To celebrate the release of Tom's second album 'Life In Plastic' - Bottle Pop is back for a special, brand new mini-series. In Episode 1, Tom is joined by BAFTA TV and Olivier Award nominated actor, performer and all-round mega talent, Omari Douglas. Hailing from the same hometown (Wolverhampton), same secondary school and same amateur dramatic society as Tom, the two chat about their similar adolescent years in the Midlands. Omari discusses his time filming 'It's A Sin', his experiences in the ...
Jun 27, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The lovely guys at FUBAR Radio asked Tom to takeover the station for two hours as part of their ongoing Tuesday Takeover series this summer. He was happy to oblige! For the second hour, Tom is joined by two super-talented singers and songwriters, Benedict Cork and Hannah Yadi. The trio make a toast to broken hearts, referring to Benedict's new single 'Breaking Hearts'. Benedict discusses his music, his love for performing live and future plans. Hannah discusses her love of songwriting and reluct...
Jun 27, 2019•55 min
The lovely guys at FUBAR Radio asked Tom to takeover the station for two hours as part of their ongoing Tuesday Takeover series this summer. He was happy to oblige! For the first hour, Tom is joined by one half of Jack & Joel, the 2017 X-Factor finalist and meme generator, Jack Remmington. The pair make a toast to Miranda, who's fast becoming an icon in the meme-world. Jack explains the origins of the meme - how he came across the video, which has now been played over 400k times! Jack also c...
Jun 27, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Tom is joined in the Season 2 Finale by BRIT nominated singer, songwriter, DJ, label boss and businesswoman, Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh, as they make a toast to, ‘the return of songs’. The pair catch up, having last collaborated on Little Boots' previous record, ‘Working Girl’, and vow to write something new together in the near future. Tom reminisces about his first ever solo release, ‘Indiana’, which was put out on Victoria’s own label, On Repeat Records in 2013 and Victoria explains w...
Jul 27, 2018•49 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Tom is joined by Music PR and KPop superfan, Chris Slade and the head of Digital Marketing at Capitol Records UK, Maddy Smith, for a double whammy music industry special, as the trio make a toast to the recent engagement of Justin Bieber. Chris explains his love for all things KPop and why he thinks the genre has had an upsurge in popularity with the recent successes of BTS and BLACKPINK. Maddy explains the importance of social media when launching a new musical act before getting her (scarily a...
Jul 20, 2018•55 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Tom is joined by fellow podcaster (What's Poppin'), blogger and social media guru, Grace Medford, as they make a toast to inclusivity on London Pride weekend. After a failed attempt at recording this very episode two weeks ago, Tom describes the trials, tribulations, highs and lows of his busy week, from appearing as a guest on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 evening show (reviewing the new Years & Years record, ‘Palo Santo’), to his failing laptop (not one, but two lost podcast recordings!), to com...
Jul 13, 2018•55 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Tom takes Bottle Pop on the road this week, to sunny Clapham, as he joins vocal producer and vocal coach to-the-stars, Lorna Blackwood in her studio. The pair toast to Cam, Lorna’s husband, who's work on George Ezra’s latest album, has garnered not just a #1 album, but George’s first #1 hit! Lorna describes the different aspects to her work, giving singing lessons, doing vocal production on singles such as ‘New Rules’ and ‘IDGAF’ and coaching artists such as Liam Payne, Dua Lipa and Mabel on the...
Jul 06, 2018•50 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Tom is joined by the acclaimed and iconic singer/songwriter, former Sugababe and new Mum, Siobhan Donaghy as well as her best pal, the multitalented superstar Drag Queen DJ, Lady Lloyd. The trio make a toast to Siobhan’s 11 month old, Ford as well as Lloyd’s all time #1 fave Popstar, Shania Twain. Tom finds out how the pair met back in the old Sugababes days, recounts his week in the studio with Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan back in 2012, before asking all about Lady Lloyd’s new musical project with...
Jun 22, 2018•59 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Tom is joined by the editor of OfficialCharts.com and pop superfan, Rob Copsey, who makes not one, but two toasts; to Mariah Carey and to Lily Allen and her new album. Continuing the theme of doubles, Rob provides an extra bottle of prosecco too, which makes for possibly the most inebriated episode yet. While still sober, the pair talk about the changing face of the UK Singles Chart, what makes a hit and what still makes the charts relevant in 2018. As Editor of the Official Charts website, Rob’...
Jun 15, 2018•52 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Tom is joined by singer and songwriter Anita Blay, otherwise known as one half of dance-pop duo Anthony & Cleopatra (and formerly/iconicly known as CockNBullKid). As well as celebrating her recent success with the new One Republic single, the pair make a toast to the British Summer Time. Despite Tom’s struggles with hayfever this week, they manage to pack in a whole range of topics, from the distinct lack of female producers, to what it’s really like working as a songwriter, to which FIFA Wo...
Jun 08, 2018•52 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Bottle Pop returns for a Second Season.. and to celebrate, we’re kicking off with a bumper hour-long episode! Tom is joined by Peter Robinson, music journalist and the editor/creator of Popjustice. Both being massive ABBA fans, the two could not start the podcast without toasting ABBA and discussing their upcoming reunion. Peter is concerned over the prospect of two new ABBA songs - specifically whether they will be added to his ’ABBA shithouse’ or hopefully, ‘ABBA Gold-er’ playlist. Tom then tu...
Jun 01, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Tom is back for an *Extra Special Festive Edition* of Bottle Pop! Alongside previous guest from Episode 1, Joe Stone, Tom is joined by friend, fashion-designer, pop-culture obsessive and fellow Wulfrunian, Jenny Postle-Cope, as the trio take an irreverent look back at the year that was: 2017. Month by month, from January to December, Trump to Rak Su, the Superbowl to the VMAs, the return of Steps to the return of Kesha, Gemma Collins to Meghan Markle, "Purposeful Pop" to Eurovision and everythin...
Dec 14, 2017•58 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Tom takes a look back at Season 1 of Bottle Pop, gathering together a collection of his favourite moments, anecdotes and clips. GHV1 features bits from each of the sixteen star-studded episodes, along with Tom's own insights into the making of the show and behind the scenes gossip. Over the last four months, we've gone from being inside Beyoncé’s house to finding poo on a towel in a Las Vegas hotel; flying across the world with Rihanna to being gifted a Gregg’s VIP Card; doing karaoke with Kylie...
Sep 14, 2017•52 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Tom is joined by singer-songwriter, vocal powerhouse and Bewdley superstar Becky Hill, as they make a toast to Season 1 of Bottle Pop; this being the last instalment for a short while. The pair recount their first meeting five years ago, the year they both entered the music industry, shortly after Becky got through to the finals of the 1st series of The Voice UK. Becky chats the ups and downs of her career so far and how this only really feels like the beginning, even with megahits like ‘Gecko’ ...
Sep 07, 2017•45 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Tom takes Bottle Pop on the road as he travels to deepest, darkest France for a spécial *Édition Française* of the podcast. He is joined by music industry whizzkid, artist manager and Francophile Julian Rupert; AND long-time friend, KENZO knitwear designer and Parisian-Mancunian, Sam Leutton, as they toast to French President, Emmanuel Macron and his €20,000 make-up habit. Julian chats about his early days in the music industry through to seeing one of his artists hit #1 on the UK singles chart....
Aug 31, 2017•56 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Tom is joined by Shortlist features editor Chris Mandle as they make a toast to Elton John’s classic song ‘Benny And The Jets’ - especially it’s famous piano line, which has recently been the inspiration for several songs, from Gaga to Harry Styles. The boys also talk tattoos, Greggs, hangovers, chat shows and celebrity deaths before getting into Chris’s speciality subject - Boy Bands. From Take That to Five to One Direction, the pair chat solo careers, both successful and unsuccessful, dance mo...
Aug 24, 2017•45 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Tom is joined by freshly signed singer/songwriter, popstar-in-waiting, Hannah Jane Lewis - about to release her first official single; as they make a toast to Kesha and her incredible new album. Hannah talks about growing up in Florida, the gaps in her UK pop knowledge and going to the same University as Lady Gaga (NYU) before settling in London. The pair sing the praises of Kesha’s new country-tinged record ‘Rainbow' and share a love for female fronted country-pop, or as Tom calls it: “gay coun...
Aug 17, 2017•50 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Tom is joined by Britney superfan and freelance writer Alim Kheraj (who, amongst other things, contributes to Beat, iD, Popjustice and Noisey) as they make a toast to the city of Las Vegas, for reinvigorating the career of The Legendary Miss Spears. The boys chat about their Las Vegas experiences and Alim recounts seeing her live at her residency and the iTunes festival. This episode is dedicated to the life, times and works of Britney Jean Spears and Alim discusses what it is that makes her so ...
Aug 10, 2017•50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Tom is joined by Australian PR and pop music blogger, David Lim, as they make a toast to (David’s client) Geri Halliwell herself for a special *Aussie Edition* of Bottle Pop. The boys chat all things Antipodean; from Tom’s obsession with Kath & Kim, to David working with the Minogue-sister’s-Dad back in Melbourne, through to their shared love of Tina Arena and Dannii - The People’s Minogue. David recounts his life back in Australia from working at a McDonald’s in Melbourne to running super h...
Aug 03, 2017•58 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Tom is joined by Beat and Guardian journalist, Popjustice features editor and Max Martin superfan, Michael Cragg, as they make a toast to shitty interviews (on the birthday of Lil’ Kim). The pair chat about the Swedish Polar Music Prize - specifically when awarded to Björk, Max Martin and Emmylou Harris; the rise, fall and rise of Lady Gaga; which member of Little Mix farted in an interview; the struggles of female popstars (a recurring theme!) and when Michael once bled in front of Usher. Micha...
Jul 27, 2017•53 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Tom is joined by Brummie pop powerhouse, Clare Maguire, as they make a toast to the iconic French-Canadian chanteuse, Céline Dion. Clare brings Tom up to date on her early days going out in Birmingham through to sobriety and working with Mike Skinner and Fraser T Smith on her music. The pair discuss Clare’s Irish roots, her Dad’s love of The Corrs and the strange lack of fellow Midlanders in the music industry. Tom explains that Rihanna is the first female artist for 12 weeks to enter the Top 5 ...
Jul 20, 2017•49 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Tom takes Bottle Pop on the road as he travels to multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer Leo Kalyan’s house for a chat. They toast to diversity (not the Britain’s Got Talent dance troupe) and put the world to rights on a wide range of issues. From Indian music being sampled in Western pop, to the lack of brown artists being played on UK radio, Leo discusses in depth, how juggling being both an LGBT artist and Asian, can be a struggle. The pair also talk about Leo’s early years, his training i...
Jul 13, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Tom is joined by Guardian, Vice, Refinery 29 and Debrief journalist; Sophie Wilkinson, as they toast Lana Del Rey on her 32nd Birthday. The pair chat about enigmatic popstars choosing to separate themselves from their musical persona, such Lizzie Grant (Lana Del Rey), Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga) and Katheryn Hudson (Katy Perry). Sophie surprises Tom with the revelation she was once the lead guitarist in a manufactured girl group called Bloke!, before discussing her journey into journalism, he...
Jul 06, 2017•52 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Tom is joined by Vice, Time Out, Gay Times and NME journalist; Nick Levine, on the hottest day of the year, as they toast the late, great Cilla Black. The boys chat Nick’s early days in journalism, the best and worst interviews throughout his career (including Debbie Harry, Michelle Williams and All Saints); before discussing their shared love of older female Pop Culture icons, such as Olivia Newton-John, Liza Minnelli and Maggie Smith. Things go horribly wrong when the heat causes a technical f...
Jun 29, 2017•47 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Tom is joined by super sassy singer/songwriter/popstar KStewart, as they make a toast to… KStewart herself (lol!) The pair take a look back at Kate’s early days as a Musical Theatre student in London, her stint as Snow White on the UK Panto Circuit and just how many Ubers she’s taken (the total is shocking). Kate also reveals her worst studio session and her hidden talent for mimicry before chatting about current single ‘Hands’ and upcoming projects. KStewart chooses QT, Diveo and Jason DeRulo f...
Jun 22, 2017•48 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Tom is joined by Grammy-nominated songwriter and popstar, MNEK, as they make a toast to Jeremy Corbyn. The boys get to grips with the famous Mariah Carey/Jennifer Lopez feud, their favourite girl groups and MNEK’s early beginnings at the hallowed Xenomania pop factory. Tom asks what it was like working with Beyoncé (!) and they recount how a song they made together ended up on a Kylie Minogue album. MNEK chooses ATC, September and Billie Piper for his Aux Cable Selection.
Jun 15, 2017•54 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Tom is joined by music manager and fellow former Telford inhabitant, Emma Jay Marsh, as they make a toast to Toni Collette's iconic performance in 'Muriel's Wedding'. The pair bond over their hometown and it's famous inhabitants (such as Lolly!); they also chat at length about the Golden Age of Big Brother (2004-2006), what it's like being a woman in a male-dominated industry and Emma chooses Amy Studt, Scooter (!) and Sharam for her Aux Cable selection, all before being interrupted by a massive...
Jun 02, 2017•44 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Tom is joined by Grazia, Attitude and Guardian journalist, Joe Stone as they make a toast to Rosanne McBride and the iconic MTV show for which she's famous - 'Totally Scott-Lee'. They also chat at length about The Spice Girls (obvs), get mixed up between Sean Cody/Shawn Mendez and Bel Ami/Belle Amie and Joe chooses forgotten classics from Jentina, Alanis Morrissette and Geri Halliwell for his Aux Cable selection.
Jun 02, 2017•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1
