“The first song I wrote. The last song I wrote. And the journey in between”. That was the idea behind brand new Starstruck format, First & Last, for the BBC.

Commissioned as part of the ‘Radio 2 Celebrates Songwriting Season’, Starstruck produced 4 x 30 minute episodes of this star-studded interview show as host Cerys Matthews sat down with some legendary names in music; Emeli Sandé, Craig David, Suzanne Vega and Guy Garvey.

The First & Last format device helped neatly bookend these exclusive, insightful, thought-provoking conversations as Cerys explored the creative process and also the lives, minds and hearts of these incredible songwriting talents.

Radio 2 controller Helen Thomas said of the series: “First & Last was such a simple, yet clever concept and was a wonderful addition to our Celebrates Songwriting Season. Cerys was the perfect host and Starstruck coaxed warm, insightful and sympathetic performances from her. I enjoyed all the shows, but particularly the Guy Garvey episode, where he spoke so movingly about his mother-in-law, Diana Rigg, and at one point even said ‘I’ve never told anyone this before’ about his pre-writing rituals in the studio. Well done and thank you!”

More episodes of First & Last are in development for 2022.