Review: This Is Lionel Richie Special

Unlike his recent appearance at the BBC, this programme took a slightly more personal look at the singer-songwriter, including a visit to Hollywood to view the countless awards that festoon the walls of his home. This one is currently on iplayer for those who can receive it. Here, he reminisces about growing up in Tuskegee and working with Michael Jackson. There are a few interesting factlets herein, in particular that he could have become a priest! And it seems barely believable that at the beginning of his solo career he nearly threw away All Night Long, Running With The Night, and his own personal favourite, Hello. Fortunately, somebody (with better taste?!) talked him out of it. Every song he wrote for The Commodores was written on his home piano, and he has a piece of the Berlin Wall in his garden. Of late, he has been recording with Country artists. In the live recording that makes up the bulk of the programme he is joined on stage by Pixie Lott and newcomer Rebecca Ferguson.