12 festive treats
Our pick of the programmes to listen to this Christmas
1 DRAMA Comet in Moominland Saturday 23 Dec 3.00pm Radio 4
Following 2021’s Moomin Midwinter, Samantha Bond returns to Moomin-valley to narrate this adaptation of Tove Jansson’s second book about the endearing trolls. John Finnemore reprises his role as Moomintroll, whose adventures with pals Snufkin and Sniff are interrupted by the appearance of a comet in the sky. While a fantastical treat for kids, themes of looming disaster and refuge make this one of the more intriguing entries in the series. TOM GOULDING
2 MUSIC Carols from St Paul’s Cathedral Saturday 23 Dec 6.00pm Classic FM
If you listen to only one carol concert this Christmas, this would be a good one. Staged in aid of the Prince’s Trust, the charity set up by King Charles in 1976 to support young people from underserved communities, it comes from St Paul’s Cathedral, with the Cathedral Choir and London Youth Choirs singing to the accompaniment of jazz pianist Jamie Cullum and tenor Alfie Boe. There are also readings from Tony Robinson, Richard E Grant, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatch and Joanna Lumley. FIONA HUGHES
3 ENTERTAINMENT Nicholas Parsons Day with Paul Merton Christmas Eve from 6.00am Radio 4 Extra
Can a radio review capture a day devoted to Nicholas Parsons without hesitation, repetition and deviation? Let’s give it a go. Highlights include the great man narrating a musical version of A Christmas Carol, his exploration of the nonsensical genius of Edward Lear’s poetry and, of course, two top-notch examples of Just a Minute from 1976 and 2017. Best of all, though, is regular JaM panellist Paul Merton and current series host Sue Perkins simply chatting about Mr P’s wit, warmth and, bizarrely, his wardrobe. Mission accomplished? ANNA JONES
4 CONVERSATION Desert Island Discs Christmas Eve 11.15am Radio 4
When Delia Smith spoke with Roy Plomley in June 1982, her television career had taken off and her choices of music were mainly classical. Just over 40 years later, she has enjoyed international success as a make-it-simple kitchen goddess — long before Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson waded in — and offers up some last
minute Christmas cookery tips for any nervous cooks out there. When it comes to musical selections, no spoilers, but this time round Kate Bush and Sinéad O’Connor are on her desert island wish list. Simply delectable. AJ
5 DOCUMENTARY While Shepherds Watched Christmas Eve 6.15pm Radio 3
While we often credit the Victorians with shaping the Christmas traditions we know today, they were surprisingly severe when it came to carolling. Many popular hymns were driven out of churches or lost altogether, only to find new licentious life in the convivial pubs of South Yorkshire. Pub carolling in the county survives, as do new compositions, with While Shepherds
Watched an enduring local favourite. In this illuminating documentary, Elizabeth Alker explores the social phenomenon and speaks to punters who are keeping carols alive. TG
6 MUSIC The Christmas Story with Stephen Fry Christmas Eve 6.45pm Classic FM
Gather round to enjoy this new setting of the Nativity, part of a suite, Incarnation, by British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones. It’s performed by the Scottish Session Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Earis. “I approached Stephen Fry, with whom I had the pleasure of working during the London 2012 Olympics,” Hewitt Jones recalls, “and was delighted that he gave the text [from St Luke’s Gospel] a customarily poignant reading.” The work concludes with Silent Night. DAVID McGILLIVRAY
7 CONVERSATION The Reunion Christmas Day 9.00am Radio 4
It may be a year out from the 40th anniversary of Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s
Christmas?, but any chance to get Bob Geldof talking about his passion project shouldn’t be missed. Among those joining Kirsty Wark and Sir Bob to reminisce about the extraordinary effort that went into the record are Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, DJ Richard Skinner, video director Nigel Dick and Mariella Frostrup, who was then working at Geldof’s record label. DAVID CRAWFORD
8 ENTERTAINMENT Paul O’Grady: the Musical Celebration Christmas Day 12 noon Boom Radio
Without wishing to go all Cilla Black, there’s a whole lorra love and laughs in this show, as befits a proper celebration of the eclectic musical tastes of the much-missed Paul O’Grady, brought to us by his close friends and erstwhile colleagues, comedian Julian Clary and producer Malcolm Prince. With celebrity phone messages a-plenty, a surprise recording from a Hollywood screen idol and contributions from O’Grady’s daughter Sharon, this is a very special show. As Michael Bublé puts it, “Thank you, Paul, for making the world a better place.” AJ
9 FAMILY DRAMA The Wombles Xmas Day—Fri 29 Dec, New Year’s Day 6.15pm Radio 4; available now on BBC Sounds
A proper family treat that will delight adults as much as children as Richard E Grant ably voices all the characters in six of Elisabeth Beresford’s Womble stories. Credit must go to Johnny Vegas for his empathetic direction, which never loses sight of the comedy but permits the prescient environmental messages to shine through. The perfect mix of nostalgia meets new. AJ
10DRAMA A Single Act Boxing Day 2.15pm Radio 4
Bill Nighy on Boxing Day? Yes, please. He is the embodiment of human complexity we all need reminding of at this time of year, capable of switching from mealy-mouthed to meaningful, witty to woeful in a heartbeat. As Simon, an accountant-turned-podcaster and grandad to recovering addict Ben (Sebastian Croft from
Heartstopper), he is the perfect match for writer AL Kennedy’s gently humorous drama of emotional entanglement that’s also a bit of an ode to radio itself. Amelia Bullmore co-stars as the neighbour who holds everyone together. FH
11 COMEDY Bob Servant Says Cheerio Wednesday 27 Dec, Wednesday 3 Jan 11.30am Radio 4
Can it be true? Bob Servant, the no-nonsense but somewhat egocentric businessman from Broughty Ferry “on the Scottish Riviera”, has decided to retire from public life. Writer Neil Forsyth’s creation made his debut in Delete This at Your Peril, the hilarious book in which Forsyth gave email scammers a dose of their own medicine. This became The Bob Servant Emails for Radio Scotland in 2010 and later a BBC4 series. Brian Cox has always been the echt Bob Servant. Cheerio? I predict a comeback. DMcG
12 POP MUSIC Your Ultimate Madonna Song New Year’s Day 2.00pm Radio 2
If there are many cultural touchstones to identify one’s age (who’s your Doctor Who?), a most reliable marker must surely lie in naming your favourite Madonna song. The cheeky Material Girl? A dance-floor banger like Ray of Light? Or perhaps the ethereal Like a Prayer? Prepare for waves of nostalgia in this countdown, voted for by listeners. Whatever your era, with almost 100 singles to her name, the Queen of Pop will have you covered. CAROLINE FROST