The One Show at 20: Secrets Behind Britain’s Favorite Sofa
The One Show Turns 20: A Big Birthday Celebration!
Published: 3 August 2026 | Show: The One Show (BBC One) | Milestone: 20th Anniversary
What Is The One Show?
Imagine a cosy living room where everyone in the UK gathers every weekday at 7pm. That’s The One Show! For 20 years, this BBC programme has been like a friendly neighbour popping over for a chat—mixing big celebrity interviews, heart-warming local stories, music performances, and helpful consumer advice (like Watchdog).
Think of it as:
Part chat show + Part news magazine + Part talent showcase = Britain’s favourite early-evening companion.
The 20th Birthday Party Plans
To celebrate two decades, the show has planned a whole week of special episodes (starting early August 2026). Here’s what’s coming up:
| Day | Special Feature |
|---|---|
| All Week | Celebrity guests, reunions, surprise moments, and "what happened next?" stories from past segments |
| Across the UK | Live broadcasts from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland |
| Kick-off | Live from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Ireland’s biggest traditional music festival) |
| Mid-week | Coverage of a partial solar eclipse sweeping across the UK |
| Friday 14th August | ONE BIG NIGHT TO REMEMBER – An extended anniversary special with the biggest stars and best moments from 20 years |
Important: The show is produced by BBC Studios Entertainment and airs weekdays at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Meet the Hosting Dream Team
The show is led by a rotating squad of much-loved presenters:
| Host | Fun Fact |
|---|---|
| Alex Jones | The "heartbeat" of the show – 16 years and counting! |
| Roman Kemp | Loves "controlled chaos" and celebrating everyday heroes |
| Clara Amfo | Music expert who adores live TV’s unpredictability |
| Angellica Bell | Been there since Day 1 (20 years ago!) – started on CBBC |
| JB Gill | JLS star turned presenter – passionate about community stories |
| Vernon Kay | Calls Alex Jones "top dollar" and loves the team vibe |
| Lauren Laverne | First appeared as a guest in 2007 (pregnant with her first child!) |
20 Unforgettable Moments from 20 Years
Here are the standout highlights the team picked for the birthday countdown:
- Royal Foxtrot (2012): Alex Jones & Matt Baker danced through Buckingham Palace with Gary Barlow on piano to launch the Diamond Jubilee Concert ballot.
- Movie Reunions: Devil Wears Prada 2 cast, Toy Story 5 cast, Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu cast all on the famous green sofa.
- Emma Thompson’s Tears: Surprised with her late father’s letter from the BBC Archive for the BBC’s 100th birthday.
- 500 Words at Windsor: Kids’ writing competition finals at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla, read by stars like Olivia Colman & Tom Hiddleston.
- BTS’s Jung Kook: Live from a London helipad!
- One Big Thank You: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson surprised a young fundraiser; also featured Tom Holland, Zendaya, Zayn Malik, KSI.
- National Commemorations: Hour-long specials for Coronation, Jubilee, VE Day, D-Day, Holocaust Memorial Day.
- Mary Berry’s 90th: With a personal message from Prince William.
- Eurovision 2023: Live from Liverpool with a special Saturday countdown show.
- Ian McKellen & Sam Heughan: Acting masterclass on Macbeth.
- Emily’s Walk: Cerebral palsy challenger completed 3-day Windsor Long Walk supported by Duchess of Edinburgh.
- Ethan’s Greatest Showman Moment: Boy with rare condition performed with Come Alive! cast for Children in Need.
- Watchdog’s 40th (2025): Matt Allwright & Nikki Fox celebrated the consumer champion strand.
- Christine Lampard’s Channel Ski (2010): Water-skied to France for Sport Relief.
- Alex vs. The Rock (2014): Alex Jones climbed Utah’s Moonlight Buttress for Sport Relief.
- Hell on High Seas (2016): Alex & Angellica sailed 1,000 miles around UK coast.
- Ed Sheeran & Elton John: World-exclusive "Merry Christmas" debut from All Souls Church.
- Harry Styles: Performed "Sweet Creature" on the studio piazza.
- Early Bird Stars: Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, Benson Boone all played The One Show before they were huge.
- Pandemic Heroes: Stayed on air throughout COVID with stars like Gwen Stefani, Sting, Paloma Faith lifting spirits.
Big Number Alert: The show has raised £57,209,871.14 for BBC Children in Need!
Hosts’ Favourite Memories & Dreams (In Their Own Words)
Alex Jones (16-year veteran)
- First show guest: Whoopi Goldberg – "I’d never met a film star before!"
- Starstruck by: Dolly Parton, Kylie & Jason Donovan, Sir Elton John (brought her mum & dad!)
- Why A-listers love the sofa: "No agenda. They feel comfortable—like our living room."
- Proudest of: Still being there & the show’s relevance after 20 years.
- Dream guests: Jacob Elordi + Prince & Princess of Wales.
Roman Kemp (Joined 2023)
- First memory: Buckingham Palace for Platinum Jubilee concert.
- Best thing: The team – "No hierarchy. Everyone’s equal."
- Heroes met: Zendaya, Sir Ian McKellen (sang Lord of the Rings theme!).
- Dream guests: Jim Carrey, Beyoncé, Eminem.
- Live TV motto: "I like teetering on controlled chaos."
Clara Amfo (Music & culture specialist)
- Favourite moment: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper & Robert De Niro together – three generations of acting brilliance.
- Heroes met: Maya Rudolph, Annie Lennox, Jackie Chan (taught her water-balancing!), Denzel Washington.
- Dream line-up: Colman Domingo, Mariah Carey.
- On live mistakes: "It’s human. We laugh, we’re transparent."
Angellica Bell (Original reporter, 20 years!)
- First day nerves: "Like my first day on CBBC all over again!"
- Wildest memory: Kyle Chandler handed her scissors to cut the tag off his new jeans in the green room.
- Personal journey: Revisited Dominica after Hurricane Maria – met family she’d never known.
- Dream guests: Denzel Washington, Sarah Jessica Parker, Céline Dion, Beyoncé.
- Philosophy: "Anything can happen on live TV. There’s power in being a generalist!"
JB Gill (JLS star → presenter)
- First show: With Steve Backshall & Si King (Hairy Bikers) – had just cooked from their book!
- Close to heart: Prostate cancer research film (grandfather passed from it).
- Dream guest: Denzel Washington (again!) + Kate Hudson ("grace personified").
- Best bit: Make a Difference Awards – surprising unsung community heroes.
Vernon Kay (The "fun uncle" energy)
- Favourite co-host: Alex Jones – "Top dollar. Laid-back but pro."
- Best guests: Pierce Brosnan (suave), Ant & Dec, Jimmy Carr (funny, riffing).
- Dream guest: Nobody – "The wall of photos is already a pick-n-mix of legends!"
- Live TV rule: "Smile in adversity. Never apologise—viewers don’t know the running order!"
- Proud of: D-Day 80th anniversary coverage on Normandy beaches.
Lauren Laverne (First appeared 2007, now core host)
- First memory: Pregnant with best mate Myleene Klass, doing a "North vs South" item.
- Favourite interview: Sir Paul McCartney at the National Gallery (Beatles photos!).
- Dream guest: Sir Paul McCartney on the green sofa (he asked why he wasn’t on it!).
- Fun fact learned: Caterpillars turn to liquid inside chrysalis before becoming butterflies.
- Why it lasts: "Hard work behind scenes = spontaneous fun on air. Everything treated equally."
Summary: Why We Still Love The One Show at 20
| Reason | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Variety | Hollywood stars AND your neighbour’s prize daffodils in one show |
| Trust | No "gotcha" interviews – guests feel safe & relaxed |
| Community | One Big Thank You, Make a Difference, Watchdog – real people, real help |
| Live Magic | Mistakes happen, laughs happen, real life happens |
| Consistency | 7pm, every weekday, like clockwork – 20 years strong |
| Heart | £57M+ for kids in need, pandemic companionship, national moments shared |
The Secret Sauce: It’s not a show ABOUT Britain—it’s a show THAT IS Britain. From Buckingham Palace to your back garden, it reflects all of us.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. When and where can I watch the 20th anniversary specials?
Weekdays at 7pm on BBC One & iPlayer, starting early August 2026. The big finale "One Big Night to Remember" airs Friday 14th August (extended episode).
2. Who are the main hosts now?
Alex Jones & Roman Kemp lead most weeks, joined by Clara Amfo, Angellica Bell, JB Gill, Vernon Kay & Lauren Laverne on rotation.
3. What makes the "green sofa" so famous?
It’s where Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift, Denzel Washington, Ed Sheeran, BTS’s Jung Kook—and local heroes—all sit as equals. Over 20 years, it’s become the most famous sofa in British TV.
4. How does the show pick its stories?
A mix of: big national events (royals, eclipses, Eurovision), consumer investigations (Watchdog Wednesdays), community nominations (One Big Thank You), and emerging talent (music, writing, innovation). Films come from independent producers across all four UK nations.
5. Can I nominate someone for "One Big Thank You" or "Make a Difference"?
Yes! The show regularly asks viewers to nominate unsung heroes. Keep an eye on the BBC One Show website/socials for open calls—your nominee could be the next surprise on the green sofa!
Happy 20th, The One Show! Here’s to the next 20 years of stories, stars, surprises—and that comforting 7pm feeling that we’re all in this together.
