BBC Radio simply having a wonderful Christmastime!

There’s a wide choice of listening being offered across BBC radio over the festive period with “something for everyone” according to James Purnell, BBC Director of Radio & Education.

Among the highlights for BBC Radio 2, Bryan Adams will present two programmes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, looking back at the classics of the Rock Of Ages. There will be special programmes with familiar names including Michelle Visage, Joe Lycett and Matt Lucas.

Rick Astley and Andrew Ridgeley will be playing some of their favourite tracks on Radio 2 on New Year’s Day. Rick Astley says: “I am so excited to be playing some of my favourite rock tracks on BBC Radio 2. Let’s turn it up to 11!”

On BBC Radio 1, Scott Mills will reveal the all important Christmas Number 1 from The Official Chart, while Annie Mac will reveal. the Hottest Record Of The Year. There will also be a new roster of DJs from Boxing Day until New Year’s Eve. This comes on the back of Radio 1’s search the best in new and emerging talent to showcase and offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the station.

BBC Radio 6 Music will welcome three Wise Women, Little Simz, Jessica Hynes and Kate Tempest, who will each play three hours of their favourite music on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Shaun Keaveny will be joined by Brian Eno and Professor Brian Cox on Christmas Day for another of their annual Christmas specials, recorded at the top of the BT Tower in London.

Martin Freeman is returning to 6 Music to present a series of six three-hour long programmes between Christmas and New Year, plus Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy will have some Tender radio for Tender Heads on New Year’s Day. He’ll also be joined by Anna Calvi and Kate Tempest for sessions and interviews.

For the Asian Network, Comedy Live is returning to the BBC Radio Theatre, Noreen Khan celebrates the 90th birthday of Lata Mangeshkar and to round off 2019, the Asian Network DJs host a New Year’s Eve Party.

On Radio 4, The Today programme will have five Guest Editors taking over the programme. This year’s line-up includes Greta Thunberg, Baroness Hale of Richmond, Grayson Perry, Charles Moore, and George The Poet.

Also on Radio 4, Glenda Jackson, Kit Harington, Jessica Turner and Lucy Reynolds star in an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Chivalry and Simon Russell Beale will read the second volume of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed The Book Of Dust trilogy, The Secret Commonwealth.

A comedy special from award-winning John Kearns, A Very John Kearns Christmas will air on Radio 4 and other Christmas comedy specials include Museum Of Curiosity, where John Lloyd and Bridget Christie are joined by Glyn Johns, Shazia Mirza and JK Rowling.

On BBC Radio 5 Live Elis James and John Robins will invite listeners and special guests to join them for their last live show of the year which will be coming from a central London pub in front of a live audience.