BBC R4’s Today show guest editors revealed: Jamie Oliver and Björn Ulvaeus among the stars involved

Jamie Oliver says he will ‘look for big ideas to improve child health’ as he is unveiled as guest host of Radio 4 alongside ABBA star Björn Ulvaeus and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

  • Radio 4 Today Programme’s guest editors over the Christmas period revealed 
  • Star-studded cast include ABBA front man Björn Ulvaeus and Jamie Oliver
  • Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Lord Botham will also appear over festive period

TV chef Jamie Oliver and ABBA front man Björn Ulvaeus have been chosen to guest edit Today programme over the festive period.

They are among seven people who will take over the BBC Radio 4 show during the Christmas and New Year period.

Promising a ‘joyful, interesting and intimate’ experience for listeners, the Naked Chef’s programme will explore ways to improve child health and quiz politicians on his obesity and school meals campaigns.

Ulvaeus, 77, and fellow ABBA star Benny Andersson have recorded a new arrangement of a track from the band’s 2021 hit album, Voyage.

The singer-songwriter will also examine the future of Europe and look ahead to next year’s Eurovision contest – the same competition that saw ABBA become household names in 1974.

ABBA front man Björn Ulvaeus has been chosen to guest edit Radio 4’s Today programme over the festive period

Promising a 'joyful, interesting and intimate' experience for listeners, TV chef Jamie Oliver's programme will explore ways to improve child health and quiz politicians on his obesity and school meals campaigns

Promising a ‘joyful, interesting and intimate’ experience for listeners, TV chef Jamie Oliver’s programme will explore ways to improve child health and quiz politicians on his obesity and school meals campaigns

Former England cricket captain Lord Botham, Sir Jeremy Fleming, GCHQ head, Dame Sharon White, chair of the John Lewis Partnership and technologist Anne-Marie Imafidon will also take the reins between December 26 and January 2.

Meanwhile, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will spend her first Christmas in the UK since being detained in Iran in the Today programme editor’s chair.

Each programme will include an interview with the guest editor.

On Boxing Day, Lord Botham will look at charity, fundraising and the future of treatment with regards to childhood leukemia, a cause he has fought for for the last four decades.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s show will tackle maintaining freedom in challenging circumstances and will include reporting on Iran and the British government’s efforts to free prisoners held abroad.

Sir Jeremy Fleming, the first GCHQ chief to guest edit the Today programme, will explore the future of data and its long-term risks and benefits. 

New Year’s Eve’s show will see Ms Imafidon, who first appeared on the Today programme when she was just 11, sharing fresh ideas on science, comedy and problem solving. 

On Boxing Day, Lord Botham (above) will look at charity, fundraising and the future of treatment with regards to childhood leukemia, a cause he has fought for for the last four decades

On Boxing Day, Lord Botham (above) will look at charity, fundraising and the future of treatment with regards to childhood leukemia, a cause he has fought for for the last four decades

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will spend her first Christmas in the UK since being detained in Iran in the Today programme editor's chair

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will spend her first Christmas in the UK since being detained in Iran in the Today programme editor’s chair

Ulvaeus, 77, and fellow ABBA star Benny Andersson (right) have recorded a new arrangement of a track from the band's 2021 hit album, Voyage

Ulvaeus, 77, and fellow ABBA star Benny Andersson (right) have recorded a new arrangement of a track from the band’s 2021 hit album, Voyage

2022’s round of guest editing will end with business chief Dame Sharon, whose programme will examine what further options of support young people leaving the care system could benefit from.

Previous guest editors have included the Duke of Sussex, Angelina Jolie, John Bercow, Sir Lenny Henry and Professor Stephen Hawking.

Sir Richard Branson and presenter David Dimbleby have also appeared as guests.

Owenna Griffiths, editor of the Today programme, said: ‘For nearly 20 years the guest editors have transformed Christmas on Today, creating some of the most memorable moments in the programme’s rich history along the way.

‘This year is no different and I’m enormously grateful these guest editors have given up their time to bring new stories, unexpected perspectives and a little festive cheer to the Today audience.’

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