BBC Radio Christmas Launch 2015 - Radio 2

Liza Tarbuck visits Mary Berry at home for lunch on Christmas Eve. Expect festive food, Mary's music and a healthy helping of nostalgia. In the grotto that is Mary's kitchen, listeners will be treated to some of her most indulgent seasonal recipes, get a unique insight into the music that soundtracked her childhood, and find out what Christmas means to her.

Full details about the programme can be found here.

Don Henley Country

In a BBC Radio 2 exclusive, Eagles frontman Don Henley takes over the regular Bob Harris Country slot for one night only to reveal his country roots and to play some of his favourite country records. The rock superstar, responsible for America’s biggest selling album of the 20th century - the Eagles’ first greatest hits record - has always been a country fan, and has in the past recorded duets with country stars like Trisha Yearwood and Randy Travis. But it’s not just mainstream country he likes, Don will also have picks from new and little-known artists like Jamey Johnson and Matraca Berg.

Christmas Eve, 7pm–8pm
Don Henley Country is a BBC Radio 2 Production

Baylen Leonard’s Country Christmas

Native Tennesseean Baylen Leonard presents two hours of the most festive country music to get you a-whoopin' and a-hollerin' for Christmas. As well as playing festive classics by Bill Monroe, Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton, Baylen chats to country music stars such as Kenny Rogers, Sturgill Simpson, Zac Brown and Reba McEntire about their family Christmases, their traditions and their favourite Christmas songs. Rosanne Cash shares stories about Christmases with her father Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams Jr serves up an unusual four-legged Christmas dinner.

Baylen also finds out the low-down on Christmas in the deep South from Kentucky and Tennessee locals, who describe their unique seasonal traditions including Christmas parades, the Bristol Speedway lights, and the festive foodstuff - ‘Surprise Salad’.

Baylen says: “Christmas really resonates in country music; the Deep South is steeped in festive tradition. With my special guests, and a wonderful mix of Christmas country music, it's a real treat for me to share what makes the holidays so special back home with Radio 2 listeners."

Christmas Eve, 8pm–10pm
Baylen Leonard’s Country Christmas is a Ping Production

Paul O’Grady

Who better to present the Christmas day lunchtime show than the man who doesn't really like Christmas? Paul O'Grady will read out emails and messages from Radio 2 listeners while playing some traditional seasonal tunes. He will also be encouraging his guest, up-and-coming singer Harriet, to perform live in the studio – wish him luck.

Paul says: “Merry Christmas! Oh not again! If you're trying to avoid being constantly jolly, join me on Radio 2 for my annual 'avoid the Brussel sprouts' session. There’ll be seasonal songs, two Christmas movie triples, your messages and dedications and, friend-of-the-show, Harriet will be performing live. Oh, and I'll do my best to avoid any of producer Malcolm's mum’s mince pies. I hope you can join me nonetheless!"

Christmas Day, midday–2pm
Paul O’Grady is a BBC Radio 2 Production

Christmas With Kylie

Celebrate Christmas with Kylie Minogue. Join her for a Christmas lunch packed with Christmas anthems and some of her favourite tunes sprinkled with seasonal flavour. Plus there's the Queen's speech - what more could you want for Christmas?

Christmas Day, 2pm–4pm
Christmas With Kylie is a BBC Radio 2 Production

All The Trimmings With Alan And Mel

Join comedian Alan Carr and presenter Mel Sykes as they return to Radio 2 for a Boxing Day treat. Good pals Alan and Mel presented Going Out With Alan Carr for two years on Radio 2, from 2010 to 2012. For this special festive show, they are back to spread the Christmas cheer with their listeners. They will be reminiscing, finding out what to do with those Christmas lunch left-overs, doing a special Quiz of the Year and generally getting tinselled out. Plus, Alan will be hosting his very own version of Name That Tune.

Alan says: “It’s Christmas and I’m thrilled! I’ve waited all year and here it is, the most magical time of year. I’ll be spending Boxing Day with Mel and we are throwing a very special Christmas get-together! We’ve got gorgeous music, Christmas stories, games and of course lots of chatter. All in all it’ll be a two-hour fabulous festive fling!”

Mel said: “I’m delighted to be reunited with my wonderful pal Alan for a festive get together. I’m sure there will be lots of laughs - there always are!"

Boxing Day, 4pm–6pm
All The Trimmings With Alan And Mel is an Open Mike Production

The Sound Of Motown – 50 Years On

In 1965, British TV show Ready Steady Go did a special edition programme devoted to the Sound of Motown, hosted by Dusty Springfield, which many credit with launching the music to a UK audience. In this special programme presented by Paul Gambaccini, the founder of the Motown record label, Berry Gordy, is reunited with the producer of the Sound of Motown show, Vicki Wickham, and we listen to them discuss what life was like in Detroit in the 1960s and how Vicki brought the sound of Motor City to the UK.

50 years on, contemporary UK artists influenced by the music, including Lemar, Shaun Escoffery, Lucy Jules and Dionne Bromfield, perform Motown Songs from the original show - backed by the Leo Green Experience.

Paul says: "No one gets to interview the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, but I did. We celebrate with Vicki Wickham, the eminence behind the 1965 television special - The Sound Of Motown, the 50th anniversary of that landmark programme, which helped popularise the company's music in Britain. Just imagine, on one stage at the same time, Martha And The Vandellas, Smokey Robinson And The Miracles, Diana Ross And The Supremes, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder! It really happened, and we tell all the tales."

Boxing Day, 6pm–8pm
The Sound Of Motown – 50 Years On is a Sue Clark Production

Johnnie Walker Meets Tom Jones & Johnnie Walker Meets Jimmy Page

In an intimate conversation recorded at The Savoy Hotel in London, Sir Tom Jones, OBE tells Johnnie Walker all about his musical career, from his emergence in the early 1960s, right up until the present day. Notably, Tom speaks about his latest heartfelt album, Long Lost Suitcase, incredible meetings and collaborations with many legendary figures and his recent autobiography, Over The Top And Back.

Johnnie Walker hears from legendary guitarist and Led Zeppelin founder, Jimmy Page, on all aspects of his musical journey. Jimmy talks at length about the musicians he has worked with in a career spanning over 55 years, what it was like starting as a session player with The Who, Them and Shirley Bassey among many others, and also about his recent reconstruction of and additions to the Led Zeppelin catalogue.

Tuesday 29th December and Wednesday 30th December, 5pm–7pm
Johnnie Walker Meets… is a BBC Radio 2 Production

What The World Needs Now… Is Burt Bacharach

Paul Gambaccini chats to the multiple Grammy and Academy Award-winner and man behind countless romantic hits, Burt Bacharach.

Burt talks at length about his various collaborations and the artists who have recorded his compositions, including Cilla Black, Gene Pitney and Dionne Warwick. Plus, Paul talks to Burt about his amazing life and incredible songbook. Kyle Riabko – star of the West End Show Close To You – Burt Bacharach Re-Imagined - also performs some of his interpretations at the BBC Maida Vale Studios.

Paul says: "I was pleased to introduce Burt Bacharach at the BBC Electric Proms in 2008. Now I get to talk to him and Kyle Riabko about his unequalled catalogue of hits. How lucky can one man be? To hear about the genesis of classics from I Say A Little Prayer to On My Own from the composer's mouth is pure bliss."

Thursday 31st December, midday–2pm
What The World Needs Now… Is Burt Bacharach is a BBC Radio 2 Production

Mika: The Art Of Song

Internationally acclaimed pop star Mika hosts a two-hour special, focusing on some of the greatest songs and songwriters of all time. The multi-platinum-selling singer will be playing some of his favourite records, looking at the story behind the music and revealing his own relationships with his favourite artists. Throughout the show, Mika will also perform covers of songs by iconic artists on the Radio 2 piano donated by Elton John. Featured artists will include Adele, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and Carole King.

Mika says: “It is a dream to host my own show on Radio 2. What a thrill to be able to play two hours of some of the best songs ever created. The art of making unforgettable songs is close to my heart and something that can create so much joy for so many people. This show will be a celebration of just that.”

New Year’s Day, midday–2pm
Mika: The Art Of Song is a BBC Radio 2 Production

Katie Puckrik’s Yacht Rock

Following the success of her last two Christmas specials, American broadcaster and columnist Katie Puckrik returns with another programme in praise of the gently funky classic soft rock of the 70s and 80s. Katie will create a luxury pop-soul soundtrack for an imaginary millionaire lifestyle.

For too long derided as big-haired and overproduced, Yacht Rock has been enjoying a reappraisal by a new generation of music lovers inspired by the genre’s sonic sophistication. Katie’s 1970s childhood in suburban Virginia was filled with these slick, aspirational sounds.

Katie says: “When I was growing up in 70s suburban Virginia, Yacht Rock was the music that sailed out of my girlfriends' cassette players, the older boys' muscle cars, and the grown-ups' neighbourhood cocktail parties. The likes of Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, Carly Simon and Robert Palmer delivered Yacht's signature slick blue-eyed soul. It's escapist, but also surprisingly melancholy. As a kid, I remember being lured by Yacht Rock's built-in promise: that adult life was going to be sophisticated and breezy, filled with dancing and tequila sunsets. And even if it wasn't, that was fine too, 'cause in the world of Yacht, even heartbreak is glamorous...as long as you've got the wind in your hair, and the sleeves of your white blazer pushed up with reckless insouciance.”

New Year’s Day, 10pm-midnight
Katie Puckrik’s Yacht Rock is a Folded Wing Production

Related BBC Links

• BBC Radio 2