As part of the BBC's programming to mark Advent, this year Fern Britton presents a brand new BBC One series of in-depth interviews with high profile figures – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dolly Parton, Sheila Hancock and Tony Blair – in the run-up to Christmas.
In Fern Britton Meets..., the four one-hour programmes will see Fern explore how their faith and beliefs have shaped their lives and what is important for them about this time of the year.
Aaqil Ahmed, the BBC's Commissioning Editor, Religion and Head of Religion and Ethics, says: "This Christmas offers an exciting and diverse range of programming across BBC TV and Radio, from thought-provoking documentaries, to traditional music and live worship.
"Fern Britton Meets… is a welcome addition as it offers a unique opportunity to see how faith has transformed the lives of some really inspiring people from all fields of endeavour."
"All the interviewees come from very different backgrounds but what binds them together is the fact that, although their faith has been challenged, they've emerged with strong spiritual beliefs," said Fern.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will talk about the significance of his conversion to Catholicism and why he's set up a Faith Foundation to get people from different religions working together and to make the case for the importance of faith in the modern world.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, still campaigning at 78 after a lifelong battle against injustice in South Africa, says he has always been "a prisoner of hope", but jokes that he would like to ask God 'whose side are you on?'
Sheila Hancock is renowned for being one of Britain's best-loved actors but less well known for being a Quaker. She lost two husbands to cancer and, after the death of the second – actor John Thaw – wrote two inspiring books.
But Sheila does not like being portrayed as a victim and once penned her own newspaper headline, "I'm not a dreary cow".
Her latest role is as a singing and dancing Mother Superior in a West End musical.
Dolly Parton, the doyenne of country music, explains how she balances her firm religious faith with her flirtatious stage image.
Dolly, who is a world superstar, had a theme park built in her honour and completed a sell-out tour of Europe last year, thinks she has proved her Tennessee preacher grandfather wrong.
He warned her that "a dancing foot and a praying knee don't fit on the same leg".
The series begins on BBC One in late November 2009 and runs for four consecutive weeks.
BBC One
BBC One offers a feast of traditional music and worship for Christmas this year.
Songs Of Praise – BBC One's flagship music and worship series – presents two Christmas crackers.
Aled Jones is joined by opera superstar Bryn Terfel, gospel diva Ruby Turner and West End leading lady Jodie Prenger for the annual spectacular Big Sing Christmas Special from London's Royal Albert Hall with all-time classic carols led by the Big Sing Orchestra and 5,000 voices.
Aled also travels to the Holy Land for The First Christmas - A Songs Of Praise Special to discover what life was really like for Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men, and he joins singers at Christ Church in Jerusalem's Old City for the very best Christmas carols.
The first Mass of Christmas, Midnight Mass, comes this year from Westminster Cathedral.
The music will be provided by world-famous choirs who will perform such classics as Monteverdi's Gloria and other well-loved carols. The homily will be given by the Most Rev Vincent Nichols who will celebrate his first Midnight Mass as Archbishop of Westminster.
On Christmas morning The Glory Of Christmas – Live Service from Chester Cathedral offers a chance to view the cathedral's Christmas Eucharist which will be a family service for the whole community, featuring the cathedral's choir and sunday school.
This year's Christmas message on Christmas night, entitled Christmas Reflection, will be a recital from Matthew's Gospel read by The Office actress Julie Fernandez, followed by the classic Christmas carol, Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem sung by the St Chad's Church congregation in Shrewsbury.
BBC Two
