Emma Bunton and Leigh Francis have shared their dream television revivals while chatting on the Unlikely Friends podcast.
Speaking openly about nostalgia, children’s television and formats they would love to see return, the pair reflected on how much the TV landscape has changed, and which shows they would personally bring back if given the chance.
During the conversation, Leigh Francis admitted he is often asked about reviving Art Attack, the much-loved children’s craft show originally hosted by Neil Buchanan.
While he stopped short of confirming any plans, Leigh suggested he would enjoy making a new programme focused on creativity and making things, even if it meant avoiding the original Art Attack brand altogether.
“I’d like to do, not Art Attack, although everyone always says to me I need to bring back Art Attack,” he said. “Just another show that’s the way you make things I guess, and then I don’t have to pay for the IP for Art Attack.”
Emma Bunton agreed, adding that the disappearance of dedicated children’s television feels like a real loss. She described it as “such a shame” that there are now far fewer shows aimed specifically at younger audiences, compared with when both of them were growing up.
The conversation then turned to Emma’s own television ambitions, with the former Spice Girl revealing exactly which classic format she would love to revive.
Without hesitation, she named Wish You Were Here, the long-running BBC holiday series famously fronted by Judith Chalmers.
“Oh well I was the same, I immediately went to, I want to bring back ‘Wish You Were Here’ and go on lovely holidays and be Judith Chalmers,” Emma said. “Why not.”
Unlikely Friends sees Leigh Francis and Emma Bunton along with her husband Jade Jones, and Leigh’s wife Jill Francis exploring conversations about fame, friendship and life experiences, often touching on shared memories from their careers in music, comedy and television.
The podcast is available to listen to and watch on Global Player and all major podcast platforms.
