Boxing Day

12 midnight
THE QUEEN’S SMILE

Another production from the Radio Warneford Players! The Queen is sad and the Princess needs to marry a prince, but only when her mother smiles again. The King finds a prince but is he all he makes out to be? Will there be a happy ending and does love conquer all? Starring: Linda Ashworth, Valda Reid, Nigel Dyer, Paul Sawtell, Dave Harris, Sarah Harris and Lily Harris. Written by Jenny James. Produced and directed by Sue Dolman and Lynn Fairbairn. Recorded and edited by Andrew Barker.

12.35am
MUSIC AND MEMORIES

A very special programme from July 2021. His Majesty King Charles, then Prince of Wales, pays tribute to hospital radio volunteers for the important work they have done for patients throughout the pandemic and reveals some of his favourite songs including tracks from Barbra Streisand, Peter Skellern, Dick Powell and the Three Degrees.

1.30am
CHRISTMAS VINTAGE YEARS

Jim Simpson plays a selection of festive songs from the Roaring Twenties to the Swinging Sixties from all of your favourite artists including Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald and the Andrews Sisters.

2.25am
MY FAVOURITE SONG

A host of famous faces each tell us all about their favourite song. Today we hear from Gyles Brandreth, Chris Packham, Janet Ellis and Rustie Lee who introduce us to tracks by Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Wilco and The Muppets.

3.25am
CHRISTMAS EASY

Christmas is here and it’s the perfect time to play all those superbly cool and smooth tracks from the likes of Nat King Cole, Kay Starr, Eartha Kitt and of course Frank Sinatra. Snuggle down and listen to some of the best Christmas “easy” tracks ever with Ley Bricknell.

4.25am
THE CHRISTMAS STORY

John Glare tells the greatest of stories in words and music.

5.25am
NOW: A RADIO WARNEFORD CELEBRATION

The Now albums have been a fixture of the music scene since Christmas 1983. Andy Dowell tells the story of the most successful series of compilation albums in history along with some of the hits of the last 37 years from Culture Club, Wet Wet Wet, Kylie Minogue and Phil Collins.
Written by Stephen Height.

6.25am
CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Radio Warneford takes a look at food traditionally associated with Christmas. Linda Ashworth, Margaret Legge and Valda Reid help you to sharpen your taste buds ahead of the Christmas dinner, all wrapped up in a medley of festive music and readings.

7.25am
A WINTER COLLECTION

Andrew Preshous introduces a selection of music on the theme of winter, maybe with the word “winter” in the title, related to the winter months or linked to winter themes. How many of them do you recognise?

8.25am
CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES

Imagine that you are snuggled up on a cold Christmas Day. Then have a listen to these theme tunes played by Louise Kalus and Elizabeth Wilkinson and see if they conjure up images from some classic movies.

9.25am
SPOTLIGHT ON CHRIS DIFFORD

Stephen Height looks at the musical career of the founder member of the group Squeeze.

9.35am
A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Here is another chance to catch the Radio Warneford Players special version of Charles Dickens’ classic Victorian Christmas tale. Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve, each one determined to make him see the error of his miserly ways.

10.25am
THE RADIO WARNEFORD PLAYLIST

Andy Dowell brings you another selection of Christmas songs past and present including Doris Day, Celine Dion, Andy Williams, Neil Diamond and Stevie Wonder.

11.25am
THE A-Z OF A VERY 60’S CHRISTMAS

Richard Smith chooses a selection of festive tracks from the 1960’s for each of the letters in the alphabet. From The Allisons to What Christmas Means To Me, the shows feature songs from Connie Francis, Roy Orbison, Jim Reeves, The Ronettes and Elvis Presley!

12.20pm
THE QUEEN’S SMILE

Another production from the Radio Warneford Players! The Queen is sad and the Princess needs to marry a prince, but only when her mother smiles again. The King finds a prince but is he all he makes out to be? Will there be a happy ending and does love conquer all? Starring: Linda Ashworth, Valda Reid, Nigel Dyer, Paul Sawtell, Dave Harris, Sarah Harris and Lily Harris. Written by Jenny James. Produced and directed by Sue Dolman and Lynn Fairbairn. Recorded and edited by Andrew Barker.

12.55pm
THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

Sara Lister and Margaret Legge remember the famous Christmas Day truce on the frontline during World War One when British and German troops met in No Man’s Land for a festive football match.

1.25pm
CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Radio Warneford takes a look at food traditionally associated with Christmas. Linda Ashworth, Margaret Legge and Valda Reid help you to sharpen your taste buds ahead of the Christmas dinner, all wrapped up in a medley of festive music and readings.

2.25pm
CHRISTMAS VINTAGE YEARS

Jim Simpson plays a selection of festive songs from the Roaring Twenties to the Swinging Sixties from all your favourite artists including Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald and the Andrews Sisters.

3.20pm
IT’S ELECTRIC

Cliff Proctor introduces a selection of classic tracks from some of the leading acts of the Electric Era including OMD, Kraftwerk, Yazoo, Human League, Go West and Spandau Ballet.

4.50pm
CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS

Ley Bricknell brings you an intoxicating mix of hi-fi holiday music from the 1950’s and 1960’s. If these hot chestnuts don’t jingle your bells, then you’re scrooged!

5.50pm
THE WIZARD OF OZ

The Radio Warneford Players present a special adaptation of the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz. When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. Follow Dorothy and Toto’s adventures along the Yellow Brick Road towards the Emerald City!

6.55pm
TEA AND COFFEE

Sara Lister chooses a selection of songs all about our two favourite beverages – tea and coffee – featuring music icons like Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole and Beverley Knight.

7.40pm
SITTING ON THE PIER

Stephen Height interviews Coventry-based poet and writer Emily Jones who talks about her writing, some of the things that inspire her and reads some of her poems.

8.40pm
THE RADIO WARNEFORD PLAYLIST

Andy Dowell plays more festive favourites from Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby and Dolly Parton.

9.40pm
ALADDIN

The Radio Warneford Players whisk you to a faraway land where Aladdin is tricked into an enchanted cave in search of a magic lamp. Out pops an all-powerful genie – and in a puff of smoke, Aladdin’s life is changed forever. A magical carpet ride of an adventure.

10.50pm
THE A-Z OF A VERY 70’S CHRISTMAS

Richard Smith chooses a selection of festive tracks from the 1970’s for each of the letters in the alphabet. From Lynn Anderson to Wonderful Christmastime, the show features songs from The Jackson Five, Johnny Mathis, The Beatles, Bing Crosby, Showaddywaddy, Wham, The Pogues, David Bowie, Shakin’ Stevens and, of course, Cliff Richard!

11.50pm
THE BEST ADVERTS ON TV

Many of the adverts that you see on television use existing tunes to sell their products. Chris Ackroyd is here to play some of his favourites.


Listen Again!

You can now listen again to a selection of our Christmas programmes whenever you like.


Programmes This Christmas