Take That are set to take a starring role in BBC Radio's Christmas programme as the broadcaster revealed its on-air highlights for the festive period.
The group will share memories of 30 years in the band and the music that has accompanied them on their journey in a Radio 2 special.
Elsewhere, Radio 6 Music will welcome three Wise Women to the airwaves: Diane Morgan, Courtney Barnett and Zawe Ashton, Scott Mills will reveal the official Christmas No.1 on The Official Chart on Radio 1 and Radio 2’s Jo Whiley will chat to special guests Margot Robbie, Jodie Whittaker and Noel Fielding. Iggy Pop, Cillian Murphy and Nadine Shah will also present Christmas shows on 6Music.
Bob Shennan (pictured), 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.”
In addition, DJ Target will a New Year’s Eve House Party to ring in 2019 on 1Xtra and Annie Mac will present the long list for BBC Music’s Sound of 2019 on Radio 1, while comedian Matt Lucas hosts a live Christmas Day celebration, joined by celebrity friends, listeners and his mum on Radio 2.
Other highlights will include:
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 Mythology on Radio 4. Gaiman also appears on With Great Pleasure at Christmas this December
- · Today Programme Guest Editors, which includes Angelina Jolie, David Dimbleby and Outer Space, explore a range of subjects as they take the helm throughout the festive period.
- · 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
