BBC Weeks 50 - 52 Commencing 12/12/2015

Christmas programmes Television & Radio

BBC Northern Ireland Press Office

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CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS TELEVISION & RADIO / BBC WEEKS 50-52

Monday 14 December Stephen McCauley and Gerry Kelly Live from the Ulster Hall  NEW BBC Radio Ulster Live From The Red Carpet  NEW BBC Radio Ulster BBC Radio Ulster 40th Birthday Gala  NEW BBC Radio Ulster Radio Days  NEW BBC One Northern Ireland

Tuesday 15 December Sports Personality 2015 – The Final 12  NEW BBC One

Thursday 17 December The Arts Show: Brian Friel - A Tribute  NEW BBC Two Northern Ireland

Saturday 19 December A Christmas Star  NEW BBC Two Northern Ireland

Sunday 20 December Morning Service BBC Radio Ulster BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2015 - Red Carpet Show  NEW BBC Two Northern Ireland Praise Revival BBC Radio Ulster BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2015  NEW BBC One

Wednesday 23 December Joy at Christmas  NEW BBC One Northern Ireland The Blame Game: Best Bits BBC One Northern Ireland

Christmas Eve – Thursday 24 December Talkback BBC Radio Ulster Hugo Duncan Live From Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital BBC Radio Ulster Show Tunes BBC Radio Ulster

Christmas Day – Friday 25 December Radio Ulster Carol Service BBC Radio Ulster Kim’s Twinkly Christmas BBC Radio Ulster Into The Music BBC Radio Ulster

Boxing Day – Saturday 26 December Van Morrison Live on Cyprus Avenue BBC Radio Ulster Vanatics BBC Radio Ulster Ulster Rugby Live BBC Two Northern Ireland Live At The Grand BBC Radio Ulster

New Year’s Day – Friday 1 January John Bennett BBC Radio Ulster Vinny & Mairead BBC Radio Ulster

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EDITORIAL 2015 / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

MONDAY 14 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Stephen McCauley and Gerry Kelly Live from the Ulster Hall  NEW Monday 14 December BBC Radio Ulster, 3pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Stephen McCauley and Gerry Kelly join forces for a special afternoon show of live music and guests from the Ulster Hall in Belfast, ahead of tonight’s BBC Radio Ulster 40th Birthday Gala Concert. Join Stephen and Gerry on Monday 14 December, on BBC Radio Ulster from 3pm.

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Live From The Red Carpet  NEW Monday 14 December BBC Radio Ulster, 7.30pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Presenters John Bennett and Lynette Fay are live with all the action on the red carpet as guests arrive for the BBC Radio Ulster 40th Birthday Gala Concert at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. Live From The Red Carpet is on Monday 14 December, BBC Radio Ulster at 7.30pm.

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EDITORIAL 2015 / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

BBC Radio Ulster 40th Birthday Gala  NEW Live from the Ulster Hall, Belfast Monday 14 December BBC Radio Ulster, 8.00pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

BBC Radio Ulster’s 40th birthday celebrations culminate in a glittering gala concert live from the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Monday 14 December at 8.00pm. The exclusive event will be presented by John Toal and Wendy Austin who will introduce a host of well-known names from the worlds of music, arts, comedy, sport and news, together with the Ulster Orchestra.

The two-and-half hour gala concert will reflect BBC Radio Ulster’s rich heritage and its diverse schedule of programming.

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Radio Days  NEW Monday 14 December BBC One Northern Ireland, 10.35pm

Forty years ago, as the stroke of midnight welcomed in New year’s Day 1975, the voice of John Bennett introduced a new radio station to the people of Northern Ireland. In the 40 years since, BBC Radio Ulster has been there for the good times and the bad, covering the nation’s celebrations and tragedies with a range of news, speech, music, sport and language programming. And joining in the laughter and tears all the way along have been the station’s listeners.

Radio Days, on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday 14 December at 10.35pm, meets a handful of some of the station’s ardent audience.

Helping mark BBC Radio Ulster’s 40th anniversary, Radio Days hears from many of the station’s presenters who bring the programmes to the airwaves and from the people who make those programmes what they are – and are the main reason they exist – the listeners.

In the programme, loyal listeners and faithful friends of the station talk about their unique relationship with BBC Radio Ulster and its distinctive mix of presenters and programmes. From Hugo fans Jean and Lily, to regular callers Norman and Bertie and listeners Pat, Ann and Margaret we discover the pivotal part BBC Radio Ulster plays in the lives of its audience.

Narrated by Stephen Nolan, the programme also features rare behind the scenes archive footage and interviews familiar voices from Walter Love (who along with John Bennett broadcast on the station since it started), Wendy Austin, Hugo Duncan, Cherrie McIlwaine and Linda McAuley to Stephen Nolan, Rigsy and Vinny Hurrell.

Radio Days follows the live BBC Radio Ulster 40th Birthday Gala from the Ulster Hall, Belfast, which can be heard on the station from 8pm-10.30pm. Presented by Wendy Austin and John Toal, this one- off concert features a host of special performances and appearances representing the station’s programming across news, speech, arts, music, sport and comedy.

JM

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TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Sports Personality 2015 – The Final 12  NEW Tuesday 15 December BBC One, 10.35pm

As the countdown continues to sport’s biggest night of the Year, Gabby Logan is in Belfast to present a special show on the 12 contenders for this year’s prestigious SPOTY Award. The programme features interviews with all 12 contenders, plus we also hear from advocates for each, made up of leading figures from the world of sport and those closest to them. Previous winners include Lord Coe, AP McCoy, Zara Phillips, David Beckham, Dame Mary Peters and Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Eddie Izzard also meets up with last year’s Unsung Hero winner Jill Stidever and hears how winning the Award at SPOTY has changed her life, while 1985 SPOTY winner Barry McGuigan visits Belfast to see how the city is preparing for the show with a number of sporting community events.

MD

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THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

The Arts Show: Brian Friel – A Tribute  NEW Thursday 17 December BBC Two NI, 10pm

The Arts Show rounds off 2015 with a special tribute to literary giant, Brian Friel, who died on 2 October this year.

Presenter Marie-Louise Muir talks to friends and colleagues who worked with him and for him, including Oscar-nominated actor, Stephen Rea.

Rea, who co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company with Friel in the early 1980’s, gave The Arts Show his only broadcast interview since Friel’s passing, saying; “He was a majestic figure and a dear, dear friend who had more influence on me than anyone else, and immense kindness and generosity. I will remember him always being irreverent and he was not impressed by anything - he was fearless, he was theatre.”

Other interviewees include Friel’s close friend, Irish Playwright Tom Kilroy, who remembers his mischievousness, saying; “His postcards with their hilarious one-liners were like a burst of laughter coming through the door”, and Actor/Director Adrian Dunbar, who said; '”Friel was a towering figure – he led us out of the parish and into the wider world”.

Downpatrick photographer, Bobbie Hanvey, and Field Day administrator, Collete Nellis also feature, with Nelis remembering her former boss as a 'pure gentleman'.

In recognition of Friel’s international standing, the lights on Broadway will be dimmed for one minute on Dec 8th as a mark of respect.

The Arts Show: Brian Friel - A Tribute is broadcast on Thursday 17 December, 10pm, BBC Two NI.

MD

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SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

A Christmas Star  NEW Saturday 19 December BBC Two Northern Ireland, 5pm

Northern Ireland and Ireland's first locally made Christmas movie centres around a spirited young girl named Noelle O’Hanlon (Newtownards native Erin Galway-Kendrick).

Born in dramatic circumstances under a Christmas star, Noelle believes that she has the ability to perform miracles. When conniving developer Pat McKerrod (Downton Abbey’s James-Collier) threatens her peaceful life, Noelle and her friends determine to use her special gift to thwart his plans and save the village pottery factory in time for Christmas.

AW

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SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Morning Service Sunday 20 December BBC Radio Ulster, 10.15am bbc.co.uk/radioulster

On Sunday 20 December both BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship and BBC Radio Ulster’s Morning Service will be broadcasting from Methodist College in Belfast. The service at 10.15am will be led by Bishop Pat Storey, the United Kingdom and Ireland’s first female bishop, and a former pupil at the school. The music will be from the Methodist College Chapel choir under the direction of Ruth McCartney.

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BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2015 - Red Carpet Show NEW Sunday 20 December BBC Two Northern Ireland, 5pm

Sport's most glamorous night is Belfast bound as BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 comes live from the city on Sunday 20 December. Drop in on all the live action as the biggest names in sport walk the Red Carpet in preparation for the big night. As the stars arrive for the event, BBC NI captures the glamour and build-up, offering a front row seat and a first chance to hear from some of the sporting greats who'll be attending.

This live hour long programme - on BBC Two NI at 5pm - will also profile the 12 contenders for this year's prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, whilst also celebrating Northern Ireland's own contribution to the world of sport. Northern Ireland's very own Colin Murray and Claire McCollum will be joined by Olympic gold medal winning boxer Nicola Adams on the Red Carpet to catch the stars before the show.

The Red Carpet programme which broadcasts live on BBC Two NI will also be available UK wide on the BBC News Channel and the Red Button.

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EDITORIAL 2015 / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Praise Revival Sunday 20 December BBC Radio Ulster, 6pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Join internationally acclaimed Belfast-born singer/songwriter Robin Mark to celebrate Christmas with the best of local contemporary Christian artists.

Robin presents an hour-long Praise Revival Christmas special on Sunday 20 December, on BBC Radio Ulster from 6pm.

With a house band, under the direction of Jonathan Rea, singers such as Brian Houston, Nathan Jess, Dana Masters, Tom McConnell and Eilidh Patterson will perform to a small invited audience. Praise Revival is a Blackthorn Production for BBC Radio Ulster.

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BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2015 Sunday 20 December BBC One, 6.50pm

Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan host BBC Sports Personality Of The Year, live from the SSE Arena, Belfast. It’s been another incredible 12 months of sporting excellence and this world famous show - now in its 62nd year - will again recognise some of the standout achievers.

Eight awards will be given out which include the Helen Rollason Award, the Team of The Year, the Unsung Hero and the Sports Personality Of The Year, which will be decided by a public vote on the night. There are 12 contenders for the main award - and choosing a winner will be tricky. (For details on all 12 contenders and information on how to vote for free online, go to www.bbc.co.uk/sport).

Stars from the sporting world will be among the 7,500 crowd in Northern Ireland's capital city and, as ever, there will be a full review of the sporting year.

MD

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WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

The Blame Game: The Best Bits Wednesday 23 December BBC One Northern Ireland, 9.30pm

Strap yourself in for this highlights edition of the hit comedy panel show with extracts from the recent series. Comedians Tim Mc Garry, Neil Delamere, Colin Murphy and Jake O' Kane are joined by a selection of comedy guests. The Blame Game: The Best Bits goes out on BBC One Northern Ireland on Wednesday 23 December at 9.30pm.

The Blame Game is a Moondog Production for BBC Northern Ireland.

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EDITORIAL 2015 / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Joy at Christmas  NEW Wednesday 23 December BBC One Northern Ireland, 10.35pm

Join internationally acclaimed modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty as they transport viewers Stateside for an evening of music to celebrate the season.

Recorded live at the historic Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, the Northern Ireland-born couple and their band of virtuoso musicians perform a selection of traditional carols alongside their own songs.

As renowned modern hymn writers, Lisburn-born Keith and his wife Kristyn, who is from Belfast, occupy a unique space in the world of music today.

In re-inventing the traditional hymn form, they have created a distinguished catalogue of songs teaching Christian doctrine and crossing genres by connecting the world of traditional and classical composition with contemporary and globally-accessible melodies.

Keith and Kristyn moved across the Atlantic in 2006 and spend half the year in America and the other half in Northern Ireland.

In addition to their presence in mainline hymn books and choral repertoires, their songs have been recorded by well-known artists including, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs and Owl City.

They have also been selected for international events such as the enthronement of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the concluding ceremony of the third Lausanne Congress.

A Getty Music production, Joy at Christmas is Keith and Kristyn’s first television special and evokes the wonder and beauty of Christmas in the Getty's signature style of Celtic, bluegrass, Americana and classical music.

Music includes holiday favourites such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Deck the Halls, as well as the original Getty hymn, which is sung all over the world, In Christ Alone.

AW

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CHRISTMAS EVE TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Talkback Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December BBC Radio Ulster, 12pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Desert Island Discs meets BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback in a series of special festive editions of the programme. On Christmas Eve former BBC NI Political Correspondent Martina Purdy chooses her favourite music tracks and talks to William Crawley about her life changing decision to become a nun.

This season of Talkback specials continues on BBC Radio Ulster from Monday 28 December – Thursday 31 December at 12pm as William talks to some famous names about the music they love and the lives they have led.

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EDITORIAL 2015 / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Hugo Duncan Live from Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital Christmas Eve – Thursday 24 December BBC Radio Ulster, 1pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

BBC Radio Ulster’s Hugo Duncan presents his yearly Christmas Eve outside broadcast live from the foyer of Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital to spread some Christmas cheer in the run up to Christmas Day. Hugo will be meeting the doctors and patients who will not be able to make it home for Christmas and the families who are spending some quality time with their loved ones as the big day approaches.

This specially extended two-hour programme, on Christmas Eve (Thursday 24 December) is on BBC Radio Ulster at 1pm, featuring live country music and plenty of cream buns and Christmas craic as Hugo hears those season’s greetings and gets everyone involved in some festive fun.

Hugo says: “We’ve been doing the Christmas Eve broadcasts from the Royal Victoria Hospital for a good few years now and it’s always a special treat for us to go and spend some time with everybody there. Some people will be able to go home for Christmas and others unfortunately won’t be able to but either way, it’ll be our mission for provide the Christmas fun and put smiles on their faces.”

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Show Tunes Christmas Eve – Thursday 24 December BBC Radio Ulster, 6pm Bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Peter Corry unwraps a selection of seasonal show tune classics with tracks from A Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppets Christmas Carol and Buddy - The Elf Musical. Show Tunes Christmas Special is on Christmas Eve (Thursday 24 December) on BBC Radio Ulster at 6pm.

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CHRISTMAS DAY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Radio Ulster Carol Service Friday 25 December BBC Radio Ulster, 7am bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Canon Noel Battye introduces the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from the BBC studio in Belfast on Christmas Day (Friday 25 December) at 7am, with readings by BBC Radio Ulster presenters and contributors and featuring recent recordings from local choirs. The full order of service is available at bbc.co.uk/radioulster and there is another chance to hear the programme at 6pm that evening.

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Kim’s Twinkly Christmas Christmas Day – Friday 25 December BBC Radio Ulster, 9am bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Christmas Day just wouldn’t be the same without Kim Lenaghan and Kim’s Twinkly Christmas. Kim brings a little sparkle to Christmas Morning with all the festive music favourites and dedications to family and friends.

Kim’s Twinkly Christmas is on BBC Radio Ulster at 9am on Friday 25 December and Kim will also be back with her regular weekly programmes on Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December and Sunday, 27 December at 7am.

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Into The Music Christmas Day, Friday 25 December BBC Radio Ulster, 8pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

BBC Radio Ulster gives listeners another chance to hear Ralph McLean as he introduces local musicians, including The Four Of Us, The Clameens, Anthony Toner, Wookalilly and Ronnie Greer, as they pay a 70th birthday tribute to Van Morrison at the Park Avenue Hotel in East Belfast.

Originally broadcast in August of this year, BBC Radio Ulster will also give listeners another chance to hear Van Morrison Live On Cyprus Avenue on Boxing Day at 12.00pm and the Vanactics feature straight after at 1.35pm on Boxing Day.

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BOXING DAY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

Ulster Rugby Live - Connacht v Ulster Saturday 26 December BBC Two Northern Ireland, 5.50pm

The stage is set for the Boxing Day Pro 12 Rugby clash as in form Connacht go head to head with Ulster. The Sportsground, Galway hosts this important interprovincial Round 10 fixture, with kick off at 6pm and the BBC Sport NI team will be on hand to bring all the action on BBC Two Northern Ireland.

Ulster Rugby Live begins at 5.50pm with presenter Stephen Watson joined in studio by former players Stephen Ferris and Andy Ward, with commentary from Jim Neilly and Tony McWhirter. Gavin Andrews will be pitch side with the latest updates and post-match reaction.

CR

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Van Morrison Live On Cyprus Avenue Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December BBC Radio Ulster, 12pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

As a tinsel-time treat, BBC Radio Ulster is giving listeners another chance to hear Van Morrison’s 70th birthday concert from Cyprus Avenue. Ralph McLean introduces the special concert which was recorded in August this year as part of the East Belfast Arts Festival.

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Vanatics Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December BBC Radio Ulster, 1.35pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Following hot on the heels of the Van Morrison Live On Cypress Avenue broadcast on Boxing Day, BBC Radio Ulster listeners also have another chance to hear Vanatics where Ralph McLean meets some of the international Van Morrison fans who gathered in Belfast from all over the world for the singer's 70th birthday celebrations.

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Live At The Grand Boxing Day – Saturday 26 December BBC Radio Ulster, 6pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

To mark the 120th Birthday of the Grand Opera House in Belfast, Linley Hamilton presents a special concert featuring local artists including Gareth Dunlop, Dana Masters and Brian Houston, performing with the All Ireland Paul Dunlea Big Band. Live At The Grand is on Saturday 26 December on BBC Radio Ulster at 6pm. CC ______

WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS /BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

The Blame Game: Review of 2015 Wednesday 30 December BBC One Northern Ireland, 10.25pm

Comedian Andrew Maxwell joins regular jokesters Colin Murphy, Jake O' Kane, Neil Delamere and Tim Mc Garry as they take a humorous look back at 2015. Will anyone escape the blame as the gang remember the people and events which made the news at home and abroad over this past year? The Blame Game Review of 2015 will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland on Wednesday 30 December at 10.35pm.

The Blame Game is a Moondog Production for BBC Northern Ireland.

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EDITORIAL 2015 / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

NEW YEAR’S DAY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEKS 50-52 ______

John Bennett New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January BBC Radio Ulster, 7:05am bbc.co.uk/radioulster

BBC Radio Ulster listener’s may be used to John Bennett closing the station on weekend evenings, but he’ll be opening BBC Radio Ulster and the New Year with a two-hour festive special aimed at easing listeners into 2016. John will play a fine selection of music and engage in some gentle conversation to welcome listeners to New year’s Day. Text 81771.

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Vinny & Mairead New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January BBC Radio Ulster, 5.30pm bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Two of BBC Radio Ulster’s New Voices of 2015 Vinny Hurrell and Mairead Campbell join forces to keep the celebrations going well into New Year’s Day. With music to keep the party feeling alive and a look back at the highlights of 2015, Vinny and Mairead are asking listeners to join in the conversation by texting 81771.

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BBC Northern Ireland Press Office Caroline Cooper 028 9033 8226 [email protected] Maria Devenny 028 9033 8227 [email protected] Jeff Magill 028 9033 8986 [email protected] Ciara Riddell 028 9033 8962 [email protected] Audrey Watson 028 9033 8913 [email protected] bbc.co.uk/tv/programmes/a-z/by/a

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