• Hugh Jackman will present a BBC Radio special featuring classic Neil Diamond archive interviews.
• The show ties to Jackman’s new film Song Sung Blue, for which he studied Neil Diamond.
• The programme includes interviews about hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “I Am…I Said.”
• Listen on BBC Sounds from Monday 15 December.
H2: Hugh Jackman fronts BBC Radio special on Neil Diamond
Hugh Jackman will present Neil Diamond At The BBC, a Radio 2 show drawing on BBC archive interviews with the singer-songwriter. The special complements Jackman’s new film Song Sung Blue — a true story about a Neil Diamond interpreter — and reflects the actor’s longtime admiration for Diamond’s music.
H3: Why Jackman was chosen to present
Jackman has publicly said Neil Diamond’s music shaped him from childhood and that he studied Diamond while preparing for his role. He describes the opportunity to present the BBC special as a personal “bucket list” moment and one of his career highlights. Jackman told the BBC he feels honoured to highlight Diamond’s enduring music and hopes the film will introduce new fans to more than just “Sweet Caroline.”
H3: What’s in the programme
The special compiles classic BBC interviews where Diamond discusses signature songs such as “I Am…I Said,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Solitary Man.” Contributors include BBC presenters Steve Wright, Tim Smith, Paul Gambaccini, Nicky Campbell, Gloria Hunniford, Johnnie Walker and Matt Everitt.
Listeners will hear Diamond reflect on his early days in the Brill Building alongside figures like Neil Sedaka, Carole King and Burt Bacharach, his duet that was created by a radio splice with Barbra Streisand, and stories from his acting days in The Jazz Singer. The interviews also explore Diamond’s relationship with audiences and his late-career shift working with producer Rick Rubin.
H3: Personal anecdotes from Jackman
Jackman shares a warm memory of visiting Diamond and his family. He says he joined a dinner where Diamond brought out a karaoke machine and they sang together. Jackman recalls a playful family rule — if anyone says “so good,” two others must respond “so good so good.” He uses the anecdote to underline his close, personal connection to Diamond during the film’s research.
H3: A performer’s praise
Jackman praises Diamond as one of the top live performers and describes how the singer told him that nothing made him feel more alive than being with an audience. That connection, Jackman says, explains the deep loyalty of Diamond’s fans.
H4: When and where to listen
Neil Diamond At The BBC will be available on BBC Sounds from Monday 15 December. The programme pairs archival interviews with Jackman’s perspective, offering both music and storytelling tied to Song Sung Blue.
H5: What it means for new audiences
Jackman hopes the special and the film will revive interest in Diamond’s catalogue and introduce younger listeners to the emotional core of his songs — the loneliness, resilience and joy that connect performers and their audiences.
Image Referance: https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/hugh-jackman-presents-neil-diamond-at-the-bbc
