Sideways News

David Hockney will guest edit the flagship programme over the festive season

Artist David Hockney and crime writer P.D. James are to guest edit BBC Radio 4's Today programme this Christmas.

Musician Robert Wyatt, Liberal Democrat peer Shirley Williams, ex-England footballer Tony Adams and Astronomer Royal Martin Rees will also feature as guest editors on the programme over the festive season.

Within BBC guidelines, each guest editor will be allowed to use the show to push their own agenda by choosing what issues should be tackled.

Mr Hockney is due to ask whether there are any too many laws in the UK, while also posing the question about whether smokers are fighting against the public ban on their habit.

BBC's director general Mark Thompson will be questioned about the future of the corporation by Ms James, who will also discuss television crime drama with screen writer Lynda La Plante, while Adams' programme will include an interview with controversial Newcastle footballer Joey Barton.

Today editor Ceri Thomas said guest editors have become a Christmas tradition on the flagship show.

"They will bring their own unique expertise and new - often surprising - ideas to the editorial process," he added.

Programmes by the guest editors will be on air between Monday 28th December and Saturday 2nd January.

In May, the Radio Joint Audience Research figures showed that the number of people listening to the Today programme continued to grow, increasing from 6.42 million listeners in 2008 to 6.69 million over the year.

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