Lorraine Kelly, Mariah Carey and Jarvis Cocker to host BBC Christmas radio shows
Lorraine Kelly, Mariah Carey and Jarvis Cocker will all be fronting special programmes across BBC Radio this Christmas.
The Sleeping Forecast with Jarvis Cocker
Wednesday 24 December (into Thursday 25 December), 12am–2am
In the quiet early hours of Christmas morning, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker invites listeners to drift away with a repeat of this special edition of The Sleeping Forecast for BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds. The show features a carefully selected mix of soothing music chosen by Jarvis, including pieces by Brian Eno, Arvo Pärt, Éliane Radigue and Kate Bush, woven together with his readings from BBC Radio 4’s iconic Shipping Forecast.
Jarvis says: “I always used the Shipping Forecast to help me fall asleep at night, but now I’m excited to share my personal selection for The Sleeping Forecast. Music, I believe, can help you enter a new dimension — the dimension of sleep. Think of this programme as a portal to a peaceful night’s rest. Sweet dreams.”
Lorraine Kelly on Radio 2
Monday 22 December – Wednesday 24 December, 12pm–2pm
Lorraine Kelly makes her Radio 2 debut as she fills in for Jeremy Vine over Christmas.
Lorraine says: “I’m absolutely chuffed to be stepping in for Jeremy Vine! Christmas is such a joyful, feel-good time, and I can’t wait to spend the afternoons with Radio 2 listeners — we’ll have loads of festive fun, great chats and plenty of laughs. Radio 2 listeners are in for a real treat — it’s going to be a Christmas cracker!”
On 24 December, the show will also highlight a “2025 hero” — someone listeners want to thank for doing something extraordinary for them this year.
Mariah’s Christmas Hour
Wednesday 24 December, 9–10pm
Listeners can once again enjoy the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, making her world-exclusive radio presenting debut in this hour-long festive special on the UK’s most listened-to radio station. The programme celebrates the 30th anniversary of her iconic hit All I Want For Christmas Is You — the most streamed Christmas song of all time — and features a playlist personally chosen by Mariah. Expect timeless Christmas favourites from the artists who have influenced her, including Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole, Whitney Houston, The Jackson Five and Destiny’s Child.
Mariah also thanks her fans for continuing to create new memories with her holiday classic: “I can't wait to spend Christmas with you on BBC Radio 2… I hope you’re feeling warm and cosy and enjoying your own Holly Jolly Christmas. Thank you to all my fans in the UK and around the world for continuing to make special memories with All I Want For Christmas Is You — it means the world to me.”
This is a joyful, soulful hour of festive music — the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, hosted by Mariah Carey herself.
Listen on BBC Sounds.