News round-up: Christmas charity events, Classic FM broadcast and other festive radio highlights

17 December 2016 02:54

While you're waiting for Zoe's eagerly-anticipated dramas Britannia and Babs to be screened (they're both due to air next year), you'll find there's plenty to enjoy this festive season, especially on the radio.

Festive readings at Christmas carol services

On 14 December, Zoë took part in festive fundraiser The Story of Christmas, an annual charity event from the property and construction industries. A carol service at St George's Hanover Square Church was followed by a reception and charity auction in The Dorchester. Zoë was joined by many other well-known guests, including Sanjeev Bhaskar, Brian Blessed and Imogen Stubbs. The Story of Christmas has so far raised more than £400,000 in order to support disadvantaged children and the homeless in London. (As soon as I find photos from the event, I'll let you know.)

The next evening, Zoë took part in the Children & The Arts' tenth anniversary Christmas Concert at London's Cadogan Hall. She was pictured at the seasonal event alongside Aled Jones, Miranda Raison, Penelope Wilton and other special guests. Together they provided festive readings and music, with the aim of raising money to help the charity offer creative and cultural experiences to disadvantaged and terminally ill children. The concert was recorded for Classic FM and will be broadcast on Christmas Eve, from 6-8pm.

Returning to The Matthew Rolland Show

Another programme sure to be worth hearing is Hospital Radio Reading's Christmas Day edition of The Matthew Rolland Show, as Zoë will be a special guest. She took part in the show last year too – you can listen to the interview online (it begins about eight-and-a-half minutes into the recording).

Celebrating Sam Wanamaker's work

In the run-up to Christmas, why not listen to Zoë's late father's episode of Down Your Way, a BBC radio series that discussed places of interest across the UK? In 'Sam Wanamaker in Edinburgh', originally broadcast in 1992, the actor/director explores the city's wealth of history.

Of course, Zoë's father is best known for bringing the history of Shakespearean theatre to life through Shakespeare's Globe. The organisation has tweeted an excellent archive photo of him with its architectural models as part of its Christmas countdown celebrations.

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