Today’s radio

SOPHIE’S LIGHTS

2.15PM, RADIO 4 ★★★

A little Jewish girl has become totally convinced that Father Christmas is real, putting her doting father in a bit of a bind. How can he be true to his heritage without bringing tears to his daughter’s eyes? A sweet little festive drama.

THE FULL WORKS CONCERT

8PM, CLASSIC FM ★★★★

All this week, Classic FM has done a splendid job of giving lesser-known carols some airtime. Tonight, we get the chance to hear The Boar’s Head, a medieval carol with ancient roots. Deck The Halls and Little Robin Redbreast are also on the playlist. Listen in and help to keep these fine Christmas songs alive.

FREE THINKING

10PM, RADIO 3 ★★★ Mansions can exert a beguiling charm. Osterley House – a splendid pile surrounded by magnificent grounds – draws thousands of visitors, especially at Christmas, when the whole place is twinkling, bedecked and garlanded. In this programme,

Matthew Sweet and guests have a wander round Osterley, and reflect on the reality and illusion of life in a stately home.

THE UNTOLD

11.30PM, RADIO 4 ★★★★ Radio is very good at giving us insights into the lives of others, and this story of an enterprising, hard-working family does just that. James works with his brother and his father in a niche business. They farm insects to feed fish and, odd though this may sound to some of us, it’s a thriving concern with enormous potential. James, though, who is 24, has always wanted to be a livestock farmer, but getting a farm of his own has proved to be all but impossible. We listen in as James makes one last attempt to live his dream. SJ

Osterley House (10pm, Radio 3)