To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Shipping Forecast, a number of celebrity voices, including Nessa from Gavin and Stacey, will read out old versions of the report. Other famous names who will be lending their voices to the celebration include loveable rogue Eddie Grundy from The Archers and world-renowned yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur. Ruth Jones, who portrayed Nessa in Gavin and Stacey, says that the Shipping Forecast played a big part in her character’s life since one of Nessa’s former jobs was out on the high seas.
Also part of the special centenary celebration on New Year’s Day are former Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, actor Stephen Fry, Adrian Dunbar, comedian Paul Sinha, poet Imtiaz Dharker, writers Ian McMillan and Val McDermid, and musician Damon Albarn.
According to Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya, the Shipping Forecast is one of the country’s national treasures. At the same time, the continuity announcers at Radio 4 will also be celebrated during the celebration, as the report is not only an important bit of information for seafarers but also a cherished ritual that capture the essence of the network.
Initially called the Weather Shipping, the Shipping Forecast bulletin was first broadcasted on 1 January 1924 before moving to the BBC a year later. The Met Office produces the report on behalf of the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency. To mark its 100th anniversary, Paddy O’Connell will present a documentary on the history of the forecasting service. Historian Jerry Brotton will also be exploring how the British are shaped by their maritime past.
The final instalment of Gavin and Stacey managed to accumulate an average audience of 12.3 million TV viewers – the highest Christmas Day audience in over a decade. Meanwhile, Jones explains that she and her writing partner James Corden felt very fortunate to have been able to end the show on their own terms
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