With Angela Tilby.
With Mark Holdstock.
With Mark Coles and Sarah Montague.
6.25,7.25 and 8.25 Sports News
7.48 Thought for the Day
Conversation with Libby Purves and guests. Producer Chris Paling Repeated at 9.30pm
Jeremy Paxman presents the very best of the year on BBC radio. Shortened repeat ofChristmas Day 3.10pm
Part 8. Repeated at 7.45pm
Leyhill Prison is famous for the gardens created by its officers and inmates. This yeartwo of the staff, Sally Scott and Terry Dive , visited Idete Prison in Tanzania to help with a new project. Producer Cathy Packe
The ninth series of Simon Brett 'scomedy drama begins with a bereavement, which sends shock-waves in unexpected directions.
Producer Simon Brett
In a special hour-long edition, chairman Nicholas Parsons and panellists Clement Freud, Sheila Hancock, Paul Merton and Graham Norton return to the show's first venue, the Playhouse Theatre, London, to celebrate 35 years of hesitation, repetition and deviation. Celebrity subject-setters include Pam Ayres, Gyles Brandreth, Charles Collingwood, Jenny Eclair, Steve Frost, Chris Neill and Ross Noble. Producer Claire Jones
Just a Minute's 35th Birthday Show
12.04pm R4
Although Clement Freud is the only remaining member of the classic line-up of panellists (with Kenneth Williams, Peter Jones and Derek Nimmo now playing the great celestial panel game), his razor-sharp wit is one of the reasons why this programme is still funny after 35 years - when youngsters such as Paul Merton let him get a word in edgeways. Revealing anniversary subjects include "How to win points on Just a Minute" and "Ten things you never knew about Nicholas Parsons". (Richard Partridge)
With Tim Franks.
"Now, but now, we break ourfast together. We have waited all our lives for this ..." To celebrate the 80th anniversary of BBC religious broadcasting, Michael Symmons Roberts 's specially commissioned poem instigates an exploration of ritual and celebratory meals and the intimate link between faith and food. Music by Rhett Brewer producer JeremyGrange RptdonSunSJan
Repeat of yesterday 7pm
By Jennifer Curry. The moving story of the love affair between Alison Grant and Arthur Waley , the famous translator of Oriental poetry.
Director Cherry Cookson
Pippa Greenwood , Roy Lancaster and Anne Swithinbank are guests of the Shaston Gardening
Association in Shaftesbury. Eric Robson is in the chair. Shortened 2pm
3: Best Eaten Cold by Laura Wilson. Awaitress at a dinner party finds that revenge is on the menu. Read by Paola DioniSOtti. Fordetailssee Monday 30 December
Magician and broadcaster Hugh Levinson meets the hidden geniuses who devise "miracles" for conjurors. Can Ali Bongo and Pat Page dream up a miraculous trick with a random group of props? Producer Hugh Levinson
Laurie Taylortalks to leading thinkers about the ideas, politics and language that shape changes in society. Producer Jacqueline Smith
In the summer, the abandoned army base once called Camp Dunlap , in the Californian desert, is empty.
But when the first snowfalls across America, it comes alive. Hundreds of campers go to spend winter in the sun, in a place with no power, no water and no parking fees. Peter Day hears the stories of the people who created "Slab City". Producer Neil Koenig
With Dan Damon and Carolyn Quinn.
3: Dark Thoughts. An essay on the spiritual aspects of darkness, taking us from infant fears of the dark to the blackness of the universe and the underworld. Plus new poems by Ruth Padel and Collete Bryce. Producer Sean Walsh
A two-part festive special from Hell, written by Andy Hamilton. Part2. Knocking on Heaven's Door
Satan's epic quest concludes as he meets Death, Davina McCall , and St Peter and his rottweilers.
With Michael Fenton Stevens , Felicity Montagu , Philip Pope and Claire Skinner. Producer Paul Mayhew-Archer Repeated at 11.30pm
KentOn'S made a resolution. Repeated tomorrow at 2pm
John Wilson goes behind the scenes at the British Museum with its new director, Neil McGregor , who gives his first broadcast interview as the museum celebrates its 250th anniversary. Producer Robyn Read
8: Quilp will use anyone who can help him find
Little Nell and her grandfather, starting with Dick Swiveller. Fordetailssee Monday 30 December RptoflO.45am
In the first of two debates chaired by Edward Stourton , former Dome chief executive PY Gerbeau argues that the UK is the best place to live in the world. Producer Jim Frank Repeated Saturday 4 January
The first in a series of talks in which Michael Shea - writer, diplomat, former member of the Cabinet
Office staff and press secretary to the Queen -tells his stories of state visits, presidents and prime ministers. Producer Zillah Watson Repeated Sunday 5 January
In 1899, the head of the American patent office suggested that it be closed down, as there couldn't be anything left to discover. Now, after more than a century of spectacular innovation, are we anywhere nearerthe end of science? Bob May , President of th( Royal Society, begins a four-part investigation into the basic laws of nature and asks if we're close to understanding them fully. Producer Martin Redfern
Repeat of 9.00am
3: Shaken not stirred. Bond's survival calls for revival. For details see Monday 30 December
By Nicholas Mcinerny. In the second of two sequels to Dickens's A Christmas Carol, we return to the firm of Scrooge and Marley 15 years afterthe events of the book. Tiny Tim has become the ruthless manager of the company, and is poised to become the most powerful businessman in London - butthen he receives the first of three disturbing visitors.
Producer Peter Leslie Wild
Rpt of 6.30pm
Australia v England for the Ashes
Commentary on the first day's play of the Rfth Test in Sydney, by Jonathan Agnew , Tim Lane , GeoffLawson Jim Maxwell and KerryO'Keefe. Producer Peter Baxter
Repeat of Friday 27 December 6.15pm
of the Week: John Betjeman : New Fame, New LovePart 3. Repeat of 9.45am
Australia v England for the Ashes
Commentary on the first day's play of the Rfth Test in Sydney, by Jonathan Agnew , Tim Lane , GeoffLawson Jim Maxwell and KerryO'Keefe. Producer Peter Baxter
