UK

Howard Shore’s score to The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been voted Number One in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2025, held in partnership with Radio Times.

The result was revealed after a day-long countdown on the station, which featured nine hours of film music chosen by over 10,000 listeners and readers. Jonathan Ross made the announcement just before 7pm.
This is the third year running that Shore’s soundtrack has secured the top spot, and in response, Shore said he was “thrilled the music resonates so strongly today” and thanked listeners for their continued support.
The countdown also highlighted notable shifts in the chart. John Williams’ score for Jaws climbed 27 places to number 13, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s film, which has been re-released in cinemas, including IMAX. Michael Giacchino’s Up matched that leap, making it another joint highest climber.
John Williams dominated the upper rankings with Schindler’s List at number two, Star Wars at number three, and Jurassic Park at number five.
Both Williams and Hans Zimmer tied as the nation’s favourite film music composers, each securing 11 entries in the chart. Zimmer’s Interstellar also rose seven places into the top 10, ahead of his forthcoming world tour The World of Hans Zimmer – A New Dimension.
Other top 10 names included John Barry, Ennio Morricone and Classic FM’s Composer in Residence Debbie Wiseman, whose music for Wilde re-entered the top 10.
New entries this year included Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked, following its film adaptation, and Mission: Impossible, which debuted in the chart boosted by the release of The Final Reckoning.
Jonathan Ross said: “The Lord of the Rings is legendary in every sense, the storytelling, the world-building, and of course, Howard Shore’s unforgettable music. It’s a score that sweeps you away to another world, and I’m not surprised that our listeners have crowned it number one again.”
The Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2025 – top 10:
                                                                 
1. The Lord of the Rings – Howard Shore
2. Schindler’s List – John Williams
3. Star Wars – John Williams
4. Gladiator – Hans Zimmer
5. Jurassic Park – John Williams
6. Out of Africa – John Barry
7. Dances with Wolves – John Barry  
8. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Ennio Morricone
9. Interstellar – Hans Zimmer
10. Wilde – Debbie Wiseman

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a special programme this evening to celebrate the life and career of Steve Wright.

The show, Steve Wright – A Celebration, airs at 5pm ahead of what would have been his birthday on Tuesday 26 August.
It brings together highlights from a special event held earlier this year at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
That event took place on Wednesday 28th April and was hosted by Vernon Kay. The audience included Steve’s family, friends, production staff, colleagues from across his career and others from the wider creative and media industries.
The evening was described as warm, funny and filled with memories that reflected his long and influential career in broadcasting.
During the celebration, Vernon Kay was joined on stage by BBC Radio colleagues Zoe Ball, Bob Harris and Greg James, who all shared their personal memories of working with Steve and reflected on his enduring impact on British radio.
They were joined by guests Jack Dee and Jessie J, who spoke about their experiences of being interviewed by him.
There were also surprise live music performances from Joan Armatrading and Michael Kiwanuka. Both artists performed two of Steve’s favourite songs, including some that had been played on his long-running Sunday Love Songs programme.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Absolute Radio’s Ultimate Britpop Anthem, as voted for by listeners, is Pulp’s Common People.

The band also secured a second place in the top five with Disco 2000, which landed at number five.
Oasis are at fourth with Live Forever, while Blur’s Parklife took third place and The Verve reached second with Bittersweet Symphony.
The countdown began at 9am this morning with Ben Burrell and concluded just before 6pm when Richie Firth revealed the number one track.
Speaking after the result, Richie said: “This result shows the enduring quality of a song which was released 30 years ago but which still sounds as fresh today.
“Seeing crowds of all ages sing it live on Pulp’s recent tour demonstrates why it is now officially the greatest Britpop anthem of all-time.”
You can find the Top 100 in full here and listen back to the whole chart on the Rayo App.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Penny Mordaunt, Emily Thornberry, James Cleverly and Ed Davey each present James O’Brien’s weekday mid-morning show on LBC next week.

The guest hosting begins on 26th August and runs until 29th August while O’Brien is on holiday, giving listeners the chance to hear from four senior politicians across the political spectrum.
On Tuesday, Conservative MP and former Leader of the House of Commons Dame Penny Mordaunt will present the show, followed on Wednesday by Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, who currently chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
Thursday will see Conservative MP and former Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverly step into the role, before Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey concludes the guest week on Friday.
Tom Cheal, LBC’s managing editor, said: “LBC is the home of political debate and this line-up gives listeners the chance to put their questions directly to key figures from across the political divide.”
The programmes will be broadcast live on LBC between 10am and 1pm, and also available live and on demand via the LBC app.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

BBC Northern Ireland will celebrate Sir Van Morrison’s 80th birthday this month with a special Astral Weekend of programmes and music on BBC Radio Ulster.

From Friday 29th August until his birthday on Sunday 31st August, the station will feature themed content, live recordings, listener choices and reflections on the Belfast singer’s career and influence.
The weekend begins on Friday with a Van-themed Thought For The Day. On Saturday, Kerry McLean opens breakfast with a classic track, Your Place And Mine visits County Down locations from his song Coney Island, and John Toal revisits key Belfast landmarks. Later, Taylor Johnson spotlights cover versions, Neil Martin looks at folk recordings, and Mike Edgar ends the evening with four favourites.
On Sunday, there will be reflections on the spiritual side of Van’s songwriting on Sunday Sequence, classics with Anna Curran, and a special Long Player dedicated to Avalon Sunset.
Ralph McLean hosts Vanatics, with stories from fans worldwide, followed by a repeat of Up On Cyprus Avenue, recorded for his 70th birthday. The concert will also air on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.
The weekend closes with Kathy Clugston’s Sunday Club, while throughout August Ralph McLean has been counting down the Top 80 Van Morrison Songs, concluding with the Top 20 on 25th August.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

BCfm Radio has launched a new Community Radio Road Safety Toolkit in partnership with the Road Safety Trust and the Community Media Association.

The free resource is designed to help community stations run locally focused campaigns while also supporting them to access sustainable funding.
The toolkit offers practical guidance on creating audio and digital road safety campaigns, including advice on messaging, collaboration and partnership working.
It also provides funding tips, enabling stations to work with local authorities, police and charities to make road safety programming a regular part of community broadcasting.
Marcus Smith, Development Lead at BCfm Radio, said: “Community radio has always been about local impact, and this toolkit helps stations take the lead in saving lives in their own neighbourhoods.
“It’s practical, accessible, and designed to support real action. Just as importantly, it also highlights a sustainable way for stations to access funding and build long-term partnerships around public interest content like road safety.”
The Community Radio Road Safety Toolkit is available now, free to download from the BCfm website.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]