The One Show marked the start of its 20th anniversary celebrations with a poignant look back at one of its most memorable segments. The program featured a clip from 2016, when presenter Joe Crowley met Scarlett, a five-year-old girl whose life was saved by a donated heart.
The segment highlighted the generosity of Scarlett's donor, Evie, whose parents made the decision to donate her heart after she passed away. The show captured the emotional meeting between Scarlett's family and Evie's family.
A decade later, Crowley revisited Scarlett, now 15 years old, at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, where her transplant took place. Scarlett revealed her ambition to train as a pediatric nurse after completing her schooling. She told Crowley that the hospital staff's care inspired her, describing the hospital as a "second home."
Reflecting on her transplant, Scarlett called it "the greatest gift I've ever received" and expressed gratitude for her outcome, stating, "I just feel very fortunate because I could have had a very different outcome." She added, "We'll just always remember Evie, and what she did for me and my family."
The original episode featuring Scarlett's story led to a 70 percent increase in organ donations. In England, since May 2020, all adults are presumed to be organ donors unless they have opted out or belong to specific excluded groups.
The anniversary celebrations for The One Show are scheduled to continue with an extended hour-long special on August 14. The episode will feature hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp alongside a wider group of presenters, including Angellica Bell, Clara Amfo, JB Gill, Lauren Laverne, and Vernon Kay. Former presenters Matt Baker and Christine Lampard are also expected to return to the show's sofa.
BBC Commissioning Editor Alex McLeod commented on the program's significance, stating, "For 20 years, The One Show has brought the nation together every weekday evening, becoming one of the BBC's most-loved programmes and home to some of television's biggest interviews, unforgettable live moments, inspiring stories and exclusive performances." The celebrations aim to honor the show's role in national conversations and its reflection of important stories and people across the UK.
The One Show Editor, Joanne Vaughan-Jones, noted that the celebrations began at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and promised further programming highlights. "We're proud to be part of viewers' lives and look forward to celebrating the films and stories that captured the nation's hearts," she said.