Gwen Stefani tears up during TV interview after big surprise

Singer Gwen Stefani was left close to tears during a recent interview on British television, after she was given a big surprise.

Singer Gwen Stefani was left close to tears during a recent interview on British television, after she was surprised by a video message from one of her musical idols.

Former No Doubt singer Stefani, 53, told the hosts of BBC’s The One Show that she’d always had an affinity for British music, starting when she and older brother Eric used to listen to UK ska bands like Madness, The Specials and The Selecter.

Gwen Stefani had a teary moment on The One Show.

She namechecked Selecter singer Pauline Black as a personal hero: “She was really the only girl that was out there in that scene,” she said, revealing she sung one of Black’s songs at her high school talent show. “Everything about my style was trying to take from her, because her style was so extreme. I’m a huge fan, and I wouldn’t be me without The Selecter and all those bands,” she said.

Hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas told Stefani they had a surprise for her – a video message from Black herself. The now-69-year-old told Stefani she was “absolutely thrilled” to have influenced her, sending her “lots of love.”

Gwen Stefani gets a message from a personal hero.

“I’m going to cry … these are real tears. I’m shaking. I can’t believe that, that was incredible,” Stefani said, dabbing her eyes.

“Well, I can understand why,” offered host Jermaine Jemas, who, at 40 years old, was born before Selecter’s initial run of late-70s, early-80s success.

“No, you don’t understand ANYTHING, OK?” Stefani shot back, jokingly waving a hand at Jemas and earning a big laugh from the studio audience.

“You don’t understand ANYTHING!”

Take cover, Jermaine.

“You tell him, Gwen!” co-host Alex Jones laughed.

“She was my idol, when I was like 13, and she just talked to me!”

Stefani, who is currently on tour in the UK with Pink, will this Friday release her first new solo music in more than two years.

The cover for Gwen Stefani's new single.

New single True Babe will be her first solo release since 2021’s divisive Slow Clap.

Stefani’s UK chat show outing came after she shocked fans in September last year, looking “unrecognisable” during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

“She looks completely different now,” one fan said of her new look at the time, complete long blonde hair and a bold fishnets-and-cut-outs ensemble.