Lorraine Kelly is set to make her BBC Radio 2 debut this Christmas, stepping into Jeremy Vine's midday slot during the festive period. The 65-year-old ITV presenter will host a special show as part of the BBC's Christmas radio line-up, which also includes a Jane McDonald special and a Trevor Nelson tribute to Stevie Wonder.
The move comes amid ITV daytime cutbacks, which will see Kelly's own show reduced to 30 weeks a year and shortened from an hour to 30 minutes. Despite the changes, Kelly has hinted she plans to continue her career, saying earlier this year: 'I'm not done yet.'
Other highlights on BBC Radio include a festive Desert Island Discs with Kate Winslet on Radio 4, which will also celebrate 75 years of The Archers. Radio 1 will reveal the official Christmas number one, while Radio 3 offers Carols Across The Country and a service marking Sir John Rutter's 80th birthday.
Radio 5 Live will feature live sport and special shows, including Elis James and John Robins' 500th episode, while Radio 6 Music sees Jarvis Cocker and Bill Nighy sitting in for Iggy Pop. BBC's 39 local radio stations will broadcast a nationwide seasonal service led by Reverend Frances Finn.
Kate Phillips, BBC chief content officer, said: 'Christmas on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds is all about bringing people together through the power of audio.' The full festive schedule is available on the BBC website.
