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From the Editor
12 Christmas treats…
12 New year treats • TO WATCH & STREAM 27 DECEMBER 2025—2 JANUARY 2026
As she likes it • As Dame Judi Dench explores a connection to her hero William Shakespeare, she talks love, death, forgiveness and controlling her temper
HIGHLY STRUNG • Helen Mirren has a very special musical request for the Repair Shop team
Big little stars • Thanks to some RT Christmas magic, TV and radio favourites – one younger, one older – have shrunk into our miniature winter wonderland…
Judy Parfitt and Helen George • CALL THE MIDWIFE
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe • STRICTLY COME DANCING
William and David Troughton • THE ARCHERS
Lucy Punch and Dame Joanna Lumley • AMANDALAND
HONEY, I SHRANK CHRISTMAS! • Crafting our fantastic snowy landscape was a real labour of love for Hannah Lemon and Abi Trotman
design RT’s Christmas cover! • It took 12 people three weeks to bring our legendary festive issue cover to life – but detail is everything, as Nick Park explains
The best wedding ever • This year’s Julia Donaldson animation is The Scarecrows’ Wedding, the author’s favourite story as it reminds her of her own big day…
BEARY CHRISTMAS • A new festive animation brings Pudsey to life
Tower of terror • What lies at the top of the stairs? This chiller will be your recurring nightmare, says Mark Gatiss
Close to home • When Kate Winslet read a screenplay written by her son Joe, her first instinct was to share it with close friend Andrea Riseborough. They reveal how it became Winslet’s directorial debut
HIS GUIDING STAR • Johnny Flynn drew on his own past – and anxieties – to play Goodbye June’s Connor
You’re ho, ho, hired? • As 12 celebrities says it won’t just be brave the Apprentice boardroom, Lord Sugar chestnuts that he’ll be roasting this Christmas
‘What a huge thrill!’ • Who needs the Galapagos? Sir David Attenborough revels in the wildlife on his London doorstep
MANE ATTRACTION
Life after Today • Leaving the BBC has been a challenge for Mishal Husain, but at least she now gets to express her opinions – and have a Christmas lie-in!
Let the music play • Paul Bettany likes to go full throttle – whether it’s as Mozart’s nemesis Salieri or at a New Year’s Eve gig with friends
‘My windows were sealed shut’ • For two brief days, the eyes of the world were on the Vatican. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, reveals what really happened when 133 cardinals met to elect Pope Leo XIV
SEEING AS GOD SEES • Bishop Mariann Budde urges us to embrace love and hope this Christmas
Blimey,...