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Ed Balls swaps politics for musical theatre in festive radio programme

He’s long been a fan of the musical world, and he’s digging deep into the business for a New Year’s Day broadcast.

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Ed Balls swaps politics for musical theatre in new BBC Radio 2 programme (Guy Levy/BBC)

Ed Balls will delve into the fabulous yet increasingly political world of musical theatre for a BBC Radio 2 special as part of the broadcaster’s raft of festive programming.

The former shadow chancellor continues his journey from politics to showbiz in Ed Balls on Musical Theatre, which follows on from his surprising turn on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor last year.

His love of musicals began in his youth with the adoration of the Godspell soundtrack and, in recent years, the ex-Labour MP has seen West End show Wicked on several occasions.

He will also speak to his former Strictly co-stars and stage actors Lesley Joseph and Danny Mac, and former speaker of the House of Commons Baroness Betty Boothroyd, who was a professional dancer before she ventured into politics.

Balls said: “I’ve been a massive fan of every kind of musical theatre for as long as I can remember.

“And I’m looking forward to meeting up with friends old and new as we celebrate and discover more about this most popular and enduring form of entertainment.”

The programme will air on New Year’s Day from 3pm.

Other festive highlights from BBC Radio 2 include a Doctor Who special, hosted by Jo Whiley, a programme fronted by Strictly’s new head judge Shirley Ballas, and a look at Ronnie Wood’s infatuation with painting.

Mark Gatiss, Peter Capaldi, and David Bradley
Doctor Who (Ray Burmiston/BBC)

She will speak to Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, David Bradley and Matt Lucas, as well as executive producer Steven Moffat, while also digging into the BBC’s extensive Doctor Who archive.

Ballas will present Strictly Shirley on Boxing Day from 5pm, a two-hour programme filled with her favourite music and stories from her decades-long dancing career.

BBC Radio 2 is also set to give listeners the inside scoop on Rolling Stone rocker Wood’s life as a budding artist as he meets with presenter Anneka Rice at his home to discuss their shared love of painting and music.

Paint It Black with Ronnie Wood and Anneka Rice airs on December 27 from 5pm.

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