Newscast

In January this year, Brexitcasters packed out the BBC's Radio Theatre as Britain left the EU. Who'd have thought that eleven months later, we'd all be Newscasters, experts in the R number, PCR testing and Tiers?

It's also been the year of Black Lives Matter, long drives to Barnard Castle and Hugh Bonneville dramatically reading out Girls Aloud lyrics. So join Adam, Fergus and Laura as we take one last look - and bid good riddance - to 2020.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

1,645 days after the UK voted to leave the EU and 328 days after we actually departed, a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU has finally been agreed. Adam, Laura, Chris and Katya gather on the night before Christmas to talk through how the months of disagreements over fishing rights and future business rules ended.

By the way… there’s still so much we don’t know. We’ll be back. Merry Brexmas!

Studio Director: Mike Regaard

Our studio might be in Tier 4 but no one can stop us having a virtual Newscast Christmas party! Emily Maitlis and Nigella Lawson are here to help with Christmas dinner for one and Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw joins us to share his favourite Covid-secure party songs of 2020.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

As lorry drivers learn they'll be allowed to cross the Channel into France with a negative Covid test, the gang asks if lateral flow tests are fit for that purpose. Professor Jon Deeks is on hand to explain the evidence.

And Dr Adler drops in with an update on Brexit talks - will they ever end?

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

More than 40 countries have banned flights from the UK as we learn more about the new variant of coronavirus that's spreading. There's disruption at Dover, and yes, somebody mentioned the B-word... Thank goodness for the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, James Gallagher and Simon Jack who’ve joined Adam to talk it all through.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

Christmas rules are tightened in England, Scotland and Wales - and a new tier four will be introduced in areas including London, Kent, Essex and Bedfordshire. Boris Johnson announced the changes for England at a Downing Street briefing as scientists warn that a new coronavirus variant is spreading more rapidly. Chris, Laura and Fergus get together for this emergency episode.

On the day new long Covid advice comes out, we talk with Dr. Elizabeth Kendrick, who runs a specialist clinic. As Northern Ireland heads into the strictest UK lockdown yet, Stephen Nolan explains what’s different. And it’s Jon and Jan giving their favourite impressions of 2020.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

As the Home Secretary Priti Patel tells us to not to travel for Christmas, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford joins us for a frank conversation about the difficulties Wales is having getting Coronavirus under control.

And of course there's another Brexit update...and no, this one isn't decisive, either.

Studio Director: Ged Sudlow

On the day that Boris Johnson called for a shorter and smaller Christmas, Laura and Fergus explain why the government's message is both the same and also different to what they said before. And we dispel some anti-vax myths after one Newscaster got in touch about a leaflet she got through her door.

Studio Director: Russell Newlove

With calls for tighter coronavirus restrictions over Christmas, plans for the UK’s four nations to allow three households to meet are coming under strain. BBC Wales’s political editor Felicity Evans explains why there’s pressure in both directions. Branwen Jeffreys is back to tell us about the row over schools staying open before the holidays. And John Sudworth talks us through his latest investigation, which raises the worrying prospect that clothes in our shops could contain cotton picked by forced labour in China.

Studio Director: Jonathan Greer