With Fr John McCullagh.
With Trixie Rawlinson. Editor Chris Burns
With Richard Uridge.
With Anna Ford and James Naughtie.
7.25,8.25 Sports News
7.45 Thought for the Day
With the Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths.
John Peel revisits some of the shining stars who have appeared on the Programme over the past few months. PHONE: [number removed].
E-MAIL: home.truths@bbc.co.uk
Miles Kington and Edward Enfield try to disprove the adage that "man is the only animal that laughs." With Richard Burge , director of London Zoo;
Professor Roger Scruton , author of On Hunting; and Lady Margaret Oswick. Producer Tony Staveacre
Andrew Jefford samples the delights of champagne.
Producer Paul Kobrak
Repeated Monday 28 December 4pm
Kate Adie presents analysis from correspondents worldwide.
Presented by Alison Mitchell. Producer Sarah Pennells
Satire with Simon Hoggart. Repeated from yesterday 6.30pm
A look foward at the coming year. Repeated from yesterday 8pm
The Christmas Turkey. Stephen
Bayley, Raymond Blanc and Bernard Matthews help Nigel Cassidy uncover the curious history of the bird at the centre of a multimillion-pound industry. Producer Neil Koenig
Rogan Taylor unpeels the layers of myth, history and politics that make the banana the most potent fruit of all.
J. Meade Falkner's classic tale, dramatised by Nick Warburton.
Young John Trenchard is drawn into the dangerous world of smuggling when he goes in search of Blackbeard's diamond. But the treasure brings a curse, and soon John must flee for his life.
Presented by Jenni Murray. Editor Ruth Gardiner
Eddie Mair presents analysis of the news and sports headlines.
Russell Davies presents a special holiday edition of Radio 4's programme about films and filmgoing. Producer Simon Elmes. Repeated Tuesday 29 December 11.30pm
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the sketch and stand-up show that delivers the sharpest and biggest laughs of the week, with the regular team of Simon Munnery ,
Jane Bussmann , David Quantick , Nick Romero and Dan Freedman.
Producer Aled Evans. Repeated Tuesday 29 December llpm
Poet John Hegley entertains with a microphone and a book of verse. With Nigel Piper and Sue Norton. Recorded at this year's Edinburgh Festival. Producer Phil Clarke Repeat
Tom Sutcliffe and guests review the cultural hits and misses of 1998. Producer Adrian Washbourne
Matt Frei highlights a word from a foreign language which captures the essence of that country and its culture. 3: Losing Face
Producer Tony Grant. Repeated Wednesday 30 December 8.45pm Repeat
Poet and critic Tom Paulin explores the history of conversation, from the teaching dialogues of Socrates and Plato to the gossip of nineties sitcoms. With help from Pete and Dud, Isaiah Berlin and Harry Enfield. Producer Clare Hughes
By Charles Dickens , dramatised in five parts by John Dryden. 4: Having sworn her long-lost daughter to silence over their relationship, Lady Dedlock is confronted by her lawyer. Tulkinghorn, who threatens to expose all. With Claire Price and Michael Kitchen.
Repeated from Sunday 20 December 3pm
A forum which tests plans to improve the country's education system. With Edward Stourton.
Repeated from Wednesday 23 December 8pm
Russia's history has been rung out through the centuries by thousands of church bells. Russian poet
Irina Ratushinskaya tells Ken Asch the story of bells through a mixture of chimes, legends, poems and songs. Producer Tim Whewell. Repeated Monday 28 December 11.30pm
In the continuing series about contemporary poetry,
Christopher Cook talks to poets Kate Clanchy and Helen Dunmore about the changes that have taken place in women's poetry over the last 150 years. Producer Susan Roberts Repeat
The Cold Spot. By Nicola Barker , read by Niamh Cusack. In the bedsit, there is one area that remains below room temperature. Producer Duncan Minshull Repeat
The First Christmas Story. By Angela Lambert , read by Jane Asher. A young couple abandons friends and family to spend Christmas in a hotel with strangers. Producer Pam Fraser Solomon
