BBC Breakfast viewers were delighted during the latest live show as musician Paul Heaton appeared on the red sofa to discuss his 40-year career.
Heaton's appearance on the show
Sally Nugent and Ben Thompson hosted the programme on Tuesday morning (August 25) to deliver the day's biggest headlines from across the UK and around the world. They were joined in the studio by Matt Taylor, John Watson and Peter Ruddick.
During the show, the hosts spoke to housing minister Matthew Pennycook, who revealed that Andy Burnham wasn't retreating on his pledge to spend the entire 10-year £39 billion affordable housing budget for England on homes for social rent. Paul Heaton also made an appearance as he prepares to release another album.
Career highlights
The 64-year-old star is best known for singing with The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, before launching his solo career. He started his career in the 1980s as the frontman of The Housemartins, which also starred DJ Fatboy Slim. Their hit songs include Caravan of Love and Happy Hour.
The group ended in 1988, with Paul going on to form The Beautiful South. Over the years, he has had a successful solo career as a singer and songwriter, collaborating with the likes of Jacqui Abbott and Rianne Downey.
Viewer reactions
Speaking about his career on BBC Breakfast, Paul said: "I don't write all miserable stuff and I don't write all joyous stuff, as you've probably noticed. But I do like looking at situations and looking at people and just trying to, sort of, dramatise them."
Sally noted: "You say that looking back, you can see a change in you. Actually, I think you haven't changed. We interview lots of people on this sofa who might have had long careers, and there's some wacky hairstyles and clothes and fashion's changed. But there's like a consistency to you and your music over the years, and I wonder where does that come from? Because sometimes when I listen to what you write, some of it is cultural, it can be political. Is that always a theme running through?"
Paul replied: "Yeah, I don't think I've changed my outlook too much since probably 1986, when The Housemartins started. So, I think that's always going to run through the lyrics and the music - politics, social things, but also relationships."
Viewers were quick to share their delight at seeing Paul on the red sofa, with one person writing on X: "Good man." Another added: "Great to see Paul Heaton on #BBCBreakfast," while a third called him a "national treasure". Someone else commented: "Blimey @BBCBreakfast set me up for the day, Paul Heaton should be available on the NHS." Another shared: "Paul Heaton on BBC Breakfast, always a good interview!"
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
