Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration from Victoria Hall, Bolton brings together 800 voices in a spectacular musical celebration of traditional carols and festive favorites. Aled Jones, the beloved Welsh presenter and singer, leads the congregation alongside special guests including legendary Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley and West End star Phoebe Edwards in an evening of authentic Christian worship combined with high-caliber musical performance. The special represents Songs of Praise’s commitment to celebrating faith, community, and the enduring power of congregational singing during the Christmas season.
Airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the Christmas 2025 period (specific date and time to be confirmed by BBC scheduling), the special promises emotional resonance, expert musicianship, and the inclusive community spirit that defines Songs of Praise at its finest.
The Venue: Victoria Hall, Bolton’s Historic Significance
Victoria Hall in Bolton represents a crucial community gathering space and cultural institution. The historic venue, located in the town center of Bolton, Greater Manchester, has hosted numerous significant events ranging from political gatherings to artistic performances across its extensive history.
For the Christmas special, 800 members of the congregation have gathered—a substantial number that transforms the venue into a genuine community event rather than merely a televised performance. This scale of participation emphasizes the collaborative, participatory nature of Songs of Praise, which celebrates congregational worship rather than distancing audiences as passive spectators.
The choice of Bolton reflects broader BBC strategy to move religious programming beyond London and established cathedral settings into communities throughout the UK, ensuring diverse regional representation and local engagement.
Aled Jones: Host, Singer, and Community Guide
Aled Jones, the accomplished Welsh presenter and singer (born December 29, 1970), brings decades of entertainment and religious broadcasting experience to Songs of Praise. Known for hosting the long-running program since 2004, Jones combines genuine warmth, musical credibility, and authentic engagement with faith communities.
Jones expressed his vision for the special: “Christmas is a time when people come together, and singing together is something that connects us all regardless of faith. Victoria Hall in Bolton felt like the perfect place to celebrate these values.”
Additionally, Jones has personally chosen to sing “Silent Night,” one of his favorite carols—a choice that adds personal resonance to his hosting role while modeling the vulnerability and genuine engagement he expects from the program.
Special Guest Performers: Star Power with Cultural Significance
Tony Hadley – Spandau Ballet Legend Performs “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
Tony Hadley, the iconic frontman of Spandau Ballet (the legendary 1980s new wave band), brings significant cultural weight to the Christmas special. Hadley, born October 2, 1956, rose to prominence as the charismatic voice of Spandau Ballet, a band that achieved global commercial success with hits including “True,” “Gold,” and “Through the Barricades.”
His selection to perform the classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (famously associated with Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland) demonstrates the program’s commitment to featuring artists of genuine commercial and cultural significance alongside religious worship. Hadley’s powerful voice and charismatic stage presence will transform the secular holiday standard into a moment of genuine emotion and celebration within the Christian worship context.
Phoebe Edwards – West End Star Performs “Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child”
Phoebe Edwards, a West End star (suggesting extensive theatre credits and professional vocal training), performs a “brand-new arrangement of ‘Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child.'” This selection represents original musical composition and arrangement, elevating the program beyond simple carol reproduction into contemporary musical creation.
The specific detail that it’s a “brand-new arrangement” suggests that composer/arranger Andrew Earis (conductor of the Songs of Praise Orchestra) has created fresh orchestrations for contemporary audiences, honoring traditional Christmas themes while presenting them through contemporary musical language.
Musical Leadership: Professional Excellence Supporting Community Participation
Wayne Ellington and Manchester Inspirational Voices lead the congregational singing across the special. This professional choir works in partnership with the 800-person congregation, establishing pitch, providing harmonic foundation, and modeling confident vocal performance for less-experienced singers.
Andrew Earis conducts the Songs of Praise Orchestra, providing orchestral accompaniment that honors traditional carol arrangements while adding contemporary musical sophistication. Professional orchestration transforms congregational singing from purely vocal performance into rich, multi-layered musical experience.
This structure—combining professional musical leadership with genuine congregational participation—represents Songs of Praise’s core philosophy: celebrating authentic worship while ensuring musical excellence.
The Carol Selections: A Community’s Greatest Hits
The program features beloved traditional carols selected for their cultural significance and spiritual resonance:
“Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing” – Charles Wesley’s 1739 hymn remains one of Christianity’s most recognizable carol texts, combining theological richness with memorable melody.
“The Holly And The Ivy” – The traditional English carol featuring symbolic imagery of holly and ivy, combining pagan winter traditions with Christian theology.
“Silent Night” – The Austrian carol, famously composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, carries profound spiritual and historical significance. Aled Jones has personally chosen this carol, lending his voice to this meditation on peace and innocence.
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – The secular holiday standard (composed by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943 for the film “Meet Me in St. Louis”) brings popular culture into religious programming, suggesting the program’s openness to diverse musical traditions.
The Format: Religious Broadcasting as Community Gathering
Songs of Praise, now broadcast since 1961 (making it one of the longest-running religious television programs globally), represents a distinctive approach to faith broadcasting. Rather than proselytizing or doctrinal focus, the program emphasizes authentic congregational worship, community connection, and the universal human experience of collective singing.
The Christmas special extends this philosophy by filming in an actual venue (Victoria Hall, Bolton) with genuine community members (800 congregants) rather than using studio audiences or professional singers exclusively.
Production Details: CTVC and BBC Religious Programming Investment
Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration from Victoria Hall, Bolton is produced by CTVC (a major independent production company specializing in religious broadcasting and documentary content).
Production Structure:
- Format: 1 x 60-minute special episode
- Commissioning: Daisy Scalchi (Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics)
- Executive Producer: Jacqueline Hewer
- Series Producer: David Waters
This production structure reflects significant BBC investment in religious programming—a category often challenged by declining viewership but actively prioritized by the BBC as part of its public service commitment.
Broadcast and Viewing Details
Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration from Victoria Hall, Bolton will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the Christmas 2025 period, with specific broadcast date and time to be confirmed by BBC scheduling.
Following initial broadcast, the special will remain available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand streaming, allowing viewers to experience the Christmas celebration at their convenience throughout the festive season and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration air?
The special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during Christmas 2025, with exact dates and times to be announced by BBC scheduling.
How many people are participating in the special?
Approximately 800 members of the congregation from Bolton and surrounding areas participate in the Christmas celebration.
Who are the special guest performers?
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet frontman) and Phoebe Edwards (West End star) are the special guests, alongside host and singer Aled Jones.
What carols are performed?
The program features traditional carols including “Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing,” “The Holly And The Ivy,” “Silent Night,” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
What is the venue?
Victoria Hall in Bolton, Greater Manchester hosts the special.
Who leads the music?
Wayne Ellington and Manchester Inspirational Voices lead congregational singing, with Andrew Earis conducting the Songs of Praise Orchestra.
When was Songs of Praise first broadcast?
Songs of Praise first aired in October 1961 from the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cardiff, making it one of the longest-running religious television programs globally.
Can I stream after broadcast?
Yes, the special will be available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand viewing following initial broadcast.
