TODAY’S RADIO

NATURAL HISTORIES

6.35AM, RADIO 4 HHHH

Tilly Smith herds reindeer in the Scottish Highlands, and Karen Anette Anti comes from a long line of Sami reindeer herders. They join Brett Westwood to talk about working with reindeer, and how these tough, endearing animals made life for humans possible in the far, frozen north.

EBU CHRISTMAS AROUND EUROPE

9AM, 1PM, 4PM, RADIO 3 HHHHH

Every Christmas, the European Broadcasting Union delivers a wonderful mix of carols, classical and traditional seasonal music. Today, we start in Britain with a concert from Katie Melua and the BBC Singers. At 1pm, there’s music from Finland and Spain,

Cliff Richard (11am, Radio 4) and at 4pm, there’s Advent music from Budapest. Along the way, we will hear carols from other lands, plus ancient and modern Christmas music. Organising this event when musicians and singers must socially distance will have been dauntingly difficult – but the spirit of genuine and uncommercial Christmas triumphs.

DESERT ISLAND DISCS

11AM, RADIO 4 HHHH

Cliff Richard is heading back to the desert island more than 60 years after his first visit to the show, setting a new record for the longest gap between appearances. Laurene Laverne wil be hearing his stories and playing his favourite tracks from a remarkable life.

A HANDFUL OF SONGS: A TRIBUTE TO LIONEL BART

7PM, RADIO 2 HHHH

As a tribute to Barbara Windsor, who died earlier this month, here’s another chance to listen to this special concert, recorded at the Hackney Empire in October 2010. In it, Babs is joined by a glittering array of stars from stage and screen to celebrate the life and music of composer Lionel Bart.