First Love

We know celebrities for the art that has made them famous, be it acting, comedy, drama or broadcasting.

In First Love, we reveal how top British stars started out with very different career dreams and take them back to their musical roots, discovering what drove their passion and how they ended up taking a different path.

Guided by a mentor, the celebrities retrain, building to a live performance at a prestigious musical venue in front of a paying audience.

But do they fall in love again? Or do they realise they may not have had the talent to succeed professionally after all in their first love? And do they have the commitment and nerve to pull off a live performance?

Season 2

Alastair Campbell, Shaun Ryder, Sue Perkins, Carl Cox, Stephen Mangan and Sophie Winkleman rediscover the passion they once had for music

Episode 1 - Sue Perkins
The comedian and broadcaster gave up the piano when she was humiliatingly upstaged in her school assembly. She’ll be facing her fears in front of 500 discerning classical music fans.

Episode 2 - Stephen Mangan
The actor and folk fan started playing the acoustic guitar at University, but in rekindling his passion, the music starts to take on a very personal meaning and Stephen realises he and his old self are two very different people.

Episode 3 - Carl Cox
Legendary DJ Carl Cox’s love/hate relationship with the piano started aged 8 when his mum made him take lessons - is he ready to face the piano again at the age of nearly 50?

Episode 4 - Shaun Ryder
Ex-Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder fell in love with the saxophone listening to his grandparents’ Glen Miller records, but with a troubled background, music lessons weren’t part of Shaun’s youth. Now he wants to make his childhood dream come true.

Episode 5 - Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell was taught the bagpipes by his Scottish father who was keen for his son to stay connected to the culture of his Highland roots. Alastair returns to his dad’s Scottish island for the first time in 20 years to rekindle his love.

Episode 6 - Sophie Winkleman
This star of “Peep Show” was introduced to opera by her father, but at University it fell by the wayside in favour of comedy acting. As she takes a step back into her past, Sophie remembers that music was also her refuge.


Season 1

Lenny Henry, Meera Syal, Katie Derham, Mark Radcliffe, and Janet Street-Porter revisit their first musical love

Episode 1 – Lenny Henry
Lenny Henry returns to his soul roots in an emotional journey that leads him to the London Jazz Cafe.

Episode 2 – Meera Syal
Award-winning actor, comedienne and writer Meera Syal attempts to rediscover her roots as a jazz singer before giving a live performance at a world-famous jazz club.

Episode 3 – Katie Derham
Television presenter Katie Derham's journey into her musical past stirs up some painful memories, giving new significance to her professional chamber recital at Kings Place.

Episode 4 – Mark Radcliffe
DJ and wannabe drummer Mark Radcliffe picks up his sticks four decades after his childhood dreams of rock stardom faded, as he prepares for a performance at the Manchester Apollo.

Episode 5 – Janet Street-Porter
Journalist and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter revisits the torment of primary school music lessons as she prepares for a performance on her recorder at Handel House.