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Agnetha: Abba & After
BBC1 HD, BBC1 (not Wales, Scotland): Tuesday 11th June 10:35pm - 11:35pm

Repeat: BBC1 Wales Today 11:05pm

Repeat: BBC1 Today 11:35pm

She was one quarter of platform-booted colossus Abba, but which is the real Agnetha Faltskog? Is it the smiling Girl with Golden Hair? Or is it the crestfallen loner perched awkwardly on a park bench, as depicted on the famous Greatest Hits sleeve. This intimate profile of Agnetha (that’s “An-ee-yetta”) reveals both sides of the story.

The fantastic footage is a smorgasbord of great little moments: the joyous Dancing Queen recording session, Agnetha doing vocal warm-ups backstage (“Ma-ma-ma-ma!”), the silly finger-dance... But just hearing the reluctant star, reflecting with maturity on success and stage fright, is the reason to watch. Abba’s “Bs”, Benny and Björn — the latter, Agnetha’s ex, don’t forget — are also good value, particularly on her musical gifts (she was composing from the age of five but became self-critical as Abba went on) and why the devastating break-up song The Winner Takes It All was actually a good thing. One gaping absence on the contributors roster is that of Frida, Agnetha’s sister in harmony and the more natural performer.

Agnetha’s comeback is big news, even for celebs like Gary Barlow, but that’s no surprise when you consider that “everyone listens when I start to sing”. If you loved Abba, even secretly, watch this.


Documentary telling the story of Agnetha Faltskog's music career as both a member of the Swedish pop group and a successful solo singer in her own right. Including interviews with Gary Barlow, who features on her new comeback album, plus Abba's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, DJ Tony Blackburn and lyricist Tim Rice.

Contributor Agnetha Faltskog
Contributor Gary Barlow
Contributor Bjorn Ulvaeus
Contributor Benny Andersson
Contributor Tony Blackburn
Contributor Peter Nordahl
Contributor Jorgen Elofsson
Contributor Tim Rice
www.radiotimes.com