Elaine Paige on Sunday

In July 2004, it was announced that Elaine Paige would be presenting a new BBC Radio 2 show on Sunday afternoons, featuring music from stage and screen productions.{{cite web|url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/218088/Radio-2-celebrates-Rajar-performance-new-line-up/|title=Radio 2 celebrates Rajar performance with new line-up|last=Grant|first=Jules|date=30 July 2004|work=Brand Republic|access-date=20 December 2011|archive-date=23 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123232358/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/radio-2-celebrates-rajar-performance-new-line-up/218088?src_site=brandrepublic|url-status=live}} The show replaced All Time Greats hosted by Desmond Carrington, who moved to Tuesday evenings and later Friday evenings with The Music Goes Round. The BBC Press Office said Paige's programme would feature a weekly competition, listener requests and interviews with people who have created and starred in musicals.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/07_july/30/r2_autumn.shtml|title=BBC Radio 2's new Autumn schedule|date=30 July 2004|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=30 August 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050830161040/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/07_july/30/r2_autumn.shtml|url-status=live}} Of joining the BBC, Paige said "I am so excited to be joining BBC Radio 2. I'm really looking forward to this new challenge... and all without having to put on lots of make up and a hot and heavy costume!"

The idea of presenting her own radio show was proposed to Paige days after she guested on BBC Radio 2 to promote an album and ended up telling her own stories and anecdotes. The show was initially set for a trial run of six months to gauge public reaction, and it proved popular with both musical theatre fans and BBC Radio 2 listeners.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/197510/elaine-paige-on-being-known-as-the-first-lady-of-the-british-musical-theater-her-successful-radio-show-more/|title=Elaine Paige on Being Known as the 'First Lady of the British Musical Theater,' Her Successful Radio Show & More|last=Wolf|first=Matt|date=8 November 2019|website=Broadway.com|language=en|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801131420/https://www.broadway.com/buzz/197510/elaine-paige-on-being-known-as-the-first-lady-of-the-british-musical-theater-her-successful-radio-show-more/|url-status=live}} Paige said that being a presenter for BBC Radio 2 was a liberating experience, adding "it was if suddenly I had found my own voice, which was a wonderful thing." In a 2016 interview with Clair Woodward of the Daily Express, Paige shared her doubts on being a radio presenter. She did not think she would be any good and compared herself to fellow presenter Michael Ball, who she said was "a very ebullient, outgoing chap." She felt her radio show gave her more confidence, as she is shy. She continued, "But in my heart of hearts, I really am, and when I was asked to do the programme 11 years ago, I thought, 'How am I going to chat and have an opinion?' but Radio 2 helped me find my own voice and helped me to discover who I really am."{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/673695/elaine-paige-interview-doing-radio-helped-confident|title='Doing radio has helped me be more confident' says theatre superstar Elaine Paige|last=Woodward|first=Clair|date=29 May 2016|website=Daily Express|language=en|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201192909/https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/673695/elaine-paige-interview-doing-radio-helped-confident|url-status=live}}

Elaine Paige on Sunday began broadcasting from 5 September 2004 in a 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm slot.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/87834-West-End-Star-Elaine-Paige-to-Host-BBC-Radio-Program |title=West End Star Elaine Paige to Host BBC Radio Program |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=11 August 2004 |work=Playbill |access-date=21 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007003928/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/87834-West-End-Star-Elaine-Paige-to-Host-BBC-Radio-Program |archive-date=7 October 2012 }} Her first interview for the show was with Elton John. In March 2009, the BBC announced the show would be extended by thirty minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/03_march/13/radio2.shtml|title=Radio 2 announces new weekend schedule and welcomes Paul O'Grady, Alan Carr and Emma Forbes|date=13 March 2009|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114011706/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/03_march/13/radio2.shtml|url-status=live}} The extended show began airing from 5 April with an ABBA special and featured interviews with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Paige has interviewed many people from the world of musicals, films and television, including Marvin Hamlisch, Cameron Mackintosh, Tim Rice, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler and Barry Manilow.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/09_september/04/elaine.shtml|title=Elaine Paige celebrates five years on Radio 2 with competition to win unforgettable trip to NYC|date=4 September 2009|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=26 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926171937/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/09_september/04/elaine.shtml|url-status=live}} In 2009, Elaine Paige on Sunday celebrated five years on air. Paige commented "The last five years have flown by and I'd like to thank the listeners for their unstinting support." In 2011, The Stage's Matthew Hemley joined the show to discuss the latest theatre news.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2011/05/turn-off-the-tv-radio-choices-may-14-20/ |title=Turn off the TV: radio choices, May 14–20 |last=Matthewman |first=Scott |date=13 May 2011 |work=The Stage |publisher=The Stage Newspaper Limited |access-date=21 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518174533/http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2011/05/turn-off-the-tv-radio-choices-may-14-20/ |archive-date=18 May 2011 |df=dmy }} That same year saw Don Black and Dame Barbara Windsor fill in for Paige, while she played Carlotta Campion in Follies on Broadway.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2011/52/elaine-paige-at-broadway.html|title=Elaine Paige at Broadway|work=Media Centre|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926132424/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2011/52/elaine-paige-at-broadway.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017x9nv|title=Don Black Sits In|date=11 December 2011|work=BBC Radio 2|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-date=8 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308154236/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017x9nv|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/turn_off_the_tv/ |title=Turn off the TV: radio choices, August 27 – September 9 |last=Matthewman |first=Scott |date=26 August 2011 |work=The Stage |access-date=23 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108045720/http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/turn_off_the_tv/ |archive-date=8 January 2012 |df=dmy }} Paige returned in December for three festive specials.

Elaine Paige on Sunday celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-384365554.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075416/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-384365554.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 February 2017|title=Preview; Elaine Paige, St David's Hall, Cardiff|date=3 October 2014|work=South Wales Echo|access-date=9 February 2017}}{{subscription required}} Since 2015, Paige has presented a special programme covering the Tony Awards from New York City, which includes highlights of the musical performances and interviews with nominees and hosts.{{cite web|url=https://www.tonyawards.com/news/elaine-paige-to-host-2016-tony-awards-highlights-special-on-bbc-radio-2/|title=Elaine Paige to Host 2016 Tony Awards Highlights Special on BBC Radio 2|date=8 June 2016|publisher=Tony Awards|access-date=26 June 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626032133/https://www.tonyawards.com/news/elaine-paige-to-host-2016-tony-awards-highlights-special-on-bbc-radio-2/|url-status=live}} On 20 June 2019, it was announced that Elaine Paige on Sunday would be streamed every week on Broadway.com from 23 June.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196222/bbc-radio-2s-elaine-paige-on-sunday-to-be-broadcast-weekly-on-broadwaycom/|title=BBC Radio 2's Elaine Paige on Sunday to Be Broadcast Weekly on Broadway.com|date=20 June 2019|publisher=Broadway.com|access-date=26 June 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626032127/https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196222/bbc-radio-2s-elaine-paige-on-sunday-to-be-broadcast-weekly-on-broadwaycom/|url-status=live}} On 11 April 2021, her show was cancelled for the first time due to the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Paige celebrated the show's 20th anniversary in 2024.{{cite news|url=https://pressreader.com/article/282024742882396|title=Queen of radio looks back on two decades of musical magic|last=Kuttner|first=Julia|date=29 December 2024|work=Daily Express|via=PressReader|access-date=20 January 2025}} Reflecting on how she came to present the show, she stated "I didn't know the first thing about broadcasting when they offered me a pilot. I thought, 'well, I'll give it about six months' and here we are 20 years later." The 20th anniversary show included the usual stage and screen music, with "surprises" and "a good look back." Paige felt Elaine Paige on Sunday helped make musicals "cool again" and allowed listeners, especially men, to admit that they liked them.

Elaine Paige on Sunday attracts around two million listeners a week.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/elaine-paiges-radio-2-show-hits-new-audience-high/|title=Elaine Paige's Radio 2 show hits new audience high|last=Hemley|first=Matthew|date=15 May 2014|work=The Stage|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211162353/https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/elaine-paiges-radio-2-show-hits-new-audience-high/|url-status=live}} In the last quarter of 2017, ratings for Elaine Paige on Sunday increased to 2.38 million, compared to 1.94 million in the same quarter of 2016, which was a new record for the show.{{cite news|url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/zoe-ball-and-elaine-paige-pull-in-record-audiences-for-radio-2-shows/|title=Zoe Ball and Elaine Paige pull in record audiences for Radio 2 shows|date=8 February 2018|work=Evening Express|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902015015/https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/zoe-ball-and-elaine-paige-pull-in-record-audiences-for-radio-2-shows/|url-status=live}}

In May 2005, The Guardian's Elisabeth Mahoney gave the show an unfavourable review. She called the introduction of Paige as a "rare wrong move" on the part of Radio 2.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/may/30/radio.television|title=Shrill by mouth|last=Mahoney|first=Elisabeth|date=30 May 2005|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=3 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103113702/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/may/30/radio.television|url-status=live}} Mahoney went on to say "But what this flat, glassy show lacks is any sense of connection with its audience and any real personality. It's a chilly, alienating listening experience, quite at odds with its snug, easy-going Sunday lunchtime slot. In 2007, Lisa Martland of The Stage said while Paige had become more relaxed and confident on the air, she had realised the music was bringing her back to show on a regular basis and not the singer's lightweight presenting style.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/16667/radio-light-programme|title=Radio – light programme|last=Martland|first=Lisa|date=30 April 2007|work=The Stage|publisher=The Stage Newspaper Limited|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=12 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612041434/http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/16667/radio-light-programme|url-status=live}} Martland added "News snippets about forthcoming productions and interviews are included, but often these opportunities are wasted and there is a distinct lack of imagination about the whole affair."

In 2008, Miranda Sawyer from The Guardian commented that while Paige is not part of her natural Sunday afternoon listening, her interviews can be insightful.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/apr/27/tvandradioarts.reviews|title=You thought you knew them so well...|last=Sawyer|first=Miranda|author-link=Miranda Sawyer|date=27 April 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227032233/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/apr/27/tvandradioarts.reviews|url-status=live}} Sawyer said "as a singer herself, she commands respect from other artists and she obviously understands the workings of musical theatre." On 8 March 2010, The Daily Telegraph's Gillian Reynolds chose Elaine Paige on Sunday as one of her BBC iPlayer radio choices.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-on-demand/7397672/BBC-iPlayer-choices-Sunday-28-March.html|title=BBC iPlayer choices – Sunday 28 March|last=Reynolds|first=Gillian|author-link=Gillian Reynolds|date=8 March 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=21 December 2011|archive-date=3 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603002224/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-on-demand/7397672/BBC-iPlayer-choices-Sunday-28-March.html|url-status=live}}

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Category:BBC Radio 2 programmes

Category:2004 radio programme debuts

Category:British music radio programmes