Cate Blanchett, Melvyn Bragg and Theresa May amongst BBC Radio 4 Today programme's Christmas Guest Editors

BBC Radio 4’s Today will welcome six Guest Editors between 24 December and 31 December as they take over the editorial reins of the programme. Each programme will include an interview with the guest editor.

This year’s line-up is:

• Cate Blanchett – actress and film producer
• Melvyn Bragg – writer and broadcaster
• Sir James Dyson – inventor
• Tom Holland – historian
• Theresa May – former Prime Minister
• Mustafa Suleyman – AI entrepreneur

The festive takeover starts on Christmas Eve, with a special guest edit from Melvyn Bragg, where he will be exploring the origins of the nativity story, reflecting on changing social attitudes to mental health and considering the value of culture in British society as he looks back on a career spanning six decades.

Inventor and entrepreneur Sir James Dyson will use his guest edit on Boxing Day to ask how Britain can get its inventive streak back. He’ll also be finding out how close we are to finding a cure for dementia, how a teacher can change your life and delving into the science of long-distance running.

Actor and humanitarian Cate Blanchett’s guest edit will broadcast on 27 December. Cate will use her programme to explore a range of topics including the impact of evolving AI technology on women in the film industry and beyond, the question of sustainability in the world of fashion, how nation states are responding to the refugee crisis, and why gardening is good for the soul.

On 29 December, British entrepreneur and AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman’s guest edit will ask how we should navigate the realities of a post-superintelligence world. His programme will reflect on what AI means for some of the core aspects of human existence - our consciousness, our creativity and the way we are governed - as well as asking how we make sure this technology works in the interests of humankind.

On 30 December, historian and broadcaster Tom Holland will be throwing an early birthday party for England’s 1100th birthday and exploring the impact of AI on academic research. He’ll be marking 800 years of worship at Salisbury Cathedral and celebrating the humble hedgehog.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May will explore the themes of domestic violence, trust in politics and modern slavery in her guest edit. Drawing on her time in government, Baroness May will also reflect on whether fact is stranger than fiction in her favourite spy novels and of course, there will be some cricket. Her guest edit will air on 31 December.

Owenna Griffiths, Editor of the Today programme, says: "Every Christmas on Today, a new set of guest editors take up residence and bring with them a wonderful range of new stories, fresh ideas and, hopefully, a sprinkling of joy. This year is no exception. In a rapidly changing world, this year's guest editors will help bring illumination and understanding and I'm enormously grateful to all of them for giving up the time to take part."

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, James May, Lewis Hamilton and Professor Stephen Hawking.

Transmission details

Wednesday 24 December – Wednesday 31 December (no programme on Christmas Day and Sunday)

Monday to Friday 6-9am; Boxing Day and Saturday 7-9am

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