Every year I look forward to the fresh ideas, hidden stories and unexpected perspectives the guest editors bring to Today. This year is no exception with an outstanding line-up that promises to bring great warmth and light to the festive season. I'm very grateful to all of them for giving up their time to edit Today.
麻豆约拍 Radio 4鈥檚 Today will welcome six new Guest Editors who will take over the programme during the festive period. For the past 21 years, the programme has handed over the editorial reins to public figures between Christmas and New Year.
This year鈥檚 line-up is:
- Frank Cottrell-Boyce - screenwriter, children's author and UK Children鈥檚 Laureate
- Dwayne Fields 鈥� explorer, presenter and the UK鈥檚 Chief Scout
- Sir Sajid Javid 鈥� former Conservative Chancellor
- Professor Irene Tracey 鈥� Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford
- Baroness Floella Benjamin 鈥� Liberal Democrat Peer, campaigner, presenter and author
- Dame Laura Kenny 鈥� Great Britain's most successful female Olympian
They will guest edit 麻豆约拍 Radio 4鈥檚 Today programme between 24 December and 31 December. Each programme will include an interview with the guest editor.
Kicking off the distinguished Guest Editor series this year is the current Waterstones Children鈥檚 Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. His programme on Christmas Eve will explore the role reading can play in shaping children鈥檚 lives and will look at what happens to a child鈥檚 brain when they are read to.
The UK鈥檚 Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, who spoke to the Today programme in September when he was first appointed to the role, will use his programme on Boxing Day to consider the value of volunteering to communities.
On 27 December, Sir Sajid Javid鈥檚 guest edit will see the former Conservative Chancellor exploring the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Professor Irene Tracey鈥檚 guest edit will be broadcast on 28 December. Professor Tracey, a neuroscientist, will take hope and kindness as a theme as she reflects on her own research field in understanding and treating pain, and the broader role that Universities play in society.
After being awarded the BAFTA fellowship this year for her contribution to television, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE will focus on the importance of childhood on 30 December. Her guest edit will also look at the impact of children moving away from consuming content from public service broadcasters to unregulated online platforms.
And closing this year鈥檚 Guest Edit series on New Year鈥檚 Eve is Dame Laura Kenny, Team GB鈥檚 most successful female Olympian who retired earlier this year. Her programme will explore the impact elite sport has on women鈥檚 bodies, including a look at the issue of fertility. She will also discuss female leadership in sport and the provision of PE in schools.
Each editor will have the support of Today producers and reporters to bring their ideas to air and to make sure they adhere to 麻豆约拍 editorial guidelines.
Owenna Griffiths, Editor of the Today programme, says: 鈥淓very year I look forward to the fresh ideas, hidden stories and unexpected perspectives the guest editors bring to Today. This year is no exception with an outstanding line-up that promises to bring great warmth and light to the festive season. I'm very grateful to all of them for giving up their time to edit Today.鈥�
The Today programme has welcomed various guest editors over the years, including Prince Harry, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Lord Botham, Greta Thunberg, Angelina Jolie, Raheem Stirling, Prue Leith, Benjamin Zephaniah, Melinda Gates, George the Poet, Jarvis Cocker, James May, Lewis Hamilton and Professor Stephen Hawking.
Transmission details
24 December 鈥� 31 January (no programme on Christmas Day and Sundays)
Monday to Friday 6am-9am; Boxing Day and Saturday 7am-9am
IA