This Christmas, BBC Local Radio is celebrating the spirit of people making a difference in their communities with a series of festive celebrity specials.
As part of the BBC Local Christmas celebrations, rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, pop star Olly Murs and celebrity chef Si King speak with this year’s Make a Difference Award Winners. All 39 BBC Local stations across England will share the remarkable stories of these inspirational people over the festive period.
Speaking to the group of winners, Jon Bon Jovi said: “This is exciting. I’m happy to meet each and every one of you and thank you for all you’re doing to make the world a better place. Something as simple as smiling at someone, or holding a door open for someone, is contagious. No matter how big or small, the difference can be made, you could be the start of something big”
Olly Murs described it as a real honour to listen to some of the amazing stories: “I’ve always said, if any of us can make a difference to just one person, that’s amazing,” he said. “I write songs for a living, and I wrote a song on my new album called Chin Up, which is about the struggle of men and the struggle that men don’t speak out. I wrote that song on the basis that if I can just help one man or one person can listen to that song and it can make a difference, that’s amazing, but you guys are doing that and doing even more than that so it’s amazing what you’re all doing.”
READ MORE: Former EssenceMediacom North chief joins growing indie
Hosting his own programme Make a Difference – Feel Good Christmas, celebrity chef Si King said he wanted to “raise a festive toast to some incredible people and share some cracking stories of kindness, community and Christmas hope.”
Chris Burns, head of local audio commissioning at the BBC, said: “These stories are truly inspiring. Their actions are a powerful reminder of the good that exists all around us, and what better time to retell their amazing stories than at Christmas? We’re proud to celebrate them and share their achievements with our listeners during this wonderful time of year.”
Listeners can hear more about the celebrations and festive programming by tuning in to their local BBC radio station from Monday 1 December at 6am.
Festive Highlights on BBC Local Radio across England include:
- Christmas Eve at 5pm: Make a Difference – Feel Good Christmas with Si King (repeated Christmas Day at 6am).
- Christmas Day at 7am to 07.30am: Special Christmas Service with BBC presenter and Church of England Reverand, Frances Finn.
- Boxing Day at 9am: Make a Difference Awards Winners Special – Celebrating Make a Difference Heroes with Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and presenter Gaby Roslin.
- Monday 29 December at 9am: Make a Difference Awards Winners Special with pop star Olly Murs and presenter Gaby Roslin.
- New Year’s Eve at 6pm: A Year of Make a Difference – a four-hour special reflecting on the stories that moved us in 2025.
