there's not been much to laugh about in 2020, but some relief is on hand, after the national lottery announced a scheme to help theatres stage pantomimes this christmas. it means the curtain will rise on up to ten pantos around the country, with as many as a quarter of a million tickets available. our arts editor, will gompertz, reports. so, it turns out there is going to be pantomime this christmas after all. oh, no, there's not! oh, yes, there is. after the national lottery stepped in to the breach and effectively offered to subsidise about ten different pantomimes around the country by purchasing the seats that have to remain empty because of social distancing. it wasn't financially viable for producers to put on shows to half—empty theatres due to reduced capacity because of covid. but now the national lottery is paying for those unsellable seats, marked with an x, the show can go on.

did somebody call? it's been a hard secret to keep because there's been talk about this for weeks and months and i couldn't tell anyone because everyone gossips because they've got nothing else to do! so, i'm so relieved to have it out in the open. as they say! i am constantly honing my craft, i've spent the last a0 minutes polishing the juggler‘s balls. i think people want a bit of excitement and especially after the year we've had. # join a circus like you wanted to. ..# normally, we would be planning shows 14 months in advance. now, we've kind of got about eight weeks, but it's kind of all hands to the pump to make it happen and deliver some joy, create some jobs and get some of these theatres open. # sleigh bells ring, are you listening...# his aim is to put on ten shows

across the country, including at the theatre royal in newcastle and the birmingham hippodrome. a lot of theatres were looking at a very difficult future when thinking they wouldn't be able to do pantomime at all. and so this national lottery scheme now gives them a lifeline. the enterprise isn't without risk, it's possible audiences won't come or theatres might have to close again. but for those involved, it's a chance worth taking to provide a bit of christmas cheer to end a dismal year. # i'm still standing...# will gompertz, bbc news. we tried to end with smile. that is it from the team on this week. now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. you are watching bbc news. the last in the last few minutes the quenn's birthday honours list

has been released and it features hundreds of people who who went above and beyond during the covid—19 crisis. high profile figures being honoured include footballer marcus rashford, who has been made an mbe after his efforts to ensure children in need received meals across the summer during the pandemic. body coach joe wicks is also being made an mbe for helping children keep active and mentally fit during lockdown with his online pe lessons. meanwhile hundreds of medical workers, fundraisers and volunteers have also been recognised. the list was postponed from june so it could acknowledge those who have been instrumental during the pandemic — it is also the most diverse yet. the prime minister boris johnson describes the recipients as caring, compassionate and resolute in the face of a global pandemic. anna collinson has more: with you on the sofa, whether you are a kid, a teenager, an adult... at a time when many felt isolated in their homes, they kept us company and kept us fit. brief it's about feeling good, it's about being happy--- for their live workouts

during covid—19, joe wicks and mr motivator have both been appointed mbes. the same honour goes to footballer marcus rashford for services to vulnerable children. the manchester united star has successfully campaigned more than 1 million pupils to receive free school meals over the summer. what i would like to do now that i'm in this position isjust speak directly to the prime minister, and just really ask for the vouchers to be extended until at least until october, half term because i think that's what the families need. there were nearly 1500 honours including six sage members provided scientific advice to the government, but the front line workers and volunteers who dominate. this year's but the owners are seen as a chance for the uk to celebrate exceptional contributions made during the darkest of times. more than 400 people on the list have been described as the unsung

heroes of the pandemic. unsung heroes like laura, whose charity has provided nearly 4 million free meals to those in need since the start of lockdown. delivering to homeless shelters, homes for women fleeing domestic violence, homes with refugees, people that were destitute, with people with no access to public funds or food. people who are literally starving. nearly 60 front line social and health care workers were on the list including felicia, the mentor to many she has supported thousands of nurses from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds were particularly at risk from the virus. we needed to dig deep because this was unfamiliar territory, but you remember yourself as a professional and as a nurse, we come into this profession to care for people and to tend to the sick and dying, and to give people the best care that they can. that's our business, that's what we are here to do. at the same time it's important that we as workers and colleagues look after each other.

she wants to dedicate her honour to her fellow nurses and midwives. i clicked open the e—mail and there was a letter that says that you have been awarded and honours, and... i did not scream, i have to say i'm still inhibitive shell—shocked now. for me it's an absolute honour and a privilege to be a nurse, and i'm standing on the shoulders of giants. hello, good evening. it which is meant to be a bit of fun during lockdown, but the virtual quiz went viral. ok so type your scores up... he is been awarded an mbe for charitable services after raising £750,000. the message i get from the community is like i've been isolated on my own, you've kept me going, you've helped us reconnect with friends and family, and it's an absolute honour that i've been considered alongside people who genuinely

have been saving lives. for the fundraiser, 100—year—old islam choudhury 0be has walked hundreds of laps of his garden every day during the crisis. even during ramadan when he was fasting. who inspired you to do this challenge? tom! tom moore. he was walking, and i, my son, i said i can walk as well. like captain sir tom moore, mr choudhury has raised money for charity. and like sir tom, he's been recognised by the queen. with no immediate sign to an end to the pandemic, this list is just the start of honouring our covid heroes. as always, this year's list features lots of names from across music, entertainment and sport — lizo mzimba has this roundup.

leaves are another good one for the children to try. she's been potential as your taste buds for decades, now mary berry has received one of the country's highest honours. it's so exciting, and you feel very proud to be a dame is really the icing on the cake. maureen also becomes a dame in recognition of her charity work and an acting career that spanned everything from emotional dramas too much loved tv commercials. and says he's failed! there is a knighthood for entertainer tommy steele who said he was delighted to be honoured. the creator of the grange hilland honoured. the creator of the grange hill and brookside, phil honoured. the creator of the grange hilland brookside, phil redmond is also knighted to four years of work championing arts and culture outside of london. we now have this grand title, sir phil. i look back to

where it came from, my counsel estate. i fits in where it came from, my counsel estate. ifits in the narrative of what i often say to people, look, you can achieve whatever you want in this life if you put the effort in. among those becoming cbes is the singer in recognition on her work of music and equal rights. and tv presenter and physicist brian caught also becomes a cbe for services to the promotion of science. many of you did not believe. the prizewinner bernadine has been made in 0be. also becoming an 0be,jeff bernadine has been made in 0be. also becoming an 0be, jeff lin of the electric light 0rchestra. while children's laureate and bestseller author cressida cowell becomes an mbe. the of sports, former on the

pick athlete and founder of the great north run, brendan foster receives a knighthood. a great privilege to receive an order from the queen and her birthday honours. 0bvious even a terrible year but for me this is a huge moment. while in by, me this is a huge moment. while in rugby, former wales coach is made a cbe. wales captain alanjones becomes an 0be and eve, the scottish world championship winning kohler has become an mbe. —— with me is derrick evans, aka mr motivator — the fitness instructor is being awarded an mbe for services to health and fitness earlier this year he helped the nation to keep fit during lockdown as part of the bbc‘s healthcheck uk live. and also i'm joined by rajinder singh harzall, known as the ‘skipping sikh'. he's being made an mbe for services to health and fitness during covid—i9 it's after he made exercise videos

for people in his community who were missing their daily exercise during lockdown. accused so much to both of you for joining me and congratulations. this is incredible. eric, you have been referred to as the nation's original pe teacher. tell me about what it felt like when you received that e—mail it said you were getting an mbe. as far as i was concerned it was not real. then i read out further and i realised yes, it was me! ifelt further and i realised yes, it was me! i felt exceptionally honoured because to be honest i'm in the company of a lot of great people who have done so much wonderful work in the nhs, and in no way to ever want to put a cloud over what they have done, so as far as concerned i'm humbled by what has been awarded to

me. to be chosen and selected is really a great feeling. and, your 74 yea rs old really a great feeling. and, your 74 years old now, rajinder. is it a big dealfor you? years old now, rajinder. is it a big deal for you? it is a big deal, years old now, rajinder. is it a big dealfor you? it is a big deal, but i never expected this. ijust normally want to help people, help myself. and this is my principal. you do something for other peoples, live and let live. and keep true to yourself. and pray to god always, that's what my principal is. help others, help yourself. and how will you be celebrating this win? i'm going to go to the temple tomorrow if possible. otherwise, i will celebrate doing more skipping and more exercise. in sharing people and

helping the younger generation as well. that you can look after yourself. anyone can do anything to look after themselves. and keep fit. especially in this situation. that isa especially in this situation. that is a fantastic message. i'm just wondering, derek, how have people reacted to this news? your family? my reacted to this news? your family? my wife watching them bow down to me. i've been waiting for years for that to happen. all it took was an mbe. what's really important is all of us continue to look after each other and realise our lives to be an inspiration to other people. an effective love that happens throughout our life is that what if someone throughout our life is that what if someone turns right and goes, because of you i change the way i viewed looking after myself, and have now taken on fitness and health, mental side as well as the physical side is so important. that's one of the beautiful things

about these honours, isn't it? you did not set out to do what you did thinking that it was going to end up with something so grand and magnificent, did you? far from it. this year, a lot of talks to companies not just about the physical side but the mental side. they are really at the point where they are breaking and they need some reassurance. what i keep saying to people is that there's certain things that kept me going and my angelou set this, they will forget what you said and did but they won't forget how you made them feel. we owe it to each other to find words of encouragement and if someone needs help especially in the mental way, it may be just by you saying i'm afan way, it may be just by you saying i'm a fan of you, i like what you are doing, keep on feeling your feelings and i will be here to help you through it. i'll get to continue to look after each other and remember this, by the way. i am

flawesome. that's when it embraces their flaws and still knows they are awesome regardless. no question what you are mr motivator. thank you so much, congratulations again and of course rajinder as well. thank you for joining course rajinder as well. thank you forjoining us and congratulations. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the director of the centre for labour and social studies & former labour police and crime commissioner, faiza shaheen and the deputy editor of the daily express, michael booker. thank you very much forjoining us. tomorrow's front pages starting with the telegraph's front page talks of the chancellor's