Britain’s long-running current affairs show, The Today Program, has a history of inviting political heavyweights, religious leaders, leading scientists and even royalty to guest host it early morning radio slot.
But it appears that bosses at the prestigious BBC Radio 4 show are taking a break from politicians and experts this Christmas as they announce that Angelina Jolie will be taking the coveted role.
The Hollywood actress, 43, will take the reins on December 28, when she will highlight the issues of violence against women in conflict zones and the refugee crisis. The theme is one close to Jolie’s heart and something she has campaigned on during much of her career.
Jolie, 43, will take the reins on December 28, when she will highlight the issues of violence against women in conflict zones and the refugee crisis
But the appointment of a relatively ‘lightweight’ celebrity guest-editor will come as a surprise to fans of the 61-year-old show which typically focuses on the issues, not it’s famous hosts.
Since 2003 the flagship current affairs show has invited prominent public figures to become the editor for a day during the festive period.
Last year the Duke of Sussex was among the guest editors of the show, interviewing his own father, the Prince of Wales, and former US president Barack Obama.
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Sir Lenny Henry and Professor Stephen Hawking have also previously steered Today for special Christmas editions.
Britain’s long-running current affairs show, The Today Program, has a history of inviting political heavyweights, religious leaders, leading scientists and even royalty to guest host it early morning radio slot (pictured are hosts John Humphrys and Mishal Husain)
Barack Obama and Prince Harry once appeared on the show which typically has
However, Jolie is no ordinary actress and has a long history of humanitarian work, and acting as a spokeswoman on issues such as violence and rape against women, as well as the refugee crisis.
She will speak to refugees and survivors of conflict directly during the show.
The mother-of-six, actress and campaigner has already begun work on her stint at Today.
Her spokesman said she is ‘grateful’ for the opportunity ‘to draw on the BBC’s global expertise and network to explore practical solutions to a number of pressing issues of our time’.
He added: ‘She has already begun working with the Today program team and is looking forward to engaging a broad and diverse range of voices in the program.’
Jolie’s spokesman said she is ‘grateful’ for the opportunity ‘to draw on the BBC’s global expertise and network to explore practical solutions to a number of pressing issues of our time’ (pictured in West Mosul during a visit to Iraq, on June 16, 2018)
Jolie has spent the past decade visiting war-torn countries and refugee camps all around the world, and founded her own organization, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, with ex-husband Brad Pitt, to help children and refugees overseas.
She also set up the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation after adopting son Maddox from Cambodia to help combat poverty and provide more opportunities in the nation.
Jolie was appointed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador in 2012 which saw her visit several refugee camps around the world including those in Syria, Jordan, Thailand, and Iraq, and help advocate for refugees and find solutions for the crises.
The Salt star also cofounded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative with former British Foreign Secretary Lord William Hague of Richmond in 2012, to combat sexual violence in global conflict zones and joined forces with designer Stella McCartney in 2014 to launch the Draw Me to Safety Campaign to highlight sexual violence in such areas.
Meanwhile, the subject of ‘outer space’ will be explored in a separate, theme-based episode of the Radio 4 program.
The long-running early morning news and current affairs shows broadcasts on BBC’s Radio 4 in the UK, from 6am to 9am Monday to Friday, and 7am to 9am on Saturday. It’s one of the most popular shows across BBC radio.