Here's how Christmas comes to the Radio 1 Playlist
Christmas kicked off in style on Radio 1 on 1 December, with a solid half hour of festive hits on
Even Nick Grimshaw was surprised by how quickly he got into the mood.
But how are the Christmas songs played on Radio 1 decided and who puts them there? Well, that would be Sarah Beaumont, Radio 1 Music Team's (they decide what gets played on the station) appointed 'Queen Of Christmas' who holds the keys to this month's playlist festive choices.
"Week by week in December, as we ramp up towards Christmas, we populate the shows with more Christmas songs," says Sarah.
In the first week of December, you'll hear one Christmas song every show before things really kick into gear.
"From Friday the 8th, we'll do two records per show and then three records per show and eventually two per every half hour," she says.
"The week leading up to Christmas you'll hear four every hour."
You're likely to hear this Elton John classic a lot at Christmas
And like all the best things, what's played all comes down to spreadsheets.
One is full of the classics (packed with hits like All I Want For Christmas Is You, Last Christmas and Do They Know It's Christmas) and the other is full of contemporary tracks (by artists such as Sia, Ariana Grande, Coldplay and Kelly Clarkson).
"When we're programming the shows, we make sure there's a real balance of the old classics and the newer ones," says Sarah.
Sia's new song Santa's Coming For Us is one you'll hear on Radio 1 this Christmas
During December, you'll hear music by artists you don't often hear on Radio 1. It's only at this time of year we play artists like Darlene Love or Bing Crosby, for instance.
"When it comes to artists at Christmas, it's a different editorial policy," she explains.
"Around this time of year our audience like to hear those timeless records they’ve grown up with.
"At the same time we want to give them some nice surprises, playing some real gems they’re unlikely to hear everywhere they go over the festive period, keeping the listening experience engaging and different to what they hear elsewhere."
You'll hear some festive Live Lounge classics this December
But you don't need to worry about hearing nothing but John Lennon and Yoko Ono between now and 25 December - even though December is usually a quiet month for big releases, there are no fewer pop hits played on Radio 1.
"We still have the same amount of records on our A, B and C lists over the Christmas period," says Sarah.
"We're not looking for extra tracks to fill the gaps.
"Around the Christmas period there are fewer releases and historically it has always been that way."
Even the world's biggest bands get into the Christmas spirit
You'll also be hearing some classic throughout the month as well as a few Christmas surprises.
And Sarah's got her own favourites from the Radio 1 Playlist she'll be looking forward to hearing.
"You can't go wrong with The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl and I really love 2000 Miles by The Pretenders," she says.
