Good times with… Sophie Ellis-bextor

Singer Sophie lives in London with her musician husband, Richard Jones, and their five sons, aged from three to 18.

 The last great film you saw…

Everything Everywhere All At Once. It’s about parallel universes and it’s so clever.  The film you could watch over

and over… Jaws. Everything about it is exquisite – the direction, script, performances and little moments.

 The performance that made you

cry… My kids singing in their choir! There’s something about the purity of their voices. It’s funny because my mum used to cry at that stuff when she came to see me and I found it annoying – now that’s me!  The one you’d tell everyone to

see… Cabaret with Jessie Buckley and Eddie Redmayne. The cast has changed now, but the production is just ‘Wow!’

 The podcast you loved… I love making my own (Spinning Plates) and talking to working women about how they manage the juggle. I also love Helena Merriman’s Room

and Jane Garvey’s Life Changing.  The last boxset you binged on…

We’ve just watched the whole of Wecrashed on Apple TV+. Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway are both brilliant and it’s really stylishly made.  The album you loved… Arcade Fire’s new album, We. They have a unique and gorgeous way of handling melody and there’s always an emotional tug with it.

 The one you want to hear… The one I’ve nearly finished. I started it before the pandemic and I’m just nearing the end. I usually take a long time on albums, but this is excessive!  The book that inspired you… The Distance Between Us by Maggie O’farrell. I loved it so much I wrote a song with the same name. I also go back to her book I Am, I Am, I Am – it’s about brushes with death.  The best recommendation you received… ABBA Voyage, which I was among the first to see. I adore ABBA.

 The ticket you’d love to get your hands on… A ticket to somewhere exotic. I’ve missed long-haul travel.

 Love. Food. Family: Recipes From The Kitchen Disco (Hamlyn) by Sophie Ellis-bextor and Richard Jones is out 7 July

I love Helena Merriman’s Room 5 and Jane Garvey’s Life Changing