Never Gonna Give You Up singer looks back on career as part of themed night of broadcasting

BBC2 is returning to music series Reel Stories, with Rick Astley to take the hot seat alongside host Dermot O’Leary.

The Never Gonna Give You Up singer will sit down with O’Leary to discuss his early years as the drummer and then lead vocalist in the soul band FBI, his time at producer Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW), which saw him evolve from tea-maker to global popstar with the release of his 1987 debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody and his debut appearance on Top of the Pops.

It will also dig into Astley’s relationship with fame, after his debut single went to Number 1 in 25 countries, his departure from SAW and a renewed focus on family life, his return to pop culture through the Rickrolling viral phenomenon, a decision to record new music after 20 years – thanks to comedian Peter Kay, and his recent musical renaissance, which saw him release his Number 1 album 50 in 2016 and appear on Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage in 2023.

Reel Stories: Rick Astley, which will air in February, is the latest in the long-running BBC2 series, which began in 2018 and sees O’Leary discuss the pivotal moments of lives and careers with some of music’s biggest stars. Recent interviewees have included Shania Twain and John Bon Jovi.

Astley’s interview will be broadcast as part of a themed night for the star, with another chance to see his Glastonbury 2023 set, and Stock Aitken Waterman at the BBC, with classic BBC performances from Rick, alongside Dead or Alive, Donna Summer, Bananarama, Mel & Kim, and Kylie & Jason Donovan.

Reel Stories: Rick Astley was commissioned by Rachel Davies, commissioning editor, BBC popular music TV. It is produced by Craft Films and Ora Et Labora. The head of BBC popular music TV is Jonathan Rothery.

Davies said it was an apt time to secure Astley as he reaches his 60th birthday.

She added: “Reel Stories is all about telling artists’ stories in a unique way – one which allows audiences to reflect alongside them, as we relive footage of their achievements and career milestones together on screen.”