BBC Radio has today announced its Christmas schedule highlights, including a special Take That celebration, an interview with new Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker and an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythologies starring Diana Rigg, Derek Jacobi and Natalie Dormer.
Music Radio Highlights:
- Take That share memories of 30 years in the band and the music that has accompanied them on their journey on Radio 2
- BBC Radio 6 Music welcomes three Wise Women to the airwaves this Christmas: Diane Morgan, Courtney Barnett and Zawe Ashton
- Scott Mills reveals the Official Christmas Number 1 on The Official Chart on Radio 1
- Radio 2’s Jo Whiley chats to three very special guests: Margot Robbie, Jodie Whittaker and Noel Fielding
- DJ Target hosts a New Year’s Eve House Party to ring in 2019 on 1Xtra
- Annie Mac presents the long list for BBC Music’s Sound of 2019 on Radio 1
- Comedian Matt Lucas hosts a live Christmas Day celebration, joined by celebrity friends, listeners and his mum on Radio 2
- Iggy Pop, Cillian Murphy and Nadine Shah present Christmas shows on 6 Music
BBC Radio 3 & BBC Orchestras and Choirs:
- Into The Forest season on Radio 3, featuring the next Slow Radio walk with Horatio Clare
- Sean Rafferty is At Home with Bryn Terfel and Renée Fleming on Radio 3
- Stephen Dillane stars in Sea Longing, a drama with music composed by Radiohead drummer Philip Selway
- Throughout Christmas week, Radio 3’s Late Junction is guest presented by comedian Stewart Lee
- Christmas offerings from the BBC Orchestras & Choirs including Sofi Jeannin conducting the BBC Singers and the Academy of Ancient Music in J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and BBC National Orchestra of Wales performing Handel’s Messiah
- The world premiere of Craig Charles’ Scary Fairy Saves Christmas with the BBC Philharmonic and conductor Clark Rundell, recorded for Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night
BBC Radio 4, 4 Extra and 5 Live:
- Diana Rigg, Derek Jacobi and Natalie Dormer star in an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythologies on Radio 4. Gaiman also appears on With Great Pleasure at Christmas this December
- The Archers performs Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales on Radio 4, directed by Ambridge’s own Lynda Snell
Michael Palin, Jim Moir, Toby Jones, Gina McKee and Monica Dolan star in Ian Martin’s comedy-drama The Hartlepool Spy on Radio 4 - A radical new imagining of Charles’ Dickens classic Little Dorrit with Graeae Theatre Company for Radio 4
- Peter Crouch presents a Christmas special of the Peter Crouch Podcast on 5 Live and Greg James, James Anderson and Felix White present Tailenders Live
- Laura Whitmore explores faith and religion in What To Believe on 5 Live
- Comedian Russell Kane hosts a fun-packed Christmas morning on 5 Live
Bob Shennan, BBC Director of Radio & Music, said: “This Christmas BBC Radio will offer an unrivalled collection of programmes featuring the finest DJs, musicians and actors.
“Across our stations, teams have curated brilliant schedules with world-class talent – all of which are available on BBC Sounds.”