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Fearne Cotton brings listeners a very special Christmas show, broadcast from her very own house. Throughout the show her family and some celebrity friends will be dropping by and joining her for festive treats and activities. Last year's highlights included James Corden singing with Stereophonics.

Presenter/Fearne Cotton, Producer/Stuart Last

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The Chris Evans Breakfast Show

Thursday 23 December

6.30-9.30am ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ RADIO 2

Chris Evans presents his show from the home of the Archbishop of York

The Chris Evans Breakfast Show travels to the home of the Archbishop of York for its big Christmas extravaganza. This morning's show will be broadcast from around the kitchen table at the Archbishop's home, the historic Bishopthorpe Palace.

Live music is provided by James Dean Bradfield from the Manic Street Preachers and KT Tunstall – both of whom sing their versions of some Christmas classics. Other guests include the choir from York Minster, who pepper the show with bursts of carols, and 12-year-old choirgirl Isabel, who was first discovered singing at the Minster and whose mentor is none other than ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2's Aled Jones.

Last time Chris took the Breakfast Show on the road Moira Stuart read the news from a horsebox. But where will she be this time around? Wherever it is, it will be suitably decked out with tinsel and baubles.

Listeners will also be able to watch all the action unfold – plus seasonal surprises aplenty – as the show is streamed online and broadcast live on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Red Button.

Presenter/Chris Evans, Producer/Helen Thomas for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

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Jeremy Vine remembers the troops in this joint broadcast with forces broadcaster BFBS

Once again, the Jeremy Vine show remembers the troops at Christmas. During the last hour of this, his final show before Christmas, Jeremy broadcasts not only on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2, but also to troops in Afghanistan and around the world on the forces' broadcaster, BFBS.

For the sixth consecutive year the show dedicates the hour to members of the Armed Forces who are serving overseas, away from their families this Christmas. Jeremy is joined by Radio 2 padre Canon Roger Royle to read out messages of support from families here to their loved ones who are serving overseas, and vice versa. He also speaks to some of those who will be spending Christmas at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

Presenter/Jeremy Vine, Producer/Phil Jones for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

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Jo Whiley presents a headline gig from Simply Red, recorded earlier this month at London's O2 Arena. Plus there is the usual gig review and ticket news, a round-up of the live music featured on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 in the past week and another great support slot.

Presenter/Jo Whiley, Producer/Sarah Gaston

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As part of the 25th annual Christmas Festival from St John's, Smith Square, London, the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, directed by Stephen Layton, present a programme of Christmas music by Bach and Corelli.

Vocals are provided by soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, counter-tenor Iestyn Davies, tenor James Gilchrist and bass Neal Davies.

Presenter/Martin Handley, Producer/Anthony Sellors

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Jazz star Soweto Kinch delivers a lecture entitled Emancipation – A Listener's Guide

Jazz star Soweto Kinch puts down his saxophone and steps up to the lectern to deliver the lecture Emancipation – A Listener's Guide, as part of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3's Free Thinking festival.

Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and twice winner of a Mobo award, Soweto Kinch is a saxophonist, composer, rapper and Oxford history graduate who was inspired to turn to jazz following a meeting with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Soweto's work has drawn on the lives of residents of a Birmingham tower block, he's set Fifties novel Absolute Beginners to music and even remixed the voice of newsreader Moira Stewart.

At Free Thinking, Soweto delivers a lecture on the relationship between music and emancipation, arguing that music needs to reclaim its political meaning and power. With examples from Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus and The Clash, he calls for artists to create music that changes society. He also tells presenter Rana Mitter why his parents named him Soweto and why he agreed to join the backing band to X Factor predecessor, Pop Idol.

Presenter/Rana Mitter, Producer/Tim Prosser

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Sir Tim Rice considers the appeal of British comic Eagle

Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of British comic Eagle and the impact of its flagship character Dan Dare, and examines the life of its creator, Marcus Morris.

Eagle ran in two main incarnations between 1950 and 1994. Dan Dare, often referred to as "Biggles in space", is regarded in some circles as the greatest British science-fiction hero of the 20th century. The programme reveals how Dan Dare was originally envisaged as a space chaplain before becoming the popular astronaut.

It also examines the work of illustrator Frank Hampson, who introduced technology years ahead of its time. Hampson knew the space age was on its way while serving in the Second World War. He made the Dan Dare strips as realistic as possible by dressing his team in spacesuits and uniforms, basing the look of the fictional characters on his colleagues.

The programme also reveals the stories' educational value and, along with Dan Dare, looks at other Eagle offerings including Shakespeare's plays and the Greek myths which ran as comic strips.

Contributors to the programme include author Philip Pullman, Sally Morris – the daughter of Eagle creator Marcus – and Eagle Society member David Britton.

Presenter/Sir Tim Rice, Producer/Stephen Garner for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

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Questions, Questions Ep 1/6

Thursday 23 December

1.30-2.00pm ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ RADIO 4

Stewart Henderson returns with a new series offering answers to those intriguing questions of everyday life, inspired by current events and popular culture.

Each programme is compiled directly from the inquisitive ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4 audience, which brings its collective brain to bear on these puzzlers every week.

All manner of questions are looked into, and this series includes puzzlers such as why the height of a swallow's flight varies so much; whether a pillow fired out of a cannon could kill someone; and why centre flags no longer feature in football...

Presenter/Stewart Henderson, Producer/Kevin Dawson for Whistledown Productions

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Afternoon Play – Devil In The Fog Ep 1/2

Thursday 23 December

2.15-3.00pm ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ RADIO 4

This is the first part of a two-part dramatisation of Leon Garfield's 18th-century mystery adventure.

Fourteen-year-old George is the oldest of the seven Treet children. Captained by their larger-than-life father, the Treets are touring thespians, forever on the edge of poverty.

But their normally happy lives are overshadowed by the twice yearly arrival of "the Stranger", who hands Mr Treet a sum of money, then disappears. This year, however, "the Stranger" appears for the last time and Mr Treet reveals to George that he is the son of a nobleman, Sir John Dexter. Now George must, reluctantly, be returned to him.

At the gloomy Dexter family home, George is welcomed by Sir John, who is recovering from a pistol wound received in the course of a duel with his black-hearted brother Richard. Richard has been imprisoned as a result.

George does his best to settle into life in his forbidding new home, but trouble is waiting in the fog that surrounds the house. Richard Dexter has escaped from Newgate and is hiding in a nearby copse. And it soon becomes clear that someone is trying to kill George...

The play is dramatised by Martin Jameson. The cast features Joe Dempsie as George, Tim McMullan as Mr Treet, Sam Dale as Sir John Dexter, Ben Crowe as Captain Richard, Juliet Aubrey as Lady Dexter, Sean Baker as Joseph, Iain Batchelor as Dr Newby, Joanna Monro as Mrs Montague, Raymond Karimi Taheri as Hotspur, Lauren Mote as Jane, Hugo Docking as Edward and Fern Deacon as Rose.

Producer/Marc Beeby for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

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Old Harry's Game Ep 1/2

Thursday 23 December

6.30-7.00pm ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ RADIO 4

Old Harry's Game, the sitcom set in hell, returns and, in the first of two episodes, Satan decides to ban Christmas.

Satan runs his infernal world with the assistance of his chief demon, Scumspawn. Among those he torments are Edith, a murdered historian, and Thomas, the most repellent human who ever lived.

Full of jokes and broad comedy, the show is also a philosophical study of the human condition, asking such questions as whether man is inherently good or evil.

Old Harry's Game is written by Andy Hamilton. It stars Hamilton as Satan, Robert Duncan as Scumspawn, Annette Crosbie as Edith and Jimmy Mulville as Thomas.

Producer/Paul Mayhew Archer for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

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Eleanor Oldroyd presents a full round-up of the day's sports stories.

At 8pm Phil Tufnell presents a Cricket Show Ashes special with a look back at the Third Ashes Test in Perth and a look ahead to the Fourth Test in Melbourne.

Presenters/Eleanor Oldroyd and Phil Tufnell, Producer/Mike Carr

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Ryder Cup heroes Colin Montgomery and Graeme McDowell look back on the unforgettable four days of action at Celtic Manor in October when Europe regained the coveted team golf trophy from the United States. The drama of the event is relived here with the best of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 5 Live's commentary.

Presenters/Colin Montgomery and Graeme McDowell

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Actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway discuss their latest roles in Love And Other Drugs, the latest film from Blood Diamond director Edward Zwick, and talk about the music they listened to on the film set. Jake reveals that his favourite album of the year is Sigh No More, the debut by Mumford & Sons, and he also shares his fondness for Laura Marling. Meanwhile, Anne tells of her love of Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Presenter/Nemone, Producer/Jax Coombes

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Marc Riley trawls the reams of amazing live music that he's amassed during 2010 to play a selection of the best. Tonight's choices include Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan playing You Won't Let Me Down Again; The Pre New's Sons Of The Stage; Cate Le Bon singing It's Not The End; Half Man Half Biscuit with Left Lyrics In The Practice Room; Ultrasound's Sovereign; I Am Kloot performing Northern Skies; and Steve Mason with All Come Down.

Presenter/Marc Riley, Producer/Michelle Choudhry

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Gideon Coe looks back at a year of live music broadcast by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 6 Music, including tracks recorded at Glastonbury, the Mercury Music Prize and sessions on various 6 Music shows. Tonight's highlights include Stevie Wonder's appearance at Worthy Farm and experimental Boston quartet Grizzly Bear.

Presenter/Gideon Coe, Producer/Mark Sheldon

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In preparation for a very special, and much-anticipated, Christmas return to the Big British Castle for Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish, listeners can hear a selection of their bygone shows, and download the podcasts straight after broadcast from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 6 Music website to keep them entertained during the last few days of Christmas shopping.

In an episode first broadcast on 1 November 2008, entitled Hotty Botty, Adam and Joe discuss the virtues of hot water bottles and Dobby the House Elf, with some Stephenage (the social phenomenon created by the show whereby listeners shout out "Stephen!" in a public place) thrown in for good measure.

Presenters/Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish, Producer/James Stirling

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Continuing his week of highlights, today Tommy Sandhu revisits his encounter with British chart-topper Jay Sean. Talking about his year and career so far, Jay also takes part in a mini pop song quiz, and listeners can discover how he fared.

Presenter/Tommy Sandhu

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