In the 16th Advent Podcast, our very own Laurie Taylor tells us why, if he could celebrate any scientist with an annual day, it would be his own father, Stanley Douglas Taylor.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

In the 15th Advent Podcast, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant tell Robin Ince which thinkers should be celebrated at Christmas, and reveal their surprising decisions to convert to Christianity and creationism.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

In the Advent Podcast for 14 December, comedian Eddie Izzard tells Robin Ince his thoughts on the personal hygiene of scientists, and the "smelly genius" of Isaac Newton.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

In the 13th Advent Podcast, broadcaster Andrew Collins makes an unusual (and fictional) choice for the thinker he would like to honour with an annual day of celebration.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

In the Advent Podcast for 12 December, comedian and actor (and holder of a PhD in quantum physics) Ben Miller explains why Einstein deserves an annual day in his honour.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

In the 11th Advent Podcast, comedian and actor Chris Addison decides to nominate a well-known populariser of science for a special annual celebration. He would also like a Spinning Jenny for Christmas.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

On the tenth day of our Advent Podcasts, cartoonist Martin Rowson looks back with great sentimentality on how we lived before the dawn of civilisation, and says we should replace Christmas with a celebration of the anthropologist Christopher Boehm.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

On the ninth day of our Advent Podcasts, science writer and doctor Ben Goldacre says he would like to hold a celebration for Archie Cochrane, who he calls "the grandfather of evidence-based medicine".

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

On the eighth day of Advent, Simon Singh celebrates the genius of Galileo.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

In the Advent Podcast for 7 December, writer and critic Natalie Haynes tells us about why she thinks the Roman philosopher and playwright Seneca deserves to be celebrated with an annual day.

Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.