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Pick of the podcasts: Get It On, The Line Up, Quines Cast

© Mike Lawn/ShutterstockSophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Get It On is a simple premise, done well. Dawn O’Porter sits down with a famous friend to find out why they wear what they wear.

Using her guest’s style history to navigate a wonderful conversation about the pivotal moments in their lives, she’ll uncover those fashion faux pas, that one item of clothing they could never throw away, and the secrets to their style.

One of O’Porter’s latest guests is Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who told O’Porter about her style icon: Madonna.

“I was always fascinated by Madonna. That was my first pop star that I tried to emulate but unsuccessfully,” says the Murder On The Dancefloor singer.

“I had a big crucifix necklace because this was the Like A Prayer era.

“Then my Grandma Betty…asked me when I’d found God. I then just stopped wearing the crucifix because that was very much not the message I was trying to send. So I was fascinated by that and little fingerless gloves and polka dot net things. I think as a style icon Madonna was the first one.”

Of course, she was also influenced by her TV presenter mum Janet Ellis and some of her Blue Peter colleagues.

“I remember being fascinated by my mum’s wardrobe and I do think a lot of clothes that I now buy, like vintage clothes, I’m sort of trying to seek that ’80s version of my mum,” says Ellis-Bextor, who has had four Top 10 albums.

“It’s a lot of pastel jumpsuits and patterned skirts with pockets, or the little dresses.

“She presented for a while with Caron Keating, they became really good friends and Caron gave me a huge bin bag full of clothes she didn’t wear any more, and they were quite raunchy, clubbing outfits.

“They were all tiny. I was like six years old and they were still too tiny for me…”

The Line Up

Hosted by broadcasting legend Shaun Keaveny, The Line-Up returns this Wednesday with guest Johnny Marr – former Smiths guitarist and one of the most influential songwriters in British music.

Now in its fourth season, Keaveny continues to offer guests the chance to curate their very own dream festival. Festival in the clouds? No problem. The Rolling Stones co-headlining with ABBA? You got it.

Quines Cast

Stellar Quines, in association with the Traverse Theatre, has launched a series to bring together feminist thought, music, theatre and literature.

Across the series, contributors share their unique takes on some of the big questions impacting women and non-binary people.

Guests include Tartan Noir novelist Denise Mina, author Chitra Ramaswamy and singer-songwriter Karine Polwart.