18 reasons to feel cheerful about 2018
The decorations are down, mince pies are a distant memory and the new year is well and truly under way. At this time of year it can be easy to feel bogged down by bad weather and post-festive blues, but fear not. We've rounded up 18 fabulous reasons to feel totally cheerful about 2018.
1. A new series of Doctor Who (later this year)
"You can list these thirteen actors and none of us are similar" - Jodie Whittaker on playing the new Doctor Who
Jodie Whittaker joins Dermot to discuss her role as the new Doctor Who.
At the end of 2017 we waved a fond farewell to the wonderful Peter Capaldi, who handed back the keys to the TARDIS after the Doctor Who Christmas special.
While it was sad to see him go, we're very excited to see what the brilliant Jodie Whittaker, who will be the first woman to play The Doctor, will do with the role. She'll be joined by a cast including Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill and Sharon D Clarke.
2. The Biggest Weekend (May)
There's no Glastonbury in 2018 - but brush away your tears! The 91热爆 has got you covered with a brand new festival called The Biggest Weekend.
The event, taking place between 25th and 28th May, will bring together the biggest names in music for an incredible weekend across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. 175,000 tickets will be available to the public, and of course, Radio 2 will be bringing you extensive coverage throughout.
3. The Time Is Now for Craig David fans (Jan)
Craig David performs Walking Away
Craig performs a unique version of his classic track in the Radio 2 Piano Room.
One of the nicest and most talented chaps in pop, Craig David returns with brand new album The Time Is Now on 26th January.
The uplifting record features I Know You, a duet with Bastille, and proves that Craig David 2.0 is here to stay.
4. Strictly Ballroom The Musical hits the UK (Mar to Jul)
Fill that shaped hole in your life, as Strictly Ballroom The Musical hits London's West End in March. The stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 film Strictly Ballroom will be an uplifting, razzle-dazzle event. Come wearing sequins...
5. C2C returns (Mar)
Yee ha! Country music bonanza is BACK in London, Dublin and Glasgow in March, with a line up including Kacey Musgraves and Little Big Town.
Keep listening to Radio 2's throughout the year, to stay on top of everything that's happening in the Country world.
6. Eric Clapton plays Hyde Park (Jul)
Eric Clapton: "I felt like Buddy Guy & BB King looked on me as a musical equal, which was a huge honour"
The music legend opens up about his life and his film 'Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars'.
The concerts in Hyde Park are back in July 2018 with an incredible line up of headliners, including The Cure, Roger Waters, Michael Bublé, Bruno Mars and the illustrious Eric Clapton.
Eric, an 18 time Grammy winner and 130 million records selling guitarist, recently popped into Steve Wright's studio for an honest and insightful chat, leaving us raring to see the 72-year-old rocking it on stage.
7. Aidan Turner makes his West End debut (Jun to Sep)
How is Poldark's mum still helping him?
Aidan Turner on his Irish roots and the return of the 91热爆 drama Poldark.
We all love watching Aidan Turner playing an 18th century Cornish hero in hit drama. Now fans eager for an extra Aidan hit can catch him as he makes his West End debut, starring in dark satire from June.
8. Conchita Wurst plays a special Friday Night is Music Night (Feb)
Sensational 2014 Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst will deliver a very special edition of Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night from the London Palladium on 25th February.
The star, born Tom Neuwirth in Austria, will bring her spectacular and orchestral show to the UK for the first time. Brace yourselves for phenomenal levels of drama and glamour.
Friday Night Is Music Night: Conchita!
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London Palladium, Sun 25 Feb 2018
The phenomenal Conchita Wurst comes to 91热爆 Radio 2's 'Friday Night Is Music Night' in this special concert from the iconic London Palladium. Born Tom Neuwirth in Styria, Austria, Conchita became an international sensation when she won Eurovision in 2014. Now she brings her spectacular orchestral show to the UK, for the very first time. Accompanied by the sixty piece 91热爆 Concert Orchestra, conducted by the acclaimed conductor Wilhelm Keitel, and incorporating her own rock band and special guests, Conchita will present her favourite divas' songs, which have always been a source of inspiration for her. This will be an evening like no other, full of excitement, drama and glamour!鈥�
9. 500 Words is back (from Jan)
, the short story writing competition for children, will be back in 2018! Entries for the contest, designed to get youngsters excited about reading and writing, open on 15th January.
The winning stories will be read out on air by a fantastic celebrity, and heard by 10 million listeners. Make sure you're one of them...
10. Eurovision: You Decide (Feb)
Douze point! The cross-continental extravaganza that is the is back for 2018, with the final taking place on 12th May in Lisbon.
And who will be representing the UK? That's for you, the public, to decide. The lovely Mel Giedroyc will be hosting once again on 7th February, joined by former Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw.
11. Blues lovers are in for a treat (from May)
Cerys Matthews joins Radio 2 as the host of a new live blues show each Monday. She takes over the baton from Paul Jones, who will be fondly missed after 30 years on the station.
Radio 2 listeners can look forward to hearing the likes of Memphis Minnie, The Rolling Stones and The Black Keys on the new show from 14th May.
12. Tina: The Tina Turner Musical hits the stage (Mar to Jun)
Tina Turner is inducted into the Singers Hall of Fame
Paul Garratt nominates Tina Turner for Michael Ball's Singers Hall of Fame
A musical based on the life and incredible music of iconic singer Tina Turner? Sign us up! The much anticipated comes to the UK in March, with Broadway star Adrienne Warren in the starring role.
13. There's a new Jurassic Park movie (Summer)
Jeff Goldblum on joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe: "Fingers crossed, I get to do more movies!"
Jeff chats about playing Grandmaster in the Marvel film, Thor: Ragnarok.
Get your popcorn at the ready, because Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom will be hitting cinema screens this summer. The film will be the fifth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, and looks set to deliver a whole lot of dino-tastic action and adventure. Even better, the movie will see the return of Jeff Goldblum, reprising his role as Dr Ian Malcolm.
14. New Radio 2 shows for Jo Whiley & Simon Mayo and Sara Cox (from May)
As part of a raft of changes happening at Radio 2, Jo Whiley will be joining forces with Simon Mayo for a new early evening show from May.
Meanwhile, Sara Cox will be presenting a brand new show from 10pm to midnight every Monday to Thursday.
We can't wait to hear what they all have in store for us in their new slots.
15. An all-star new adaptation of Les Mis (TBC)
In news which will leave you clutching your remote in excitement, the 91热爆 is set to screen a star studded adaptation of Lew Miserables. Dominic West, Lily Collins, David Oyelowo and Olivia Colman will all appear in the new telling of Victor Hugo's 19th Century story, adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace.)
Do you hear the people sing? Not really, because it's a non-musical adaptation. Nevertheless, we can't wait to see what this new update on a classic tale is like.
16. The Radio 2 Folk Awards are back (Apr)
Billy Bragg - I Ain't Got No 91热爆 (Radio 2 Folk Awards)
Billy Bragg pays tribute to this year's Hall of Fame inductee, Woody Guthrie
The fabulous Radio 2 Folk Awards, celebrating folk and the wonderful people who make it, will be back in 2018. While we don't know many details about the event just yet, last year saw performances from the renowned Shirley Collins, Billy Bragg and more.
We can only hope that the Radio 2 Folk Awards 2018 will be the best yet.
17. Justin Timberlake is Man Of The Woods (Feb)
Justin Timberlake is doing more than bringing sexy back in 2018: he's releasing his first solo album in five years.
Man Of The Woods, which is tipped to have a rootsy and deeply personal vibe, will be out in February. It features collaborations with the likes of Alicia Keys and country superstar Chris Stapleton.
18. Gary Davies shakes up Sounds of the 80s (from May)
Friday show , featuring amazing music from the decade as well as fantastic interviews and nostalgic trivia, is always a perfect way to kick off the weekend. Keep your rara skirt on, ready to go, as the show continues to go from strength to strength in 2018.
Legendary broadcaster Gary Davies will be at the helm from May, when Sara starts presenting her new 10pm weeknight show, and we can't wait to hear him in his new role.
