麻豆社

That Christmas Special Episode

TX details: Thursday 20 December, 8pm-9pm

Three months ago Peter Crouch didn’t know what a podcast was. Then he agreed to share the secrets of life as a professional footballer with 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live, and the rest is history. Encouraged by his co-presenters Chris Stark (麻豆社 Radio 1) and Tom Fordyce (麻豆社 Sport), the trio have been a huge hit with audiences and raced up the podcast charts.

To celebrate, they are pushing the boat out and hosting a Christmas party at Peter’s favourite curry house in London.

They will be joined by some of the lesser known stars of their show, and Peter’s Dad has promised to come along too.

For anyone who has missed the podcast, highlights are on 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live over Christmas, starting at 10am on Boxing Day.

Laura Whitmore’s What To Believe

Comedy Club: Pleased to Meet You - A Very Dora Christmas

TX details: Monday 17 December and Monday 24 December, 11.30am-12pm

The first of a two-part festive edition of the comedy spoof, where showbiz veteran Dora Dale shares wild tales from her star-strewn past with host, Martin Kelner.

Jake Yapp’s ghastly, indiscreet creation Dora Dale is a wizened showbiz diva who delights in exposing the bizarre encounters she had throughout her lengthy career.

For the Christmas two-parter, Dora has filled a bulging sack of festive tunes and anecdotes to share.

For example, Dora was present for the recording of Slade's Merry Christmas Everyone. Apparently, when Noddy Holder went for the big, "It's Christmas!' shout, he suffered a prolapse that looked like a "foot-long sea anemone". Then, when Bing Crosby and David Bowie recorded Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy in 1982, the vintage crooner "flew into a crazy rage" - furious that he was stuck with just doing the pa-rum-pa-pum-pums.

As a fitting climax, Dora performs her own Christmas song, I Need A Little Me Time At Christmas in episode one.

First heard on Radio 4 Extra in 2011.

• Writer: Jake Yapp
• Producer: Martin Kelner

TX details: Sunday 23 December, 11am-12pm

TV presenter and broadcaster Laura Whitmore was brought up in Ireland as a Roman Catholic and keeps a bottle of holy water on her dressing table. But like many millennials, she is beginning to wonder what religion means in the 21st century: is she ‘losing’ her religion? With many surveys claiming her age group are the least religious members of all society, Laura sets out to find out what young people actually believe in. And if it’s not religion - what is it? What is taking the place of religion and faith in people’s lives today?

Laura presented her first ever radio show on 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live earlier this year, hosting The Sunday Session, and interviewing guests including the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, the Poldark star Aidan Turner and singer Alanis Morisette.

End Of Days

Cillian Murphy

TX details: Sunday 23 December, 8pm-9pm

On 19 April 1993, a fireball engulfed a ranch outside the little known city of Waco, Texas. Inside were more than 80 members of an apocalyptic cult, led by David Koresh, a man who thought he was the Messiah. His prophecy was Armageddon and, as the world watched on, he and almost every single one of his disciples died in the horrific fire.

Surprisingly, 30 of his cult members were from Britain and now, for the first time, their stories are being told. With unprecedented access to the survivors, families, friends, and police we track their journey to Waco: the final, tragic moments of those who died, and the lives of those left behind - who still believe the Prophet will return.

End Of Days is presented by Chris Warburton with investigative journalist and producer Ciaran Tracey.

Christmas On The Far Side Of The Moon

TX details: Monday 24 December, 8pm-9pm

Fifty years ago this Christmas, three astronauts set out on what has been described as the most daring mission in NASA’s history. With just a few months of preparation, Bill Anders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman became the first humans to orbit another world - as they spent Christmas in lunar orbit.

In this new documentary from 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live, Anna Foster retells one of the greatest stories of the space race, and speaks to the astronauts themselves about their memories of the mission.

Russell Kane on 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live

Comedian and author Russell Kane makes his 5 live presenting debut with a mix of festive fun, as he invites a selection box of guests to keep you company on Christmas morning.

• Executive producer Mark Sharman
• Produced for 5 live by TBI Media

Fleur East Presents 5 Live’s Christmas Morning Show

TX details: Tuesday 25 December, 11:00-12:00

The X Factor runner-up and TV presenter Fleur East will be joined by a panel of celebrity guests for 5 Live’s Christmas morning show.

They will chat about their personal Christmas experiences and favourite family traditions. Fresh from the jungle in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Fleur will be revelling in being home and everything that makes Christmas so special. There will even be a few carols to get everyone in the festive spirit.

Tailenders Live

Iggy Pop

TX details: Tuesday 25 December, 1.30pm-2.30pm

麻豆社 Radio 1’s Greg James, England’s star batsman Jimmy Anderson and musician Felix White have won the hearts of cricket fans with their (at times) random musings on their favourite game. Tailenders has carved its own niche as the cheeky younger version of the 麻豆社’s much loved Test Match Special, and the team have decided to celebrate Christmas with a special live show recorded at the 麻豆社 in the run up to the festive season.

Thousands applied for tickets when the ballot opened, and only a few hundred were lucky enough to get in. They were entertained by a haphazard mix of cricket chat, stupid quizzes and music. The perfect Christmas treat for all cricket and non-cricket fans alike.

Kermode And Mayo End Of Year Review - Best of 2018

TX details: Tuesday 25 December, 7pm-8pm

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo look back on the best films of 2018. From box office smashes to award hopefuls and surprising hits, this is your comprehensive guide to what you should, and shouldn’t, have watched during 2018.

Colin Murray’s Blood On The Tracks

TX details: Tuesday 25 December, 11pm-1am

Blood On The Tracks is a brand new series for 麻豆社 Sounds which gathers together four music obsessives to pick, and tell stories about, their favourite songs. They are guided by a series of questions set by Colin Murray. In most cases the guests enter the room as strangers and bond through their love of music.

The ‘winner’ leaves with a piece of vinyl from Colin’s collection and the honour of playing the show out with an all-time personal classic song of their choice.

During the new series Colin has thrown down the music gauntlet with musicians, taste-makers and serious musos. Listen to the highlights from across the series here, as DJs Annie Mac and Scott Mills as well as athlete Linford Christie and chef Gizzie Erskine all share their own life affirming tunes and all-time favourite tracks.

Wake Up To Money

TX details: Wednesday 26 December, 5am-6am

2018 has seen big name retailers such as Toys R Us and Maplin go out of business, and others announce hundreds of store closures. Wake Up To Money will be looking back at the past 12 months that changed the high street and examining who are the winners and losers of the crucial Christmas period.

Flintoff, Savage And The Ping Pong Guy

Gideon Coe: The 2018 Obituary Show

TX details: Sunday 30 December, 1pm-4pm

Gideon Coe celebrates the lives of the musical figures that have passed in 2018.

The show will feature records in tribute to Aretha Franklin, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Mark E.Smith, Chas Hodges, former drummer for Elvis Presley's band - DJ Fontana, musician Danny Kirwan, Lazy Lester, guitarist Otis Rush, Tony Joe White & Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, among many others.

• Producer: Henry Lopez Real for the 麻豆社

TX details: Wednesday 26 December,  9am-10am

Highlights of 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live’s hit podcast Flintoff, Savage And The Ping Pong Guy round off Boxing Day, as the team relive some of their funniest moments.

Listen as Times journalist Matthew Syed attempts to wrangle his boisterous teammates as they hold forth on everything from Freddie’s new job presenting Top Gear to Robbie’s hatred of the game of cricket.