Christmas for most of us means feet up in front of the telly enjoying a mince pie – but what does it entail for some of our best known celebrities?
In his new series, presenter Adrian Chiles is about to find out, as he chats to four famous faces and hears how their festive memories have impacted their lives.
Adrian, 56, confesses, “I wouldn’t say I’m a particularly big fan of Christmas. But what I’ve become a big fan of is that the best way to get a handle on a person and find out about someone is to talk about the Christmases of their lives.
“It’s a brilliant way of seeing where people are, not just in terms of faith, but in terms of work and family life.”
During the three-part series Adrian talks to former Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse – who is expecting her first baby very soon] – foreign correspondent John Simpson, plus pop stars Martin and Shirlie Kemp.
“They all have fascinating lives in different ways,” explains Adrian. “I thought I knew a lot about John, but I’ve learnt so much more about his life. And then the Kemps and Oti – I loved talking to them. There’s something about Christmas that makes you generous, open and candid – it leaves some very profound memories from all of them. It’s uplifting but also very moving.”
“Oti is the youngest of the people I spoke to – but she has had a dizzying and breathtaking journey,” adds Adrian. “She went from growing up in a township in South Africa, being a dance champion there, leaving everything to go and live in Germany, and then ending up here a big star.”
Two years ago, Adrian competed in the Strictly Christmas special, and he puts on his dancing shoes again for this episode.
“I’m still triggered by dancing,” admits Adrian. “Being on the Christmas special was so stressful. I always try to resist being forced to do any dancing, but they insisted, so I had no choice I’m afraid.
“The only way I’d go back to the series is if Oti came out of retirement and said she'd only do it if I was her partner then, yes, I’d probably have to think about it. But otherwise, not in a million years.”
Chatting to his next guest, John Simpson, has had a lasting impact on Adrian. “John is going into his 80th Christmas, and a good three quarters of that time he’s been an eminent foreign correspondent,” says Adrian. “He’s been around the world a million times, he’s seen everything.
“And what I learnt was that all the times he’s come back from a war zone for Christmas, he’s been disoriented walking into the family home with things twinkling and the tree in the corner and carols playing.”
Adrian’s final guests, Martin and Shirlie, are missing one special celebrity who has been a big part of their lives over the festive season.
“I didn’t realise how close they were to George Michael,” says Adrian. “And also, with sort of bitter irony, given the poor man died on Christmas Day, what a massive part he was of their Christmas. Whatever presents they bought for each other or their kids, they were always trumped by George’s gifts.
“And George had a big party on Christmas Eve, which was always wonderful, and he’d also send all his closest friends, among them the Kemps, a hamper. They remember all this with smiles on their faces, heartbroken as they are.”
He adds, “I think with all of us, we’ve got people like that in our lives, not necessarily international superstars, but we’ve got those who are superstars to each of us, in our own way.”
As for his own Christmas, he reveals some traditions that have endured – and some not.
“We have little Croatian cakes that my nan made, and my mum still does,” he says. “It shows Christmas has come. Something I used to make was sprout purée which everyone liked, but it made for horrific flatulence. I had to stop making it, unfortunately – the aftermath was too awful.
“Hosting the show has made me ask myself questions about Christmas, wondering what I’ve got wrong and right as an adult. Christmas can be stressful. This show gives a bit of room to stop, think and listen to stories.”
My Life at Christmas begins on Sunday 3 December, 10.30am, BBC One
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