By Sheila Mckenzie-
Seven guest editors including Singer Ellie Goulding and TV host James May are lined up to guest host BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this Christmas.
They will be joined by five others who will each guest edit the show between Saturday 23 December and Monday 1 January:
Andrew Malkinson – cleared this year after being wrongfully convicted and jailed for 17 years
Dame Emma Walmsley – CEO global biopharma company, GSK
Hanif Kureishi – Author and screenwriter
Professor Jason Arday – sociologist, writer and fundraiser
Dr Nicky Fox – Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate
Each programme will include an interview with the Guest Editor and each editor will have the support of Today producers and reporters to bring their ideas to air and to make sure they adhere to BBC editorial guidelines.
NASA’s Head of Science, Dr Nicky Fox, who will look at science education and the influence of outer space on music.
Author and screenwriter Hanif Kureishi who sustained life changing injuries after a fall in Rome has a programme on Boxing Day, exactly a year to the day since his accident which will see Hanif explore the impact his injuries have had on his family and how they have changed the way he now writes.
Grand Tour and former Top Gear presenter James May will take the helm on 27 December.
His programme will look at the future for autonomous cars and whether hobbies can improve your health and wellbeing. James will speak to Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson on The Today Podcast ahead of his guest edit in an episode dropping on BBC Sounds on Thursday 23 November.
On 28 December, musician, activist and philanthropist Ellie Goulding will use her programme to look at climate and nature stories. She will also examine the work being done to make the music industry more sustainable.
In the run up to Christmas, Today will also broadcast items from the guest edit archive.
Throughout December the programme will showcase some of the most surprising items suggested by Today guest editors over the last two decades, including recordings from Jarvis Cocker and PD James’ programmes.
Owenna Griffiths, Editor of the Today programme, said: “Over the past twenty years, the guest editors on Today have become a highlight of the Christmas period.
‘This year is no exception. I’m enormously grateful to all these guest editors who will give up their time to bring new stories, different perspectives and a little festive cheer to the Today audience.”
The Today programme has welcomed various Guest Editors over the years, including Prince Harry, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Lord Botham, Greta Thunberg, Angelina Jolie, Raheem Stirling, Prue Leith, Benjamin Zephaniah, Melinda Gates, George the Poet, Jarvis Cocker, Lewis Hamilton and Professor Stephen Hawking.