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.
Last on
Clips
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That time when Hugh Jackman's daughter told him to lip-sync
Duration: 03:18
Music Played
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ZZ Top
Legs
- Rancho Texicano: The Very Best Of ZZ Top.
- Warner Bros.
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Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott
He Wants To
- (CD Single).
- EMI.
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Sylvester
Do Ya Wanna Funk
- Flair Disco & Dance Party Hits (Various Artists).
- BMG.
- 11.
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Daft Punk
Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)
- (CD Single).
- Columbia.
- 1.
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Simon & Garfunkel
A Hazy Shade Of Winter
- The Definitive Simon & Garfunkel.
- Columbia.
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Candi Staton
Young Hearts Run Free
- Disco Fever (Various Artists).
- Global Television.
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The Script
Arms Open
- (CD Single).
- RCA.
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Justin Bieber
Sorry
- Purpose.
- Def Jam Recordings.
- 4.
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Daryl Hall & John Oates
Private Eyes
- Single Mixes.
- RCA.
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Frank Sinatra
Jingle Bells
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Justin Timberlake
Can't Stop The Feeling!
- (CD Single).
- RCA.
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Electric Light Orchestra
Rockaria!
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
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Pratt & McClain
Happy Days
- Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3 70s & 80s.
- Silva Screen Records Ltd.
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Pete Tong & Heritage Orchestra
Sing It Back (feat. Becky Hill)
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Sam Smith
One Last Song
- The Thrill Of It All.
- Capitol.
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鈥檚 not just a moan about TV commercials鈥� (that鈥檚 an ad vent 鈥� sorry that joke could be the creaking sound) It鈥檚 part of an old Latin word meaning 鈥榗oming鈥�. According to the ads, holidays are coming鈥� According to the song, Santa鈥檚 coming, to town鈥� and according to the church, in two days鈥� time: Advent is coming.
Yes our calendars are early 鈥� it鈥檚 not technically Advent till Sunday, the first of four Sundays building up to Christmas. It鈥檚 all about the build-up, the anticip鈥tion.
While in days gone by, Advent was a time of fasting till Christmas, today those calendar doors open onto more than just chocolate. It鈥檚 barely Advent and I鈥檝e enjoyed five turkey sandwiches from supermarkets 鈥� I had one labelled 鈥楾he Boxing Day Sandwich鈥� in mid-November. Kitchens nationwide host party nibbles and fine music, making it feel like Christmas. Whether we鈥檙e 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鈥檚 in the Advent calendar, with generous, chocolate-melty hands, that you just can鈥檛 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鈥檚 church, St Martin鈥檚-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鈥檛 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鈥� Well those doors can open as early as they like. (Oh, and my grubby-handed kids asked me to share with you this chocolate鈥�)
Broadcast
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