for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. abba are one of the most popular groups and musical history, having sold hundreds of millions of albums.- history, having sold hundreds of millions of albums. they won the eurovision _ of millions of albums. they won the eurovision song _ of millions of albums. they won the eurovision song contest - of millions of albums. they won the eurovision song contest in l the eurovision song contest in 1974 and split up around eight years later, but it's never really felt like they have been away. after a 39 year gap, the band recorded a new album in 2021, and returned to the stage last year in london, not in the flash but as digital avatars, zd flash but as digital avatars, 2d recreations of themselves from 1979. in a worldwide exclusive interview to mark 12 months of the abba voyage show i went to the studio of the band in stockholm to talk to bjorn ulvaeus and benny andersson, two of the globe �*s most successful songwriters.

it's the one year anniversary of the abba voyage show. it took years to create. you described it as a risk because you didn't know if people are going to come and see digital recreations of you. is in a gamble that has paid off? most certainly yes- — gamble that has paid off? most certainly yes. artistically - certainly yes. artistically definitely. _ certainly yes. artistically definitely. why - certainly yes. artistically definitely. why do - certainly yes. artistically definitely. why do you . certainly yes. artistically i definitely. why do you say artistically _ definitely. why do you say artistically definitely? - artistically definitely? because we achieved more than we could — because we achieved more than we could ever hope for. seeing this happening after four or five — this happening after four or five years of work in different areas. — five years of work in different areas, coming there, seeing the first preview and realising that — first preview and realising that the audience actually connected to what was on there, not like — connected to what was on there, not like they were watching a movie — not like they were watching a movie but is if we were

actually _ movie but is if we were actually there, which we are, but that— actually there, which we are, but that was great. financially, it has run for a long — financially, it has run for a longtime _ financially, it has run for a long time for the investors to -et long time for the investors to get their— long time for the investors to get their money back, but we are doing _ get their money back, but we are doing well. it get their money back, but we are doing well.— are doing well. it was the emotional _ are doing well. it was the emotional connection - are doing well. it was the | emotional connection that are doing well. it was the - emotional connection that we never knew whether we would get or not, but it's there as many said, that was such a relief. would be separate with the first preview audiences and they actually connect, and emotionally they are that which is a fantastic thing, never happened before in i think. where do you want to take the show next?— where do you want to take the show next? the artist is always there and _ show next? the artist is always there and performs _ show next? the artist is always there and performs every - show next? the artist is always there and performs every nightj there and performs every night without fault, and he could so do in other parts of the world at the same time, so maybe something in one replica in

north america, maybe one in asia, there are talks, but nothing tangible yet. right, so simultaneous _ nothing tangible yet. right, so simultaneous abba _ nothing tangible yet. right, so simultaneous abba voyage - nothing tangible yet. right, so - simultaneous abba voyage shows. i have to say i would like to id i have to say i would like to go to — i have to say i would like to go to australia. we i have to say i would like to go to australia.— i have to say i would like to go to australia. we would all like to go _ go to australia. we would all like to go to _ go to australia. we would all like to go to australia. - go to australia. we would all like to go to australia. we i go to australia. we would all| like to go to australia. we are talkin: like to go to australia. we are talking about _ like to go to australia. we are talking about it _ like to go to australia. we are talking about it but _ like to go to australia. we are talking about it but nothing i like to go to australia. we are talking about it but nothing is| talking about it but nothing is decided — talking about it but nothing is decided yet. if talking about it but nothing is decided yet-— decided yet. if london is your first home — decided yet. if london is your first home or— decided yet. if london is your first home or your _ decided yet. if london is your first home or your second - decided yet. if london is your. first home or your second home, australia must be your third. you are right. it would feel good to come back there and say thank you australia for supporting us from day one. what did you not want this show to be? ., , ., , what did you not want this show to be? ., , .,, ., ~' to be? for people to feel like they were — to be? for people to feel like they were watching _ to be? for people to feel like they were watching a - to be? for people to feel like they were watching a video. i they were watching a video. because _ they were watching a video. because they are actually watching a film, and for that to have _ watching a film, and for that to have happened would have beehm — to have happened would have been... , ., ., ., . ., been... they are not watching a film, been... they are not watching a film. they _ been... they are not watching a film. they are — been... they are not watching a film, they are watching - been... they are not watching a film, they are watching pure - film, they are watching pure avatars. , , avatars. sorry, but technically, - avatars. sorry, but technically, that i avatars. sorry, but i technically, that would avatars. sorry, but - technically, that would have been — technically, that would have been a _ technically, that would have been a catastrophe. | technically, that would have been a catastrophe.- technically, that would have been a catastrophe. i have to sa that been a catastrophe. i have to say that the _ been a catastrophe. i have to say that the producers - been a catastrophe. i have to say that the producers and i say that the producers and directors, first and foremost,

and this is not about technique, this is not about this amazing thing that iom has been doing all the great surroundsound system, it's about emotions, and we have to make sure that that happens. i don't know how you do that really but they succeeded in that. i really but they succeeded in that. . , really but they succeeded in that. ., , ., , that. i have been to see the show twice _ that. i have been to see the show twice and _ that. i have been to see the show twice and it _ that. i have been to see the show twice and it made i that. i have been to see the show twice and it made me| that. i have been to see the i show twice and it made me feel nostalgic because i grew up with your music and loved it, it made me feeljoy is because i was there with thousands of other people singing and dancing to all intents and purposes to abba, and it moved me, and i don't quite know why. that's the interesting thing, isn't — that's the interesting thing, isn't it? _ that's the interesting thing, isn't it? something happens, and you — isn't it? something happens, and you don't know exactly why, and you don't know exactly why, and i_ and you don't know exactly why, and i think— and you don't know exactly why, and i think let it remain a mystery. _ and i think let it remain a mystery, it's kind of a wonderful mysteries. in those five weeks — wonderful mysteries. in those five weeks when _ wonderful mysteries. in those five weeks when the - wonderful mysteries. in those five weeks when the four- wonderful mysteries. in those five weeks when the four of i wonderful mysteries. in those i five weeks when the four of you were wearing the motion to suits and recording the songs, singing the songs again, did

you also record other tracks that are not in the show like take a chance on me? super trooper? you might refresh that list? ., ., ,., , trooper? you might refresh that list? ., ., , ., , list? there are other songs as well. potentially _ list? there are other songs as well. potentially the - list? there are other songs as well. potentially the avatars i well. potentially the avatars can sing the songs as well. sometime, at some point. bruce springsteen _ sometime, at some point. bruce springsteen is — sometime, at some point. bruce springsteen is still _ sometime, at some point. bruce springsteen is still touring, i springsteen is still touring, he is in his 70s, the rolling stones are still touring, they are in the 70s, eltonjohn is still touring, he is in his 70s although he says this is is a farewell to a. obviously we would like them to go on, but does not going to be possible, but can you see this technology recreating gigs in the future so that generations to come might be able to see bruce springsteen live? i might be able to see bruce springsteen live?— springsteen live? i think that's quite _ springsteen live? i think that's quite possible, i springsteen live? i thinkl that's quite possible, and springsteen live? i think- that's quite possible, and not only— that's quite possible, and not only like _ that's quite possible, and not only like abba voyage but also ai only like abba voyage but also al driven, _ only like abba voyage but also ai driven, so that they will actually— ai driven, so that they will actually be able to talk to the audience in real time and you willm — audience in real time and you willm the _ audience in real time and you will... the illusion will be complete, that's what i think

what — complete, that's what i think what will— complete, that's what i think what will happen in the future. part _ what will happen in the future. part of— what will happen in the future. part of the joy of the abba voyage show i think is the fact that you are here, we are having this conversation now, and we watch versions of you from 1979, younger versions of you. do you think it will be a different experience if it was amy winehouse or whitney houston or prince?- houston or prince? tricky, ritht? houston or prince? tricky, right? how— houston or prince? tricky, right? how do _ houston or prince? tricky, right? how do you - houston or prince? tricky, right? how do you deal i houston or prince? tricky, i right? how do you deal with that? everyone knows that they are not around anymore, so what would they say themselves about doing this? we can say yes or no to everything, which we have. so the audience know that we are behind this, we are in this, totally. 50 we are behind this, we are in this, totally-— this, totally. so there is an ethical question _ this, totally. so there is an ethical question there, i this, totally. so there is an ethical question there, for| ethical question there, for you? ethical question there, for ou? ., , ., you? there would be an ethical auestion you? there would be an ethical question to _ you? there would be an ethical question to have _ you? there would be an ethical question to have a _ you? there would be an ethical question to have a did - you? there would be an ethical question to have a did this, i you? there would be an ethical question to have a did this, if. question to have a did this, if you _ question to have a did this, if you are — question to have a did this, if you are doing this with someone who is_ you are doing this with someone who is actually did — for whoever— who is actually did — for whoever did this. who is actually did - for whoever did this.- who is actually did - for whoever did this. i've read

that you — whoever did this. i've read that you have _ whoever did this. i've read that you have turned i whoever did this. i've read that you have turned down multiple lucrative offers to get back together, to reform. i read you turned down $1 billion. i read you turned down $1 billion. ., ., ., ., read you turned down $1 | billion._ is billion. i read that too! is not through _ billion. i read that too! is not through the? - billion. i read that too! is not through the? i i billion. i read that too! is not through the? i don'tl billion. i read that too! is i not through the? i don't know. we don't _ not through the? i don't know. we don't know. _ not through the? i don't know. we don't know. 100 _ not through the? i don't know. we don't know. 100 shows i not through the? i don't know. we don't know. 100 shows at i not through the? i don't know. i we don't know. 100 shows at the turn of the _ we don't know. 100 shows at the turn of the millennium, - we don't know. 100 shows at the turn of the millennium, but i i turn of the millennium, but i wonder if you always had noted that because you had a fear or and anxiety about audiences coming to see you as older artists. ., ., �* ~' coming to see you as older artists. ., ., �* ~ ,., artists. now, i don't think so, but we have _ artists. now, i don't think so, but we have been _ artists. now, i don't think so, but we have been on - artists. now, i don't think so, but we have been on the i artists. now, i don't think so, but we have been on the roadj but we have been on the road since the mid— 60s. but but we have been on the road since the mid- 60s.— since the mid- 60s. but you haven't really _ since the mid- 60s. but you haven't really been - since the mid- 60s. but you haven't really been on i since the mid- 60s. but you haven't really been on the l since the mid- 60s. but you i haven't really been on the road since then. haven't really been on the road since then-— haven't really been on the road since then. yes! not with abba, but before _ since then. yes! not with abba, but before that. _ since then. yes! not with abba, but before that. i _ since then. yes! not with abba, but before that. i was _ since then. yes! not with abba, but before that. i was touring i but before that. i was touring for years _ but before that. i was touring for years and _ but before that. i was touring for years and years, - but before that. i was touring for years and years, we i but before that. i was touring for years and years, we have | for years and years, we have been doing all that, and abba was sort of the last thing we did. . ., , ., ., was sort of the last thing we j did-— that's did. the combination. that's one of the — did. the combination. that's one of the reasons - did. the combination. that's one of the reasons we i did. the combination. that's one of the reasons we didn'tj one of the reasons we didn't want to do it.— one of the reasons we didn't want to do it. right, because ou want to do it. right, because you done _ want to do it. right, because you done it- _ want to do it. right, because you done it. i— want to do it. right, because you done it. i think— want to do it. right, because you done it. i think each i want to do it. right, because you done it. i think each of i want to do it. right, because| you done it. i think each of us had a reason _

you done it. i think each of us had a reason why _ you done it. i think each of us had a reason why not - you done it. i think each of us had a reason why not to i you done it. i think each of us had a reason why not to but i you done it. i think each of us. had a reason why not to but we were _ had a reason why not to but we were all— had a reason why not to but we were all four of us unanimous no, _ were all four of us unanimous no, we — were all four of us unanimous no, we didn't want to. | were all four of us unanimous no, we didn't want to.- no, we didn't want to. i am struck in — no, we didn't want to. i am struck in journalism - no, we didn't want to. i am struck in journalism how i no, we didn't want to. i am| struck in journalism how we really care about fake news, and what you have created with this technology are fake versions of the four of you. they are not fake, they are real. , ., ., ., ., , ., real. they are avatars, digital recreations, _ real. they are avatars, digital recreations, 2d _ real. they are avatars, digital recreations, 2d versions. i real. they are avatars, digital recreations, 2d versions. but| recreations, 2d versions. but the are recreations, 2d versions. but they are charged _ recreations, 2d versions. elf they are charged with us. recreations, 2d versions. but they are charged with us. we have infused _ they are charged with us. we have infused ourselves with them — have infused ourselves with them. �* ., ., , them. but i wonder, i mean this technology _ them. but i wonder, i mean this technology could _ them. but i wonder, i mean this technology could be _ them. but i wonder, i mean this technology could be used i them. but i wonder, i mean this technology could be used by i them. but i wonder, i mean this| technology could be used by bad actors, dictatorships, and i know you care about healthy functioning democracies, but it could be used for mass disinformation. it could be used for mass disinformation. it could, and it will be, — disinformation. it could, and it will be, not _ disinformation. it could, and it will be, not to _ disinformation. it could, and it will be, not to talk - disinformation. it could, and it will be, not to talk about i it will be, not to talk about al but that's hardly our fault! ai but that's hardly our fault! now, but you must have considered it?—

now, but you must have considered it? yes, but deep fake is kind _ considered it? yes, but deep fake is kind of— considered it? yes, but deep fake is kind of different, i fake is kind of different, because i mean we are behind our own avatar, but deep fake in the future with the coming elections in the uk and us for instance, that's when the ai will be involved, in deep fake, and that is a big problem. you are right. _ and that is a big problem. you are right. we _ and that is a big problem. you are right, we have _ and that is a big problem. you are right, we have the us, the uk elections amongst other nations, they could be the first big elections that i hit by a wave of ai powered disinformation.- by a wave of ai powered disinformation. yes, that's ri . ht. disinformation. yes, that's right. quite _ disinformation. yes, that's right. quite terrible. i disinformation. yes, that's right. quite terrible. yeah | right. quite terrible. yeah that's terrifying, - right. quite terrible. yeah that's terrifying, isn't i right. quite terrible. yeah that's terrifying, isn't it? | that's terrifying, isn't it? and the regulator, as you say, is far behind, and it's very difficult to regulator know what to do. you can train and i dumbing ai what to do. you can train and i dumbing al on abba song catalogue material, and come up with abba songs, and who is then the creator of the songs?

that's going to be for the regulator in the future to decide. ~ , ., ., decide. well, you are right, it miaht decide. well, you are right, it might be _ decide. well, you are right, it might be for— decide. well, you are right, it might be for them _ decide. well, you are right, it might be for them to - decide. well, you are right, it might be for them to decide i decide. well, you are right, it i might be for them to decide but it's also going to have an impact on bands like abba voyage, many other artists. impact on bands like abba voyage, many otherartists. in february, david gatto, french tv at a gig played what appeared to be an eminem track. he had created, done the lyrics using ai, come up with eminem's voice using ai, half the crowd thought was actually there, it could be happening already that fake abba tracks are being created by ai. are you ready for that?— for that? now, but i haven't heard any — for that? now, but i haven't heard any outcome - for that? now, but i haven't heard any outcome have i for that? now, but i haven't i heard any outcome have you? now, i haven't yet, but no doubt _ now, i haven't yet, but no doubt there will be and it's a matter— doubt there will be and it's a matter of— doubt there will be and it's a matter of whether you can trace abba _ matter of whether you can trace abba in— matter of whether you can trace abba in it — matter of whether you can trace abba in it or not, you can train— abba in it or not, you can trainan— abba in it or not, you can train an eye on abba, queen, stones. — train an eye on abba, queen, stones, beatles and at the same time _ stones, beatles and at the same time something else comes out. is time something else comes out. is that _ time something else comes out. is that original content, or could you sue for copyright? i

suppose it depends on what they use right? if you can lead to... i don't know. to... idon't know. nobody knows right, _ to... idon't know. nobody knows right, it's _ to... idon't know. nobody knows right, it's all - knows right, it's all speculation of what is going to happen, — speculation of what is going to happen, but it is going to happen _ happen, but it is going to happen. i happen, but it is going to ha en. ~ happen, but it is going to happen-— happen. i think there will alwa s happen. i think there will always be _ happen. i think there will always be a _ happen. i think there will always be a problem i happen. i think there willl always be a problem when happen. i think there will i always be a problem when ai music because who will be the centre? will it be a machine? what's that? why... i mean a very normal question for us is why do you think we have been so successful with abba? i don't know, i think it's good enough, but i also think it's genuine because it comes from people who mean what they are doing, who put their heart into it and talent. if you don't have that, if you don't have a centre, who's going to be interested in listening to what? �* ,

what? but the thing is, in ten, 20 ears what? but the thing is, in ten, 20 years time. _ what? but the thing is, in ten, 20 years time, the _ what? but the thing is, in ten, 20 years time, the ai - what? but the thing is, in ten, 20 years time, the ai may i what? but the thing is, in ten, 20 years time, the ai may be l what? but the thing is, in ten, i 20 years time, the ai may be as good _ 20 years time, the ai may be as good or— 20 years time, the ai may be as good or as — 20 years time, the ai may be as good or as original. that we don't — good or as original. that we don't know.— good or as original. that we don't know. ., ., , ., , don't know. that remains to be seen. don't know. that remains to be mm this _ don't know. that remains to be seen. this is _ don't know. that remains to be seen. this is chat _ don't know. that remains to be seen. this is chat gpt, - don't know. that remains to be seen. this is chat gpt, and - seen. this is chat gpt, and obviously — seen. this is chat gpt, and obviously you _ seen. this is chat gpt, and obviously you know - seen. this is chat gpt, and obviously you know about l seen. this is chat gpt, and - obviously you know about that. if i put in here, write a song in the style of abba. 0k, verse one. i thought it had it all, with you by my side, but then he walked away and my heart just died. i searched for you in every crowd, i hear you calling out my name but you're not there, it's so unfair, i'm lost in this and the scheme. ——in this endless game. i wouldn't say that... --in this endless game. i wouldn't say that... i - --in this endless game. i - wouldn't say that. .. i wonder, wouldn't say that... i wonder, could you _ wouldn't say that... i wonder, could you not _ wouldn't say that... i wonder, could you not see _ wouldn't say that... i wonder, could you not see this - wouldn't say that... i wonder, could you not see this ai - wouldn't say that... i wonder,

could you not see this ai is i wouldn't say that... i wonder, could you not see this ai is a l could you not see this ai is a hugely positive thing? it is going to open up, people are going to open up, people are going to open up, people are going to be able to make music without having any songwriting ability, without any musical talent, without being able to play the piano. and yes, they will be able to create music. you could argue that is the great democratisation of music? yeah, but what happens if you have an ai as a yeah, but what happens if you have an alas a tool, you train an ai model on all the best tangos in the world, because you are going to write a tango, and it comes up with something and it comes up with something and maybe parts of it is good, and maybe parts of it is good, and you tweak the other part until you think you have, i love this tango, this is a good tango. who is then the writer of this song? it is the one who tweaked, obviously, and i think that's how ai will be used, at least in the beginning by song writers. ., ., , ., .,

writers. how do you feel about that? i writers. how do you feel about that? l don't— writers. how do you feel about that? i don't know _ writers. how do you feel about that? i don't know what - writers. how do you feel about that? i don't know what i - writers. how do you feel about that? i don't know what i feel. that? i don't know what i feel about that. — that? i don't know what i feel about that, it's _ that? i don't know what i feel about that, it's going - that? i don't know what i feel about that, it's going to - about that, it's going to happen. there is nothing we can do. �* . . happen. there is nothing we can do. �* , ., . , ' do. add sharing recently 12 copyright _ do. add sharing recently 12 copyright cases, _ do. add sharing recently 12 copyright cases, he - do. add sharing recently 12 copyright cases, he was . do. add sharing recently 12 - copyright cases, he was accused of ripping off other artists' hits. he said there are only so many notes had very few cords used in pop music, coincidence is bound to happen. if 60,000 songs are being released every day in spite of i come in at 22 million songs a year. do you think he has got a point? what songs are those? 22 million _ what songs are those? 22 million songs a year? how many have _ million songs a year? how many have you — million songs a year? how many have you heard?— have you heard? four, possibly. i don't have you heard? four, possibly. idon't get _ have you heard? four, possibly. i don't get those _ have you heard? four, possibly. i don't get those numbers. - i don't get those numbers. anyone _ i don't get those numbers. anyone can put something on spotify — anyone can put something on soti . �* , spotify. but he is saying there are only so — spotify. but he is saying there are only so many _ spotify. but he is saying there are only so many notes, - spotify. but he is saying there are only so many notes, onlyl spotify. but he is saying there i are only so many notes, only so many cords... bi; are only so many notes, only so many cords. . ._ many cords... by coincidence it is bound to _ many cords... by coincidence it is bound to happen. _ many cords... by coincidence it is bound to happen. yes. -

many cords... by coincidence it is bound to happen. yes. he i is bound to happen. yes. he believes _ is bound to happen. yes. he believes that _ is bound to happen. yes. he believes that baseless - is bound to happen. yes. he | believes that baseless claims are damaging songwriting. do you? are damaging songwriting. do ou? . , ., are damaging songwriting. do ou? , , ., , are damaging songwriting. do ou? , , ., you? yes, if you reverse that, if ou you? yes, if you reverse that, if you have — you? yes, if you reverse that, if you have an _ you? yes, if you reverse that, if you have an algorithm - if you have an algorithm searching those 22 million songs for something that looks like the new ed sheeran song, that could possibly happen and thenit that could possibly happen and then it would be completely, completely wrong. so i actually agree with him that mistakes or such copies are bound to be made by coincidence. d0 such copies are bound to be made by coincidence. do you worry about _ made by coincidence. do you worry about the _ made by coincidence. do you worry about the future - made by coincidence. do you worry about the future of - worry about the future of songwriting?— worry about the future of sonaawritin? ., ., , ., songwriting? not really. no. one does — songwriting? not really. no. one does what _ songwriting? not really. no. one does what one - songwriting? not really. no. one does what one has - songwriting? not really. no. one does what one has to i songwriting? not really. no. | one does what one has to do, you know. it means you do as good as you can at any moment. try to achieve as much as possible for every new piece of music. �* . possible for every new piece of music. �* , ., , ., music. there's nothing else to do. someone _ music. there's nothing else to do. someone wants _ music. there's nothing else to do. someone wants to - music. there's nothing else to do. someone wants to go - music. there's nothing else to l do. someone wants to go ahead and do _ do. someone wants to go ahead and do an— do. someone wants to go ahead and do an ai version of

everything, what can we do about— everything, what can we do about it? _ everything, what can we do about it? answer song writers? we can — about it? answer song writers? we can just about it? answer song writers? we canjust go on being human. and maybe we should tell people that this — and maybe we should tell people that this is a song not written by aia~ — that this is a song not written b aia. ., �* , , ., by aia. that's interesting that ou sa by aia. that's interesting that you say that- _ by aia. that's interesting that you say that. because - by aia. that's interesting that you say that. because sting . you say that. because sting told the bbc recently that the big —— building blocks mr mirza belong to us, human beings, thatis belong to us, human beings, that is a battle we have to fight in the next couple of years, defending a human capital against ai. is that right? it capital against ai. is that riuht? . . capital against ai. is that riiht? ., , ., capital against ai. is that riuht? . , ., ., ., right? it means that we have to do no when _ right? it means that we have to do no when the _ right? it means that we have to do no when the ai _ right? it means that we have to do no when the ai is _ right? it means that we have to do no when the ai is a - right? it means that we have to do no when the ai is a right - right? it means that we have to do no when the ai is a right of i do no when the ai is a right of a song. we have to know. in every aspect we need to know. it has to say ai somewhere. and thatis it has to say ai somewhere. and that is the only solution, i think. , . ., , that is the only solution, i think. ,. ., , ~ ., think. so music lovers know what they — think. so music lovers know what they are _ think. so music lovers know what they are listening - think. so music lovers know what they are listening to? | what they are listening to? they should not be totally impossible, should it? no. your music is

impossible, should it? iif>. your music is obviously stood the test of time which is testament to the four of you. and we live in a time where art, music, lyrics, books are being reappraised through the modern world. in that spirit, was struck by the fact that does your mother know in my mamat is sung by a woman. yes. i want explain your thinking behind that. ., , ., explain your thinking behind that. ., , ., that. you should ask phyllida llo d that. you should ask phyllida lloyd who — that. you should ask phyllida lloyd who came _ that. you should ask phyllida lloyd who came up _ that. you should ask phyllida lloyd who came up with - that. you should ask phyllida lloyd who came up with that | lloyd who came up with that idea? ~ ., ., i. lloyd who came up with that idea? ~ ., ., ,. ~' lloyd who came up with that idea? ~ ., ., ~ ., idea? what do you think of the idea? what do you think of the idea? it's _ idea? what do you think of the idea? it's great. _ idea? what do you think of the idea? it's great. that - idea? what do you think of the idea? it's great. that woman i idea? what do you think of the | idea? it's great. that woman at the time in _ idea? it's great. that woman at the time in singing _ idea? it's great. that woman at the time in singing that - idea? it's great. that woman at the time in singing that song i the time in singing that song because _ the time in singing that song because of a silly bar boy who has, _ because of a silly bar boy who has, you _ because of a silly bar boy who has, you know, been flirting with— has, you know, been flirting with hen _ has, you know, been flirting with her. and it's excellent. i think— with her. and it's excellent. i think it — with her. and it's excellent. i think it is _ with her. and it's excellent. i think it is a _ with her. and it's excellent. i think it is a good idea.- with her. and it's excellent. i think it is a good idea. when i saw the first _ think it is a good idea. when i saw the first preview - think it is a good idea. when i saw the first preview of i think it is a good idea. when i saw the first preview of mum | saw the first preview of mum ameobi musical i was feeling that they were making fun of us here, but they didn't mind, because it is done with such a good heart, like the song, for example, so i think they did a

terrificjob. example, so i think they did a terrific job-— terrific 'ob. you think it is fair to terrificjob. you think it is fair to reappraised i terrificjob. you think it is| fair to reappraised books, terrificjob. you think it is i fair to reappraised books, art, music from decades ago through the prism of the standards we have now? we the prism of the standards we have now?— have now? we talk about the chan . inc have now? we talk about the changing of _ have now? we talk about the changing of the _ have now? we talk about the changing of the words i have now? we talk about the changing of the words in i have now? we talk about the i changing of the words in roald dahl's — changing of the words in roald dahl's books, i don't thinks so, — dahl's books, i don't thinks so, i— dahl's books, idon't thinks so, i think— dahl's books, i don't thinks so, i think we should leave them — so, i think we should leave them as— so, i think we should leave them as they are, see them as they— them as they are, see them as they are — them as they are, see them as they are for time they are released. they are for time they are released-_ they are for time they are released. ~ . . ., ~ ., released. we can take that, i think. eurovision _ released. we can take that, i think. eurovision will- released. we can take that, i think. eurovision will be i released. we can take that, i think. eurovision will be here in sweden — think. eurovision will be here in sweden next _ think. eurovision will be here in sweden next year. - think. eurovision will be here in sweden next year. 50 i think. eurovision will be here i in sweden next year. 50 years, as you know, you don't need me to remind you, since you won it with waterloo, there is already a clamour for with waterloo, there is already a clamourfor the with waterloo, there is already a clamour for the four of you to reunite on stage in person, not the avatars... to reunite on stage in person, not the avatars. . ._ to reunite on stage in person, not the avatars... you want to make a bet? _ not the avatars... you want to make a bet? are _ not the avatars... you want to make a bet? are you - not the avatars... you want to i make a bet? are you considering it? no. seriously? _ make a bet? are you considering it? no. seriously? no, _ make a bet? are you considering it? no. seriously? no, no- make a bet? are you considering it? no. seriously? no, no way. i it? no. seriously? no, no way. wh ? it? no. seriously? no, no way. why? well. _ it? no. seriously? no, no way. why? well. i— it? no. seriously? no, no way. why? well, | don't— it? no. seriously? no, no way. why? well, i don't want- it? no. seriously? no, no way. why? well, i don't want to, i it? no. seriously? no, no way. | why? well, i don't want to, and if they don't _ why? well, i don't want to, and if they don't want _ why? well, i don't want to, and if they don't want to _ why? well, i don't want to, and if they don't want to they i if they don't want to they won't go. it is the same for

all four of us. if someone says no, it is a no.— no, it is a no. and, yes, that is how it _ no, it is a no. and, yes, that is how it works. _ no, it is a no. and, yes, that is how it works. you - no, it is a no. and, yes, that is how it works. you want i no, it is a no. and, yes, that is how it works. you want to | is how it works. you want to know? no. _ is how it works. you want to know? no, no. _ is how it works. you want to know? no, no. you - is how it works. you want to know? no, no. you will- know? no, no. you will disappoint— know? no, no. you will disappoint many, i know? no, no. you will disappoint many, manyj know? no, no. you will- disappoint many, many people. no, we're not going to go there. ., �* ., ., ., there. you're not even going to consider it _ there. you're not even going to consider it because _ there. you're not even going to consider it because macro i there. you're not even going to consider it because macro no. i consider it because macro no. no. if consider it because macro no. no. , ., ., , ~' consider it because macro no. no. y., ., ., consider it because macro no. no. ., no. if you asked would you write sweden's _ no. if you asked would you write sweden's entry? i no. if you asked would you write sweden's entry? no. | no. if you asked would you i write sweden's entry? no. no. sweden has — write sweden's entry? no. no. sweden has hosted _ write sweden's entry? no. no. sweden has hosted the - write sweden's entry? no. no. j sweden has hosted the contest six times, three hs .com, three elsewhere, should be in stockholm again all? i think so. that stockholm again all? i think so- that is _ stockholm again all? i think so. that is the _ stockholm again all? i think so. that is the place - stockholm again all? i think so. that is the place to i stockholm again all? i think so. that is the place to be. | so. that is the place to be. why? — so. that is the place to be. wh ? �* , , why? because it is the most beautiful city _ why? because it is the most beautiful city in _ why? because it is the most beautiful city in this - why? because it is the most beautiful city in this country| beautiful city in this country and — beautiful city in this country and we _ beautiful city in this country and we have the infrastructure to and — and we have the infrastructure to and it — and we have the infrastructure to and it would be good if they have _ to and it would be good if they have it — to and it would be good if they have it in _ to and it would be good if they have it in stock on. | to and it would be good if they have it in stock on.— have it in stock on. i think so. have it in stock on. i think

so- you — have it in stock on. i think so. you could _ have it in stock on. i think so. you could celebrate i have it in stock on. i think| so. you could celebrate 50 years of abba without us being on stage, but anyway, we are in stockholm, there are many reasons. stockholm, there are many reasons-_ stockholm, there are many reasons. , ., reasons. i'm sure you heard the hometown _ reasons. i'm sure you heard the hometown of — reasons. i'm sure you heard the hometown of ukraine's - hometown of ukraine's eurovision act was hit the missiles just eurovision act was hit the missilesjust moments eurovision act was hit the missiles just moments before they took to the stage in liverpool, that is according to ukrainian officials. first of all, what you think of that? what a nasty thing to do. to show what?— what a nasty thing to do. to show what? and it means he doesnt show what? and it means he doesn't understand, - show what? and it means he doesn't understand, i- show what? and it means he doesn't understand, i mean, i doesn't understand, i mean, that— doesn't understand, i mean, that only— doesn't understand, i mean, that only solidifies the union behind ukraine. that's what it does — behind ukraine. that's what it does and _ behind ukraine. that's what it does. and he thinks it will split us— does. and he thinks it will split us up. and it's the other way— split us up. and it's the other way around. so it's so stupid at the — way around. so it's so stupid at the same time.— way around. so it's so stupid at the same time. and it also shows. i _ at the same time. and it also shows, i suppose, _ shows, isuppose, that eurovision is notjust its own bubble. it has wider ramifications.-

bubble. it has wider ramifications. . ., , ramifications. yes, it does. did ou ramifications. yes, it does. did you know _ ramifications. yes, it does. did you know that - ramifications. yes, it does. did you know that it i ramifications. yes, it does. did you know that it is i did you know that it is reported that president putin likes abba? he likes your music? ., ., likes abba? he likes your| music?_ really? likes abba? he likes your i music?_ really? i music? oh, good. really? i don't mind. _ music? oh, good. really? i don't mind. who _ music? oh, good. really? i don't mind. who cares? i music? oh, good. really? i| don't mind. who cares? how music? oh, good. really? i- don't mind. who cares? how can we decide who's going to like or not? ., . h we decide who's going to like or not? ., ., �*, ., or not? no, that's not possible- _ or not? no, that's not possible. they - or not? no, that's not possible. they don't i or not? no, that's not i possible. they don't know or not? no, that's not - possible. they don't know what to think— possible. they don't know what to think about that. most people _ to think about that. most people think that listening to abba — people think that listening to abba makes them kinder and more open _ abba makes them kinder and more oen... ~.,, abba makes them kinder and more oen... ., open... maybe it has. he would have been _ open... maybe it has. he would have been worse _ open... maybe it has. he would have been worse otherwise. i have been worse otherwise. tribute to bjorn again say they performed a private set for him back into thousand nine. ok. you credit— back into thousand nine. ok. you credit the _ back into thousand nine. ok. you credit the lgbtq - back into thousand nine. ok. you credit the lgbtq plus community for underpinning your comeback. i want to ask you, how did four heterosexual people become icons for the gay community?— community? that is a good question- _ community? that is a good question- i _ community? that is a good question. i have _ community? that is a good question. i have no - community? that is a good question. i have no idea. . community? that is a good question. i have no idea. i| question. i have no idea. i

have never _ question. i have no idea. i have never understood i question. i have no idea. i. have never understood that. i was guest editor at radio [i this christmas, past christmas, and they asked a couple of people from that community, what you think it is? because they was curious. but they don't seem to know either. it just is. do you think it has to do with the title dancing queen? it do with the title dancing queen? . do with the title dancing queen? , , . , .,, queen? it is the music, people can relate- _ queen? it is the music, people can relate- l— queen? it is the music, people can relate. ithink— queen? it is the music, people can relate. i think it _ queen? it is the music, people can relate. i think it is - queen? it is the music, people can relate. i think it is the i can relate. i think it is the latest. they _ can relate. i think it is the latest. they like - can relate. i think it is the latest. they like opera i can relate. i think it is the i latest. they like opera devers in a way. latest. they like opera devers in a wa . . , ., latest. they like opera devers in a wa . ., , ., , in a way. can you remember the first time _ in a way. can you remember the first time you — in a way. can you remember the first time you met? _ in a way. can you remember the first time you met? yeah. i first time you met? yeah. absolutely. _ first time you met? yeah. absolutely. 1966. - first time you met? yeah. absolutely. 1966. you i first time you met? yeah. i absolutely. 1966. you actually remember _ absolutely. 1966. you actually remember the. .. _ absolutely. 1966. you actually remember the... i _ absolutely. 1966. you actually remember the. .. i was - absolutely. 1966. you actually remember the. .. i was in i absolutely. 1966. you actually remember the. .. i was in a - absolutely. 1966. you actually l remember the... i was in a band called the _ remember the... i was in a band called the hep — remember the... i was in a band called the hap stoppers, - remember the... i was in a band called the hap stoppers, we - called the hap stoppers, we were playing in the middle of the day somewhere in the middle of sweden, we were coming with our cars and meeting us was a car with the hootenanny

singers, bjorn�*s band. we had never met before. because just to say hi, because we were both popular bands, and they said they were going to have a party that night because they were joining... that night because they were 'oininu... ~ ., that night because they were joining- - -_ joining... military service. military service. _ joining... military service. military service. so - joining... military service. military service. so they l joining... military service. i military service. so they said you want to come and we said yes, which we did. it's a long story, but we did. and bjorn and i had a guitar each and we were sitting under a tree playing beatles songs. were ou? playing beatles songs. were you? and — playing beatles songs. were you? and we _ playing beatles songs. were you? and we said _ playing beatles songs. were you? and we said maybe - playing beatles songs. were you? and we said maybe we j you? and we said maybe we should work _ you? and we said maybe we should work together, - you? and we said maybe we i should work together, because you? and we said maybe we - should work together, because i knew he was writing for his man and he knew i was writing for my band and we said letsjoin forces and see what happens? the night we were playing inside _ the night we were playing inside the hotel room the night porter— inside the hotel room the night porter threw us out into a parked _ porter threw us out into a parked just outside. but that was, _ parked just outside. but that was, yeah, it was great. you have known _ was, yeah, it was great. you have known each _ was, yeah, it was great. you have known each other - was, yeah, it was great. wm. have known each other than for 57 years? have you ever fallen

out? ., 57 years? have you ever fallen om. no- _ 57 years? have you ever fallen om. ne— out? no. no. not really. we have had _ out? no. no. not really. we have had difference - out? no. no. not really. we have had difference of- have had difference of opinions, many, many times. constantly, i was a. but opinions, many, many times. constantly, i was a.— constantly, iwas a. but it doesn't — constantly, iwas a. but it doesn't matter, _ doesn't matter, because what we've achieved together, you know, keeps us together i think. we've shared so many things, it goes for the ladies as well, i think, so we are good. as well, i think, so we are aood. . �* , as well, ithink, so we are aood. . �*, ., . good. yeah, it's fantastic, isn't it? — good. yeah, it's fantastic, isn't it? 57 _ good. yeah, it's fantastic, isn't it? 57 years. - good. yeah, it's fantastic, isn't it? 57 years. it - good. yeah, it's fantastic, isn't it? 57 years. it is. - good. yeah, it's fantastic, | isn't it? 57 years. it is. you think about _ isn't it? 57 years. it is. you think about oasis _ isn't it? 57 years. it is. you think about oasis or- isn't it? 57 years. it is. you think about oasis or others| think about oasis or others whom _ think about oasis or others who... ~ ,, ., , ., who... well, the stones have been doing — who... well, the stones have been doing quite _ who... well, the stones have been doing quite well. - who... well, the stones have been doing quite well. some| who... well, the stones have i been doing quite well. some of them. ~ , ., ,., been doing quite well. some of them. ~ , ., ,. ~' been doing quite well. some of them. ~ , ., ~ , them. why do you think this friendship — them. why do you think this friendship has _ them. why do you think this friendship has enjoyed? - them. why do you think this l friendship has enjoyed? partly friendship has en'oyed? partly because it h friendship has enjoyed? partly because it started _ friendship has enjoyed? partly because it started really - friendship has enjoyed? partly because it started really as . friendship has enjoyed? partly because it started really as a i because it started really as a friendship. we spent so much

time together with the ladies as well, but also professionally because we never kind of stood still. always wanted to write new stuff, find new things. and we find that in each other, i think, that none of us have stagnated, which so often happens in songwriting. and also we rarely meet! laughter. we meet like every week, but thatis we meet like every week, but that is about work. we don't socialise, we don't go out for dinners or visit each other�*s homes or have to have a drink or something.— or something. no, we don't. well, or something. no, we don't. well. thank _ or something. no, we don't. well, thank you _ or something. no, we don't. well, thank you very - or something. no, we don't. well, thank you very much l or something. no, we don't. l well, thank you very much for speaking to us, bjorn ulvaeus, benny andersson thank you very much for talking to us.— much for talking to us. thank ou. music plays.

hello. it's going to be be a hot weekend for some of us, as temperatures are expected to reach 30 celsius in some towns and cities, and we almost reached 30 degrees in northern parts of wales on friday. but it's not unusual to get these sort of temperatures injune — in fact, if you look at the past years, we've regularly approached the low to even mid 30s. so where is this hot weather coming from? as you might expect, from the southern climes. notjust quite hot air, but also humid air — and we'll notice the humidity rising as we go through the course of the weekend, some really balmy nights on the way. so the forecast for the early morning on saturday — some cloudier skies in the northeast, a few showers in the southwest, but elsewhere, a lot of clear, sunny weather to start the day. temperatures around 15 degrees in plymouth. so, the forecast, then, for the morning shows lots of sunshine, perhaps those few showers lingering there in the southwest. but through the morning into the afternoon, shower clouds will start building across parts of wales and central england — here's a close—up of the midlands, here's birmingham — we could see some nasty downpours in places with hail and thunder and gusty winds, but in between, large gaps of sunny weather. so it'll be very difficult to forecast exactly where these showers will occur,

but we're sure of the area — and this is the area here. but elsewhere, a lot of sunshine on the way, and those temperatures rocketing to about 30 celsius, i think, in the hottest spots, but around coastal areas, we're talking more like the low 20s. and that really balmy night's to come on saturday night — in fact, at 10pm, temperatures in some towns and cities will still be hovering around 20 celsius. here's the forecast for sunday — again, a lot of sunshine around, very warm, very humid, but i think a greater chance of catching some showers and thunderstorms across many western parts of the uk. and remember, hail, thunder, and gusty winds, and then it's back to sunshine again, so a bit of a mixed bag in some areas. the temperatures should reach the high 20s, but again, in some coastal areas, we're talking about the low 20s, so really quite fresh. and the outlook for the week ahead shows the warm weather continuing, but a bit of a mixed bag at times with a few showers continuing into monday. wherever you are, have a good weekend.

live from washington, this is bbc news the republican frontrunner donald trump becomes the first former president in us

history to face federal charges.