November 24th, 2010 5 comments

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Matt Smith / Karen Gillan on Radio 1 this Christmas

Stars light up Radio 1 and 1Xtra this Christmas

From the BBC Press office

BBC Radio 1 today unveiled details of its Christmas schedule, which includes some of the biggest stars of 2010 presenting shows in Radio 1s Top 10s of 2010; the return of the Festive Festival; a Chris Moyles karaoke special and Dev broadcasting his show live from Lapland.

Starting on Christmas Eve and continuing throughout Boxing Day, Radio 1’s Top 10s of 2010 sees the station being taken over by talent from the music and entertainment world, including Doctor Who’s Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, Tinie Tempah, Pixie Lott and Plan B. In each show the celebrity guest presenters have a single hour to take control and play their ten favourite tracks from the past year.

In the first instalment on Christmas Eve (7-10am), James Corden kicks off proceedings, followed by the Doctor Who duo from 8am and Tinie Tempah from 9am. On Boxing Day (7am-4pm) the takeovers come courtesy of Pixie Lott, Plan B, Nicole Scherzinger and N-Dubz.

On Christmas Day Radio 1 listeners get a unique opportunity to have a go at presenting their own 15-minute slot on the station in the second ever Tinsel Takeover. Greg James will be on air from 7-10 am to kick things off before handing over to the audience from 10am-7pm.

On Monday 20 December (7-11pm), the Festive Festival returns to the legendary Maida Vale Studios for a night of musical treats from some of 2010’s established and hotly tipped acts, including Bullet For My Valentine.

Hosted by Zane Lowe and Nick Grimshaw, the night features Radio 1 specialist music DJs introducing an eclectic line-up of artists they have been championing. And, throughout the night, Kissy Sell Out, Benji B and Jaymo and Andy George provide party mixes to get listeners in the festive spirit.

The following evening, Radio 1’s Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles brings back his legendary karaoke night, this time with a festive twist. Chris and team will present highlights and lowlights of their Christmas karaoke gig on air the following morning on Wednesday 22 December (7-10am).

Fearne Cotton brings listeners a very special Christmas show, broadcast from her very own house on Thursday 23 December (10am-12.45pm). Throughout the show her family and celebrity friends will be dropping in and joining her for festive fun and games.

And Dev, who usually doesn’t like Christmas one bit, faces his fear and heads to Lapland in search of Christmas cheer, broadcasting his show from there on Monday 13 December (4-6.30am).

Meanwhile, over on Radio 1’s sister station, BBC Radio 1Xtra, the Christmas schedule includes a Max Live Lounge Christmas Special; live on-air parties hosted by MistaJam, Westwood’s Nightmare Before Christmas and takeover shows featuring some of the station’s favourite artists.

N-Dubz present their own three-hour show on Christmas Day (1-4pm) where Tulisa, Dappy and Fazer count down their top 10 songs of 2010. And Tinie Tempah takes over the studio on Boxing Day (1-4pm), calling his celebrity pals and revealing his favourite old school classics.

Following Max’s 12 Days Of Christmas, where the daytime DJ re-lives her twelve favourite 1Xtra Live Lounges of 2010, comes Max’s 1Xtra Live Lounge Christmas Special on Tuesday 21 December (1-4pm) – a live music extravaganza featuring performances from Devlin, Giggs, Jodie Connor and an all-female choir.

From Monday 20 to Thursday 24 December join Westwood’s camp all week for his Nightmare Before Christmas. Channel the “bah humbug” in you through The Big Dawg, Westwood, where he’ll be getting listeners to offload all their Christmas joy.

Finally, MistaJam is on hand during the festive season to get listeners in the party mood. On Thursday 16 December (7-10pm) he hosts the 1Xtra Christmas Party where the station’s DJs, friends including Labrinth and Roll Deep and 1Xtra staff get together for a live on-air festive party, including a DJ soundclash, hip-hop karaoke, DJ awards and live webchats.

And, on New Year’s Eve, he hosts the ultimate party in All Roads Lead To New Year’s Eve, featuring a mammoth mix from the 1Xtra family – six hours of old school classic tunes with the likes of Westwood, Cameo and Target providing the soundtrack to welcome in 2011.

Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: “This Christmas we combine festive specials from the DJs with takeovers from top celebrities and an opportunity for listeners to have their own 15 minutes of fame. And, not forgetting the Festive Festival, an incredible night of live music, showcasing the best new talent for 2011 at Maida Vale.”