RADIO

SUNDAY THE HAUNTING OF M. R. JAMES RADIO 4, 3PM

Mark Gatiss stars in a chilling play about the master of the ghost story, M. R. James, who used to read a tale to his Cambridge students every Christmas. In Neil Brand’s drama he finds that the horrors he has created are being reflected in real life.

MONDAY A MAIGRET CHRISTMAS RADIO 4 EXTRA, 2PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY

Sir Derek Jacobi reads a story by Georges Simenon, in which the Paris detective is visited by a young woman who says she has seen Father Christmas in her room cutting a hole in the floor. As the snow falls, Maigret investigates…

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD RADIO 4, 7.45PM

In Mike Walker’s ten-part adaptation of Charles Dickens’s unfinished suspense novel, the author’s daughter Kate tells the story, in which Drood disappears after his fiancee becomes the focus of choirmaster and opium addict John Jasper’s attention.

WEDNESDAY A WINTER’S JOURNEY RADIO 3, 4.30PM

London’s Wigmore Hall hosted the first concerts since lockdown began in March. Highlights include cellist Steven Isserlis with Schumann’s Three Romances, and tenor Mark Padmore performing Schubert’s song-cycle Winterreise.

CHRISTMAS EVE A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS RADIO 4, 3PM

Live from King’s College, Cambridge, nine Bible readings interspersed with carols old and new. No congregation this year, just the world-famous chapel choir.

EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH? RADIO 4, 6.15PM

The singer/organist reveals the man behind the character (musician Graham Fellows) and recalls his 40-odd years in showbiz, from 1977 when he came up with his first creation, Jilted John. Shuttleworth will be adding his thoughts too.

CHRISTMAS DAY WITH GREAT PLEASURE AT CHRISTMAS RADIO 4, 7AM

Seventy years of The Archers is marked by the cast as they present readings, music and behind-the-scenes anecdotes – one for each decade of the drama’s run.

DRAMA: CHRISTMAS BY THE LAKE RADIO 4, 2.15PM

Rachel Joyce’s play concerns Walter and Mary (Robert Lindsay and Niamh Cusack), in their 60s and hating Christmas. After an incident at the titular lake, an unlikely friendship develops that brings a sparkle to the festive season.

BOXING DAY NEIL GAIMAN’S THE SLEEPER AND THE SPINDLE, RADIO 4, 3PM

Neil Gaiman’s tale combines Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and stars Penelope Wilton and Gwendoline Christie. On her wedding day, a soldier-queen tries to save her kingdom from a sleeping sickness.