Radio 2 head had 'breath taken away' on first Bradford visit

The Big Brass Blowout took place across last weekend as part of Bradford’s ongoing UK City of Culture celebrations.

It kicked off with the BBC’s Radio 2 Loves Brass concert at St George’s Hall last Friday evening, which will be aired on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds tonight between 8pm-10pm.

The Radio 2 Loves Brass concert (Image: BBC) Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, spoke to the Telegraph & Argus in the week about her first ever visit to Bradford.

She said: “Bradford couldn’t have given us a warmer welcome.”

Helen added: “I came up on Thursday, I took the train up on Thursday afternoon.

“I went for a curry in the evening because I do love my curries and I’m like, if you’re going to Bradford you have to have a curry.

“I went to a local restaurant, I think it was called MyLahore and it had the most delicious Biryani I had ever had in my life.

“It was so good to see the restaurant was jumping, people were queueing on the street.”

Thank-you for my sign, @trafalgar_group #BradfordLive ❤️ #Bradfordcityofculture2025 — the @BBCRadio2 team have arrived! #BrassBandMonth pic.twitter.com/2Ke03iFizH

— Jeremy Vine | Here, on Insta & Facebook (@theJeremyVine) April 11, 2025

The Friday began with Scott Mills revealing on his Breakfast Show that the large digital sign on the side of Bradford Live was showing the message, “Ey up Jeremy! Welcome home sexy”, in reference to presenter Jeremy Vine.

Vine broadcast his show live from The Cake’ole between noon and 2pm, which included the Hammonds Brass Band and Bantam of the Opera Choir, featuring Chris Kamara, performing outside.

Jeremy Vine, Chris Kamara, and Zoe Ball in Bradford (Image: BBC) But Vine also discussed politics and was “getting into local issues as well as all the wonderful celebratory fun”, according to Helen.

She said: “I felt like it was a show that celebrated the very best of Bradford.”

Helen added: “My goodness did Bradford put the weather on for us, it felt like I was in Barbados.

“Neil and all the staff at Cake’ole made us feel so welcome and what a cool café – all the trinkets, decoration, the mannequin of a small child.”

The head of Radio 2 picked out some favourite sights during the day in Bradford, including The Mirror Pool but also the Ramadan Pavilion, which was outside City Hall until this week.

Helen said: “So striking and pink, in front of all this beautiful architecture, you sort of had your breath taken away, because I’ve never been to Bradford before but I definitely felt the vibes and energy in the area.”

She added: “I can really see why it won the UK City of Culture title.

“I’m from Hull originally and I remember when Hull 2017 came and that amazing boost the whole city felt as a result of the exciting things that were happening and going on.”

That evening was the concert, presented by Zoe Ball and featuring the likes of the Black Dyke Band and star soprano Carly Paoli.

Zoe Ball at the concert (Image: BBC) Carly Paoli (left) and Marti Pellow at the concert (Image: BBC) Helen was taken aback by the venue, St George’s Hall.

She said: “What an amazing job they’ve done, what a spectacular venue we were seated inside.

“To hear that range of music, everything from Punjabi Roots, to Marti Pellow, and Bradford Cathedral Choir, it was a really special evening and it was so great to see Zoe Ball doing what she does best in front of a crowd in Bradford.”

Helen added: “I hope we’ve done you proud, as you have done.”

• Radio 2 Loves Brass on BBC Radio 2 can be heard today- Sunday, April 20 - from 8 until 10pm and Bradford, Brass and The Beatles presented by Tony Blackburn is now available on BBC Sounds.