The punk princess who ghosted too soon — 59 minutes of pure, cutting wit.
Described by Bono as 'the Noel Coward of our generation’, the singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl would have turned 65 this year had her life not been tragically cut short in December 2000. Signed at the age of just 19 after being the backing singer for a failed punk band, Kirsty went on to write and record songs that spanned genres, including rockabilly, pop and South American. She had hits like A New England and Days and sang a key part in one of the nation’s favourite Christmas songs, Fairytale of New York. Respected by those who worked alongside her, including Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr, Jools Holland and many others, she has left a legacy that is still valued today. This programme brings together performances that highlight the wit and intelligence of this unique performer
Writing
Lyrics that slice — Noel Coward comparisons absolutely earned.
Acting
Performance persona: equal parts warmth and devastating side-eye.
Production
BBC archive curation — decades of brilliance, finally collated.
Kirsty MacColl
Self (archive footage)
Billy Bragg
Self (archive footage)
Jennifer Saunders
Self (archive footage)
Dawn French
Self (archive footage)
Shane MacGowan
Self (archive footage)
Rowland Rivron
Self (archive footage)
Simon Brint
Self (archive footage)
Shaun Ryder
Self (archive footage)
Bez
Self (archive footage)
Jools Holland
Self (archive footage)
Phill Jupitus
Self (archive footage)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
MacColl was only 19 when Stiff Records signed her, discovered after her failed punk band's demo tape landed on the right desk.
She fought notoriously with producers over creative control — rare for women in 1980s British pop, and likely why her catalog remains so singular.
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