Scott opened Christmas Eve fully aware of the magnitude of the morning, leaning into the “one more sleep” energy with theatrical flair, festive verse and absolute commitment. From the first moments, this was treated as a proper Radio 2 Christmas Eve — big music, full team, and the sense that everything that happens today counts.
The show immediately settled into shared Christmas panic and excitement. Missing ingredients, early-morning shop queues, pyjama sightings in supermarkets and last-minute missions all became part of the collective picture. Tina phoned in from the delivery van, apologising for not being in the studio while doing exactly what Tina does best — grafting through peak parcel season.
Scott repeatedly framed the morning as company for whatever Christmas Eve looked like: travelling, wrapping, cooking, working or stressing quietly in the kitchen. The message was consistent — you weren’t doing it alone.
Just-In-Case Christmas, Roasting Tins and Peak Panic 🛒
Ellie’s “just in case” roasting tin purchase became an early focal point, immediately interrogated by Scott despite Ellie not hosting Christmas. The logic — “plans change” — was accepted but also absolutely not accepted, which only made it funnier.
Listener messages flooded in with their own just-in-case habits, including backup dinners, duplicate puddings and contingency gravy plans. One listener explained how post-pandemic Christmases had rewired their brain permanently, making backups feel essential rather than excessive.
Claire Runacres revealed she had been ready since November, complete with four-hour bone marrow gravy preparation, prompting Scott to marvel at the wildly different approaches to Christmas across the team. The contrast between granules and bone marrow was treated as cultural anthropology.
The Good Morning Minute (Extended Edition) ❤️
Christmas Eve’s Good Morning Minute expanded well beyond a minute and into chaos. Scott attempted to read names, jobs and locations while repeatedly losing his place, restarting, apologising and laughing at himself.
Messages came in from practice nurses, posties, carers, chefs, market traders, hospital workers, people travelling long distances and families juggling food prep and shifts. By the end, Scott openly acknowledged the mess — and that somehow made it feel even more Christmas Eve.
Listeners responded warmly, with many saying the shambolic delivery somehow matched the day perfectly.
Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue and Full Christmas Music Lock-In 🎶
By Christmas Eve, Scott made it clear there was no longer any debate about Christmas music. Mariah Carey’s presence was treated as inevitable and celebratory, while Kylie Minogue’s XMAS was confirmed as the Christmas Number One, which Scott described as a proper honour.
Taylor Swift’s Christmas Tree Farm also featured, with Scott referencing recent documentaries and Christmas viewing habits, weaving music and festive pop culture together as part of the shared experience.
Any remaining resistance to Christmas music was politely ignored.
Kate Bottley: Pause for Thought and Christmas Non-Negotiables ✨
Kate Bottley joined Scott in the studio, sparkling — literally — and immediately settling into warm, familiar conversation. Their chat began with Christmas plans and who would be around the table, before moving naturally into Kate’s Pause for Thought.
Kate spoke about Christmas “non-negotiables” — the foods, traditions and rituals people feel strongly about — from cauliflower cheese to bread sauce to Yorkshire puddings. She then gently reframed the idea, reminding listeners that the real non-negotiable of Christmas is love.
She reflected on the first Christmas, its lack of control or perfection, and how making room for others — literally and emotionally — is central to the season. Her message landed softly but clearly: whatever Christmas looks like, you are loved, and that is not up for negotiation.
Scott responded personally, thanking Kate and acknowledging how often she supports him behind the scenes. It was a moment of warmth rather than stillness — fitting for Christmas Eve.
Remember Monday Take Over 🎤
Remember Monday were firmly established as the show’s Christmas Eve house band, arriving with crackers, chocolates, Christmas pudding shoes and full festive energy. Their presence threaded through the entire morning.
They spoke about Eurovision, shared memories from earlier in the year and confirmed that Christmas Eve together is a long-standing tradition — involving singing, bottles and eventually heading out in Camberley, where “true nightclub” awaits.
They performed multiple live tracks across the show, including Santa Baby, their single More Than Ever Now, and later All I Want for Christmas Is You. Each performance was treated as a gift rather than a segment, with Scott repeatedly expressing disbelief at how effortlessly they switch between chat and harmony.
Listener messages poured in praising the performances, with several saying Remember Monday had helped them through difficult years.
Scottport Returns 🚉
One of the most joyful callbacks of the year arrived when Scott and Kate reconnected with Stockport station — temporarily Scottport once again. Lisa and Lee joined from the station, confirming everything was running (mostly) on time.
A festive tannoy announcement was delivered wishing the people of Scottport a Merry Christmas, complete with a slightly elusive bing-bong sound that became its own mini-drama.
Messages were passed on to family members, including birthday wishes and recovery messages, turning the station into a community noticeboard. Scott delighted in the moment, once again marvelling that an idea based purely on his name had become a real-world thing.
Unsung Heroes of Christmas Eve 💛
Throughout the morning, Scott gave space to people working through Christmas: cabin crew racing Santa home from New York, supermarket delivery drivers navigating carnage, engineers keeping mobile networks running, military personnel, care home staff and emergency workers.
Scott repeatedly reminded listeners to be kind to anyone working that day, emphasising that Christmas would still happen even if everything wasn’t perfect. Smart speakers were gifted to several callers as a thank-you.
The tone stayed practical, warm and grounding — Christmas without sentimentality.
The Final Easiest Quiz of the Year 🎯
Danny from Dawlish returned for the final Easiest Quiz of the year, with some confusion over whether Scott had mumbled a question previously. A 50-50 peace treaty was agreed.
Danny made strong progress, including correctly naming Christingle (after saying it out loud), but fell foul of the classic Christmas debate: do elves deliver presents or just make them?
Scott ruled that elves make, reindeer deliver — meaning Danny landed on 10 points. Improvement acknowledged, dignity intact, Christmas preserved.
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