It’s a fair few decades since the family gathered round the “wireless” to enjoy a bit of Christmas merriment as it came crackling out of the speaker.
But while such scenes are firmly rooted in a possibly mythical past, the appeal of Christmas radio remains undimmed, and however powerful a claim television makes on us as we collapse under the weight of Quality Street and stilton-and-port, the radio alternative is always beckoning.
The past is never so close as it is at Christmas, and this year’s offerings seem to be heavily weighted towards taking us back in time, not least because of the big radio names who bade us farewell this year and whose legacies are being honoured.
Paul O’Grady, Michael Parkinson, and Barry Humphries are all the subjects of celebrations, while Nicholas Parsons – who would have turned 100 in October this year – has a whole day to himself, courtesy of Paul Merton.
The 50th anniversary of The Wombles first appearing on the BBC is marked with a week-plus-long series of readings of Elisabeth Beresford’s stories by Richard E Grant. The phenomenon that was 1984’s Band Aid is recalled in an edition of The Reunion, and there’s the equally remarkable story of how Wham! wowed China in 1985.
Three female pop icons – Cilla Black, Cher, and Madonna – are all showcased. Stevie Wonder and Jim Morrison receive close critical attention. An intriguing aspect of the Beatles is explored, and there’s no shortage of carols. Brian Cox (77) and Bill Nighy (74) get the chance to show why ageing male actors can still pack them in, while the nation’s kitchens will surely simmer to the sound of Delia Smith on Desert Island Discs. Turn up the volume, if not the oven.
Music
Sunday 17 December
Christmas Around Europe, 9am Radio 3
Radio 3’s annual day-long tour of live Christmas music around Europe is always a joy. Starting in Hanover, it continues with concerts from Amsterdam, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Riga, Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Munich, Paris, Helsinki, Lisbon and Sofia.
Thursday 21 December
Gareth Malone at Christmas, 5pm Radio 3
Choirmaster supreme Gareth Malone takes over Radio 3’s drivetime slot, with a promise of sleigh bells, yuletide brass, wassailing and carols.
Saturday 23 December
Carols from St Paul’s Cathedral, 6pm Classic FM
A concert in aid of the Prince’s Trust, with the St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and London Youth Choirs joined by pianist Jamie Cullum. There are festive readings from Tony Robinson, Richard E Grant and Joanna Lumley.
Christmas Eve
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 3pm Radio 4
The traditional service from the chapel of King’s College Cambridge, with no spine-tingler quite like the solo boy soprano singing the opening verse of “Once in Royal David’s City”.
Kate Thornton’s Christmas Number Ones, 4pm Greatest Hits
A celebration of Christmas No 1s from across the decades and the stories of the chart battles over the coveted top spot.
Christmas Day
Paul O’Grady: the Musical Celebration, 12 noon Boom Radio
Paul O’Grady was a huge loss to TV and radio when he died in March this year. Now comes this tribute presented by Julian Clary, highlighting O’Grady’s favourite music – from show tunes to Northern Soul, Motown to classical, jazz to music hall. With contributions from Elkie Brooks, Michael Bublé, Barbara Dickson and Madeline Bell.
Christmas from Buckingham Palace, 3.05pm Classic FM
Alan Titchmarsh presents a programme of carols and festive music recorded live at Buckingham Palace.
Cher, in Conversation with Ken Bruce, 9pm Greatest Hits
An interview recorded in front of an audience in Leicester Square, with Cher reflecting on her career, greatest hits and her first ever Christmas album, already hailed as a modern classic.
Cilla at the BBC, 10pm Radio 2
Cliff Richard introduces memories from Cilla Black‘s son Robert, alongside insights from those who worked with and appeared on Cilla’s groundbreaking BBC TV light entertainment show in the 60s and 70s.
Boxing Day
Wham! Making It Big in China, 9pm Greatest Hits
The story of how George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley became the first western pop group to play in China in April 1985, and the impact their visit had on the country.
Radio 2 Remembers Michael Parkinson, 9pm Radio 2
Music was integral to the broadcasting career of Michael Parkinson, who died in August. This celebration from Jamie Cullum includes the best moments from Parky’s interviews with Oscar Peterson, Paul McCartney, Buddy Rich and others.
Wednesday 27 December
The Beatles Legacy: Red and Blue, 9pm Greatest Hits
Following the Beatles’ break-up, the Red and Blue albums of their greatest songs introduced a whole new generation to their music. Simon Mayo tells the story of how the albums came about.
Thursday 28 December
Radio 2 Remembers Barry Humphries, 9pm Radio 2
Another huge loss this year was Barry Humphries – like Michael Parkinson, a musical devotee, his taste more in the direction of music hall and cabaret. This tribute celebrates the creator of Dame Edna in all his facets.
6 Music’s Festive Takeover, 7pm BBC 6 Music
Queen of funk Chaka Khan – her career spanning five decades – takes over the 6 Music schedules.
New Year’s Eve
Stuart Maconie’s Northern Soul Party, 8pm 6 Music
This was the year Stuart Maconie presided over a triumphant Northern Soul Prom at the Albert Hall. He returns to the music that means so much to him with two hours of classics.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day Concert from Vienna, 10.15am Radio 3
The Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein provides the sumptuous backdrop to this most sumptuous of welcomes to the new year, with more waltzes than you could shake a leg at.
Your Ultimate Madonna Song, 2pm Radio 2
Madonna has released nearly 100 singles – but which is the nation’s favourite? Radio 2 listeners have been casting their votes, and now Scott Mills counts down the top 40. With archive clips of interviews with Madonna herself, plus collaborators including Nile Rodgers and William Orbit.
Factual
Saturday 16 December
Archive on 4: Jim Kerr on Jim Morrison, 8pm Radio 4
The Simple Minds frontman discovered his fellow Jim – Jim Morrison of The Doors – when he was 12, and the fascination with him and his music has never faded.
Saturday 23 December
Archive on 4: Stevie’s Inner Visions, 8pm Radio 4
Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums in pop history. Mercury Prize-winning singer Sampha looks back to its release 50 years ago.
Christmas Eve
Desert Island Discs, 11.15am Radio 4
Lauren Laverne’s castaway is saint of the kitchen Delia Smith, 41 years on from when she first appeared on the programme.
Pilgrimage for a Pint, 4.30pm Radio 4
Folk musicians Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart set out on a journey to the most remote pub in mainland Britain – The Old Forge in Inverie, located on the Knoydart Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. They have set themselves the challenge of writing a new song and composing poetry about their two different pilgrimages for a pint.
Christmas Day
The Reunion, 11.15am Radio 4
Back in 1984, Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – in aid of famine relief in Ethiopia – became the fastest-selling single in UK history. Kirsty Wark gathers together key figures who were part of the phenomenon. They include Bob Geldof, who the following year would inspire Live Aid.
Saturday 30 December
Archive on 4: Vivienne, 8pm Radio 4
It’s a year since fashion designer and cultural disruptor Vivienne Westwood died, and here Kirsty Wark tells the story of her life and vision.
This Cultural Life, 7.15pm Radio 4
A new series of the programme in which John Wilson interviews leading cultural figures begins with violinist Nigel Kennedy, with the noted Aston Villa fan explaining the connection between football crowds and concert dynamics.
Books and drama
Friday 22 December
The Verb, 10pm Radio 3
Ian McMillan’s “cabaret of the word” takes up residence at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, in front of a live audience. Contributors of stories and verse and song include poet and former Scottish Makar Jackie Kay.
Saturday 23 December
Drama: Comet in Moominland, 3pm Radio 4
The magical Moomins, created by Finnish author Tove Jansson are beloved the world over. This dramatisation of a story in which Moomintroll sets off on a quest to discover the truth about the Comet stars John Finnemore, with Samantha Bond narrating.
Christmas Day
The Wombles, 6.15pm Radio 4
The Wombles first appeared on the BBC 50 years ago. Now Richard E Grant reads six of Elizabeth Beresford’s stories about the furry creatures who are dedicated to picking up litter on Wimbledon Common.
Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, 9.45am Radio 4
Not just a biography but, according to Antonia Fraser, “the most engaging portrait of a particular period of British history that I have read in a long time”. Nicholas Shakespeare’s fresh take on the James Bond creator is read by Alex Jennings.
Boxing Day
Drama: A Single Act, 2.15pm Radio 4
AL Kennedy’s play celebrates 100 years of radio drama and is a homage to the inventiveness of radio and the world of sounds. It stars Bill Nighy and Amelia Bullmore.
Comedy
Christmas Eve
Nicholas Parsons Day with Paul Merton, from 6am Radio 4 Extra
Paul Merton and Nicholas Parsons bonded over Just a Minute – the comedy panel game that Parsons presided over for decades and on which Merton has become a fixture. Here Merton presents a day of documentaries, drama and comedy telling the story of Parsons’ life, showcasing his gifts for acting, compering and comedy.
Wednesday 27 December
Bob Servant Says Cheerio, 11.30am Radio 4
Neil Forsyth’s award-winning books and cult TV series come to radio, with Brian Cox reprising his role as Broughty Ferry businessman Bob Servant. Listen out for fellow Scottish icon Lulu, playing herself.