Published: 05:40 pm, 18 June 2026
Martin Simpson (Image: BBC)
BBC Radio 2 is putting folk music front and centre this summer with the return of the award-winning 21st Century Folk, for its fourth year. Five renowned folk acts are each writing and composing a song about five Radio 2 listeners whose lives have been touched or transformed by sport.
The listeners’ stories are being told to coincide with the summer of sport as the country enjoys the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix, Tour de France, Commonwealth Games, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as well as other sport fixtures around the UK.
21st Century Folk is partly inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads which were created by Charles Parker, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger during the late 1950s. These landmark programmes described the lives of real working people through their own words and original songs. The Radio Ballads format was also revived by Radio 2 during the 2000s.
The folk singer-songwriters taking part this year are Martin Simpson, Katherine Priddy, Eddi Reader and John Douglas, Passenger (AKA Mike Rosenberg), and Megson.
Listeners can hear the songs, contributors and songwriters of 21st Century Folk exclusively on BBC Sounds on Monday 29 June at 12.01am. From Monday 29 June until Sunday 5 July, Radio 2 will mark the occasion with a week of folk music programming. The stories and songs will be heard each day on the Jeremy Vine Show, presented by Tina Daheley (weekdays, noon-2pm). Mark Radcliffe will present a Radio 2 Folk Show special on Wednesday 1 July (9-10pm), and Radio 2 listeners can hear 21st Century Folk on Sunday 5 July, (8–10pm).
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: “Folk music has always been a very important part of what we do at Radio 2, and I’m delighted to bring back the multi-award winning 21st Century Folk for its fourth series – this year themed around all things sporting. Thanks go to our five featured listeners who have so generously shared their inspirational stories, and the five incredible artists, whose musical creativity so perfectly encapsulates the joy and emotion within.”
Mark Radcliffe said: “I couldn’t be prouder of 21st Century Folk – yet again creating top quality original songs to celebrate the stories of tribulations overcome by five remarkable individuals. I say this every year and see no need to change it – 21st Century Folk is a wholly noble endeavour.”
Story One
Martin Simpson with Mick and Andy Tams (Image:BBC)
Andy from Staffordshire tells the story of his adopted uncle Adrian, who had a passion for boxing before he was killed in an accident at the age of 18 while helping a woman change a tyre at the roadside on Christmas Day 1974. Andy took his uncle’s precious leather boxing gloves to BBC One’s The Repair Shop, where they were restored by a master saddler.
Martin Simpson from Sheffield is a master folk singer and world-class guitarist who blends traditional material with original songwriting. He holds the record for the most nominations (32) in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards history. He has worked with Jackson Browne, Richard Thompson and Bonnie Raitt.
Story Two
Hannah and Katherine Priddy (Image:BBC)
Hannah from Shropshire loves sport and cycling, which have been central to her life and helping her cope with being a young carer looking after her sister, Sally. In 2022, Hannah suffered a brain injury after a crash during training, which left her with chronic, debilitating headaches. She overcame the odds and made a full recovery. Hannah now combines her passion for caring and fitness and has just qualified as a firefighter.
Katherine Priddy from Birmingham is the standout new folk artist of the last five years. She’s performed on BBC Two’s Later with Jools Holland and has supported Richard Thompson and Suzanne Vega on tour. Her third album These Frightening Machines came out in March 2026.
Story Three
John Douglas, Jonathan and Eddi Reader (Image: BBC)
The grandson of a Trinidadian runner, Jonathan from Glasgow took up the sport during lockdown to help overcome a deep depression. Jonathan is recognised around the city as he runs bare-chested, and has raised thousands of pounds for CALM and other charities.
Eddi Reader, from Glasgow, is a winner of three Brit Awards, widely known for the hit singles Perfect (with Fairground Attraction), and Patience Of Angels (solo). She is celebrated for her emotional delivery, connecting with audiences across folk, pop, and traditional music, including her acclaimed Robert Burns recordings. Eddi performs regularly with her husband, John Douglas – a founding member of the Trashcan Sinatras.
Story Four
Passenger, AKA Michael Rosenberg and Victor (Image:BBC)
Victor was born in Sierra Leone and at the age of six was abducted, drugged and forced to fight against the government there during the country’s civil war. Fleeing to London, he experienced homelessness and battled with PTSD. However, various charities transformed his life. One of those was Arsenal in the Community, where Victor played weekly football matches and took part in a photography course. He now works for a running charity and assists Arsenal’s official photographers.
Passenger, AKA Michael Rosenberg, is best known for his 2012 global hit Let Her Go, which reached number one in 16 countries and has had 6 billion streams. He wrote the music for the musical The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which recently ran in the West End. He supported Ed Sheeran on tour and is a keen supporter of Arsenal football club.
Story Five
Jackie with Megson (Image: BBC)
Jackie, 61, from Teesside excelled at football as a teenager, and played for Boro Ladies. She turned down the chance to train with England as she couldn’t afford the travel costs. Jackie returned to league football after 35 years and finally, aged 61, got her national call-up to represent the over-60s Walking Football team. She’s dubbed ‘Jackie Grealish’ by Redcar Ladies fans, such are her similarly silky football skills!
Megson, who are from Teesside but based in Hertfordshire, are husband and wife Debbie and Stu Hanna. They’re four-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominees and have been described by The Guardian as “the most original duo on the British Folk scene”, as they blend northern humour with intelligent songwriting. They, like Jackie, share a deep love of their home county of Teesside and have written songs about growing up in the region.
Hear the songs, contributors and songwriters in a special programme, 21st Century Folk 2026, on BBC Sounds from Monday 29 June.
The contributors and singer-songwriters will also be interviewed on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2, presented by Tina Daheley that week (from Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July, 12-2pm) where each song will be played on air.
Listen to Radio 2’s Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe (Wednesday 30 July, 9-10pm) will be a 21st Century Folk special, produced by Pomona Audio.
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