Phil begins a gradual retreat from the industry – moving to Switzerland, then quitting Genesis, and ultimately announcing his own ‘Final Farewell Tour’ in 2004.

But retirement is easier said than done. Zoe Ball follows Phil Collins through an epic and emotional final act, as struggles with ill health leave him unable to play the drums. But all the while that he’s away, Phil’s music is finding its way to a new generation, and soon the cries for one final farewell get too loud to ignore…

A Cup and Nuzzle Production for BBC Sounds
Series Producer: Frank Palmer

Phil Collins: Episode 4: Against All Odds

In 1985, after a couple of massive singles and an Oscar nomination, Phil Collins stands on the precipice of global megastardom. Then comes No Jacket Required, Live Aid, a red hot hit streak with Genesis – and he’s hurled over the edge.

From time zone defying Concorde operatics to soundtracking – and starring in – Miami Vice, Zoe Ball charts Phil’s imperial era. The critics might be giving him a hard time, but in stadiums all over the world legions of fans sing every word to his constantly expanding stable of mega hits.

But as the demands on his time and attention multiply… it’s only a matter of time before there’s a personal cost to so much success.

A Cup and Nuzzle Production for BBC Sounds
Series Producer: Frank Palmer

Phil Collins: Episode 3: The Imperial Years

It’s the dawn of the 1980s, and Phil’s life has been thrown into turmoil by the breakdown of his marriage – but amidst the heartbreak, he finds a new drive to create. 

Zoe Ball follows Phil Collins as he steps away from Genesis and makes his first, unforgettable statement as a solo artist. The album – and a certain drum fill in its opening track – propel Phil to the status of Britain’s most unassuming popstar. With it comes his first taste of both the highs and lows of so much exposure. Opportunities to work with his heroes, Eric Clapton and Robert Plant, come knocking – but then so do the bad reviews…

Will the madness get to Mr. Everyman’s head?

A Cup and Nuzzle Production for BBC Sounds
Series Producer: Frank Palmer

Phil Collins: Episode 2: Can You Feel It?

Who’s that cherubic lad, beaming out from the cover of a 9 penny knitting pattern?

Meet young Philip Collins – a boy born with two distinct paths laid out before him. Follow his dad into the world of office work and suburban domesticity? Or listen to that voice that tells him to climb onto stage, any stage, and perform?

In episode one of Eras: Phil Collins – Zoe follows Phil as he receives his first toy drum, age three, and discovers a lifelong obsession. One that will ultimately lead him to his destiny, as he stumbles into an audition with a little-known prog rock group called Genesis.

A Cup and Nuzzle Production for BBC Sounds
Series Producer: Frank Palmer

Phil Collins: Episode 1: In the Beginning…

Hosted by comedian and lifelong Queen super fan Bill Bailey, this latest installment of the ERAS series dives deep into the story of the band told through the prism of their operatic masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. Bill sits down for brand-new conversations with Brian May and Roger Taylor, Queen’s legendary guitarist and drummer, who look back on their extraordinary journey, and the legacy of their most famous song.

Photo Credit: Mick Rock 1974, 2025.

Queen: 5. Interview with Queen icons Brian May & Roger Taylor

In this episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey tells the story of the band's most poignant and powerful chapter.

By the start of the 90s, Queen knew time was running short as Freddie Mercury was gravely ill. Instead of slowing down, they pushed forward, making another album, Innuendo, and creating the video for "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," Freddie’s final on-camera appearance. This episode explores the profound impact of Freddie's public announcement of his AIDS diagnosis, followed by his passing just 24 hours later.

The reign continues in 1992 as Brian, Roger, and John orgainse the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium. We explore the release of their album Made in Heaven in 1995 which was built around Freddie’s final vocal recordings.

Bill looks at Queen's continued legacy through the We Will Rock You musical and the Bohemian Rhapsody film. We celebrate Queen's new phase with Adam Lambert, who, alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor, continues to bring their music to life. With new interviews with Queen fans, Matt Lucas and Brittany Howard, we find out about Queen's unwavering dedication to their fans, old and new, and how their music continues to resonate across generations.

Queen: 4. The Reign Continues

This episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey explores the emotional and creative toll of fame on the band. After a breakneck pace in the previous decade, Queen quietly disappear from the spotlight in the early 80s, each member pursuing solo projects.

They return sharper with renewed clarity for their next album, The Works, culminating in their iconic Live Aid performance in 1985. A year later, Queen continue their role as global icons, performing behind the Iron Curtain in Budapest.

Now fully back in the spotlight, Queen face the quiet shadow of Freddie’s illness. Through new interviews and gems from the BBC archive, we hear from Queen in their own words as they navigated the weight of being global superstars.

Queen: 3. Heavy Is The Crown

Bill Bailey tells the story of Queen and in the second episode it's 1975, and Queen are on the brink of failure. With financial issues they are exhausted and overlooked, but take a huge gamble on something long, weird, and radio-unfriendly: Bohemian Rhapsody.

As the world turns to Queen we explore their evolution into stadium-shaking titans throughout the late 1970s. Through archive and new interviews, including journalist David Quantick and singer Adam Lambert, we see how Queen were on a roll with releasing albums and were performing internationally to cement their global fame.

In the early 80s, we find them embracing synths, disco, and sci-fi scores with albums The Game and the Flash Gordon soundtrack. Through their groundbreaking tour of South America, and the release of Greatest Hits we explore Queen at their height before they face burnout and are unsure of what comes next.

Queen: 2. Coronation

Bill Bailey tells the story of rock's most flamboyant and iconic band.

In the first episode of Eras: Queen, it's the late 60s, and four outsiders with academic brains collide in London. We find out how Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John were drawn together through college friendships and a shared creative vision.

In the first half of the 70s, they played college gigs and support tours, started to refine their live show and build an audience proving they could command the attention of their growing fans. From recording demos, we go with them as they recorded their first three albums, Queen, Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack.

Through rare BBC archive and new interviews from Brian May and Roger Taylor plus contributors including record executive Paul Watts, journalist Rosie Horide who followed the band in their early days and Bob Harris, an early supporter, we find out how their ascension was met with financial struggles but as a band they had a shared creative vision to take on the World.

Phil Collins: Episode 3: The Imperial Years

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