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Hugh Jackman, Gwen Stefani, Jamie Oliver and Clean Bandit

Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman, superstar singer Gwen Stefani and Christmas king Jamie Oliver join Chris. Plus the super-cool Clean Bandit perform live in the studio.

Culinary king Jamie Oliver tells us what he'll be rustling up in his festive Channel 4 Jamie's Italian Christmas as well as sharing his top tips for the perfect roast on the big day. Hollywood's handsome Hugh Jackman tells us the history of his new character P.T Barnum, the godfather of showbiz, and knee sliding in the film The Greatest Showman. Singing sensation Gwen Stefani spreads festive cheer with her new album You Make It Feel like Christmas. Plus the chart topping Clean Bandit perform four songs live in the studio: Rather Be, I Miss You, Rockabye and a cover of Wham!'s Last Christmas. We hear how you are uniquely decorating your home and Paul Kerensa has the daily Pause For Thought, ahead of the first Sunday of Advent.

2 hours, 59 minutes

Music Played

  • ZZ Top

    Legs

    • Rancho Texicano: The Very Best Of ZZ Top.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott

    He Wants To

    • (CD Single).
    • EMI.
  • Sylvester

    Do Ya Wanna Funk

    • Flair Disco & Dance Party Hits (Various Artists).
    • BMG.
    • 11.
  • Daft Punk

    Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.
    • 1.
  • Simon & Garfunkel

    A Hazy Shade Of Winter

    • The Definitive Simon & Garfunkel.
    • Columbia.
  • Candi Staton

    Young Hearts Run Free

    • Disco Fever (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.
  • The Script

    Arms Open

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.
  • Justin Bieber

    Sorry

    • Purpose.
    • Def Jam Recordings.
    • 4.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates

    Private Eyes

    • Single Mixes.
    • RCA.
  • Frank Sinatra

    Jingle Bells

  • Justin Timberlake

    Can't Stop The Feeling!

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.
  • Electric Light Orchestra

    Rockaria!

    • Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
    • Epic.
  • Pratt & McClain

    Happy Days

    • Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3 70s & 80s.
    • Silva Screen Records Ltd.
  • Pete Tong & Heritage Orchestra

    Sing It Back (feat. Becky Hill)

  • Sam Smith

    One Last Song

    • The Thrill Of It All.
    • Capitol.

Pause for Thought

Pause for Thought

From Comedian & writer Paul Kerensa

Is that a creak and a munching sound I hear? Yes, a million Advent calendar doors are being opened today. So, Advent: it’s not just a moan about TV commercials… (that’s an ad vent – sorry that joke could be the creaking sound) It’s part of an old Latin word meaning ‘coming’. According to the ads, holidays are coming… According to the song, Santa’s coming, to town… and according to the church, in two days’ time: Advent is coming.

Yes our calendars are early – it’s not technically Advent till Sunday, the first of four Sundays building up to Christmas. It’s all about the build-up, the anticip…ation.

While in days gone by, Advent was a time of fasting till Christmas, today those calendar doors open onto more than just chocolate. It’s barely Advent and I’ve enjoyed five turkey sandwiches from supermarkets – I had one labelled ‘The Boxing Day Sandwich’ in mid-November. Kitchens nationwide host party nibbles and fine music, making it feel like Christmas. Whether we’re holding a Jamie Oliver cookbook, or a tub of popcorn at a Christmas cinema trip, tis the season for sharing some grub. My kids even share what’s in the Advent calendar, with generous, chocolate-melty hands, that you just can’t say no to.

Sharing food and opening doors, really, is at the very heart of Christmas. The Holy family, finding no open doors, sheltered in a barn, as animals chomped and shepherds brought lambs.

Through the centuries, a spirit of charity has been the backbone of the season. At medieval Christmases, the doors of Westminster Hall were opened to the homeless, with Christmas dinners at the expense of the king. And this week I visited Trafalgar Square’s church, St Martin’s-in-the-Fields: known as the Church of the Ever-Open Door, welcoming thousands of homeless and dispossessed through the year, but especially in the cold winter.

Whenever we start opening our doors, I don’t think we need to take our cue from the church. But as we count down to Christmas, helping folks find shelter, or sharing a bite to eat, with neighbours, strangers, family, strange family even… Well those doors can open as early as they like. (Oh, and my grubby-handed kids asked me to share with you this chocolate…)

Broadcast

  • Fri 1 Dec 2017 06:30

Farewell Chris Evans: The best bits from his last shows at Radio 2

After eight years of hosting the Breakfast Show, Chris Evans leaves Radio 2.

500 Words

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 2's story-writing competition for kids.