Father Christmas 1954 meets Old Father Time, heralding New Year 1955
Before the advent of the Christmas and New Year double issue in 1969, it was only on the odd occasion that listings for December 25 and January 1 would be in the same issue of Radio Times. One such occasion came in 1954, where the cover artwork shows Father Christmas greeting Father Time to celebrate the event. At that time Radio Times normally covered the week from Sunday to Saturday, so including the preceding Saturday meant that that day appeared in two consecutive issues.
Christmas Day highlights in 1954 included Television's Christmas Party with Arthur Askey, Tommy Cooper, Petula Clark, Harry Secombe and Sooty, among others. Her Majesty the Queen's Christmas message was at 3pm but was only carried on radio at this time, and broadcast simultaneously on the Home Service and the Light Programme. The big variety show on Christmas night was On Stage, Coliseum, which was split into two parts, one on the Home Service with the second part on the Light - it was a programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of London's Coliseum theatre, pre-recorded at the venue. Its stars included actress Fay Compton, and comedians Bud Flanagan, Jewell and Warriss and Ted Ray.
