Merry Britsmas

Merry Britsmas is BACK for 2025! In my first episode of the year, I check out an old sitcom about Santa in hospital in Only When I Laugh, some Welsh festive christmas music from Cerys Matthews, and the much loved tradition of Boxing Day Footy!    Cerys Matthews Xmas Music Playlist 

It's CHRIIISTMAASSS! For our last full episode of the year, I dive into a festive special of a great sketch show from the 90s called Goodness Gracious Me, explore British covers of my favourite carol, O Holy Night, and share some more festive emergency question responses about nativities and chocolates!  Total Christmas Podcast  O Holy Night Covers Leona Lewis Michael Ball  Ellie Goulding  Bastille   Nina Nesbitt 

In the first of our December episodes this year, we take a look at a boy band called East 17 telling us to Stay Another Day, chat about some Outnumbered parents back in 2011, & discuss some more festive emergency questions about nativities and Quality Street! East 17 - Stay Another Day    Kylie Minogue - Stay Another Day Tom Chaplin - Stay Another Day Rae Morris - Stay Another Day  Old Dirty Brasstards - Stay Another Day

In our second November episode, we have a very unusual Santa Claus exploration with a Channel 4 take on therapy and history, some alternative indie British festive tunes that need to be heard, and more festive questions and answers!  The Long Blondes - Xmas Is Cancelled  The Beautiful South - Hold It Back   Frankie & the Heartstrings - Too Right It's Xmas  Badly Drawn Boy - Donna & Blitzen 

In my first November episode of Merry Britsmas, we have more festive questions to answer about food and drunken mistakes, a Christmas comedic special about a big comedian called Greg Davies, and a song that links to armistice day by a pretty famous Liverpudlian called Paul McCartney!  Pipes of Peace Covers MUNA  Callum Minks Sergio Denis Don't Call Me Ishmael  Merry Britsmas KO-FI Link

It's Merry Spooksmas! Which means Halloween vibes and horrors, such as a creepy tale of murder mystery from Jonathan Creek, some gothic horror songs, and creepy ghostly stories from the historic town of Rye! Kaiser Chiefs - Zombie Prom  Radiohead - Burn The Witch Echo & the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

On our first October episode of Merry Britsmas this year, we get a little bit spooky but still quite festive. I watch a recent kids show about monsters called Scream Street, force myself to listen to comedic British Xmas songs, and ask and answer some more Emergency Festive Questions, this time with a spooky twist!  David Brent - Don't Cry It's Xmas  Geraldine McQueen - Once Upon A Xmas  Spitting Image - Santa Claus Is On The Dole 

In my 66th episode and the first Ber month episode of 2024, I go back to the 1960s to listen to some older British Christmas songs that people may not know, watch an old show about Scottish doctors with some festive storytelling, and go back to the Emergency Festive Questions book to answer and ask some more odd queries such as why is Rudolph's nose red?  David Whitfield - Santo Natale Dave King - Xmas & You  Adam Faith - Lonely Pup In A Xmas Shop  

In the August episode of Merry Britsmas, I take a look at British covers of an indie classic Just Like Xmas by Low, explore a sitcom I knew nothing about called Robin's Nest, and answer some more Festive Emergency Questions, as well as reading out some of your answers from last month! Covers of Just Like Xmas Tripp Mirror  Guisers  Parcs  Gastown Irregulars  Gabrielle Aplin 

It's Christmas in July! So it's time for some summery xmas things on Merry Britsmas including some (incredibly vaguely linked) festive songs about sun and summer, as well as a look at Death In Paradise, a show about crime, the Caribbean, and, in this episode, Christmas. I also ask and answer some more festive questions and hope you will answer them too!  The Sunflower Thieves - It's Not Like The Xmas Films  The Eves - Xmas In Summertime Los Bitchos - Los Chrismos  Leo Sayer - Xmas In July

In the Leon Day episode, with only six months until Xmas, I take a look at a sketch show spin-off about a home-made Christmas from Smith & Jones, learn my A-B-Cs with Xmas Alphabet, and start looking at some Xmas questions for all of us to answer! Xmas Alphabet by Dickie Valentine  Xmas Alphabet by Cliff Richard  Xmas Alphabet by Jasmine Rae

In the 62nd episode of Merry Britsmas, I talk about the ever-growing Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, force you to listen to some 'apparently' comedic novelty Christmas songs, and watch a festive episode of a sitcom about undertakers called In Loving Memory.   Paul Holt - 50 Grand For Xmas Hot Pantz - (I'd Like To) Give You One For Xmas Barron Knights - Merry Gentle Pops  Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Promo 

MERRY BIRTHDAY! April is my Birthday month so I went seeking other birthday connections, looking at two famous people with April birthdays by exploring Leona Lewis' brilliant festive album and a TV show about a very famous playwright born in April. I also explored some British celebs with Xmas Day Birthdays! Also check out more of me (if you want more...) on the Total Christmas Podcast.  Leona Lewis - One More Sleep   https://www.totalchristmaspodcast.com/ 

In the March episode, I'm inspired by St David's Day to look at Welsh Christmas traditions, listen to some British covers of the carol God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, and watch a festive episode of police drama The Bill. Covers of God Rest You Merry Gentleman Wat Tyler Manfred Mann  Jamie Cullum Annie Lennox 

In the first episode of 2024, Merry Britsmas takes a look at Kiss Me Kate, a sitcom about counselling, the New Year tradition of First Footing, and some alternative under-heard festive songs.  https://ko-fi.com/merrybritsmas Pet Shop Boys - It Doesn't Often Snow At Xmas Twitchels - Ode To Just Like Xmas Shadowlark - Christmas Time John Cale - Child's Xmas In Wales

It's the (now) annual Bonus New British Xmas Music episode! Check out all the amazing artists below, support them if you can, and there's also a surprise comedic gala from all your favourite Christmas podcasters (& me...)  ALA.NI Peaness Problem Patterns Don't Call Me Ishmael  New Rules Nina Nesbitt  Volk Soup Erica Manzoli Kate Rusby Curerbell  Pegasuses  Fortune Faded Glory  Brutalligators & Fightmilk  Sunflower Thieves Wasuremono Fenne Lily  Wyldest 

It's the big December episode of Merry Britsmas! I look at the king of Xmas' Cliff Richard's 'Mistletoe & Wine', one of my favourite raucous British shows, Bottom, more festive munching of British snacks, and I reveal the Winner of the BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN!  Also, I get some festive Podcast friends to help review some new seasonal adverts from Tesco, Aldi, M&S, and John Lewis. Check out their podcasts below!  https://adventcalendar.house/ Festive Foreign Film Fans - https://twitter.com/festivefilmfans Christmas Cousins  https://www.instagram.com/christmascousinspod https://www.instagram.com/hollyjollyxmasu/

In my first December episode of 2023, I take a gander at a Christmas Gone Wrong in the Gone Wrong Show, explore British covers of It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, chomp on some more British festive chocolate, and reveal the final showdown in the BIG XMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN!  Covers of It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Xmas: Connie Talbot  Rag'n'Bone Man  Calum Scott Michael Ball & Alfie Boe 

In our second November episode, I explore Greg Davies as Santa in a festive Cuckoo, some British covers of White Christmas, more of the BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN, and try some British festive snacks so you can hear me munching and get hungry! Covers of White Xmas: Billy Idol Peggy Sue  Keane  Martine McCutcheon

In Merry Britsmsas' first full November episode, we kick things up a festive notch with an exploration of Coldplay's modern classic Christmas Lights, a watch and review of Postman Pat's Magic Christmas, and more on the BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN! Covers of Xmas Lights: Kylie Minogue  Straight No Chaser Yellowcard  Amber Leigh Irish

It's a Merry Britsmas Christmas Podcast Day Special! Xmas Podcast Day will showcase a whole range of takes on A Christmas Carol from brilliant festive podcasters. Here, we'll stay British with 1970's Scrooge, a musical favourite of mine starring Albert Finney!  Check out more Xmas podcasts at https://christmaspodcasts.com/ 

It's Merry Spooksmas! Our full on Halloween Episode explores some British artists with spookily-titled songs, an ex-haunting via The IT Crowd, and some creepy Cornish tales of death and the supernatural. We also finish the first round of the BIG XMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN and kick off Round Two!  The Fratellis - Halloween Blues Laura Marling - Ghosts  Black Sabbath - Children of the Grave  Spooky Xmas music copyright free by Myuu 

In our first October episode of the year, I get to grips with some British artists with slightly spooky names who released original Christmas songs, a haunting tale of St Nicholas' bones from Inside No 9, and set up the final group of the first round of the BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN! Boo Hewerdine - Xmas Morning The Spook School - Someone To Spend Xmas With Mogwai - Xmas Song  Dog Is Dead - TV Xmas Spooky Xmas music copyright free by Myuu 

In our first BER episode of 2023, I get extra festive with a look at Not Going Out's second seasonal episode, Absent Father Christmas, as well as discussing Band Aid 20, the 20th anniversary release from 2004. And, as all through this year, I share the results of the last round and the face-offs of the next round of the BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN! Band Aid 20 Keith Lemon - Do They Know It's Xmas Lockdown Daddy's Home 2 - Do They Know It's Xmas  Gavin & Stacey Do They Know Sing-Along

In our August 23 episode, I take a look at a 90s nostalgia-hit of rural Sunday night watching with a festive Heartbeat episode, listen to some (supposedly) comedic Christmas songs, and continue the GREAT BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN! Get voting at Merry Britsmas  Ricky Tomlinson - Xmas My Arse The Goodies - Father Xmas Do Not Touch Me The Goodies - Make a Daft Noise for Xmas  Dora Bryan - All I Want For Xmas Is A Beatle

It's Xmas in July! Let's get extra festive with some British covers of The Christmas Song, an exploration of timey wimey Dr Who episode Last Christmas, and the next round of voting in the Big Christmas Number One Showdown! The Xmas Song covers: Smith & Burrows Delegation Clare Teal Joss Stone

In the summery 47th episode of Merry Britsmas, I take a look at a festive episode of strange sitcom Mandy, listen to a ever-so-slightly summery folksy Xmas record from The Boy Least Likely To, and continue to run down the BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN! Go to https://twitter.com/MerryBritsmas to vote, share, and comment!  Listen & buy via Bandcamp: The Boy Least Likely To - Christmas Special

In our May episode, I look at some more under-heard alternative British festive songs, discuss a tangentially Coronation linked episode of King Gary, and start my BIG CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE SHOWDOWN POLL! Vote at Merry Britsmas  Snow Patrol - When I Get Home For Xmas  Bird to Beast - Winter Snow  Shy Nature - Xmas Lullaby    Sandra's Wedding - Spite Xmas

In my April episode, we go a little bit sweet for Easter with British covers of A Marshmallow World, explore the final chapter of Christmas at War, and take a look at an outdated classic British sitcom called On The Buses.  Deacon Blue - Marshmallow World Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler - Marshmallow World

In the March 2023 episode of Merry Britsmas, I explore some alternative, little known (but brilliant) British indie christmas songs from the likes of Oh Wonder and Gaffa Tape Sandy. I also look at how nurses and hospitals dealt with the festive season during World War II, and take a gander at a BBC Sherlock Holmes episode set during the holidays.  Oh Wonder - This Xmas  Citizen Helene - On Xmas Day  Mary Hepworth - The Wolf & The Woods  Gaffa Tape Sandy - Black Xmas 

In a kind-of-but-not-really Valentine Special, I explore My Family's Xmas Special, The Heart of Christmas, British covers of the heartbreak festive tune Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), and more stories of the frontline during WWII during the holidays.  Xmas (Baby Please Come Home) covers: Leona Lewis KT Tunstall Olly Murs  Slow Club 

In the first episode of 2023, I take a little look at The Fast Show Christmas Special, covers of wintry festive duet Baby It's Cold Outside, & the seasonal experience of British soldiers during World War II.  Baby It's Cold Outside covers: Ted Heath & Edmundo Ros Dolly Parton & Rod Stewart  Paloma Faith &  BB Bones  Barns Courtney & Lennon Stella  Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews 

If you think there's no good new Christmas music OR just want more Christmas music, well how about this BONUS MERRY BRITSMAS offering of new British Xmas songs? Check them out below and also, if you can, buy their stuff and go to their gigs!  The Bug Club - Christmas Lullaby  Los Bitchos - Los Chrismos Joss Stone - Bring on Christmas Day  BumbleWasps - Mr Christmas  Shybits & Eddie Argos - Hope This Christmas  Jack In Water - I'd Rather Be Home For Christmas  Chubby and the Gang - Violent Night (A Christmas Tale) Spencer Flay - Hey Christmas  Rhys Lewis - Christmas Eve Lexie Carroll - Christmas Day The Voltz - Do You Remember Christmas? James Vincent McMorrow - At Christmas Don't Call Me Ishmael - It's Christmas, Let's Pretend We're Fine Ollie Hayes - Boxing Day Blues   

IT'S CHRISTMAS! And in this super festive December episode, I explore Alan Partridge's Knowing Me Knowing Yule, the John Lennon classic Happy Xmas (War Is Over), & the history of the Christmas Pudding! Also, find out the champion of the World Cup of the Ghost of Xmas Present, and hear a modern festive poem from Carol Ann Duffy!  How to make a Victorian Xmas Pudding  Diana Ross - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Boy George & Anohni  Jherek Bischoff  Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson & Sean Ono Lennon

In my first December episode of 2022, I explore school nativities, a brilliant TV special called Flint Street Nativity, and British covers of 80s new wave classic Christmas Wrapping.  Also, check out Have Yourself A Merry Indie Xmas compilation on Bandcamp for Crisis below: https://v4velindre.bandcamp.com/album/have-yourself-a-merry-indie-christmas-volume-i  https://v4velindre.bandcamp.com/album/have-yourself-a-merry-indie-christmas-volume-ii 

It's almost December and it's time for more full on Christmas joy! In this episode, I discuss the marvellous music of British festive classic Love Actually, how Christianity helped people through World War II, and brotherly conflict over decorations in the cult ITV special Christmas Lights.  Also, hear the results of the first round of the World Cup of the Ghost of Xmas Present! Vote for the next round at https://twitter.com/MerryBritsmas   Love Actually Soundtrack playlist 

In my first fully festive episode of November, I step right into Xmas! It's time to go back to timey wimey Dr Who with their take on A Xmas Carol, British covers of Winter Wonderland, and more wartime history of festive entertainment. I also discuss my new poll for the very best Ghost of Christmas Present! Vote on Twitter at Merry Britsmas!  Jamie Cullum - Winter Wonderland Gary Barlow - Winter Wonderland  Cocteau Twins - Winter Wonderland Eurythmics - Winter Wonderland  Emeli Sande - Winter Wonderland

It's Christmas Podcast Day! In celebration of the start of November, check out the Christmas Podcast Podcast, which will help you hear all of the Christmas Podcasts worth checking out!  https://christmaspodcasts.com/  In this bonus episode, I also talk about something seasonal for November 5th - Bonfire Night aka Fireworks Night aka Guy Fawkes Day!  The Big Moon - Bonfire  Talk Less Say More - Bonfire Night 

In our full on Halloween special, we take on some spooky British things, including a Halloween-set episode of kind-of-forgotten sitcom My Family, some alternative rock songs about zombies and gravedwellers, and explore some slight differences and unique traditions for a Scottish Halloween.  Spooky Alternative Songs Veronica Falls - Found Love in a Graveyard  Jamie T - Zombie  The Wytches - Gravedweller  Ewan McGregor teaches Conan about Scottish Halloween 

In the first of our October 2022 episodes, Merry Britsmas covers some festive but spooky things! Listen to me ramble about the Xmas Special of The League of Gentlemen, some terrifying novelty Xmas songs, and a historical exploration of the creepy winter Night of the Mothers.  The Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Xmas  Fast Food Rockers - I Love Xmas  Cruz Beckham - If Everyday Was Xmas 

In the September 22 episode of Merry Britsmas, I pay homage to the festive power of our late majesty, explore a joke filled modern sitcom called Not Going Out, some alternative and glam christmas songs, and what sort of presents were given at Xmas during WWII.  T-Rex - Christmas Bop The Staves - Home Alone Too  The Staves & Flyte - Have Yourself A Merry Little Xmas  Oscar - It's Christmas Again  Sweet Baboo - Don't Be Alone This Xmas 

We are very close to the ber months so celebrate with Merry Britsmas by hearing me ramble about the second Band Aid to take on Do They Know It's Christmas, a pair of super spies from the sixties in a strange festive adventure, and how decorating was all about tradition and thrift during wartime.  Band Aid II  Going Live! Report on Band Aid II  Glee  Slade  Richard Cheese 

It's Christmas In July! Which mean's it's time to talk all things Christmas (as it is every month here...). This month, I explore some kind-of sunny British festive songs, a nativity that goes dreadfully wrong from the Play That Goes Wrong, and how rationing affected the holiday season during World War II.  British Summery Christmas Songs Shame - Feliz Navidad  Shaggy & Joss Stone - Sunny Celebration  Brutalligators - Christmas in July  Peggy Sue - Surf Xmas EP 

It's Half Christmas! So let's get proper festive with the classic Snowman tune Walking in the Air, as well as discussing a kind-of-superheroic festive special from cult show Misfits, along with our now regular topic of British Christmas during World War II, focusing on rationing and supplies.  Aled Jones - Walking in the Air  Tom Chaplin cover  Jack Robert Hardman cover  Jerkcurb cover  The Maccabees cover 

How about taking a little look at a classic 70s sitcom Xmas episode about life in prison with Ronnie Barker in Porridge, the merry joy of ex-footballer Chris Kamara singing some classic holiday songs, & the difficulties of Xmas during bombing raids in WWII.  Chris Kamara - Here's To Christmas

In the first episode of 2022, I take a look at a silly reboot of a kids show about a super spy rodent, listen to some under appreciated festive British indie pop, and begin a new section exploring what life was like in the UK at Christmas during World War II.  Dan Croll - A Guardian Christmas  Gabrielle Aplin - Untitled  Belle & Sebastian - Are You Coming Over For Christmas? 

In the wise words of Noddy Holder, it's CHRIIIISTTMAAASSSS!! Check out this mega message of festive love and celebration from the Christmas Podcast Network! Happy Christmas all of you brilliant, wonderful people! 

In a special bonus episode, I review and recommend some brilliant new British festive songs from this year including the likes of Billy Nomates, Shame, Gary Barlow, Dream Nails and Will Joseph Cook. Check out the songs below:  Gary Barlow - The Dream of Xmas  Will Joseph Cook - No Time To Be Alone  Shame - Baldur's Gate Blackaby - Plastic Mistletoe Laurie Shaw - Snow Day Billy Nomates - Xmas is for Lovers, Ghosts & Children  David Newton - Winter Tragedy  Kathryn Williams & Carol Ann Duffy - Snow Angel  Gabrielle Aplin - Just Like Christmas (Low cover)  George Ezra - Come Home For Xmas (cover)  Dream Star - Lonely Star 

It's our full on final proper episode of 2021 and it's an extra long packed present full of more than just the usual Merry Britsmas ramblings! I look at British classic The Vicar of Dibley's The Xmas Lunch Incident, covers of Greg Lake's I Believe in Father Xmas, and hear from other festive podcasters to get the final say on which Xmas advert of 2021 is the very best!  Check out the other festive podcasts below:  Totally Rad Xmas Advent Calendar House Xmas Alphabet  Planning for Xmas Xmas Podcast Podcast  Jingle Jank  Kringle Talks Xmas Cosy Xmas    

It's actually DECEMBER! So let's get super festive with some historical Medieval feasting, a Xmas celebration with Mark & Jez of Peep Show, and some intriguing British covers of Mariah Carey's super hit All I Want For Christmas Is You.  Check out the covers:  Clean Bandit  Bastille  Puppini Sisters Jamie Cullum Olivia Olson  Check out The Christmas Alphabet podcast: http://christmasalphabet.com/ 

In the second November episode of 2021, I explore a festive Titanic cosmic cruise from an episode of Doctor Who, some seasonal poetry from Wendy Cope, and some history and covers of Fairytale of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl.