| 00:00 | 00:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 00:15What if a stranger decided to marry you? Would you agree? 00:45Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St John the Baptist in Mathon, Herefordshire. 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
| 00:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 00:301/5An evocative collection of essays spanning the career of one of food writing's finest. 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
| 00:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 00:302/5One of food writing's finest evokes deliciousness in Bordeaux, Istanbul and Rome. 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
| 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
| 00:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 00:15A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with Bishop Mariann Budde, Bishop of Washington. 00:304/5The acclaimed food writer on autumnal flavours from Japan to Northern Ireland. 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
| 00:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 00:151/5Chloe Dalton’s memoir about her unlikely and transformative relationship with a wild hare. 00:305/5The well-loved food writer on culinary curiosity and memories conjured by taste. 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
| 00:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 00:15A special episode to mark the Jane Austen anniversary with the actress Emma Thompson. 00:48The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
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| 01:00 | 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
| 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
| 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
| 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
| 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
| 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
| 01:00A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
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| 05:00 | 05:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:04Matthew Bannister on a film-maker, a comedian and two authors. 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43Spiritual reflection with Fiona Stewart, a writer who runs a Christian arts charity. 05:45Trail hunting and caged hens are to go in a new government animal welfare strategy. 05:57The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers
| 05:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:04Ukraine's soldiers resist Russia's relentless advance in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43Spiritual reflection with Fiona Stewart, a writer who runs a Christian arts charity. 05:45Could this year's Boxing Day hunt meets be the last, with a ban on trail hunting proposed?
| 05:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:04President Trump continues to shake up science. We look at the impact it’s already having. 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43Christmas Eve reflection with Fiona Stewart, a writer who runs a Christian arts charity. 05:45Chelsea Pensioners receive their traditional Christmas present from the UK dairy industry.
| 05:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:04From counting people to measuring housework - we explore. 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43Christmas Day reflection with Fiona Stewart, a writer who runs a Christian arts charity. 05:45Children's author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare mark 50 years of their farm charity.
| 05:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:04What does it take to make something which has never existed on Earth before? 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43Reflection for Boxing Day with Fiona Stewart, a writer who runs a Christian arts charity. 05:45An Oxfordshire brewery using heavy horses to deliver beer.
| 05:30National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with singer and musician Ruth Jennings. 05:45Fun football history for families. Presented by Greg Jenner.
| 05:30National and international news from BBC Radio 4 05:34The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 05:43Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Bartholomew Haslemere in Surrey. 05:45In Touch speaks to three visually impaired rising stars of showbiz.
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| 06:00 | 06:00News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
| 06:00News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Writer and broadcaster Lord Melvyn Bragg is the first Today guest editor this Christmas.
| 06:00Adrian Chiles uncovers the fun, fraught and frankly surprising early life of Edward Elgar. 06:30A composition for voices and harp, written on a cargo ship on the Atlantic in 1942.
| 06:00Bill Bailey and his band perform his favourite songs and readings at the BBC Radio Theatre
| 06:00The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers. 06:07His Majesty the King tells Martha Kearney about his lifelong passion for the natural world 06:30Anna Hill discusses her 30 years as a presenter of Farming Today with Charlotte Smith. 06:57The latest weather reports and forecast
| 06:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4 06:05Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world. 06:35The egg business that grew from a family dairy farm's side income to a supermarket brand. 06:57The latest weather reports and forecast
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| 07:00 | | | | 07:00A Service for Christmas Morning from Leeds Catholic Cathedral.
| 07:00Sir James Dyson is the second Today guest editor this Christmas.
| 07:00Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett is the third Today guest editor this Christmas.
| 07:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 07:10Emily Buchanan takes a look at the ethical and religious issues of the week. 07:54Chemmy Alcott makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Snow Camp 07:57The latest weather reports and forecast
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| 08:00 | | | | 08:00Swapping our virtual coffee shop for the real Cafe Hope in Glasgow. 08:35His Majesty the King tells Martha Kearney about his lifelong passion for the natural world
| | | 08:00The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers. 08:10A service celebrating the Christmas music of composers John Rutter and Bob Chilcott. 08:48In 1953, the comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy spent a few weeks at the Bull Inn. 08:58Writer Polly Atkin observes the wintering of short-eared owls in Cumbria.
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| 09:00 | 09:00Nick Makoha, Miles Leeson and Karen Leeder. 09:454/5Emily Knight celebrates 60 years of Bond henchmen, with some help from the animal kingdom.
| 09:00Tony Juniper, head of Natural England, shares his hopes and fears for the state of nature. 09:30A musician’s-eye view of classical music’s best-loved works
| 09:00From counting people to measuring housework - we explore. 09:301/4Two men from Nottingham have a chilling encounter on opposing sides in the Ukraine war.
| 09:00Kirsty Wark's guests reflect on the launch of TV drama series Downton Abbey.
| 09:00Kate Winslet, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
| 09:00A special programme marking 25 years of the award-winning series.
| 09:00Jarvis Cocker, Mishal Husain, Kirstie Allsopp and Simon McCoy join Paddy O'Connell.
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| 10:00 | 10:00The psychology of hosting at Christmas, with Philippa Perry.
| 10:00What can we do to ensure the older members of our families feel cherished at Christmas?
| 10:00Epstein victim Marina Lacerda on her reaction to the release of documents.
| 10:00A Woman's Hour Christmas Day Special. Co-presented by Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani.
| 10:00Is it fear or fun, work or play? A look at life, study and history.
| 10:0013/13Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain investigate nature's most intricate patterns 10:30Good news! A new word is born unto us, in an Unspeakable seasonal spectacular.
| 10:00Jojo Moyes, writer, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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| 11:00 | 11:003/3Vicky Spratt explores how the UK's housing crisis unfolded and asks if we can fix it. 11:451/5An evocative collection of essays spanning the career of one of food writing's finest.
| 11:00Joe Stilgoe and Heidi Fardell enjoy five cracking festive tracks 11:452/5One of food writing's finest evokes deliciousness in Bordeaux, Istanbul and Rome.
| 11:00Why has the number of under-18s in custody in England and Wales dropped to a record low? 11:40Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. 11:453/5The well-loved food writer on the pleasure of creating a menu.
| 11:00Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture north to unearth (or un-snow) the secrets of the Arctic. 11:454/5The acclaimed food writer on autumnal flavours from Japan to Northern Ireland.
| 11:00Jaega Wise explores influential drink writer Dave Broom’s life, career and love for whisky 11:455/5The well-loved food writer on culinary curiosity and memories conjured by taste.
| 11:00A musician’s-eye view of classical music’s best-loved works 11:30A women's marathon race is the latest flash-point in ongoing protests over hijab laws.
| 11:00Fallon is left shaken, and eyebrows are raised at the Christmas parade.
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| 12:00 | 12:00Cerys Matthews steps into a world of Christmas tales written through the eyes of a child.
| 12:00His Majesty the King tells Martha Kearney about his lifelong passion for the natural world 12:25Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals. 12:30From this year's Booker Prize-winner, David Szalay, a new story read by Indira Varma. 12:45Ian Sansom takes a look at Joy In the Morning by PG Wodehouse.
| 12:001/2Martin Jarvis directs Wooster and Jeeves’ comic adventure at eccentric Steeple Bumpleigh.
| 12:00Jeanette Winterson presents a selection of audio highlights from 2025 across the BBC.
| 12:002/2Can Bertie promote the course of true love, and avoid his own recapture by Florence?
| 12:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 12:04Creative industries add billions of pounds to the UK economy, but how do you make it pay? 12:30Comedian Matt Forde reconvenes his very own Focus Group for a one-off Boxing Day special. 12:57The latest weather forecast
| 12:15The British man who has been walking around the world since 1998. 12:301/6Comedians try to smuggle truths past opponents in David Mitchell's comedy panel game. 12:57The latest weather forecast
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| 13:00 | 13:00The US Coast Guard attempts to intercept an oil tanker. 13:451/5Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks with Michael Morpurgo and Francesca Simon
| 13:00The Government raises the planned inheritance tax relief threshold for farmers. 13:452/5Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks with children's writers Onjali Q Raúf and Chris Riddell.
| 13:00President Zelensky outlines an updated 20-point US-Ukrainian peace plan. 13:453/5Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks with Nick Butterworth and Julia Donaldson about Pooh Bear.
| 13:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 13:10Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals. 13:15A headlong dive into Christmas Day 2024, made up entirely from phone-recorded voice notes. 13:454/5Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks with Cressida Cowell and Michael Rosen about Tigger.
| 13:00President Trump says the group had been targeting and killing Christians. 13:455/5Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks with children’s writers Nadia Shireen and Charlie Higson.
| 13:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 13:10Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals. 13:15The environmental protest that shook Hollywood and saved a village. 13:45A special concert of stories and music saluting 'things that go bump in the night'.
| 13:00Radio 4's look at the week's big stories from both home and around the world. 13:30Illuminated enters the world of a missing Jack Russell Terrier in St Neots, Cambridgeshire
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| 14:00 | 14:15Finale of the Scots-Asian corner shop comedy. Written by Sanjeev Kohli and Donald Mcleary. 14:454/8By Roy Williams. Century spanning series charting the emergence of modern Britain.
| 14:00Suspicions are raised for Harrison. 14:15Stephen Mangan stars in new drama inspired by PG Wodehouse's World War 2 internment.
| 14:00Kenton makes an admission. 14:15A light-hearted Christmas drama about giving credit where credit’s due.
| 14:00Eyebrows are raised at the Christmas parade. 14:15A magical Christmas tale of unwanted gifts and lonely humans in search of connection.
| 14:00Jolene receives an unexpected Christmas present. 14:15How long will Count Arthur last in the role of Father Christmas this year? 14:45Fun football history for families. Presented by Greg Jenner.
| 14:40Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals.
| 14:00Kathy Clugston leads us through the GQT festive archive. 14:45John Yorke looks The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.
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| 15:00 | 15:00Ashley John Baptiste chooses Alex Wheatle, author of the Crongton novels. 15:3012/13Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain go prospecting for answers about how much gold we've mined.
| 15:00Lucy Worsley is approached by a listener with a Lady Killer in her family. 15:30Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world.
| 15:00The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge
| 15:00The King's Christmas message to the Commonwealth and the nation. 15:05The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 15:12Jenny Agutter makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Ethiopiaid. 15:15Another one-off return for the multi-award-winning sketch show.
| 15:00Kathy Clugston leads us through the GQT festive archive. 15:45A young man returns home for a charity swim off the north coast of Ireland.
| 15:00Danny Sapani stars in TS Eliot's drama about the murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
| 15:001/2American classic refreshed – adventures in love and war.
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| 16:00 | 16:00A look at the leftwards move of young women and why media and politicians are ignoring it 16:306/6Jay Rayner and the panel are in London answering questions from an audience of home cooks.
| 16:00Vanessa Kisuule unearths the poems that offer us insight into the issues that ail us most. 16:30Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the true meaning of comfort, past and present.
| 16:308/8India examines the pressures of unconditional love and learns how love can be learned.
| 16:00A series of writers and thinkers on Jane Austen.
| 16:00Jon Kay on a fashion designer, a nun, a barrister, a literary critic 16:30From counting people to measuring housework - we explore.
| 16:30The rituals and traditions that we recreate at Christmas.
| 16:00Andrew Michael Hurley discusses his novel Saltwash and its connection to three books. 16:30Ashley John Baptiste chooses Alex Wheatle, author of the Crongton novels.
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| 17:00 | 17:00Chris Rea, known for hits including Driving Home for Christmas, has died.
| 17:00Two men found guilty of gun plot, aiming to do "untold harm" to British Jews.
| 17:00Latest peace proposal is most significant softening from Ukraine on territory.
| 17:00Bill Bailey and his band perform his favourite songs and readings at the BBC Radio Theatre
| 17:00President Trump said the attacks targeted Islamic State group fighters.
| 17:00Full coverage of the day's news 17:30Clare meets a man who completely changed his life after walking the Camino Sanabrés. 17:54The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 17:57The latest weather reports and forecast
| 17:00During the Great Depression, cartoonist Robert Ripley made millions from freaky facts 17:1010/10Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis travel from flying reindeer to eternity with Zoe Lyons. 17:54The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping 17:57The latest weather reports and forecast
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| 18:00 | 18:00His hits include the festive classic, Driving Home for Christmas 18:301/6Comedians try to smuggle truths past opponents in David Mitchell's comedy panel game.
| 18:00The police say the scale of the attack in Manchester was potentially huge 18:306/7Frank Skinner hosts a Christmas-flavoured episode of the show based on online reviews.
| 18:00The Ukrainian leader signals he is willing to negotiate with Russia about territory 18:15Ian Hislop begins a comedy quest in search of ancient British wordplay. 18:30Julian Clary hosts a brand new panel show celebrating everything he hates about Christmas.
| 18:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 18:15Part two of Ian Hislop's British comedy quest leads him to Anglo-Saxon Double Entendre. 18:30Good news! A new word is born unto us, in an Unspeakable seasonal spectacular.
| 18:00Ukraine's President Zelensky says he'll meet Donald Trump in Florida this weekend. 18:15Ian Hislop's comedy quest leads him back to the Picts laughing at drunks. 18:30Comedian Matt Forde reconvenes his very own Focus Group for a one-off Boxing Day special.
| 18:00An investigation is under way after a hospital released the wrong body for a cremation 18:15Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
| 18:00The performer, who became an international sex symbol, has died at the age of 91. 18:15Jeanette Winterson presents a selection of audio highlights from 2025 across the BBC.
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| 19:00 | 19:00Suspicions are raised for Harrison. 19:15Author Maggie O'Farrell reveals the influences that have shaped her writing.
| 19:00Kenton makes an admission. 19:15Oscar-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker reveals the turning points of her career.
| 19:00Eyebrows are raised at the Christmas parade. 19:15Actor Bill Nighy reveals some of the turning points in his career.
| 19:00Jolene receives an unexpected Christmas present. 19:15Nile Rodgers, composer, guitarist and founding member of Chic on his cultural influences.
| 19:15Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore Austen adaptations past and present.(R)
| 19:00The British man who has been walking around the world since 1998. 19:15Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture north to unearth (or un-snow) the secrets of the Arctic.
| 19:00Brad struggles with his conscience. 19:15Jah Wobble explores a life immersed at the low end of the sonic spectrum. 19:45How to increase your strength - without moving a muscle.
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| 20:00 | 20:00What does the new US National Security Strategy mean for Europe and the rest of the world? 20:30President Trump continues to shake up science. We look at the impact it’s already having.
| 20:00Swapping our virtual coffee shop for the real Cafe Hope in Glasgow. 20:40In Touch speaks to three visually impaired rising stars of showbiz.
| 20:00Debate examining the question: what is truth?
| 20:00A look back on a century of cigarette smoking.
| 20:00With Newscast's review of the year. 20:55Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
| 20:00Louise Gold celebrates The Muppet Show’s anarchic birth in Britain in the mid-1970s.
| 20:00Kate Bryan explores the surprising influences on Edvard Munch's The Scream. 20:30Jon Kay on a fashion designer, a nun, a barrister, a literary critic
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| 21:00 | 21:00Nick Makoha, Miles Leeson and Karen Leeder. 21:454/5Emily Knight celebrates 60 years of Bond henchmen, with some help from the animal kingdom.
| 21:00After decades of extinction, wild jaguars are roaming once again in northern Argentina. 21:30Clare is on the Camino de Santiago walking with guide and author Manni Coe. 21:55Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals.
| 21:00Tony Juniper, head of Natural England, shares his hopes and fears for the state of nature. 21:30Clare walks with Rev Canon Maggie McLean of York Minster along the Camino de Santiago. 21:55Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals.
| 21:00Stuart Maconie presents a special Christmas edition from the BBC Philharmonic studio. 21:45Claudia Hammond re-examines an attempt to revolutionise flu vaccines.
| 21:00Ian McMillan hosts Simon Armitage, Helen Mort and Katharine Goda, with music from LYR.
| 21:00Debate examining the question: what is truth?
| 21:00Creative industries add billions of pounds to the UK economy, but how do you make it pay? 21:25Chemmy Alcott makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Snow Camp 21:30A women's marathon race is the latest flash-point in ongoing protests over hijab laws.
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| 22:00 | 22:00The government says it will ban trail hunting in England and Wales. 22:451/5Jeanette Winterson begins a week of festive stories with two family recipes.
| 22:00The largest organised hunger strike in over 40 years is to continue. 22:452/5Faced with another Christmas alone, O'Brien befriends the department store Santa.
| 22:00EU, France, Germany condemn US State Dept. for denying visas to 'radical activists' 22:453/5Late on Christmas Eve, a couple encounter a child who claims to be the Spirit of Christmas
| 22:00Julian Clary hosts a brand new panel show celebrating everything he hates about Christmas. 22:30The 8th part of Ian Hislop's quest for early British comedy looks at the work of women. 22:454/5'The spirit of Christmas can’t be bought.' A new essay on the mystery of Christmas.
| 22:00British campaigner Imran Ahmed granted temporary reprieve after visa revocation 22:455/5A lonely New Yorker comes home one day to find a Christmas tree set up in his apartment.
| 22:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4 22:15Jaega Wise explores influential drink writer Dave Broom’s life, career and love for whisky
| 22:00Stuart Maconie showcases some of the best music performances from Loose Ends this year.
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| 23:00 | 23:00Katherine Rundell unearths the Christmas ghost story.
| 23:009/10Danny Robins unpacks a Christmas hamper of horror with special guest Diane Morgan.
| 23:002/4Blind folk singer and stand-up comedian David Eagle tells tales of his life in music. 23:153/5The well-loved food writer on the pleasure of creating a menu. 23:30A Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve
| 23:00Five writers and thinkers on the genius of Jane Austen
| 23:002/5Bryn finds an unexpected ally in France as the hunt for the rogue Mould Inspector deepens. 23:30Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world.
| 23:002/4Chloe Slack presents an Anniversary Special celebrating 81 years of Time Of The Week. 23:309/10Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis perambulate between Ipswich Town and Nessie, with Susie Dent.
| 23:00Gareth Gwynn presents the first Archive on 4 that looks sideways rather than backwards.
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