[1] The Radio 2 version, broadcast from 14:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, was frequently referred to on-air as The Big Show.

[5] The programme's start time and length changed in the early years, before moving to its regular 15:00–17:30 slot on 30 September 1985.

The Big Show followed the zoo format, with Steve Wright as the host, and co-presenters Tim Smith and Janey Lee Grace, as well as input from the news and travel presenters on the day.

On 9 November 2016, Wright confirmed the death of Joyce Frost from Dagenham, aka 'The Old Woman', thereby revealing her true identity.

[11] Other spoof characters included 'Barry from Watford', an octogenarian lifestyle coach played by the actor Alex Lowe), and 'Elvis', performed by Mitch Benn, who until 2014 appeared in the feature Ask Elvis.

On 1 July 2022, Wright announced on air that the show would end in September 2022, as Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas "wanted to do something different in the afternoons".