LNER Unwraps Festive Edition Of Routes

Radio and television presenter Jenni Falconer is serving up the ultimate Christmas treat with a special festive edition of her podcast Routes from LNER, featuring an all-star lineup sharing their most cherished, and chaotic, holiday traditions.

The bumper Christmas episode brings together some of the biggest names in entertainment, including previous guests Penny Lancaster, Ella Eyre, Stephen Mangan, Suzi Ruffell and festive revelations from future guests Erin Richards, James Martin, and Sam Heughan, who open up about everything from three-day spreadsheet-planned menus to accidentally spending New Year's Eve alone on the M4.

Festive Highlights Include:

Penny Lancaster reveals the ongoing Christmas tree decorating battles with husband Rod Stewart, who likes to place dustpans and brushes among the baubles to wind her up. The model and TV personality also shares why having a chef on Christmas Day means she can actually enjoy the festivities for once.

Ella Eyre takes listeners through her meticulously planned three-day Christmas feast, complete with spreadsheets and precise timings. The singer's menu includes beef Wellington on Christmas Eve Eve, pineapple-glazed gammon on Christmas Eve, and her signature Boxing Day creation: turkey sandwiches made with Yorkshire puddings instead of bread.

James Martin shares how he took over Christmas cooking duties 30 years ago because watching others get stressed in the kitchen was too much for him as a chef. Catering for 20 people, he opts for roast beef and pork alongside a turkey crown for his mum, and recalls the time he accidentally sent live lobsters to Holly Willoughby's house, causing absolute chaos.

Sam Heughan is on a mission to save Christmas from boiled Brussels sprouts, planning to take over cooking duties from his mum to ensure they're properly roasted. The Outlander star has also created a batched apple martini using fruit from his garden and confirms that dry January "should be disbanded."

Other festive revelations include Stephen Mangan's designated role as the Christmas washer-upper, Suzi Ruffell's declaration that she'll be "slightly pickled" while cooking by lunchtime, and Erin Richards' family tradition of a three-hour present circle that drives all the partners "insane."

"I absolutely love hearing how everyone celebrates Christmas differently," says Jenni Falconer. "From spreadsheet-planned menus to spontaneous chaos, these stories really capture what makes the festive season so special – and so entertaining!"

Routes from LNER with Jenni Falconer is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms, watch on YouTube and listen onboard LNER trains.

Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.

Listen to Routes with Jenni Falconer:https://podfollow.com/routes/view