My Life at Christmas with Anita Rani

Anita Rani meets up with actress Dame Sheila Hancock to discover what Christmas has meant to her throughout her life. Sheila shares memories of childhood spent living above a London pub and as a wartime evacuee, and reflects on a groundbreaking career that has taken her from sitcom success to stage, screen and radio stardom. She talks candidly about Christmases with family, friends and her late husband, actor John Thaw, and in the calm surroundings of her meeting house, she reveals how she lost her faith, only to rediscover comfort and purpose in life as a Quaker.

Anita delves into a lifetime of Christmas memories with actor Rudolph Walker CBE, best known for playing Patrick Trueman in EastEnders. His story takes him from a modest Trinidadian childhood to breaking theatrical boundaries in the UK, before achieving household fame in the now controversial sitcom Love Thy Neighbour. They discuss Patrick's memorable encounters with Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Muhammad Ali, and how, in later years, he became homeless before his faith helped him find the strength to rebuild his life. There are surprise messages and gifts, and Anita also pays a very special visit to Albert Square.

Anita discovers what Christmas means to Spencer Matthews, the former reality show star turned podcaster, entrepreneur and ultramarathon runner.Spencer shares memories of how an idyllic childhood in the Caribbean was shattered by the death of his brother Michael during an ascent of Everest and talks about how prayer has since helped him deal with the loss.They also reflect on how much Spencer has changed from his breakthrough television appearance in Made in Chelsea. He reveals his secret love for a certain Disney musical and how fatherhood and marriage to model and TV personality Vogue Williams have made him reassess his priorities.Spencer goes on to discuss the spiritual journey he took on the BBC's Pilgrimage programme and his recent achievement, running a record-breaking 30 desert marathons in 30 days for charity. There is even time for Anita and Spencer to take to the running track together for a little festive exercise!

In a rare in-depth interview, Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster welcome Anita Rani into their home to discuss their lives, family, fame and faith, and how Christmases past and present have shaped them.Across an intimate fireside chat, Christmas crafting in a festive greenhouse and a stroll around the stunning grounds of their countryside home, they reflect on Rod's rise to fame, Penny's journey from model to special constable and festive traditions, including exchanging gifts with Elton John.

Anita Rani meets Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan to hear his inspirational life story and how sport, spirituality and the festive season have shaped him, from contracting polio as a toddler in Nigeria, to growing up with a disability in east London in the 1970s, to the rocky road that led to Paralympic glory with the British wheelchair basketball team.Now a respected broadcaster, Ade shines a light on the causes that are close to his heart.

Anita Rani pays a Christmas visit to Baroness Floella Benjamin, a pivotal figure to generations of young TV viewers. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Floella arrived in London at the age of ten as part of the Windrush generation.Together, they retrace that journey and reflect on Dame Floella's extraordinary life shaped by faith and the festive season: from stage actor and iconic Play School presenter to businesswoman, child rights campaigner, dame and baroness, and even playing a role in King Charles III's coronation.