Sophie Ellis-Bextor: The Moment I Said Yes to Saltburn & Why I'm Happier Than Ever at 46!

Begin Again with Davina McCall

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Thursday, 4 September 2025 - 1 hour 16 minutes

In this episode of Begin Again, British singer, disco icon, and mother of five Sophie Ellis-Bextor opens up about the unexpected resurgence sparked by Saltburn and how it reconnected her to the song that changed everything, Murder on the Dancefloor.

From topping charts in the early 2000s to performing in her kitchen during lockdown, Sophie shares the real story behind her many reinventions. She talks candidly about the highs of her solo career, the heartbreak of a band breakup at 21, and the challenges of early motherhood, pre-eclampsia, and building a creative life around family.

With signature humility and sharp insight, Sophie reflects on the strength she found through setbacks, and how saying “yes” to joy, and to herself, made her happier than ever at 46.

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(00:00) Intro  

(01:13) Introduction to Sophie  

(02:41) The 'Saltburn' Phenomenon and Recent Success  

(09:37) Sophie's First Record Deal  

(11:36) Losing Her Record Deal  

(13:27) Almost Turning Down "Groovejet"  

(18:12) Embracing Aging and Falling in Love With Disco  

(20:46) Parenting and Sophie's Famous Parents  

(31:02) Airbnb Ad  

(32:05) Motherhood, Lockdown, and the Beginning of Kitchen Disco  

(37:40) Meeting Richard at 22 and Getting Pregnant at 24  

(41:40) Preeclampsia and the Miracle of Birth  

(48:15) Protecting Our Children From the Public Eye  

(52:54) Embarrassing Our Kids — and Loving It  

(54:46) Sophie and Richard's 20-Year Marriage  

(1:00:11) Giving Advice and Guiding Our Children  

(1:03:00) The Joys of Kitchen Disco  

(1:05:13) Naming the New Album 'Perimenopop'  

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