Special programmes during the festive period on BBC Radio have been announced.
The 2017 Christmas number one will be revealed on Friday, 22nd December during BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart. As part of Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network’s My Mind and Me campaign the station will also follow four Radio 1 listeners as they share their mental health experiences.
On BBC Radio 2, Strictly judge Shirley Ballas will play a selection of her favourite music and recall memories of her dancing career. Former contestant Ed Balls will explore the world of musical theatre. A Doctor Who Access All Areas special will see Jo Whiley go behind the scenes and catch up with the stars of the series.
Three Wise Women will head to BBC Radio 6 Music. New Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker, The Gossip’s Beth Ditto and Catastrophe star Sharon Horgan will appear with their gifts of wit, wonder and wisdom.
BBC Radio 3 will present Spirit of Bach, with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and the enduring influence of the composer being explored. In a new Slow Radio broadcast writer Horatio Clare will reimagine Bach’s journey across Germany from Arnstadt to Lübeck in The Bach Walk.
A Sunday Feature on Christmas Day will focus on the art of stage lighting, marking the bicentenary of lighting in London’s West End Theatres. Opera stars Dame Janet Baker and Sir John Tomlinson, as well as actors David Suchet and composer and DJ Gabriel Prokofiev will make contributions to the Christmas programming. The winning carol in the annual BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition will be announced live on 22nd December.
Prince Harry, Baroness Trumpington, Tamara Rojo, Benjamin Okri and Artificial Intelligence will be this year’s guest editors on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Just a Minute will celebrate 50 years on Radio 4, while there’s also festive offerings from the Infinite Monkey Cage.
Festive castaways for Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 include Bruno Tonioli, Christine McVie, Ai Weiwei and Kelsey Grammer.
Ed Byrne will make his debut on BBC Radio 5 live on Christmas Day. The first airing of podcast Beyond Reasonable Doubt? will occur on the station on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The Ashes from Australia is also being covered on BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live Sports Extra, with Breakfast also coming from down under.
Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Radio and Music, says: “During the festive season the millions of listeners who tune in to BBC Radio can enjoy their favourite programmes as well as some great Christmas treats.
“Whether you want to soundtrack Christmas Eve with musical delights curated by our fantastic DJs, listen to a Christmas Day drama or reading, or spend Boxing Day with live sport rather than relatives, the BBC has something special for you.”