Radio 2 to air Jimmy Savile at Christmas

Legendary radio presenter Sir Jimmy Savile will talk about his life in a special documentary for Radio 2 to air on Christmas Day.

Mostly unheard archive material from one of the late Sir Jim’s final interviews, recorded in February this year, will see the broadcaster get the final word on his remarkable life.

The programme – ‘Jimmy Savile – In His Own Words’ will be broadcast at 9pm on 25th December, with the presenter reflecting on his life and even admitting, when asked about his own mortality, that he’s ‘not going anywhere’.

It’s part of a Christmas Day line-up for Radio 2 that also includes the return of Ed Stewart with Junior Choice (9-11am), comediennes French and Saunders (2-4pm), Justin Lee Collins with a special on ‘lounge’ music (4-6pm) and David Jason’s Comedy Christmas (6-7pm).

The latter will feature clips of classic moments from TV and radio Christmas specials from over the years as well as interviews with people including Ronnie Corbett and Bill Pertwee. David says: “Christmas always seems to be a great time for comedy, I suppose it’s because it brings people together. I used to love the sheer lunacy of whatever The Goon Show did at Christmas and then of course Morecambe and Wise – well I can’t imagine Christmas without them. Christmas is the one time that the whole family – Grandad, aunty and the rest, sit down together with the TV or Radio and if you can make them all laugh it’s really something special.”

Also on the festive menu for Radio 2 this year are Kylie Minogue, who looks at the life of jazz musician Blossom Dearie in a documentary on 22nd December; Martin Sheen, who tells the story of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on 23rd December; and Dermot O’Leary who dissects the story behind The Pogue’s Fairytale of New York on Christmas Eve. All three air in the 10-11pm slot.

At New Year Radio 2 has a live show from London’s Savoy hotel, hosted by Patrick Kielty. ‘Stompin’ at The Savoy’, which airs 10.30pm-12.30am on 31st December will feature performances from artists including Tony Christie, Paloma Faith and Beverley Knight.