Podcast
The Tooney & Russo Show
Hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live · EN
Lionesses Ella Toone and Alessia Russo let Radio 1 DJ and football fan, Vick Hope, in on their iconic friendship. They talk life off the pitch, and what it's really like within the England camp?
From Tooney's no filter opinions to Russo's new life in London, nothing is off limits as Vick sets out to become the ultimate 'third wheel'.
She asks the questions Tooney and Russo fans have been dying to ask and spills the tea from her own world of TV, radio, music and more.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Gearing Up for the Euros with Tooney & Russo
Jun 3000:30:57Tap to summarizeIn the series finale, Vick Hope dives into tournament prep with Lionesses Alessia Russo and Ella Toone as they gear up for England duty. From packing essentials and team bonding rituals, to the party-planning legends of the England camp, the duo spills all the behind-the-scenes secrets.As newly appointed England Social Secretaries, Alessia and Grace Clinton are shaking up team spirit with surprise activities. Meanwhile, Tooney gets candid about hotel pet peeves, home comforts, and the quirky items players sneak into their bags to fight boredom and stay grounded.And who’s stepping up to carry on Jill Scott’s legacy as the squad’s ultimate morale booster?
Transcribe →Fan Q&A: Karaoke, Chaos & Body Swaps
Jun 2700:23:40Tap to summarizeVick Hope’s back with a fresh batch of weird and wonderful questions straight from the listeners—and Ella Toone and Alessia Russo are answering everything. From their go-to mischief when hanging out, to the bizarre things they’d do if they magically swapped bodies for a day (yes, it’s as chaotic as it sounds), no topic is off-limits.Plus, don’t miss Tooney’s show-stopping Cher impression and the unexpected karaoke anthem she belts out. Things only get more interesting when the trio deep-dive into body parts, mental resilience, and the stadiums that have their hearts.
Transcribe →Inside Their Homes: Comforts, Cooking & Decor Secrets
Jun 2300:34:14Tap to summarizeVick gets personal with Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, uncovering their home essentials, fridge must-haves, and signature dishes - including Tooney’s go-to meal. Vick also shares why her childhood teddy, ‘Snowy,’ still means so much to her.The trio reveals their very different approaches to home decor, plus a nostalgic look back at the time Ella and Alessia shared a house in Manchester - where Tooney's obsession with Eton Mess truly began!
Transcribe →Behind The Scenes: Tooney & Russo's Inner Circle
Jun 2000:33:00Tap to summarizeJoin Vick as she uncovers heartfelt video messages from the people who’ve shaped Ella Toone and Alessia Russo’s careers and lives. Expect an emotional rollercoaster - from touching family moments, including Alessia’s dad Mario, to a powerful dose of brotherly love.Millie Turner shares a behind-the-scenes look at life in a footballer’s house share and reveals why certain personalities click in the dressing room. Plus, Alessia opens up about why Mary Earps is her go-to for advice, while Tooney dives into why loyalty means everything to her.Don’t miss this exclusive look at the bonds that fuel football’s biggest stars!
Transcribe →Fan Q&A: Glastonbury Line-Ups & Sausage Fingers
Jun 1600:26:17Tap to summarizeVick Hope's gathered the best (and weirdest) fan questions, and Ella Toone & Alessia Russo are answering them all!From choosing between sausage fingers or toes, to dream Glastonbury lineups, to the best compliment they’ve ever received on the pitch - nothing is off-limits.Tooney even finds the perfect excuse to debut her Cher impression, while tackling the challenge of finding positives in a London trip that isn't podcast-related or to see Alessia!Tune in for laughs, unexpected revelations, and plenty of Tooney & Russo chaos!
Transcribe →Birthday Bashes & Hen Party Plans
Jun 1300:32:07Tap to summarizeBirthdays mean everything to Ella Toone & Alessia Russo, so this episode is dedicated to the ultimate celebrations - iconic parties, unforgettable presents, and even a detour into the world of hen dos!Tooney spills the tea on her dream hen party destination, her perfect birthday (if money were no object!), and slight concerns about potentially taking on Maid of Honour duties for Alessia.They also dish on which footballer guarantees a flawless first impression when meeting teammates’ families and share inside stories from Alessia’s 26th birthday - where football friends and family came together for one big celebration.
Transcribe →Looking Into The Future
Jun 900:23:53Tap to summarizeAfter episode 2 with tarot reader Kayla, Vick Hope is left with plenty of unanswered questions about what the future holds for Ella Toone and Alessia Russo. So, she sits down with them to dive deeper into their thoughts on what’s ahead.Tooney admits that family life is a distant dream for now—but that hasn’t stopped her from stockpiling baby names in her phone. Meanwhile, Vick shares how she finally convinced her Liverpool-supporting husband that naming their soon-to-arrive baby after Mohamed Salah might not be the best call.Alessia reveals the heartwarming pride her nan feels about her friendship with Tooney, including the moment she grew concerned over unfounded falling-out rumours. And Vick uncovers how football clubs support players navigating maternity, with both Ella and Alessia reflecting on teammates who’ve stepped away from the pitch to embrace motherhood.
Transcribe →Special Guest Episode: Keely Hodgkinson
Jun 600:38:53Tap to summarizeAfter watching Alessia Russo and Vick Hope’s friendship blossom - and feeling a little left out in previous episodes - Ella Toone invites her old school friend, Sports Personality of the Year and 800m Olympic Gold Medallist Keely Hodgkinson, onto the pod as a hometown ally for this episode.Keely spills the secrets behind her ‘Mini Ella’ nickname from their football days at Fred Longworth High School, reignites the age-old Wigan vs. Manchester debate, and even shares her top tips on avoiding stitches while training.Plus, she takes us behind the scenes of her pre-race rituals ahead of the World Championships - think Rihanna soundtracks, game-day outfit choices, and the mindset that keeps her at the top of her game.
Transcribe →Tarot Card Reader
Jun 2, 202500:25:14Tap to summarizeVick Hope invites Tarot Card Reader Kayla to help prepare the girls for a big summer.Kayla tries to help the girls look into the future and work out what is in store for their friendship - and there’s good news because she confirms that Tooney and Russo connect with each other on a soul level - stay tuned to find out what that means.There’s questions about whether their children would be friends with each other and reasons why the podcast trio are all very suited to following Tooney’s motto of “I like what I like” in their day to day lives. Plus, they reminisce about the playground game MASH and the impact it had on their lives at school.
Transcribe →Catching up
May 30, 202500:23:43Tap to summarizeA lot can happen in a break between recordings so the trio wanted to update each other on everything that they’ve been up to since the last series. Alessia reveals the new reputation that Ella has developed within the Arsenal squad following their holiday in Ibiza and the reasons why Tooney felt compelled to get a stylist to help improve her look. And after losing her father Ella reveals the support that her best friend provided and how she has been navigating the process of grieving for a loved one. Tooney's period away from the game also meant Alessia experienced her first England camp without her best mate, so they discuss that and talk about the impact of supporting someone through a tough period. Warning: This episode contains discussions about bereavement. If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can find links to organisations who can provide help and support at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Transcribe →