The One Show Turns 20: A Celebration of Two Decades of British Television

(L-R) JB Gill, Lauren Laverne, Alex Jones, Roman Kemp, Clara Amfo, Angellica Bell and Vernon Kay (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

What Is The One Show? (ELI5 Explanation)

Imagine a cozy living room where the whole country gathers every weekday at 7pm. That’s The One Show! It’s a BBC television program that has been on air for 20 years — since August 2006.

Think of it like a daily magazine show that mixes:

• Big celebrity interviews (Hollywood stars, musicians, royalty)
• Stories from real people across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Live music performances (sometimes world exclusives!)
• Consumer investigations (like "Watchdog" helping people with problems)
• Community heroes doing amazing things
• Major national events (royal celebrations, commemorations, sports)

IMPORTANT POINT: The show airs live on BBC One and iPlayer every weekday at 7pm. It’s produced by BBC Studios Entertainment. The famous green sofa is where guests sit for interviews.

The Big 20th Birthday Celebration

To mark this huge milestone, The One Show planned a whole week of special programmes starting Friday 14th August:

What’s Happening During Anniversary Week?

1. Celebrity guests & memorable reunions — Famous faces returning to the green sofa
2. Surprise moments — Unexpected treats for viewers
3. Live broadcasts across the UK — Hosts traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
4. Special events covered:
   • Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann — Ireland’s biggest traditional music festival
   • Partial solar eclipse — Rare astronomical event visible across the country
5. Grand finale: "One Big Night to Remember" — Extended anniversary special on Friday 14th August with biggest names and greatest moments

IMPORTANT POINT: The show has raised an incredible £57,209,871.14 for BBC Children in Need over 20 years through its annual fundraising efforts!

20 Amazing Moments from 20 Years

Here are the most unforgettable highlights (simplified from the official list):

• 2012: Alex Jones & Matt Baker danced a foxtrot through Buckingham Palace with Gary Barlow playing piano
• Star-studded sofa moments: Casts of Devil Wears Prada 2, Toy Story 5, Star Wars: The Mandalorian all visited
• BBC 100th birthday: Dame Emma Thompson cried reading a letter from her late father from BBC Archive
• 500 Words competition finals at Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla (guest readers: Olivia Colman, Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Dean)
• BTS’s Jung Kook performed live from a London helipad
• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson surprised young fundraiser Jacob with "One Big Thank You" (other stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Zayn Malik, KSI)
• National commemorations: Hour-long specials for Coronation, Jubilee, VE Day, D-Day, Holocaust Memorial Day
• Dame Mary Berry’s 90th birthday with message from Prince of Wales
• Eurovision 2023: Live from Liverpool with special Saturday show
• Sir Ian McKellen gave acting advice to Sam Heughan
• 2024: Emily (cerebral palsy) walked 3 days at Windsor’s Long Walk supported by Duchess of Edinburgh
• Ethan (rare condition) became "Greatest Showman" with Come Alive! cast for Children in Need
• 2025: Matt Allwright & Nikki Fox celebrated Watchdog’s 40th anniversary
• 2010: Christine Lampard water-skied across Channel to France for Sport Relief
• 2014: Alex Jones climbed Utah’s Moonlight Buttress for 3 days for Sport Relief
• 2016: Alex Jones & Angellica Bell sailed 1,000 miles around UK for "Hell on High Seas"
• World exclusive: Ed Sheeran & Sir Elton John performed "Merry Christmas" from All Souls Church
• Harry Styles performed "Sweet Creature" on the studio piazza
• Early career performances: Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, Benson Boone before they were global stars
• Pandemic resilience: Stayed on air throughout COVID with stars like Gwen Stefani, Mel C, Sting, Paloma Faith

Meet the Hosts: Q&A with the Team

The One Show has a rotating team of presenters. Here’s what they shared about their experiences:

Alex Jones (Host since 2010 — 16 years!)

Alex Jones (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

First memory: "My first show had Whoopi Goldberg! Mum and Dad came, nervous I’d mess up. It felt like home instantly."

On 20 years: "It’s not about us hosts — the show is an institution. Since the pandemic, it’s become part of Britain’s daily routine. You can’t turn it on and hate everything!"

Favorite moments:

• 500 Words at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla and Paddington singing — "Out of body experience"
• Dolly Parton — "Nicer than you’d hope!"
• Kylie & Jason Donovan — "Had them on my wall as a kid!"
• Sir Elton John — "Invited Mum and Dad that day"

Why A-listers love the sofa: "No agenda. Guests feel welcome in our living room. We treat everyone equally — Hollywood star or local hero."

Secret to longevity: "Sheer variety" — blockbuster stars next to nature films, writing competitions. "Content rich, carefully crafted."

Proudest achievement: "Still here after 16 years, loving the job. The show withstood every trend change and stays relevant."

Dream guest: Jacob Elordi or Prince & Princess of Wales

Roman Kemp (Joined 2023)

Roman Kemp (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

First appearance: Buckingham Palace for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert — "Unreal!"

On live TV: "Did 10 years live radio before. Not scared of live, but responsibility of this show. I like ‘controlled chaos’ — and so does Alex!"

What he’s learned: "One Big Thank You" reveals incredible selfless people we’d never know about. "Society focuses on negatives; this show shows the good."

Favorite moment: Dame Mary Berry’s 90th birthday — "Now I call her a friend! Celebrating people is what I love."

Dream guests: Jim Carrey (elusive!), Beyoncé (hopeful), Eminem (welcome but elusive)

Best thing: "No hierarchy" in the team — presenters, camera crew, producers all equal. "No idea is bad."

Why stars come: "Trust" — we never make guests uncomfortable. "My job: sense discomfort, get them smiling."

Clara Amfo (Regular host)

Clara Amfo (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

First memory: Oscars special with Martine McCutcheon (Love Actually). "Always welcoming — was a guest before hosting."

Why people love it: "No two shows same, but familiar format." "7pm to 7:30pm flies by!"

Favorite memory: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper & Robert De Niro together — three generations of actors. De Niro signed Owen’s poster!

Heroes met: Maya Rudolph (hilarious!), Annie Lennox (generous), Jackie Chan (taught her water glass balance!), Denzel Washington ("cool cat")

Dream lineup: Colman Domingo (fabulous actor/comedian), Mariah Carey

Best thing: Live TV spontaneity — "What happens in the moment, happens."

Most memorable VT: Calum Best returning to Belfast for his dad’s birthday — "Beautifully handled difficult story."

What show does well: "Bit of everything" — Pedro Pascal + Welsh daffodil grower + Cabaret cast. "Always sensitive, always celebrates."

Angellica Bell (Since the very beginning — 20 years!)

Angellica Bell (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

First memories: "Buzz across BBC. Transitioning from CBBC (kids’ TV). First day: all new reporters in dressing room at Television Centre!"

First time hosting: "So nervous! Used to live TV on CBBC, but flagship prime time with autocue was new. Audience knew me from childhood — felt like family."

On 20 years: "Emotional — 25 years since CBBC last year, now 20 years One Show. Never thought I’d still be here. Privilege to grow with the show."

Favorite memories:

• Robbie Williams art exhibition interview
• Trevor Horn’s house — Seal sang live, lunch after!
• Hell on High Seas — raised £1M+ for Sport Relief
• Reunited WWII evacuee with Welsh family
• Chelsea Flower Show surprise for One Big Thank You
• Dominica post-Hurricane Maria — met family never met before

Heroes met: Benjamin Zephaniah (quote on her wall!), George Clooney, Stanley Tucci, Billy Connolly (biggest hug!), Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Kyle Chandler (asked her to cut tag off new jeans!)

Dream guests: Denzel Washington, Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City fan!), Celine Dion, Beyoncé (interviewed on CBBC, wants green sofa selfie!)

Best thing: Still part of live nightly BBC show after TV landscape changed. "Heart of the UK — through pandemic and tough times."

Live TV philosophy: "Anything can happen — that’s the fun! Just go with the flow, laugh, audience loves it."

JB Gill (JLS star turned presenter)

JB Gill (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

First show: With Steve Backshall & Si King (Hairy Bikers) — "Bought their cookbook week before!"

First live hosting: "Used to live TV with JLS, but hosting is steep learning curve. Incredible team behind scenes. Adrenaline rush like nothing else!"

On 20 years: "Great privilege. Watched with family, now with my kids. Something for everyone — agriculture, wildlife, history, geography, consumer affairs."

Highlights: Lionel Richie — "Absolute legend, generous with time. Guests respect the show."

Dream guest: Denzel Washington (again!), Kate Hudson — "Hollywood royalty with grace, made us all comfortable."

Best thing: Meeting people in communities — prostate cancer research trial in West London (personal: grandfather passed from it). One Big Thank You — "Celebrate selfless love."

Fun moment: Make a Difference Awards in Leicester — hid backstage, surprised winner Emiola live!

What show does well: "Everything really well" — vast, varied audience touching every UK corner.

Audience relationship: "Audience IS The One Show. Mutuality = recipe for success. Warmth translates through screen."

Vernon Kay (Regular host)

Vernon Kay (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

On 20 years: "Real privilege. Flagship, iconic, recognizable. Last big impact show was Splash — for wrong reasons! "

Favorite thing: Working with Alex Jones — "Top dollar. Laid-back but ridiculously professional. Raised eyebrow = funny moment!"

Favorite guests: Pierce Brosnan (suave), Ant & Dec, Jimmy Carr — "Funny people who give more than expected, don’t take themselves seriously."

Dream guest: Tom Brady — but "Never meet heroes in case they don’t smell nice!"

Best thing: "Recognized as someone who can present it properly." Carry stories representing BBC and licence fee payers. D-Day 80th anniversary — emotional all day on Normandy beaches.

Interesting learnings: AI detecting strokes, repopulating marshland with crickets — "Wildlife stories make UK aware of surroundings."

What show does well: Connection with audience — "Respect them. Watchdog Wednesday = mega! Tracking fraudsters helping communities."

Live TV mantra: Royal Marines: "Smile in face of adversity." "No one knows running order — if it goes wrong, don’t apologize, keep talking!"

Lauren Laverne (Guest since 2007, host since Alex’s maternity leave)

Lauren Laverne (Image: BBC/Elisabeth Hoff)

First appearance: 2007 — North vs South debate with best mate Myleene Klass (both pregnant with first kids!). "Nostalgic — kids grown up together!"

On 20 years: "Celebrating now feels massive. Alex is extraordinary, team is great, proud to be part."

Secret to longevity: "Caring about audience taken seriously." Hard work off-air = spontaneity on-air. "Everything treated equally" — real issues = same weight as superstars.

Favorite memories:

• Sir Paul McCartney in National Gallery (Beatles photos!)
• David Hockney (national icon)
• Devil Wears Prada cast (important family film)
• Nikki Fox & Matt Allwright (Watchdog) — hysterical, know everything!

Dream guest: Sir Paul McCartney on green sofa — he asked "Thought I was on sofa?" Open invitation!

Fun learning: Butterflies! Caterpillars liquefy completely in chrysalis before becoming butterflies — discussed on air!

Proudest: "Show makes people happy. Constructive, heart, fun, silly, meaningful, serious — whole package."

Audience importance: "Everything." Bring national treasures, stars, issues into living rooms at 7pm daily.

Why The One Show Is Special (Key Takeaways)

IMPORTANT POINT: THE "SECRET SAUCE"

1. Variety — Hollywood stars + local heroes + nature + consumer advice + music
2. Trust — Guests feel safe, audience feels respected
3. Live energy — Mistakes happen, laughter follows, "controlled chaos"
4. Community focus — Stories from all four UK nations
5. Longevity — Adapts to changes (pandemic, streaming) but keeps heart

IMPORTANT POINT: THE GREEN SOFA EFFECT

• Equal platform: A-lister or community carer — same respect
• Living room vibe: Hosts = friends at home, guests = visitors
• No agenda: Just genuine conversation

IMPORTANT POINT: IMPACT BEYOND TV

• £57M+ raised for Children in Need
• Watchdog exposes fraudsters helping communities
• One Big Thank You celebrates unsung heroes
• 500 Words inspires young writers nationwide
• Platform for emerging talent (Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, Benson Boone, Owen Cooper)

Summary

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. When did The One Show start?

August 2006 — that’s 20 years ago! It began as a "bridge between news and primetime" and became a national institution.

2. Who are the main hosts?

There’s a rotating team: Alex Jones (longest-serving, 16 years), Roman Kemp, Clara Amfo, Angellica Bell (since day one!), JB Gill, Vernon Kay, and Lauren Laverne. They pair up different days.

3. Why do so many huge stars appear on the show?

Trust and comfort. Hosts treat guests like friends in a living room. No "gotcha" questions. Stars return because they enjoy it — and they see other big names having a good time!

4. Is it really live? What if things go wrong?

Yes, completely live! Hosts say: "Smile in face of adversity" (Royal Marines motto). If something breaks, keep talking, don’t apologize — viewers don’t know the script anyway! Often mistakes become the best moments.

5. How can I be on the show or share a story?

The show features real people from across the UK. Look for "Make a Difference Awards," "One Big Thank You," "Watchdog" appeals, or contact them via the BBC website. They love community stories!

Final Thought: For 20 years, The One Show has been Britain’s shared living room — where we laugh, cry, learn, and celebrate together. Here’s to 20 more!

Published: 3 August 2026 | Source: BBC Media Centre