A Celebration Of Christmas

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio — A Celebration Of Christmas

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Roy Castle (BBC Radio 2, Arts Centre Group)
Episode Date: November 28, 2025
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Setting: Live recording at Wembley Conference Centre, London
Theme: A festive celebration featuring music, poetry, gospel, humor, and storytelling from the Golden Age of Radio and beyond, emphasizing the joy and communal spirit of Christmas.

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Overview

This special holiday episode, hosted by Roy Castle on behalf of the Arts Centre Group and BBC Radio 2, gathers a vibrant collection of artists, musicians, choirs, and family members to honor Christmas through song, story, comedy, and reflection. The event blends secular and sacred traditions, classic carols, and original performances. Highlighting the sense of togetherness, artistic collaboration, and the Christian message at the heart of Christmas, the episode evokes nostalgia for the communal listenings of radio’s golden era, while also featuring new, live energy.

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Key Segments and Highlights

1. Introduction and Setting the Scene

Host: Roy Castle

• Begins with a sentimental reflection on Christmas:

  “A time above all for remembering the miracle of the baby at Bethlehem without whom there would never have been a Christmas... Christmas is a time for celebration.” (00:30)

• Sets a festive, inclusive atmosphere, promising music, sketches, and contributions from notable artists.

2. Musical Performances and Christmas Carols

• Lorna Washington – "12 Days of Christmas"

  • Lively rendition with audience participation.
  • Repeated joyful refrains and slightly muddled but playful lyrics showcase a communal, spontaneous vibe. (09:57–14:47)

• London Community Gospel Choir

  • Introduced as “the most exciting choir we could find” (18:35).
  • Traditional gospel numbers, showcasing exuberant vocals and themes of praise and thanksgiving.
  • Notable moment:

    “You took me through the good and the bad? Best friend I ever had. And you lead me to the promised land.” (20:07)

• David Grant (standing in for Alvin Stardust) – Christmas Ballad

  • Sings about Christmas memories and loneliness, capturing both melancholy and hope. (24:02–27:35)

3. Comedy and Storytelling: The Shepherd’s Tale

• Humorous, dramatized re-imagining of the nativity from the shepherds’ perspective. (27:44–34:43)
  • Comic dialogue about lost sheep and confusion upon meeting the angel Gabriel and witnessing the arrival of multitudes of angels.
  • Roy Castle as narrator:

    “It always happens to me, sir. Yeah, well, it must be the look of your face. Boy, they’re very choosy animals, sheep. You can’t blame me for that.” (28:01)

  • Moves from comedy to awe as the shepherds witness the heavenly host and the proclamation of Christ’s birth.

4. Guest Performances

• Donna Johnson

  • Warm, emotional solo reflecting on absent loved ones at Christmas. (36:19–42:19)
  • Leads audience in festive singalong:
    • "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" (42:19)
    • "When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Jingle Bells", encouraging widespread audience participation and laughter (44:56–50:53).
  • Lighthearted banter about her “tinfoil” dress, showcasing the affectionate, comedic tone.

• Children’s Performances

  • Daniel Ludford Thomas and Victoria McLaughlin (“choir boy/girl of the year”) perform carols.
  • Roy Castle humorously discusses working with children, sharing anecdotes about his own (50:53).
  • Family ensemble: Daniel (trombone), Benjamin (reading a humorous introduction and piano piece), and Antonia (original piano composition titled “Norman”).
    • Playful, affectionate exchanges between Roy and his children, sharing the spotlight and poking fun at family music-making (55:32–62:44).

• Community Involvement

  • Audience urged to sing along and participate throughout, fostering an atmosphere of inclusion.

5. Gospel Uplift

• “Praise Him on the Trumpet” led by Lorna Washington, with support from Fiona Castle and the choir (66:24–68:27).
• “Come Home My Child” – moving gospel invitation (68:32–73:52).
• Roy Castle:

  “Don’t you hear I call I am here. I can see every tear that falls, every tear that falls on your eyes, my child.” (71:09)

6. Poetic Reflection

• Evelyn Lay reads a Lewis Carroll Christmas poem (81:59–83:26), invoking childhood wonder and the central Christian message:

  “Still the joyful sound – Peace on earth, Good will to men; Yet the hearts... was childlike be where such heavenly guests abide...” (83:09)

7. Standout Performers and Songs

• Mary o’ Hara – Delicate, spiritual songs, including “Sweet Child of Glory” and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”, delivering timeless blessings:

  “May God bless and keep you always / May your wishes all come true / May you always do for others and let others do for you...” (75:18–79:19)

• Cliff Richard (special guest):

  • Sentimental reflection on loving Christmas, sharing the joy of lights, the city, and above all, faith.
  • Medley including “Blow Ye a Trumpet”, and “He’ll Wait Another Christmas Day” (92:41–95:48).
  • Soulful rendition of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”, recalling a moving moment from a past gospel show (96:25–100:13).

• Unconventional Carol Arrangements

  • “O Little Town of Bethlehem” with new melody, blending tradition and modernity (100:25–103:44).

8. Grand Finale

• Mass medley brings together all the show’s performers: BBC Concert Orchestra, choirs, family, soloists, and special guests (104:08–end).
• Traditional carols, including “Once in Royal David’s City,” with a rousing, joyful conclusion.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Roy Castle, on revisiting the Christmas story:

  “Taking a fresh look at a very familiar story can sometimes help you to see new meaning in it.” (35:38)

• Cliff Richard, on Christmas:

  “It’s really nice to be here. I love Christmas. I love Christmas trees. I love snow. I love gold. I love tinsel. I even love Oxford Street and Regent Street. … But most of all I love Jesus the Lord.” (93:08)

• Mary o’ Hara (singing Bob Dylan):

  “May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung / May you stay forever young.” (78:41)

• Roy Castle, humor with family:

  “On this occasion, I’ve broken both rules [about children and animals]. Say hello to Benjamin.” (55:32)

• Funny moment, Roy Castle and son:

  “So let’s just see how far he’s got. Here he is. Daniel. Hi, Daniel. I often wondered why you chose to play the trombone...” Daniel: “Well, you see, there’s one main difference really between the trumpet and the trombone. What’s that? The spelling.” (50:53-53:55)

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Major Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | Highlights | |-----------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Roy Castle - Opening Reflection | Christmas spirit and meaning | | 09:57 | Lorna Washington - “12 Days of Christmas” | Festive singalong | | 18:35 | London Community Gospel Choir Introduced | Gospel music performance | | 24:02 | David Grant - Christmas Ballad | Solos about memory, hope | | 27:44 | Shepherds Nativity Sketch | Humorous storytelling | | 36:19 | Donna Johnson – Solo & Singalong | Emotional performance, audience participation| | 50:53 | Children and Castle Family Musicians | Musical comedy & talent | | 66:24 | Lorna Washington & Fiona Castle - “Praise Him on the Trumpet” | Gospel praise | | 75:18 | Mary o’ Hara – Spiritual Ballad/Forever Young | Poignant, spiritual moments | | 81:59 | Evelyn Lay – Lewis Carroll Reading | Classic poem, Christmas message | | 92:41 | Cliff Richard – Reflections & Medley | Christmas love, faith, music | | 96:25 | “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” | Emotional gospel | | 104:08 | Finale Medley – All Performers | Communal, jubilant finish |

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Tone and Atmosphere

• Warmth and Humor: Roy Castle’s hosting is marked by geniality, quick wit, and gentle jokes, especially in his interactions with family and children.
• Inclusivity: Repeated invitations to sing along and joyful encouragement for audience participation.
• Nostalgia: Frequent allusions to family-centered radio traditions and the Golden Age of Radio, as well as the enduring appeal of classic carols and spirituals.
• Faith and Reflection: The Christian message is celebrated through music, narrative, and poetry, but without excluding secular joy. Performers share personal and communal appreciation for Christmas, often focusing on unity, remembrance, and hope.

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Final Notes

This episode is a lush, joy-filled celebration of Christmas combining nostalgic tradition with contemporary touches and humor. It offers a rich blend of carols, gospel, comedy sketches, heartfelt reflections, and family warmth, making it both a loving homage to the Golden Age of Radio and a sincere, spirited celebration of the season’s meaning.

Closing Message:

“On behalf of everyone here, we’d like to send all of you a very special wish for a Christmas full of love, peace, and happiness. Happy Christmas.” (104:08)

Transcript

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[Roy Castle]

Past and loved ones separated from us by the miles and the years. A time above all for remembering the miracle of the baby at Bethlehem without whom there would never have been a Christmas. For these and many other reasons, Christmas is a time for celebration.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sa.

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[Various Performers and Choir Members]

It.

[Roy Castle]

Hello, this is Roy Castle on behalf of the Arts Centre Group and Radio 2 inviting you to share in a very special celebration of Christmas. You've just been listening to the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Alwyn. And for the next two hours we'll be entertaining you with music, songs and sketches that celebrate the spirit of Christmas. And bring together members and friends of the Arts Centre Group, a gang of Christians working in the arts and media. Whether poetry, poets, painters or architects, writers, journalists, broadcasters or filmmakers, actors, singers or dancers, or even the occasional tap dancing trumpet player. You never know who's turning up here. And among the good friends who are taking part in the show are Cliff Richard. Donna, I think he's coming anyway. I'm not too sure, you know. Donna. Yes, David Grant, Mary o' Hara and many more. And we begin with two much loved Christmas songs sung for us by Lorna Washington.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me Two turtle bells and a partridge in the pear tree on the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me Three trenchants, two turtles d and a partridge in the pear tree Fourth day of Christmas my true love and to me all calling that three turtles that and the parts reaching the pet Day of Christmas my true love unto me. On the sixth day of Christmas my true love said to me Six is a name five hens, two turtle doves.

[Roy Castle]

And a partridge in a pear tree.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me Seven swans are swimming six keys a day. Two calling birds, three french hens, two tigers turtle dove and a part is in a fair tree on the eighth day of Christmas my true love said to me it makes a milking sail swans a swimming 6k a day. On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me. On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 10 drummers drumming, nine ties a typing rich mates and 13 ones a swimming six geese a day five horses who are calling for words three French hens, two turtle dots and a partridge in the pet on the 11th day of Christmas. The doves and the portrait in a pet on the 12th day of Christmas my scroll up sent to me 12 loads of living in dancing to. There.

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[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sam. Sa. Sam well now, any celebration of Christmas.

[Roy Castle]

Wouldn'T be complete without a choir. And we've invited along the most exciting choir that we could find. Through their records, concerts and many television appearances, they've brought black gospel music thrillingly alive. Ladies and gentlemen, the London Community Gospel Choir.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Yes, I love my. Life of free.

[Roy Castle]

Yes, every day taught Me to say to the good and the bad.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Best friends. And you lead me to the promised land. My success.

[Roy Castle]

Yeah, yeah. Yes.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

My confession, yes.

[Roy Castle]

You took me through the good and the bad? Best friend I ever had. And you lead me to the promised land.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

My success, my. Praise. Yes, he will. Yes. Check.

[Roy Castle]

You're my alpha, Alpha. The beginning and the end.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

You're my.

[Roy Castle]

Run away that in trouble? And I gotta find my way? You pick me up, turn me around, be on my way.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

My thought, my thoughts.

[Roy Castle]

My soul. Say yeah.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

My soul. Said yeah.

[Roy Castle]

The London Community Gospel Choir. They'll be delighting us with more numbers later on in the program. Yes, indeed. Now, if you're looking for a word to describe our next guest, you might choose surprise, surprise. Because he answered the telephone this morning to find that he was being invited to sing instead of Alvin Stardust, who has the dreaded Christmas present, a touch of the Festive croaks. Sorry, Alvin. And we wish him all the very, very best. Wish him well. But we do say a big thank you and a warm hello hello to the bubbly singer of such top 10 hits as watching you, Watching Me and Could It Be I'm Falling in Love. Ladies and gentlemen, David Gr. So near to Christmas I gotta get these words out.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

I can picture Christmas day so full of memories. But this year it won't be the same. There's no mistaking. It gets caught every day.

[Roy Castle]

So close to Christmas.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

And yet you're so tired. Everywhere so many parties that we're both invited to. I won't be going without you there's nothing that I wanna do. So near to Christmas so near and you're so far. Thinking of you, hoping at you I'll be hoping Hoping that you will be missing me too. But I see their faces and remember I used to dream that way. Oh my heart is aching it cause you're caught alright today.

[Roy Castle]

So close to Christmas.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

You're so powerful.

[Roy Castle]

Thank you.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Enjoy the rest of.

[Roy Castle]

The My name is Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God. Higher than all angels. The fields outside Bethlehems are looking for their sheep.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Wait here.

[Roy Castle]

I'm going to tell them about the child that is to be born to Mary and Joseph. Excuse me sir, can you advise me? I've lost two sheep. Polygon Springsy Deutsch Wonder him Tootherum cockerham coutherum shitherum Shatter him Winebury wigtail tarry diddle Then bath two of our best sheep Shake in you Wally Leave you alone. Graphene and chaos. It always happens to me, sir. Yeah, well it must be the look of your face. Boy, they're very choosy animals, sheep. You can't blame me for that. Yeah, well, I can't blame the sheep either. Hang on, I'll have a have a word with this gentleman. Maybe he's seen two sheep. Excuse me, sir, have you seen two sheep? No, no, I think he's foreign, Mr. Lewin. Oh, foreign, is he? Oh, well, never mind. I've handled this sort of situation.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Hello.

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[Roy Castle]

Go on, see if you can do any better. Oh, may, but I. Excuse me, sir. We were wondering, Mr. Louie. What does it know? There's a strange glow on this man's face. Well, you probably all got it where he comes from.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Wrong. Yeah.

[Roy Castle]

Anyway, we've lost two. Mr. Lewin. What is it? There's not just one of him now, there's a whole lot more. Oh, they're probably here on holiday, Mr. Lewin. Yes, there must be about 5,000 of them by now. And their eyes are red like fire and their hair is as white as driven snow. Mr. Lewin.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

No, no, no.

[Roy Castle]

Panic, boy, go panic. Try and have a word with them, eh? I'll be behind you. Hello, everybody. Almost as though when there are thousands upon thousands cascading from heaven, laughing and singing with six wings, with eight wings, some small as your little finger, others a hundred feet tall. Angels, sir. Angels. It's not normal. No, sir, it's most unusual. I can see a door in heaven opened and from this door come thousands upon thousands of people in great splendor. Little horsemen and chariots circling the moon, Dogs baying and every kind of animal. People coming like the waves of the sea. Oh, Mr. Lewin, I'm afraid that we've died and gone to heaven.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

O Lord, have mercy upon us.

[Roy Castle]

Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign for you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest. And on earth, peace among men with whom he is pleased. I have seen a vision. Listen. The angels are singing. Glory to God in the highest. Oh, they are like the clouds at sunset. As each layer falls back, the sky becomes more beautiful. The sound of their voices is like the thunder of water showering into a mighty ocean. The sound of their voices is like a water waterfall of golden coin rivers bursting into the desert. Thunder upon thunder upon thunder. Glory to God in the highest honor. Peace among men with whom he is pleased. My wife isn't going to believe it.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Angels.

[Roy Castle]

At what type do you call this? I'll give you angels. Bop, bop. Well, how do you explain them, Mr. Lewin? Well, well, well, you don't explain them. I mean, I'm sorry I'm late here, but we just met about 3 million angels, all singing Glory to God and peace to everybody down there. Well, what are we gonna say?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Well.

[Roy Castle]

We'Ll say. We'll say that there was this little stable. No, no, no, no, no. We'll get to the door and we'll say, my goodness me, look at the time. No, we'll say a funny thing happened to me on the way from the fields. No, no. I shall say my peace. And she'll understand. I shall say, all these angels come to tell me that God has been born on earth. Little baby in this stable. And you know what she'll say? I believe I do. She'll say, God is stable flipping fable. And get your feet down off the table. God rest you Mary, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior was born upon this day to save us all from Satan.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

O tidings of comfort and joy and joy O tidings of comfort and joy.

[Roy Castle]

Now to my Lord sing praise.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

And.

[Roy Castle]

With true love and brother each other loving praise this holy tide of Christmas for others happy days O tidings of comfort and joy for tidings of comfort. Breaking us Laugh by the Riding Light Theatre Company.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Yeah.

[Roy Castle]

Yeah. Taking a fresh look at a very familiar story can sometimes help you to see new meaning in it. And I really enjoyed the idea of what it might have been like to have been a shepherd on that first Christmas day. And now to welcome a very special lady. She's currently playing Snow White in pantomime, but she's left the seven dwarfs looking after themselves today in all order to be with us. So will you give a good full sized welcome to the lovely Donna?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

According to the radio, Chances are we won't be getting snow. But even if the sun shines from now to Christmas Day as far as I'm concerned I know it's gonna be a cold for Christmas. It's gonna be a long and lonely Christmas without you Missing you my D he knows so many ways Me yesterday I met you mom and dad we bought our cards together I put the presents on the Christmas tree and as I write this letter it's warm inside the love I burn and bright Or D and I've only were here to make it right it's going to be a Christmas without you and others won't want lazy summer day it's to be a long and lonely Christmas without my D In so many way I didn't bother with her it's so you won't be here to kiss me the only, only consolation that I I know for sure you miss me it won't be long until you're home again we can shield these magic moments but soon it's going to be a Christmas without you. It's going to be a long and long without you Listen, you might die he knows so many anyway. It's going to be a long and lonely Christmas without you. He knows so many way listen, you my d. Hello, everybody. Happy Christmas. Speak to me. Happy Christmas. I've had a very upsetting experience. Somebody asked me if they could use my dress to wrap the turkey in. Now, for those of you at home, it's because I'm wearing a dress which is like a silver metallic material and it looks slightly like tinfoil. However, I'm going to put you to work, so I want you to clear your throat. Don't overdo it. And away I go. There are many lovely Christmas songs I'm sure you will agree Beautiful and tender as can be I would like to sing my favorite and how happy I would be if you would only sing along with me. All I want for Christmas is me too Front teeth. Me too. Front teeth. Hold it. For goodness sake. I'm working to the bone up here, you know. I need a bit of support. It was only you and me singing then. Alan, could you ever do that again, please? I just want you to hear how it should be done All I want for Christmas is me two front teeth.

[Roy Castle]

Me too front teeth me too front.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Teeth now it's quite simple that's all you do. All I want for quit is me too front teeth Me too front teeth beautiful All I want for quit my fit me two front teeth Then I could with you merry quit me Been so long since I I could say fting on a D C Show she how happy I'd be if I could only wither All I want for Christmas in me too FR Me too frumpy clash if I could only have Me too front teeth that I could with you Merry Christmas When Santa got stuck up the chimney he began to shout you girls and boys won't get any toys if you don't pull me out. My feet is dark as soon as my sock My nose is tickly too When Santa got stuck up the chimney at chew at you at chew how about that for while a acting did you like that?

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[Various Performers and Choir Members]

You girls and boys won't get any toys if you don't pull me out. My beard is like the suit in my sack. My nose is tickling too. When Santa got stuck chimney at you at you at you. When Santa got stuck up their chimney at you at you at chew. Oh Rudolph the red nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose and if you ever saw it you would even say it goes all of the other reindeers we used to love the golden after leopard joining any rainy day Then one falling Christmas Eve Santa came to stay Rudolph with your no surprise once you got my Slated out Then all the reindeer left in and shouted out with glee Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. You could have a history. Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way oh, what fun it is to ride on a white horse Open sleigh how Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Romper of Santa Claus Romper Christmas day oh, Dashing through the snow Hand of on horse open slave all the fears we go Laughing all the way Crack of our terror Making spirits bright oh, what fun it is to sing M Jingle bell jingle all the way oh, what fun it is Open. All the way. Thank you very much. Happy Christmas. It. For you at the start of each day I'll sing forever sing for you in the d of my life I'll sing forever sing before you Shutting out your triumph. Heart I will sing to you with the light of each day I'll sing for a mountain for you in all things I do at the noon of my life I sing forever. Into your. L. I will sing for you at the end of each day I'll sing for you. You I will sing for you. Sam.

[Roy Castle]

Yeah, a couple of talented youngsters there. Daniel Ludford Thomas, Choir Boy of the year, and Victoria McLaughlin. And Victoria scored a first there because for the very first time, she is the BBC Choir Girl of the Year. How about that? A couple of little angels, you're thinking, Aren't you nice? They sing like a pair of larks. You get them in the canteen and they turn into gannets. I promise you, I love children. Well, I do a program for children, the Record Breakers. I got a letter from a little boy. How about this? He wanted to know if it would be possible for him to get into the Genesis Book of Records. Lovely. I hate to write back and say you may be a little late, but we'll try. I know all about children. I've got four children of my own. Three of them play instruments. Julia doesn't. She plays a typewriter. Plays it very well. But after the 32nd chorus, it gets a little boring. But then I've got my eldest boy, Daniel, and, well, he's been at music college now for two and a half years, ladies and gentlemen. So let's just see how far he's got. Here he is. Daniel. Hi, Daniel. I often wondered why you chose to play the trombone. Well, you see, there's one main difference really between the trumpet and the trombone. What's that? The spelling. Well, it's always disappointed me because I always thought that perhaps you might have become a really good trumpet player. Well, I always Wish the same for you, dad. Yeah, all right. All right then. Two and a half years at music college lecture. See what you can do. Or better still, let's hear what you can do. It's two and a half years worth. Is it? Bones, them bones, them bones Stem trom Bones them bones, them bones, them trom bones oh, hear the word of the Lord Bones, them bones don't play around them bones, them bones gonna play around them bones, them bones play around oh, hear the word of the Lord. The first bone starts on the B flat.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Bo.

[Roy Castle]

Then the B flat moves to the B bone. Then the B moves up to the C bone. Then we move up to the C sharp bone. And the C sharp moves to the D bone. And then we go up through the E flat bone. Then the E flat moves to the E bone. Then the E goes up to the F bone. Then the F goes up to the F sharp bone. Then the F sharp goes through the G bone. Away. The word of the Lord and it's Moses. And bones and strong bones and bones and bones and strong bones and bones and bones and strong bones oh, hey the word of the Lord and bones and bones gonna play around and bones and bones gonna lay around and bones and bones gonna play around oh he the word of the Lord oh, he the word of the Lord oh he the word of the Lord the Lord.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

There you are. That's.

[Roy Castle]

That's Daniel. I have a younger son now. And show business always. They always say, never ever work with children or animals. On this occasion, I've broken both rules. Say hello to Benjamin. There you go. And how would you like to just tell the audience what you're going to play?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

What do I say?

[Roy Castle]

Ladies and gentlemen.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure. It gives me great pleasure to be.

[Roy Castle]

Able to play for you today.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

To be able to play for you today.

[Roy Castle]

Now tell them what you're going to play.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Now tell them what you're going to play. Now, now, now, now, now tell them.

[Roy Castle]

What'S written up there.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Page eight. Now.

[Roy Castle]

Oh, that other bit. That other bit.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

75 pence.

[Roy Castle]

Now they know we got it in the sale. Can't.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Don't tell them. What does it say there? Look. Oh, ladies and gentlemen, today I'll play for you the Wild Horseman by Harvey Smith.

[Roy Castle]

Okay.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Accompanied on the piano by my father, with any luck at all.

[Roy Castle]

Okay, Away you go, sunshine.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sam. And after three days practice.

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[Roy Castle]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half price, not not half. The service admit is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means a half day. Yeah, give it a try.

[Roy Castle]

@Mintmobile.Com Switch upfront payment of 45 for 3 month plan equivalent to 15 per month required new customer offer for first 3 months only.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Speed slow 135 gigabytes of networks busy.

[Roy Castle]

Taxes and fees extra. See mint mobile.com.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

And after three more days. No, no, no, no, no.

[Roy Castle]

Give it. Give in. Sorry, you can't do all that. Well, I think after that we need a decent piano player up here. So I've got a daughter called Antonia, she plays piano. Antonia, would you like to just come forward and show us what you can play on the piano.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Now?

[Roy Castle]

What are you going to play for us?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Oh, it's a little tune I wrote myself. There's a very good reason for that. I'm going to play that. Why? Because when I get it wrong, nobody will know.

[Roy Castle]

Oh, all right. Here's a tune that you've written yourself. Let's have a listen to this.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sa.

[Roy Castle]

Nice, nice. So what's, what's that one called?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Norman.

[Roy Castle]

Oh, it's called Norman. That's not very Christmassy, is it?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

No stem bones.

[Roy Castle]

Oh yes, Siska's. Them bones were turkey bones. Anyway, let's have a little bit of something with a bit of beat to it now. Okay, everybody together. One, two.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

I want two, three.

[Roy Castle]

Extremely, extremely great pleasure to introduce the mother to all these people, ladies and gentlemen, Fiona. Here she is. Hello darling. So how you doing?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

All right, thank you. Go on.

[Roy Castle]

Are you going to sing the song you were going to sing?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Not this evening.

[Roy Castle]

She's going to up to the Alvin Stardust. I'm totally sorry you can't sing an old, can you? Never mind the length.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

I'll go to to get out of singing with my husband.

[Roy Castle]

Anyway, what a lovely Christmas present for a husband. What a peaceful Christmas I'm going to have. Anyway, Lorna has said that she'll come along and sing in your place so you can just stand behind and play a tambourine. Or something. Can't you, darling, make a noise of some sort? Just to make sure you're here, Lorna Washington, ladies and gentlemen, is going to help us out with this. And we're going to try and praise him on the trumpet, Aren't we? All right, Lorna. Ready when you are.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Raise him on the trumpet. Praise the lord.

[Roy Castle]

Praise the lord.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Praise him.

[Roy Castle]

Praise him on the.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Lord. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah.

[Roy Castle]

Hallelujah.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Praise the lord. Hallelujah. Praise the lord. Praise them on the tomb, Mother. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. Everything that has.

[Roy Castle]

Praise the Lord. Hallelujah.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise him on the trumpet. Praise him on the temple. Ram. To come to come. Come home. Come home my child my child. Do you know, do you know the voice of the Lord is calling you? You call you home and I know voice of the Lord is telling you to come to come Come home, my child. Come home my, my child.

[Roy Castle]

You don't have to cry.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

My child.

[Roy Castle]

Don'T you hear I call I am here. I can see every tear that falls Every tear that falls on your eyes My child.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Only you can depend. I am the kind comforter Just let me be the friend that you needed oh, so long ago and I never, I never, never. Yeah. So if you hear me call will take you home. Do you know we're calling you home? Do you know, Father? Come home. Come home. Come home. Come home. Come home. You wanna, you wanna.

[Roy Castle]

You better, you better.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

You wanna. Come on. Hold on. Come home, My sake.

[Roy Castle]

How's the London Community Gospel Choir, conducted by Lawrence Johnson?

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

There.

[Roy Castle]

Now it's time for the sweet voice of that lovely lady from the Emerald Isle, Mary o'. Hara.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sweet child of glory. Come down to us here from heaven to bring us the peace that the world cannot understand. My heart is on peace that you humble should lie in the cold weather. Then you are the Savior who holds the whole world in your hand. O look at the children of earth who are coming to you like angels and shepherds that came on that night long ago. Most holy that we praise the name of our God. O take our thanksgiving like warmth in the cold of the snow. We beg of you, Jesus, behold us and bring us your peace. Bring peace to a world that is shaken with evil and strife. And comfort your people in time of despairing and grief. Bring peace to your children, O Lord and giver of life. Looking into the crib on Christmas morning, the French playwright Paul Claudel spoke of the ever young Eternity of God. And isn't it marvelous to think that that's something we are invited to share in this next song? Forever Young Young by Bob Dylan echoes similar sentiments. A wish that each one of us May remain Forever young May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all come true May you always do for others and let others do for you May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung May you stay. Forever young. Forever young. Forever young. May you stay. Forever young. May you grow up to be righteous May you grow up to be true May you always Always know the truth and see the light surrounding you May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong May you stay Forever young. Forever young.

[Roy Castle]

Are.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

May you stay. Forever young. May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a sure foundation when the winds and changes shift May your heart always be joyful May your song always be sung May you stay Forever young. Forever young. Forever. Come May you stay. Forever young. May you stay. Forever sam.

[Roy Castle]

And now, a surprise Christmas present. Present. Ladies and gentlemen, Evelyn Lay.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Hello. I am going to read you a little poem. I had difficulty in finding one, but it's quite sweet. I think it's a message from a fairy tale to a little girl.

[Roy Castle]

And as I played a fairy last.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Year, I think I might get the message over. It's written by Lewis Carroll, and it first appeared in Christmas 1867. Dear lady, if fairies may for a moment lay aside cunning tricks and elfish play. Tis but happy Christmastide we have heard.

[Roy Castle]

The children say Gentle children whom we love.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Long ago on Christmas Day Came a message from above still that Christmastide comes round they remember it again Echo.

[Roy Castle]

Still the joyful sound Peace on earth.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Good will to men yet the hearts.

[Roy Castle]

Was childlike Be where such heavenly guests.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Abide Unto children in their glee all.

[Roy Castle]

The year is Christmastide Thus forgetting tricks.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

And play For a moment, lady dear, we would wish you if we may. Merry Christmas. Glad New Year, Sam. Oh, happy day, Happy day oh, happy day. Call me now. Each and every. Day. Yeah, every day, Happy day, Happy day. And now I. Way. Jesus was my sins all the way. You better get your house. Keep coming. Oh, he's praying. Keep on praying. Keep coming. I can see. Me again. Christmas. Everybody say, yeah. Ram.

[Roy Castle]

That was Donna Johnson, the soloist there. And earlier we had Basil Mead with oh, Happy Day. And that was the London Community Gospel Choir.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Wow. Yeah.

[Roy Castle]

Well, our final guest tonight. Knows a thing or two about what makes a great sound. Because he's one of the Most popular and successful performers I know. He's also been a great friend of the Art Center Group, helping to get this organization of Christian artists started and being closely involved with it ever since. Taking time out from his. From his current role as pop singer come intergalactic superhero. It's a real pleasure to introduce one of the nicest guys in show business.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Richard.

[Roy Castle]

Intergalactic Superhero. I've heard of some introductions, but that was the best. Thank you very much, Roy. It's really nice to be here. I love Christmas. I love Christmas trees. I love snow. I love gold. I love tinsel. I even love Oxford street and Regent Street. If I love any city that takes the time and the trouble that its light shine. But most of all I love Jesus the Lord. And yeah, blow ye a trumpet for.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Him.

[Roy Castle]

And I guess he'll just keep on waiting for us to celebrate the birthday that he so well deserves. I don't want to give the King anything less than a fanfare.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Happy year New we ignore the claim that though a king would still he came to save us from what we are can we deny what's gone before the light that led us to your do we came up our morning star Created to love but we suffered a fall Growing further away from the goal.

[Roy Castle]

Creating a T celled illusion of you forgetting the truth we mature Take this.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Christmas time we built to cover shame and hide the guilt that keeps your love at bay.

[Roy Castle]

Created to love but we suffered a.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Fall when we followed Away from the goal Creating a tin sol illusion on.

[Roy Castle]

You Forgetting the truth We've been shown.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Let'S make the change it's not too late the king stands tall he's prepared.

[Roy Castle]

To wait for another.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Christmas day He'll wait another Christmas day He'll wait another Christmas.

[Roy Castle]

Thank you very much indeed. This next song I heard oh so many years ago. I wasn't a Christian at the time, but I was totally not moved by a show that came to London called Black Nativity. And there was a black singer on the show, a lady of late years who has since died. Her name was, I think she was called just Princess. And she was blind. And she stood there and sang this song and it's always thoroughly impressed me. And every Christmas time when I'm asked to sing it something like this, I always dig this one out.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

I love it.

[Roy Castle]

It's called Sweet Little Jesus Bo.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sweet.

[Roy Castle]

Little Jesus boy They made you be born in a manger.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Sweet.

[Roy Castle]

Little holy child we didn't know.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Who you were.

[Roy Castle]

Didn't know you came to save us, Lord, to take us sins away.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Our eyes were blind, we could not see.

[Roy Castle]

Because we didn't know who you were.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

You, Lord showed us how. And now.

[Roy Castle]

We are are trying. Master, you have showed us how.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Even.

[Roy Castle]

As you were dying. Didn't know you came to save us.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Lord.

[Roy Castle]

To take our sins away.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Our eyes were blind, we cried, could not see.

[Roy Castle]

Because we didn't know that it was.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

You.

[Roy Castle]

We'd like to do. And I could hardly call it a song, although I did record it a while ago and treated it as a pop song. I suppose it's a really well known carol which a friend of mine called Chris Eaton changed the melody of.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

And. How still we receive the le. Oh deep and dreamlessly those silent stars.

[Roy Castle]

Go on by light.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

The everlasting life. The. How silently how silent.

[Roy Castle]

The one does get is he.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

So God imparts to you human heart.

[Roy Castle]

The blessings are. Oh come to us, Survive with us our Lord.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Amen. Jam. When each souls will receive. Now I know you what you are.

[Roy Castle]

Now I know just what you are.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Oh, little star.

[Roy Castle]

All thank you very much.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Thank you to all of you.

[Roy Castle]

Thank you. Okay, there's gonna be a little more. There's gonna be a little more. Thanks very much to Cliff there. And that almost brings us to the end of this celebration of Christmas, folks. But not quite because there's just time for one last medley of songs to bring together together the talents of everyone who has taken part in the show. So here they all are now, first of all, the BBC Concert Orchestra. Onto the back ends of Alan Ainsworth. And kenneth alwyn, The stephen hill singers, BBC choir girl of the year year, victoria mclaughlin. And choir boy of the year, daniel ludford, thomas. Lorna washington, The riding lights theatre company, paul berbridge, stuart harrison and nigel ford. The london community gospel choir. Director, the Reverend Basil Me, David blanche, Mary o' Hara and even. And Roy Castle and his family. And on behalf of everyone here, we'd like to send all of you a very special wish for a Christmas full of love, peace and happiness. Happy Christmas.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Saint. The heart of God. It. Sa. Sam. With your light on the earth Hebrew San Creation story. Ra. Sa. It. Sing for. Ra. Once in royal David city stood a.

[Roy Castle]

Lonely cattle shed where a mother laid.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

A baby in the manger 40 is Mary was that mother Jesus Christ. Ra.

[Roy Castle]

Sa. Ra.

[Various Performers and Choir Members]

Ra. Ram. Sam.

[Roy Castle]

A celebration of Christmas, which was introduced by Roy Castle and presented by BBC Radio 2 in association with the Arts Centre Group, came from the Wembley Conference Centre in London. Stereo sound balance was by John Bathurst with technical supervision from radio outside broadcasts. The script was by Brian Sibley, the associate producer was Cindy Kent, and the producer was David Raven Allen.