}hey -- they. they . many of the festivals of they. many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal, a chance for family and friends to come together across generations . the act of sharing generations. the act of sharing food, adding to conviviality and togetherness is for some. faith will be uppermost in their hearts for others, it will be the joy of fellowship and the giving of presents . it is also

giving of presents. it is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and think also of those whose work of caring for others continues, even on this special day . this even on this special day. this care and compassion that we show to others is one of the themes of the christmas story , of the christmas story, especially when mary and joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers. as they waited for jesus to be born over this past year, my heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another, going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do at work and at home. within and across communities . my wife and i were communities. my wife and i were delighted when hundreds of resentatives of that selfless army of people, volunteers who served their communities in so

many ways and with such distinction , were able to join distinction, were able to join us in westminster abbey for the coronation. earlier this year. they are an essential backbone of our society . of our society. >> their presence meant so much to us both at and emphasised the meaning of coronation itself . meaning of coronation itself. >> above all, a call to all of us to serve one another, to love and care for all. service also lies at the heart of the christmas story . the birth of christmas story. the birth of jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves. throughout the year, my family have witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference to their communities. this ages are making a difference to their communities . this is all their communities. this is all their communities. this is all the more important at a time of real hardship for many , when we

real hardship for many, when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves . because out of than ourselves. because out of god's providence, we are blessed with much at and it is incumbent on us to use this wisely. however service to others is but one way of honouring the whole of creation, which after all, is a manifest version of the divine . this is a belief shared by all religions to care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none . we care for the and of none. we care for the earth for the sake of our children's children . during my children's children. during my lifetime, i have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share. i find great inspiration now from the

way so many people recognise this , as does the christmas this, as does the christmas story , which tells us that story, which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds . these hope first to shepherds. these were people who lived simply amongst others, of god's creatures , those close to nature creatures, those close to nature were privileged . that night and were privileged. that night and at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world. and i pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other . our power to protect each other. the words of jesus seem more than ever relevant . do to others than ever relevant. do to others as you would have them do to you . such values are universal, drawing together our abrahamic family of religions and other belief systems across the commonwealth and wider world. they remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our

neighbours and to seek their good as we would our own . so on good as we would our own. so on this christmas day , my heart and this christmas day, my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another. all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others. not least the friend. we do not yet know in this way we bnng do not yet know in this way we bring out the best in ourselves. i wish you a christmas of peace on earth and goodwill to all today and always . today and always. warship has watched their flocks by night. >> kwasi seated on the ground .

>> kwasi seated on the ground. the angel of the lord came down and glory shone around . fear no and glory shone around. fear no ofsted evil . i did read at sesit ofsted evil. i did read at sesit roger gewolb my light that i did glory and joy. i bring to you and holac . high to you in and holac. high to you in david's time. and holac. high to you in david's time . this day is born david's time. this day is born of day . this light, david's time. this day is born of day . this light , the day. of day. this light, the day. saviour, who is christ the lord and this shall be the sign of a happy day . you there shall find

happy day. you there shall find to you the fear, dismay for me , to you the fear, dismay for me, in me wrapped is waving as and in me wrapped is waving as and in a may delay. oh glory is in me wrapped is waving as and in a may delay . oh glory is to in a may delay. oh glory is to god. on how and of me, of me gives good will. and will and to me . and of me peace me. and of me peace. >> hello. and a very warm festive welcome. >> and to merry christmas britain on gb news. i'm darren grimes and i'm with you through until 6:00. >> that was his majesty, king charles the third there, emphasising the importance of community, compassion and service. >> the king highlighted the

significance of the christmas story's message of kindness and the role of volunteers as society's backbone . he society's backbone. he acknowledges the challenges faced by many at the minute, and the growing awareness of environmental stewardship , environmental stewardship, concluding, though with a call to treat others as we wish to be treated, he extends a message of gratitude to those serving others and wishes for peace and goodwill at the festive season . goodwill at the festive season. i'm joined now by the royal commentator richard fitzwilliams to discuss the king's speech. richard, what did you make of that ? that? >> i thought that it was a beautifully crafted speech . beautifully crafted speech. >> i mean, at the heart of it, there was was the call to serve and also to care. >> and there's little doubt that interwoven in it is, of course, the religious message, which is pivotal at this time of year, but also very, very significantly . significantly. >> he talked of a time of hardship for many, and clearly

that linked to the cost of living crisis . and of course, he living crisis. and of course, he talked about the international situation , mentioning that this situation, mentioning that this was a period that was so unstable. but also very much into what his is, i think a very sensitive broadcast that there was the environmental theme. so there were several themes . he there were several themes. he also, of course, was emphasised the interreligious understanding . ending. so he's one worked several very, very significant aspects in to this broadcast. and i thought it went beautifully. >> yes . i beautifully. >> yes. i mean, richard, beautifully. >> yes . i mean, richard, how >> yes. i mean, richard, how does this compare if you think back to her majesty the queen, you notice the king was standing up to deliver his speech . is up to deliver his speech. is this perhaps a sign of the change in direction that the king wants to go in as far as modernity of the institution is concerned ? concerned? >> well, of course , every >> well, of course, every monarch has their own style . all monarch has their own style. all the queen used to be known as one. take windsor for her alacrity. his broadcast , i

one. take windsor for her alacrity. his broadcast, i mean, she was superb at them, and i think she rather enjoyed them. they've been televised since 1957. of course, the tradition dates back to 1932, and king george the fifth, but there's little doubt that his clearly, for example, with the background environmentally friendly , the environmentally friendly, the decorations, the fact that this is a tree with roots and will be planted in the ground and so forth, obviously that is distinctive, but equally , yes, distinctive, but equally, yes, he takes a new posture and i think that it it works rather well because he was making some important points and the posture reinforced the various messages that, as i say, with inter—religious understanding, at a period of hardship for many at a period of hardship for many at a period of hardship for many at a time, which was internationally unstable, but also in which the royal family played their part as we saw from the footage, this is most important , of the footage, this is most important, of course, the footage, this is most important , of course, the important, of course, the coronation, which a centrepiece of the year for him , but also of the year for him, but also the work done by the prince and princess of wales and their children , the duke and duchess

children, the duke and duchess of the princess royal of edinburgh, the princess royal and others. you had well over and others. so you had well over 2000 engagements carried out by our first family, and this gave you a brief reminder. um of what they did . and we saw the king in they did. and we saw the king in kenya, which of course was a particularly sensitive visit and which he handled very well . which he handled very well. >> i thought, yes, i mean, richard, the highlighting of those members of the royal family are still working family who are still working royals and majesty the royals and who his majesty the king really does want to keep as his core, as it were . do you his core, as it were. do you actually think that the highlighting of those particular royals is sending a subliminal, subliminal message, perhaps to say , look, this is who matters say, look, this is who matters going forward ? going forward? >> oh, absolutely . because this >> oh, absolutely. because this is in fact , the royal family of is in fact, the royal family of the future . there are only four the future. there are only four under 70, and it's perfectly true that there have been problems in this year. everyone is well aware. it began with the launch of harry's memoir, spare, and it ended with a fiasco over

roman scobie's book end game. there's this aspect to it, which obviously he didn't mention in the speech, but which, again, has come into so much commentary. what's at its heart is that the monarchy is there to serve that has the longest serving prince of wales in our history . he will be serving prince of wales in our history. he will be a serving prince of wales in our history . he will be a monarch history. he will be a monarch who is fully aware of his his role , which is to be advised to role, which is to be advised to encourage and warn. but also that the monarchy above party politics has a pivotal role to play politics has a pivotal role to play in our society and it's the only institution in the world because we saw the royal family at saint mary magdalene church this morning and also with the . this morning and also with the. king's christmas message, which is broadcast worldwide, as well as to the other realms in the commonwealth. is the commonwealth. uh, this is the only family in the world and, uh, who has an audience of the size of the world's most high profile royal family, and also one which has so many devoted

and dedicated members . and i and dedicated members. and i think we should be very grateful for that. and also to have the king make such a thought provoking and interesting and beautifully woven christmas message. >> yes, richard, that's absolutely correct. but i wonder, you know , this is a time wonder, you know, this is a time of year in which love and selfless service and family communing , all of those themes communing, all of those themes are incredibly important. i wonder, would there be one presence that is perhaps missing from the king's life at the moment? which of course, you mentioned harry's biography there. that was is indeed a really incredibly hard thing and stressful , i've no doubt for the stressful, i've no doubt for the king and the monarchy itself to go through . do you think they go through. do you think they would have spoken to each other over this time of year, or do you think relationship is you think the relationship is just incredibly that just so incredibly frosty that that's just not possible at this time? we know that harry time? well we know that harry spoke to the king on his 75th birthday, and it was reported that they would subsequently speak, but there's absolutely no

question. >> and a lot of people feel very strongly about this. i mean, it has to be frank, it's been a difficult few years for the royal family when it comes to relations with the sussexes and issues linked to the duke of york. the facts are, however, that at its centre and at its core, what you have is dedicated family members and also the king, uh , no question at all. king, uh, no question at all. he's well aware of the points you raise, whether they've spoken to each other or not. i am unaware, but i suspect it would be much better if we didn't know. and then perhaps in the months and years to come, we'll see what happens. it's an unpredictable world, as the king was saying. and of course, beanng was saying. and of course, bearing in mind the conflict in ukraine on the issues linked to the middle east . and across the the middle east. and across the sudan , various aspects of the sudan, various aspects of the world, uh, parts of the world are at the moment it's very , are at the moment it's very, very sensitive and difficult

time and there's also the aspect of the cost of living crisis here. so there are various aspects that the king advanced with us and interreligious understand is something very close to his heart is, i think, also linked to some of them. and if there was somebody who has spoken out on the environment and remember, his first speech in this was in 1970. so it's over half a century. and he gave the opening speech at cop uh, 28in dubai. i mean, i think again there he's made a very , again there he's made a very, very substantial contribution and something he can continue to make being above party politics. but being some an issue which there is general agreement on it, if not necessarily in the way to achieve it. >> indeed. and i wonder then, the theme of stability and continuity at a time of, as you mentioned, the cost of living crisis there. there's a lot of upheaval in people's lives, richard. but the monarchy itself, that symbol of continuity and nationhood , and continuity and nationhood, and that's pretty secure at the

moment, isn't it? and now we talk about family strife with prince harry, but with the prince harry, but with the prince of wales and the princess of wales, the monarchy looks more secure than perhaps it has done time . done for some time. >> i think that the stability and the continuity and remember the monarchy go back a thousand years, continues bar the, uh , years, continues bar the, uh, penod years, continues bar the, uh, period of cromwell. it's part and parcel of our way of life. and also there is the king's role and the various head of various institutions. it isn't so much the power that the monarch has. it's the power he denies to others that is, i think, part and parcel of our democracy. and i think from that point of view, uh, he , he point of view, uh, he, he exemplifies the very best since if you look, for example, at the princes now, the king's trust, which has helped over a million disadvantaged young people , the disadvantaged young people, the charitable work william . for the charitable work william. for the earthshot prize , catherine for earthshot prize, catherine for work on early childhood. this uh, this is something that

royals . are able to do . and they royals. are able to do. and they can also have a unique way of projecting , uh, charitable projecting, uh, charitable causes that are close to their hearts and also best use of british soft power, i think, is royal trips abroad. look at the king germany in france king in germany and in france and dealing with very sensitive issues linked to the colonial period. course, in kenya . period. of course, in kenya. >> indeed, richard, we'll end it there . but, uh, all that's left there. but, uh, all that's left to say is a very merry christmas and god save the king, richard fitzwilliams, very fitzwilliams, thank you very much time , as ever with much for your time, as ever with me until 6:00 is gb news fan favourite albie amankona. who does also a pretty good saturday night show. i'll be called the saturday five, which people must check out, but what did you make of the king's speech? the themes they're running through, environmental stewardship, the cost of living crisis , this, the cost of living crisis, this, the continuity and symbolism of the monarchy. all incredibly important stuff in our nation . important stuff in our nation. >> very, very important stuff. i

think it's all very important stuff. >> another thing that he mentioned quite a lot, actually, was that other religions, the . was that other religions, the. commonwealth what people who weren't religious might be doing for christmas. >> i just having a at >> i was just having a look at some twitter responses to some of the twitter responses to his . speech, and there were some his. speech, and there were some people calling this a very woke king's speech. i mean, as someone that is vehemently anti—woke would you say that it was a woke christmas speech ? was a woke christmas speech? >> i wouldn't say it was a woke christmas speech. i would say that i worry about the king getting in issues to do getting involved in issues to do with the environment. as richard said issue in said there, it's an issue in which cross—party which there is cross—party consensus that we need to be more of our impact on more mindful of our impact on the environment. doubt the environment. i don't doubt that, the environment. i don't doubt th.become a figurehead of a to become a figurehead of a movement that will ultimately make and colder is make lives poorer and colder is unwise, that would be unwise, wise, that that would be the i would have the only thing that i would have to about that particular to say about that particular thing. but i think the theme overall was one which wasn't remotely controversial. >> no, i mean , i don't think >> no, i mean, i don't think there is any need for the line that he said to have a care for

the earth for the sake of our children's children. i don't think there's anything that needs to be controversial about that where the that line. i think where the disagreement zero is, is disagreement on net zero is, is how there. yes. i think how we get there. yes. i think most people accept that that is a principle in in the a good principle in in the offing. overall , i a good principle in in the offing. overall, i think offing. but overall, i think it was a strong speech. of was a strong king's speech. of course, after first course, this is after his first full as monarch, when full year as the monarch, when he first did the speech last yean he first did the speech last year, just a couple year, that was just a couple of months late her late months after the late her late majesty's death. i think it was back september. this is back in september. so this is the that done back in september. so this is tiyear that done back in september. so this is tiyear on, that done back in september. so this is tiyear on, you1at done back in september. so this is tiyear on, you mentionedie a year on, as you mentioned already things, a year on, as you mentioned already up things, a year on, as you mentioned already up in things, a year on, as you mentioned already up in the things, a year on, as you mentioned already up in the speech ngs, a year on, as you mentioned already up in the speech .gs, a year on, as you mentioned already up in the speech . is, standing up in the speech. i don't recall the speech. the queen up, but queen ever standing up, but maybe i so maybe that's because i was so young she was old by the young and she was so old by the time was doing the speeches time she was doing the speeches within know within my lifetime. i don't know any ultimately any different, but ultimately i think a different tone think he struck a different tone to queen. i don't think her to the queen. i don't think her late have late majesty would have mentioned faiths and other mentioned other faiths and other religions perhaps religions as much, and perhaps that a sign of times to come. >> indeed. well, albie amankona , >> indeed. well, albie amankona, and we'll be coming back to you for very soon but for more very soon indeed. but folks , you at home, you could folks, you at home, you could start your new year with £10,000 in cash, a £500 shopping spree

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news. com forward slash win good luck . luck. >> thank you for spending christmas day with gb news. we're going to get more reaction to the king's christmas message. i'm darren grimes and you're watching or listening to merry christmas britain on gb news britain's news channel .

monday to thursdays from six till 930.

>> welcome back. >> welcome back. >> if you didn't see the king's christmas message, we'll play it out in full at 4:00. king charles the third praised what he called the selfless army of volunteers serving communities across the country . he described across the country. he described them as the essential backbone of our society . them as the essential backbone of our society. i'm joined by the writer and broadcaster hugo vickers now to analyse the king's message. hugo thank you very much for your time and a very much for your time and a very merry christmas to you. it looks beautiful there, much more beautiful than it is in damp old britain right now. but hugo, what did you make of that ? what did you make of that? >> well , merry what did you make of that? >> well, merry christmas to you, darren. >> first of all, i thought it was a very good speech. >> i thought he delivered it very well. i thought he also moved seamlessly from the, as it were, religious. um, uh, moved seamlessly from the, as it were, religious . um, uh, context were, religious. um, uh, context at the beginning through to the

caring of the community and then bringing in the very essential point that, you know, at the end of the day, we have to keep things going for the next generation, which something generation, which is something which she's been dwelling on for many years. >> was very >> i thought it was very effective. think he's effective. i think his he's a very polished performer , you very polished performer, you know, very confident . and i know, he's very confident. and i think also he's kind of gained in confidence even since he became king. don't you think ? became king. don't you think? >> oh, absolutely. i do think that, i mean, the stands up there with a certain of, there with a certain amount of, dare swagger . there with a certain amount of, dare swagger. you there with a certain amount of, dare swagger . you know, dare i say, swagger. you know, he always wears these very he he always wears these very nice he he is tailored to nice suits. he he is tailored to the max . and. yeah, i thought the max. and. yeah, i thought his delivery was very good. but hugo, one of my viewers emails in and says he didn't hear anything about the military as head of the armed forces, you know, ex—servicemen and women . know, ex—servicemen and women. but i actually do we hear any we heard of the selfless ness and the selfish nature of those serving right? >> yes. i mean, this is, you know, is a speech which he can

make personally without consultation with the government i >> -- >> all the other speeches that he makes are approved by you know, the prime minister or the foreign secretary or whoever. and i think he wanted to keep it on a sort of a peaceful theme. i mean, you can of course, criticise him for what he didn't say, but actually i thought he covered a all the essential points that we need to think about on this very special day. >> yes, absolutely . i mean, how >> yes, absolutely. i mean, how much do you think actually the royals that were played at the end there, you know, we had tape footage working royals footage of the working royals played at the end who've played a pivotal role actually, since the of her majesty the the death of her majesty the queen and the. i think the importance that he's placed upon them was really quite evident . them was really quite evident. >> very much so . of course, >> very much so. of course, working royals is a sort of a new concept which came in round about the time of the queen's platinum jubilee, where the distinction was made between those who actually work and make

a contribution to the family, and those who, for various reasons, don't. and i've always said that the most successful members of the royal family are those who, you know , quietly those who, you know, quietly support the monarch and don't ask for anything for themselves . ask for anything for themselves. they're the support team and they are very important. um as you can imagine , the demands on you can imagine, the demands on a monarch are enormous, and he simply cannot fulfil all the demands put upon him. so he has a family to take on different roles on his behalf. and when they're not doing that, they can pursue very particular interests of their own. princess anne always said that, as she's always said that, as she's always worth listening to. by the way, she said that when she started out doing royal duties , started out doing royal duties, her father, the duke of edinburgh, you know, you edinburgh, said, you know, you will asked lot of will be asked to do a lot of things, choose things where you really feel you can make a contribution and where you're really committed and interested . really committed and interested. and that, of course, is what she's always done. >> mean, i don't to

>> yes. i mean, i don't wish to pick favourites, hugo, but my favourite royal has to be the princess royal. princess anne, i think she does a phenomenal job and she always done it with and she always has done it with that sort of no nonsense candour that, i was somewhat that, dare i say, was somewhat reminiscent of late duke of reminiscent of the late duke of edinburgh . edinburgh. >> absolutely right , edinburgh. >> absolutely right, i >> you're absolutely right, i agree with you. i think she's fantastic and she talks very good sense. you know , every now good sense. you know, every now and again she comes a and again she comes out with a remark think, well, i wish remark and i think, well, i wish i'd of that, you know, i'd thought of that, you know, which great compliment. which is a great compliment. um, you she she you know, and she and she is very sensible doesn't very sensible and she doesn't take any, any nonsense from anybody. think her anybody. and i think her attitude much the attitude is very much the attitude is very much the attitude parents that attitude of both parents that she had , uh, she knows she's she had, uh, she knows she's done her bit occasionally. i think that she can feel the need to ask whether you or i have done our bit and are we pulling our weight? because she does it from a confidence of having done that. from a confidence of having done that . and the king, too, of that. and the king, too, of course . um, but the great thing course. um, but the great thing which is very important with the royal family is that they shouldn't really worry too much what we think about them. they should the job. should just get on with the job. and what all

and that's what they're all doing very effectively, in view. >> indeed, hugo vickers, thank you very much for your time as ever and have a marvellous christmas. it certainly looks marvellous where you are now. there's still to come there's lots more still to come between now and 4:00. i'll bring you sunak christmas you rishi sunak christmas message and i'll ask , is there message and i'll ask, is there any chance that he'll be prime minister this time? next year? he may well be spending the 2024 christmas in california . first christmas in california. first of all, though, it's your latest news headlines with ray anderson . thanks darren. >> good afternoon and merry christmas. >> it's 331 i'm ray anderson in the gb news room. >> our top stories. >> our top stories. >> the king has thanked the nation's volunteers in his christmas address , describing christmas address, describing them as a selfless army. >> his majesty said that they are the essential backbone of our society. >> he thanked the hundreds of volunteers who attended his coronation in westminster abbey earlier on this year, and said that their presence is a call to all of to us love and care for

all of to us love and care for all on this christmas day. >> my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another, all who are serving one another, all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend. we do not yet know in this way we bring out the best in ourselves . the best in ourselves. >> pope francis has described the children caught up in conflicts across the globe as the quote , little jesuses of the quote, little jesuses of today as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza, delivering his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican, he described the attack on israel by hamas in october as abominable . october as abominable. >> but he also said that ongoing strikes on gaza by israel were reaping an appalling harvest of innocent people . innocent people. >> well, the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest

nights of violence in gaza, with at least 100 people killed by airstrikes . airstrikes. >> israel's army says it's investing , stating one attack investing, stating one attack after claims from the hamas backed health ministry that many of those killed were women and children. the palestinian red crescent says bombings of major roads is complicating efforts to help critically wounded people . help critically wounded people. the 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed in south london on. officers were called home bermondsey called to a home in bermondsey just after 10:00 on christmas eve . eve. >> they treated a 22 year old for stab wounds but she died at the scene. >> gb news understands that the boy was known to the victim. >> he remains in custody. >> he remains in custody. >> we can get more on all of those stories if you go to our website, gbnews.com website, gb news.com >> now website, gbnews.com >> now let's get back to . darren >> now let's get back to. darren thanks , ray. thanks, ray. >> now, rishi sunak has pledged to deliver a better world in a christmas message to the nation

in what's anticipated to be his last address before the general election , the prime minister election, the prime minister commended nhs workers, the police and what he called our remarkable armed forces. >> happy christmas everyone. it's that magical time of the year again, when so many of us are looking forward to all the joy are looking forward to all the joy and togetherness of tomorrow . but just before then, i want to take a moment to thank all those who will be sacrificing their christmases. this year in their christmases. this year in the service of others . the the service of others. the people working in our nhs and our police forces and in our amazing armed forces to remember those facing a difficult time here and in many places around the world, and to reflect on the christian values at the heart of this celebration of christ's birth. because christmas is a time of peace , joy, compassion , time of peace, joy, compassion, a time of hope and a promise of a time of hope and a promise of a better world. and today , as we a better world. and today, as we look ahead, let's keep that promise of a brighter future burning into the new year. wherever you are and whatever

you are doing for the festivities, i wish you all a very merry christmas and a happy new year! >> rishi sunak there , let's see >> rishi sunak there, let's see what the true blue album corner makes of the prime minister's speech. what do you think? a good year for rishi sunak ? good year for rishi sunak? >> i know, obviously darren, it's not been a good year for rishi sunak and i think even rishi sunak and i think even rishi sunak and i think even rishi sunak himself would say it's not been a good year for rishi sunak, but we have seen some things some promising things happen over last couple of weeks. over the last couple of weeks. if we look boat if we look at small boat crossings for example, as a direct result of the albanian returns deal he managed to returns deal that he managed to broker the albanian broker with the albanian government, seen channel government, we've seen channel boat go down for the boat crossings go down for the first when actually since first time when actually since 2017 or 18, when they began, they've going up year on they've been going up year on year we've year on, year on year. we've also seen inflation that that target is going to be met. inflation is going to halve the other targets are going to be harder to meet. he's not going to be able to stop boats to be able to stop the boats before the next election. he even admitted the liaison even admitted at the liaison committee on last week

committee earlier on last week that he doesn't have a date for when he will able to stop the when he will be able to stop the boats. personally, think boats. so personally, i think that a silly that was a bit of a silly commitment it that was a bit of a silly com pretty nt it that was a bit of a silly com pretty much it that was a bit of a silly com pretty much impossible it that was a bit of a silly com pretty much impossible from was pretty much impossible from the he's finally the beginning. he's now finally realised but ultimately realised that, but ultimately i think was a good speech. but think it was a good speech. but what was keir what was interesting was keir starmers speech, which was a lot more polished, a lot better produced. there was music playing background. there playing in the background. there were other things going were shots of other things going on. was, in my opinion, and on. it was, in my opinion, and i'm labour supporter. it i'm not a labour supporter. it was much better video. so was a much better video. so i think that might an think that might be an interesting sign of where things are going with polls are are going with where polls are at despite some of at the moment. despite some of the policy successes that rishi sunak has seen recently. >> i mean, some might say, you know, inflation point. know, the inflation point. absolutely that absolutely right. that has halved , perhaps not as a halved, but perhaps not as a direct consequence of anything that the government's been doing . and actually more to do with the bank of england , of course, the bank of england, of course, raising interest rates. but things boats things like the small boats crossings going down this year. well the weather was abysmal this year. so that's what experts are telling gb news where been , has the

where there been, has the weather been significantly worse this year than the last five years? >> i think last year we had a much better summer than we did the before. the year before. >> year before, >> well, the year before, i can't remember the yesterday. never mind two years ago, but on all of these points, it doesn't seem to be that rishi sunak stands a chance in hell. and no, actually , some might argue, does actually, some might argue, does he seem have the will to he seem to have the will to actually want to bring it about? >> look, i was with the prime minister earlier on last week, and i can tell you he absolutely does to want to does have the will to want to win the next general election. i know conservatives are going know the conservatives are going to campaigning, to be out campaigning, hoping to win vote possible, but win every vote possible, but let's pretend that it's let's not pretend that it's going to an easy election for going to be an easy election for the conservatives. it's going to be very difficult. there have been unfortunate been a series of unfortunate events last two years. events over the last two years. partygate liz truss, everything that's been going on with inflation and the impacts of lockdown and the ukraine war and now the israel—hamas war, it's a very difficult picture for the conservatives going the conservatives going into the next but that next election. but i know that rishi absolutely intent rishi sunak is absolutely intent on trying as hard as he can to

win it. whether can, that's win it. whether he can, that's another question. yes. >> i mean, who would you rather be right now this christmas? rishi sir keir starmer? rishi sunak or sir keir starmer? >> sunak is the >> well, rishi sunak is the prime minister so he gets to go to christmas. and to chequers for christmas. and who want to go to who doesn't want to go to chequers christmas? mean, chequers for christmas? i mean, i here you, but i love being here with you, but i love being here with you, but i rather be at chequers i would rather be at chequers and too. and i'm sure you would too. >> think he's in >> absolutely. i think he's in richmond, he's richmond, actually. i think he's gone constituency. gone to his constituency. i never understand when prime ministers that. ministers would do that. >> may did something >> theresa may did something quite similar. yes. she would never at never go to chequers at christmas. she would back to christmas. she would go back to her maidenhead . and i her home in maidenhead. and i just whilst you're just thought, whilst you're prime and spend prime minister go and spend christmas chequers, but don't. >> for all we know, this grace and mansion have and favour mansion have called chequers. know, it chequers. could be, you know, it might not be all it's cracked up to do you think? to be. do you think? >> the illusion. >> don't ruin the illusion. don't don't ruin the illusion. >> i mean, we at the >> i mean, if we look at the polls, polls have been wrong polls, the polls have been wrong before . do think could before. do you think they could have this wrong? no, no, have got it this wrong? no, no, i don't think so. >> because, look, what we're seeing pretty consistent. seeing are pretty consistent. polls all of the major polls from all of the major polling companies of something in in the high teens, low

in the in the high teens, low 20s difference between labour and the conservatives. i think the smallest poll that i saw was a gap of around 12,12, but a gap of around 12, 12, but that's quite an extreme outlier compared to where most of the other polls are now. and certainly the impression that i'm getting from tory activists that i speak to who go and knock on the doors is that tory voters just don't want to come out and vote. and that's what we saw in the by elections that we have seen. what will seen. and it's what we will probably see the by elections probably see in the by elections which to come. which are to come. >> that's certainly what >> yes, that's certainly what we're lot, we're hearing quite a lot, actually, lot tory actually, that a lot of tory voters are just to say, voters are just going to say, you know, i'll just sit this one out. you much. but out. thank you very much. but albie thank you very out. thank you very much. but albie for thank you very out. thank you very much. but albie for that thank you very out. thank you very much. but albie for that analysis. you very out. thank you very much. but albie for that analysis. asu very much for that analysis. as always. folks, you asked always. now, folks, you asked for well, actually, of for it. well, actually, none of you but you're getting it you did. but you're getting it anyway. we're to show you anyway. we're going to show you now, christys getting now, patrick christys getting his off, but it's all in the his kit off, but it's all in the name of a good cause. i'm darren grimes and you're watching and listening to merry christmas britain on gb news. britain's

news

through until 7:00 this evening. gb news is the people's channel. hello >> thank you for being a big part of gb news. >> we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year. >> from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas, happy christmas , merry christmas, christmas, merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , merry christmas, merry christmas here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas .

>> merry christmas. welcome back. >> and a very merry christmas from everyone here at gb news. now i promised you that i would show you patrick christys getting his kit off and i'm afraid to say the time has come last patrick met the dream last year patrick met the dream boys group of male boys who are a group of male strippers . he boys who are a group of male strippers. he promised to perform them and raise perform with them and raise money for the mental health charity mind now lovely, charity mind now you lovely, lovely people donated more than £110,000 and back in june, patrick kept his end of the bargain by strutting his stuff in front of more than 1000 people in bromley in kent. here's how it went . here's how it went. >> it's dream boy time. i am here at the churchill theatre in bromley, where, in a matter of moments i will be getting my kit off on stage with the dream boys

in front of 1000 people. why? because you wonderful people have raised tens of thousands of pounds for the mental health charity mind. you saved charity mind. you have saved some lives. it's time for me some lives. now it's time for me to do my the stage . let's to do my bit to the stage. let's go mate . okay sir. thank you go mate. okay sir. thank you very much . hello. hello are you very much. hello. hello are you patrick? i am indeed perfect. can you sign in here? okay right then. which way is the dressing room? want to jump in the lift? >> here we go. >> here we go. >> we are backstage at the dream boys. >> we are backstage at the dream boys . outside. there are so many

boys. outside. there are so many people i don't know if you can hear them shouting already. i am absolutely bricking it. i'm winning the second half, so i've got to watch this lot do their thing . and that gives me about thing. and that gives me about an hour to think about it. all i think i'm going to cry. an hour to think about it. all i think i'm going to cry . you i think i'm going to cry. you know what? i don't know what preconceived ideas anyone has about dream boys or anything. >> this lot. oh, it's hot, it's hot. hot professionals, everything they do, they train so hard. this is a highly skilled job. the amount they have to remember , the condition have to remember, the condition they've got to keep themselves in the nerves about performing in the nerves about performing in front of these people. but you what the best thing is? you know what the best thing is?

they're guys. this has they're such nice guys. this has been an honour and a privilege. >> so thank you. i've just got to go out there now and smash it and do it all for charity. >> right. >> right. >> so as i was explaining earlier, we have an actual special guest and a special performance tonight . performance tonight. >> ladies and gentlemen, patrick christie from gb news news anchon >> right. a couple years ago said , do you know what for said, do you know what for charity , i'm going to shred charity, i'm going to shred loads of weight. get fit and dream boy sexy and i'm going to perform live on stage in front of a live audience. ladies and gentlemen . even to this day, gentlemen. even to this day, he's raised how much have you raised ? raised? >> 81,000 thousand pounds . >> 81,000 thousand pounds. >> 81,000 thousand pounds. >> £81,000 for the charity mind. ladies and gentlemen , let's lose ladies and gentlemen, let's lose our minds for him and give him

an amazing round of applause . come and we're going to get down. >> get down. get your support around us. say amen to your mental health. need to be undone . in piers pottinger. sing it up whilst we're still fighting for a&e mbappe . we need to talk a&e mbappe. we need to talk

about. a&e mbappe. we need to talk about . boy, i see you i see you about. boy, i see you i see you fighting for you to get to you. you can't do what i do . feel. you can't do what i do. feel. something. say something i know . something. say something i know. i won't . and i can put you. in. i won't. and i can put you. in. i won't. and i can put you. in. i can put you . in. i'm gonna i can put you. in. i'm gonna throw up the sex in the . air. throw up the sex in the. air. and i can put you . in. i can put and i can put you. in. i can put you . in. and i can put you. in. i can put you. in. first and i can put you. in. i can put you . in. first class. i can see

you. in. first class. i can see the whole city from this balcony. i've been throwing up the sex. and i'm gonna be the man boy, that's unlike i am . a man boy, that's unlike i am. a number one. okay, i confess i am i >> -- >> ladies and gentlemen , mr >> ladies and gentlemen, mr patrick christie . patrick christie. >> come one. >> hey, thank you so much . >> hey, thank you so much. >> hey, thank you so much. >> before you go, did you have fun? >> it's been the best night of my life. yeah right. >> like , bearing in mind what he >> like, bearing in mind what he does for a living, he ran off stage and was like. can i be a dream boy? can i be a dream boy? can he be a dream boy ? can he be a dream boy? >> there you go. there you go . >> there you go. there you go. >> there you go. there you go. >> give him a round of applause . >> give him a round of applause. well, i'll be i don't know about

you, but i've seen one too many gb news presenters with their bottoms. >> we had nigel farage. we've had patrick christie's. i mean, goodness gracious me. >> are you next, darren? well, i hope not, i hope not. >> someone's just emailed in saying, let's put them off their christmas lunch. i mean , you christmas lunch. i mean, you know , he did really well, know, he did really well, though, in raising all that money for such a worthy cause for mind . and he said he was for mind. and he said he was going to shred all this. wait, i know you're a big on exercise and fitness , and he did and fitness, and he did a fantastic , phenomenal job and fantastic, phenomenal job and i was so proud of him for doing it. >> no, absolutely. i think the amount of money that he raised for charity over £100,000, when all was said done, was an all was said and done, was an amazing for a mental amazing thing for a mental health is a big health charity. that is a big thing that amount money thing that that amount of money could people . with could help lots of people. with regards performance regards to the performance itself , i regards to the performance itself, i think it regards to the performance itself , i think it definitely itself, i think it definitely got as went on, got better as it went on, but i don't know whether that's don't know whether or not that's because he got any better as he carried on because kept on carried on or because he kept on taking clothes. so you taking off his clothes. so you were distracted the were a bit distracted from the dancing focusing perhaps in dancing and focusing perhaps in

other dancing and focusing perhaps in oth i' dancing and focusing perhaps in 0th! do feel like we've strayed >> i do feel like we've strayed somewhat the somewhat from his majesty the king and talking about themes of jesus and light of jesus christ and the light of christ into patrick christys getting moon out, yes, but getting his moon out, yes, but never mind. you are absolutely right. and he has. he has had a phenomenal year, in fact, you know, as has nigel farage. so maybe there's something to this getting your bottom out for views thing , something to be views thing, something to be said for it. >> i don't know i'm >> i don't know if i'm convinced. i don't think i'm going getting bottom going to be getting my bottom out time soon. out on television any time soon. >> listening on >> now, if you're listening on radio, can watch that on radio, you can watch that on twitter or whatever they're calling it days. now on twitter or whatever they're callgb it days. now on twitter or whatever they're callgb it account.now on twitter or whatever they're callgb it account. now3n twitter or whatever they're callgb it account. now before our gb news account. now before we finish this hour, we've got a festive treat for you from nigel farage as sure, last week i loved it . it's the legendary roy loved it. it's the legendary roy wood with arguably the best christmas song of all time. check this out. boy, the song bnngs check this out. boy, the song brings the song ready, just like

fire. >> no , but it made me smile. >> no, but it made me smile. unsurvivable he loved it. we are back with another of your head . back with another of your head. don't you like it? does it on the cheeks? i love the way . the cheeks? i love the way. well, i wish it could be christmas every day . but when christmas every day. but when the keir starmer de—man the band begins to play . and um, i wish begins to play. and um, i wish it could be christmas every day . it could be christmas every day. so let the bells ring now. oh i love it. >> appears that your favourite christmas song. no no, my favourite christmas song is santa, baby. >> oh, right . >> oh, right. >> oh, right. >> i wasn't expecting that one.

why >> it's a wonderful song. my mother used to play it to us as children before we knew what it meant, and i just. i just meant, and ijust. ijust thought beat was nice. the thought the beat was nice. the voice singer, think voice of the singer, i think i forget. is it eartha kitt that sings that think marilyn sings that i think marilyn monroe does a rendition monroe also does a rendition of it, just just find the it, but i just i just find the sound of the song to be very christmassy. >> well, that's be very >> well, that's to be very gentle associate that gentle that i associate that with more sort of sexy. the with a more sort of sexy. the president being treated to marilyn monroe coming out of a cake or something, singing santa baby or something like that. and my favourite is last christmas, actually . um, and i it got to actually. um, and i it got to number one for the first time. it did . so that was incredible. it did. so that was incredible. but folks, i'll be with you until 6:00. we're going to go back to the king's speech in a few minutes time. uh, i'm darren grimes, and you're watching or listening to merry christmas britain on gb news which is britain's news channel. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar , sponsors of weather on .

solar, sponsors of weather on. gb news. >> hello there, i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest update . well, the rain latest update. well, the rain finally moves away for most of us. we go into boxing day. plenty of dry weather, sunny spells and feeling a little bit more festive . that's because more festive. that's because this area of low pressure moves out the way, and we get a brief ridge high pressure though. ridge of high pressure though. nofice ridge of high pressure though. notice quickly notice how rain quickly moves back into the southwest. by the afternoon . this evening time, afternoon. this evening time, plenty of rain still across england and wales, but does england and wales, but this does . move away as we head into the early hours showers across northern ireland. northern england and scotland. but even these start fade plenty these start to fade away. plenty of clear spells come and that of clear spells to come and that will temperatures to dip of clear spells to come and that will thantemperatures to dip of clear spells to come and that will than theyaratures to dip of clear spells to come and that will than they havees to dip of clear spells to come and that will than they have done dip lower than they have done of late, a little chillier to late, so a little chillier to start morning. some late, so a little chillier to sta stretches morning. some late, so a little chillier to sta stretches possible, ing. some icy stretches possible, particularly across northern scotland, where we'll continue to some wintry showers feed to see some wintry showers feed in the but in through the north. but for most boxing day, plenty of sunshine, a great day to be outside , though the cloud outside, though the cloud thickening from the southwest , thickening from the southwest, and this will bring rain into parts of devon and cornwall as

we afternoon , we move through the afternoon, slowly spreading its way north eastwards . as we move through eastwards. as we move through into time , into the evening time, temperature little bit temperature wise, a little bit more generally 2 to 5 more festive generally 2 to 5 celsius across the north the celsius across the north of the uk, 7 11 in the south. so uk, 7 to 11 in the south. so still a little above average in the south. and a quick look at wednesday we're to wednesday where we're back to the weather the wet and windy weather sweeping uk. strong sweeping across the uk. strong winds , outbreaks of snow across winds, outbreaks of snow across the higher ground of scotland too. so do take care if you're travelling wednesday and it travelling on wednesday and it stays through thursday stays unsettled through thursday and friday as well. and temperatures the mild side , temperatures on the mild side, that warm feeling inside died from boxt boilers . from boxt boilers. >> sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> merry christmas i'm darren grimes and i'm absolutely delighted that you're spending your christmas day with me . i'm your christmas day with me. i'm here for the next two hours. this hour, i'll bring you the king's christmas message. he's called on us to build on existing ways support others existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves, the king and the rest of the royal family have the day royal family have spent the day at sandringham. and i'll look ahead to 2024 and ask, will donald trump become us president once again? and of course , i once again? and of course, i want to hear from you. tell me how you're spending your christmas day . how you're spending your christmas day. email me at gbviews@gbnews.com. i'd love to

hear from you. there's lots of ways on the web now between now and 6:00 we've got lourdes fire, but first, here's the news with ray addison . ray addison. >> thanks, darren. good afternoon. it's 4:00. >> our top stories . >> our top stories. >> our top stories. >> the king has thanked the nation's volunteers in his christmas address, describing them as a selfless army. >> his majesty said they are the essential backbone of our society . society. >> he thanked the hundreds of volunteers who attended his coronation in westminster abbey earlier on this year, and said that their presence is a call to all of us to love and care for all of us to love and care for all on this christmas day. >> my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another for all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet

know . in this way we bring out know. in this way we bring out the best in ourselves . the best in ourselves. >> pope francis has described the children caught up in conflicts across the globe as the little jesuses of today, as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza , delivering his annual gaza, delivering his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican, he described the attack on israel by hamas terrorists in october as abominable . but he october as abominable. but he also said that ongoing strikes on gaza by israel were reaping an appalling harvest of innocent people . all while the pope's people. all while the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest nights of violence in gaza, with at least 100 people killed by airstrikes, israel's army says it's investigating one attack after claims from the hamas backed health ministry that many of those killed were women and children. the palestinian red crescent says bombings of major roads is complicating efforts to help critically wounded people . fire critically wounded people. fire crews were called to a fire at

the office of a conservative mp last night after a suspected arson attack. police are investigating after mike fryer's office in north london was partially damaged by the blaze. mr fryer told gb news that the response from emergency services was excellent and luckily no one was excellent and luckily no one was in the building at the time. he a 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed in south london. officers were called to a home in bermondsey just after 10:00 on christmas eve. they treated a 22 year old for stab wounds. she died at the scene . gb news understands that scene. gb news understands that the boy was known to the victim. he remains in custody . a man is he remains in custody. a man is dead and another in a serious condition. after a shooting at a restaurant in dublin . police restaurant in dublin. police were called to the scene at around 8:00 on christmas eve and found two men with gunshot wounds. both were taken to hospital , however, one man wounds. both were taken to

hospital, however, one man in his 20s died from his injuries. police say they're investigating , but no arrests have yet been made . , but no arrests have yet been made. ukraine is , but no arrests have yet been made . ukraine is celebrating made. ukraine is celebrating christmas on the 25th of december. that's today. if you forgot for the first time in a landmark change to the country's traditions , the russian orthodox traditions, the russian orthodox church observes christmas on the 7th of january. but this is the first time that ukraine has moved away from that tradition. it comes as russia's invasion of ukraine continues. kiev's air defences blocked 28 drone attacks and two missiles overnight . five civilians were overnight. five civilians were killed . it's been one of the killed. it's been one of the warmest christmas days on record today, with the met office recording the highest minimum temperature. temperatures haven't fallen below 12.4 degrees at exeter airport, beating the previous christmas day record 11.5, which was recorded in 1983. it means those dreaming of a white christmas will need to continue streaming unless you happen to be northern

scotland , where there are some scotland, where there are some snowy patches . and thousands of snowy patches. and thousands of people across the country made the most of today's unseasonably mild weather by taking a festive dip . swimmers birmingham braved dip. swimmers birmingham braved the waters in hats and costumes at sutton park's blackroot pool, and members of the serpentine swimming club took part in the annual peter pan cup in hyde park . the race has been held park. the race has been held every year since 1864. no thanks . this is gb news across the uk on tv, in your car, on digital radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news. now back to . darren to. darren >> now we start the programme with the king's christmas message . he's praised the message. he's praised the selfless army of volunteers serving communities across the

country in this christmas broadcast. he called them the essential backbone of our society we i we. pay . many of the festivals of

pay. many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal , a are celebrated with a special meal, a chance for family and friends to come together across generations . generations. >> the act of sharing food , >> the act of sharing food, adding to conviviality and togetherness . for some faith togetherness. for some faith will be uppermost in their hearts . but will be uppermost in their hearts. but for will be uppermost in their hearts . but for others it will hearts. but for others it will be the joy of fellowship and the giving of presents . it is also giving of presents. it is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us, and think also of those whose work of caring for others continues even on this special day . this care on this special day. this care and compassion we show to others is one of the themes of the christmas story, especially when mary and joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers. as they waited for jesus to be born over this past

yean jesus to be born over this past year, my heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another, going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do at work and at home. within and across communities. my wife and i were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of people, volunteers who served their communities in so many ways and with such distinction , were able with such distinction, were able to join us in westminster abbey for the coronation. earlier this year. for the coronation. earlier this year . they are for the coronation. earlier this year. they are an for the coronation. earlier this year . they are an essential year. they are an essential backbone of our society . their backbone of our society. their presence meant so much to us both at and emphasised the meaning of coronation itself . meaning of coronation itself. above all, a call to all of us to serve one another, to love

and care for all. service also lies at the heart of the christmas story. the birth of jesus , who came to serve the jesus, who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves. throughout the year, my family have witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference to their communities. this ages are making a difference to their communities . this is all their communities. this is all their communities. this is all the more important at a time of real hardship. for many, when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves . because out of than ourselves. because out of god's providence, we are blessed with much at and it is incumbent on us to use this wisely. however service to others is but one way of honouring the whole of creation, which which, after all, is a manifest version of the divine . this is a belief

the divine. this is a belief shared by all religions to care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none . we of all faiths and of none. we care for the earth for the sake of our children's children . of our children's children. dufing of our children's children. during my lifetime, i have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the earth and our natural world. as the one home which we all share . i find great inspiration share. i find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognise this , as does the recognise this, as does the christmas story , which tells us christmas story, which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds . of hope first to shepherds. these were people who lived simply amongst others, of god's creatures , those close to nature creatures, those close to nature were privileged . that night and were privileged. that night and at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world. and i

pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other . our power to protect each other. the words of jesus seem more than ever relevant . do to others than ever relevant. do to others as you would have them do to you . such values are universal, drawing together our abrahamic family of religions and other belief systems across the commonwealth and wider world. they remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours and to seek their good as we would our own. so on this christmas day , my heart and this christmas day, my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another, all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others. not least the friend. we do not yet know in this way we

bnng do not yet know in this way we bring out the best in ourselves. i wish you a christmas of peace on earth and goodwill to all today and always . today and always. worship watch their flocks by night. >> holy seated on the ground . >> holy seated on the ground. the angel of the lord came down and glory short around and fear no ofsted evil . i did read at no ofsted evil. i did read at sesit roger gewolb my light that lighting the way my joy i bring to you and lord have come . to

to you and lord have come. to you in david's time. to you and lord have come. to you in david's time . this day is you in david's time. this day is born of day . this light, you in david's time. this day is born of day . this light , the day born of day. this light, the day . saviour, who is christ the lord and this shall be the sign . lord and this shall be the sign. happy day . you shall find to him happy day. you shall find to him . and who display day on me. me wrapped in swathing bands and in a may delay . wrapped in swathing bands and in a may delay. oh glory be to god on howe and on the earth be gives good will and will and to

me . and me peace me. and me peace. >> lovely stuff . god save the >> lovely stuff. god save the king. i'm joined now by the former chaplain to our late and great queen doctor gavin ashenden. gavin thank you very much for your time as ever. what was your takeaway from that king's speech >> i thought it was really good. >> i thought it was really good. >> very good indeed . but i'd say >> very good indeed. but i'd say there were two elements to it. and so there, if you like the presentation, which was brilliant, frankly, and the philosophy kc, um, the problem is that philosophically, he was talking about three key areas. and whenever people talk in this kind of way, there are always code words . and the code words code words. and the code words cause me alarm. i don't think everyone will pick them up, but nonetheless they define the way he thinks . um, but i have to say

he thinks. um, but i have to say that in terms of presentation, it was first rate and people will be very pleased and we can be very, very proud of him . be very, very proud of him. >> yeah. gavin, what would you say? of course, he worked with the as i say there, the late and great queen. what would you say the are the differences are stylistically, the king dare i say, seemed be more . well, he say, seemed to be more. well, he was into the, the, the was playing into the, the, the acting role and the theatre of it, you know, he gave a few nods and looks away from camera , and and looks away from camera, and then another look into camera . then another look into camera. it was playful. dare i say. it was more playful. dare i say. >> well, stylistically i thought he was very good. he was his own man. he looked different to the past. it's almost as if he's had a very long yes , he's had a very long yes, he's had a constitutional adolescence and finally he's in his grown up role and one could see more clearly both his mother and father in him. but but it wasn't . i mean, that was part of the presentational excellence i thought was very good indeed . thought was very good indeed. the problem is, in terms of the future of the monarchy, that it was philosophy that underlay was the philosophy that underlay it caused alarm . and

was the philosophy that underlay it caused alarm .and i it that caused me alarm. and i thought, this is such shame . i thought, this is such a shame. i wished he'd take. i wished he held different views. there's a sense that there's a wokeness to the king. and, uh, i don't know if you want me to pursue this, but were there three but there were there were three areas thought where it caused areas i thought where it caused me alarm. first of all, when he talks about jesus, christianity, interfaith and ecology with the three theme themes beyond the service of the community, which was the service of the community is fantastic. but in christianity, he chose to say that jesus serves actually jesus saves and the difference is huge because the first is a sort of liberal understanding, a universal understanding of christianity. but actually the incarnation at christmas is about the saviour who comes and to choose the word serve instead of save sends a signal that that he's he's he's not close enough to the orthodox line of being a christian for comfort. and then when it came to the world religions , we're in the most religions, we're in the most dreadful place where the three

world religions are at each other's throats. but the reason they're at each other's throats is because islam is persecuting christians worldwide and calling for a genocide of jews. now the media won't let us talk about this , but one of the ways of this, but one of the ways of covering this up is to talk about the three abrahamic faiths . actually, that's a really inadequate way of talking about them. and doesn't allow us to them. and it doesn't allow us to deal with the problem . the deal with the problem. the elephant we in the room. so elephant we have in the room. so i he wanted to i understood why he wanted to coverit i understood why he wanted to cover it up, but nonetheless , cover it up, but nonetheless, um, he holds the view that , um, um, he holds the view that, um, that the three faiths are more congruent than they actually are. and the last thing of all, of course, was, was ecology . uh, of course, was, was ecology. uh, and once again , he used a and once again, he used a wonderful phrase he talked about the, the world being an the expression of the divine. well, it . is that's true. but the it. is that's true. but the problem we have with ecology is it's becoming a new religion. uh, and once again, prince charles's background is that he's more in favour of this religion than we religion region than than we think should be. and think he should be. and the reason matters because reason that matters is because the thing is

the whole net zero thing is a form of fundamentalist religion. and so once again, it would have been good for him to have drawn back from that rather than to give signals that he was fully on board with that. so in these three the philosophy that three areas, the philosophy that lay behind the absolutely excellent presentation caused me some alarm. but but not everyone will see that . but there are will see that. but there are these two elements, you know what it looks like, which is brilliant. yes gavin, some might say, but look, we saw the say, but look, we saw in the last few years of her majesty the queen's life, she attended the queen's life, she attended the summit, which was the cop26 summit, which was hosted by london, where she gave an environmental message and a speech. >> there . do you think actually, >> there. do you think actually, this this idea that this is a cross—party commons census opinion actually means that the royals are safe to talk about this as you put it, new religion i >> -- >> yes, of course , of course. he >> yes, of course, of course. he had to talk about those three areas and he did it very well . areas and he did it very well. and i'm i'm if i'm delving

deeper into the, into the background beliefs that lie behind it, but we can all talk about the importance of ecology and the absolutely supreme importance of dealing with pollution and an abuse of our environment without subscribing to the way in which it's become a highly politicised movement thatis a highly politicised movement that is making the poor poorer and is actually deceiving us with science that is which is, um , conflicted. so, you know, um, conflicted. so, you know, there are two ways of talking about the environment. and i think simply think that the signals that he gives are that he's well, at least he's on the other side of the of the argument that i'm on. >> i mean , does that give >> yes. i mean, does that give you sort of pause for alarm? i mean, do you because the if we look at it on across the, the monarchy itself , the working monarchy itself, the working royals , the next in line , it all royals, the next in line, it all looks pretty stable . well, dare looks pretty stable. well, dare i say, gavin, i don't want to jinx anything. um no, i agree, i'm. >> and i'm hugely encouraged by

that. i mean, i'm, i'm a monarchist. i'm a royalist. i think for one of the reasons that one of your earlier contribute said it's who they keep out of power that is partly what they bring to the situation . so, you know, long live the king. save the and king. god save the king. and may, continue do may, may they continue to do this for a long time. yes, it looks thank god, that's looks stable. thank god, that's very good. however for, um, one of things that one of the of the things that one of the ways in which the king might not give weight is towards, if give his weight is towards, if you like, a more traditional , a you like, a more traditional, a more conservative, a more a more british view of these things. and therefore i'd like him to be more of a confessing christian, a real defender of the faith, not interfaith. i'd like him to, uh , to defend christianity. uh, to defend christianity. frankly and i'd like him not to support ecology as a new religion . support ecology as a new religion. um, support ecology as a new religion . um, but which support ecology as a new religion. um, but which is support ecology as a new religion . um, but which is what religion. um, but which is what i think, you know, which is where i think it's leaning the wrong way. now, it may be it doesn't matter. it may be that his, you his role is his, you know, his main role is to presentationally glue us together as a british family. together as as a british family. he's done that awfully well. we

should be very all right. >> we'll leave it there. very merry christmas gavin. merry christmas to you, gavin. and to you as ever. merry christmas to you, gavin. and was to you as ever. merry christmas to you, gavin. and was the you as ever. merry christmas to you, gavin. and was the late you as ever. merry christmas to you, gavin. and was the late former ever. that was the late former chaplain to the late queen doctor, gavin ashenden. now, folks , you could start your new folks, you could start your new year with £10,000 in cash. a . year with £10,000 in cash. a. £500 shopping spree and a brand new iphone. sounds pretty good, right? well, here's how you could make all of those prizes . yours. >> new time to become the winner of our great british giveaway and take home nearly £12,000 of top prizes . there's cash to be top prizes. there's cash to be won, £10,000 in tax free cash that you could use to make 2024 the best year yet. there's also a shopping spree on us with £500 in vouchers to spend at the store of your choice. what's on your shopping list? if it's a new phone, we've got that covered too. with a brand new iphone 15 pro max for another chance to win the iphone, the vouchers and £10,000 cash text gb win to 84 9002. text cost £2

plus one standard network rate message or post your name and number to gb zero one, p.o. message or post your name and number to gb zero one, po. box 8000 690 derby rd 192. uk only entrants must be 18 or over. lines close at 5 pm. on friday the 5th of january. full terms and privacy notice at gbnews.com. forward slash win. good luck . good luck. >> now many of us are looking forward to a big new year's eve night out. an expert is going to tell us how to stay safe at this time of year. i'm darren grimes and you're watching or listening to merry christmas britain on gb news.

>> gb news the people's channel, britain's news channel . britain's news channel. >> welcome back . you're watching >> welcome back. you're watching merry christmas britain with me . merry christmas britain with me. darren grimes, i thank you very much doing so. in a few much for doing so. in a few minutes i'll speak to a top us lawyer who will give us his view on whether donald trump will be president in 12 months time . president in 12 months time. what do you think now ? did you what do you think now? did you know that the busiest day for 999 calls is new year's eve? so how can you stay safe at this time of year? well, i'm joined now by the former metropolitan police detective , peter bleksley police detective, peter bleksley peter , thank you very much for

peter, thank you very much for your time . i see you wearing an your time. i see you wearing an apron. have you got to get off and get some cooking done after this? all >> all in good time. yes. the turkey has not been carved yet . turkey has not been carved yet. >> can you believe it? so we're going to be eating rather late this evening . this evening. >> uh, so the festivities will be going on long into this evening. >> and, uh, we're having a joyous time. >> well , joyous time. >> well, good. very good to hear it, peter . >> well, good. very good to hear it, peter. very merry christmas. no, but, peter , when we talk no, but, peter, when we talk about issues of law and order and i've had conversations with you on this channel many times before, but it seems to be becoming more unsafe. do you think people should be more vigilant ever when comes vigilant than ever when it comes to going out on new year's eve, and, dare i say, having 1 or 2 shandies most definitely politicians and senior police officers will trawl the line that we've never been safer. >> however , our professors who >> however, our professors who study crime statistics and really know what they're talking about will tell you repeatedly

that crime statistics are the easiest to manipulate , mate. easiest to manipulate, mate. >> so taking all of that as a background, because i travel almost every day into london and much further afield and engage with the great british public, all i hear time and time again are tales of people becoming victims of crime , whether that's victims of crime, whether that's a burglary , vehicle crime, a burglary, vehicle crime, robbery , theft or some other robbery, theft or some other kind of unpleasantness. and of course not to forget fraud . course not to forget fraud. >> i hear these tales all the time and consequently , i firmly time and consequently, i firmly believe that the great british pubuc believe that the great british public have a fear of crime. >> many of them do. and it is well founded. >> but we have to fight against the untruths that people will tell us that we've never been safer. yes yes. >> so why is it then, peter, what do you think actually explains the fact that we are experiencing an upsurge in crime, whether that be burglary ,

crime, whether that be burglary, you know, muggings on the streets, i mean, i can't tell you how many friends just the other week, actually, i heard that a friend mine was that a friend of mine was threatened with a knife if he didn't over his phone and didn't hand over his phone and his wallet. i mean, this seems to happening more and more. to be happening more and more. that's but the that's just anecdotal, but the evidence that it's evidence does suggest that it's happening far too much , and it happening far too much, and it certainly is in. >> younger people are being robbed at knifepoint for their jackets or their trainers if they've got the brands that these thieves are after and it is, quite frankly, an epidemic of crime, which leaves many , of crime, which leaves many, many people living in fear of becoming a victim. now one of the reasons that the criminals rule the streets is because some years ago, the police quite simply surrendered the streets to the criminals. >> when they stopped patrolling . >> when they stopped patrolling. now the police will tell you that was born out of necessity . that was born out of necessity. that they all had to get into

vehicles because the demand of 999 calls was so high that they went from one call to another to another , to another, and of another, to another, and of course , some foolish learned course, some foolish learned people and some senior police officers will tell you that officers will tell you that officers patrolling the streets on foot does not prevent crime. that's a nonsense. but it falls into a bit of an academic argument . argument. >> but the bottom line is , if >> but the bottom line is, if you speak to any of the 800 plus retail staff who get assaulted every single day of the week, let's just ponder that number over 800 retail staff are assaulted every day. not to mention the thievery that goes on. >> then it's clear to see that the streets have been surrendered to criminal elements. they need to be regained. they need once again to be made a hostile environment , not for criminals, but quite

when that is going to happen . when that is going to happen. >> i'm i'm sadly not sure when it will be. >> yeah, indeed. peter, i mean, to not make us sound like two christmas grinches, but i can't see next year being any better either . fact i think see next year being any better either. fact i think this is probably going to get worse before it does get better. and people just say, look, i've people will just say, look, i've had enough and things are going people will just say, look, i've had enotoh and things are going people will just say, look, i've had enoto change. ings are going people will just say, look, i've had enoto change. but are going people will just say, look, i've had enoto change. but peter,>ing to have to change. but peter, always pleasure, always a pleasure, mate. thank you for your time. you very much for your time. that's peter bleksley there. the former police former metropolitan police detective. cheers. merry christmas . detective. cheers. merry christmas. now detective. cheers. merry christmas . now there's detective. cheers. merry christmas. now there's loads more to come on the show between now and 5:00. going to speak now and 5:00. i'm going to speak to a us political expert and get his view on whether donald trump will be president this time next year. will be president this time next year . but will be president this time next year. but first of all, it's your news headlines with ray addison . addison. >> thanks, darren. it's 431. i'm ray addison in the gb news room. the king has thanked the nation's volunteers in his christmas address, describing them as a selfless army. his

majesty said they are the essential backbone of our society . he thanked the hundreds society. he thanked the hundreds of volunteers who attended his coronation in westminster abbey earlier this year, and said that their presence is a call to all of us to love and care for all on this christmas day. >> my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another for all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others , not seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know . in this way we bring out know. in this way we bring out the best in ourselves . the best in ourselves. >> well, meanwhile, pope francis has described children caught up in conflicts across the globe as the little jesuses of today, as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza while delivering his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican. he described the attack on israel by hamas.

he described the attack on israel by hamas . in october as israel by hamas. in october as abominable, but he also said that ongoing strikes on gaza by israel were reaping an appalling harvest innocent people. the harvest of innocent people. the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest nights of violence in gaza, with at least 100 people killed by airstrikes. israel's army that it's israel's army says that it's investigating one those investigating one of those attacks claims from the attacks after claims from the hamas backed health ministry that many of those killed were women and children. the palestinian red crescent says bombings of major roads is complicating efforts to help critically wounded people . a 16 critically wounded people. a 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed in south london. officers were called to a home in bermondsey just after 10:00 on christmas eve . they 10:00 on christmas eve. they treated a 22 year old for stab wounds but she died at the scene. gb news understands that the boy was known to the victim. he remains in custody . we. he remains in custody. we. you'll find more on all of those stories on our website at gb news.com. now let's get back to .

darren. >> chessari . now, most of us >> chessari. now, most of us have probably seen a nativity play have probably seen a nativity play over christmas at some point in our lives, but few of them would actually feature a real baby and animals in a barn in the guildford countryside . in the guildford countryside. each year, thousands of people flock to watch the christmas story . lisa hartle went along to story. lisa hartle went along to take a look . the son of god has take a look. the son of god has come to save his people. >> what began as a family celebration of christmas 30 years ago has grown into one of the biggest nativity plays in europe. >> in a barn with animals and even a real baby. >> the story of the birth of jesus is performed in front of thousands of people every year. >> many . of michael crick the >> many. of michael crick the stage charlotte de calais is the producer of the show. after her

dad started the tradition three decades ago . decades ago. >> i suppose this is trying to make christmas the first christmas as real as possible, andifs christmas as real as possible, and it's not about spending money, it's about a journey that mary and joseph, as a young couple, had to take. and we follow them on their journey . follow them on their journey. >> um, and it was sort of a political thing, you know, the romans were telling everybody to go and be counted and, you know, were still counting people coming over the channel today. >> so it's the same thing with just 2000 years on. they have a baby for every performance , and baby for every performance, and charlotte recruits them from unlikely places. >> i meet people in the supermarket and i see they've got a baby. >> and i say, would you like to be in a nativity play? >> to have a real baby >> but to have a real baby really a difference. even really makes a difference. even if he cries all the way or she cries all the through, it's cries all the way through, it's a matter . a really matter. >> you know, babies do . how >> you know, babies do. how joseph, the baby's coming.

>> each performance begins outside as mary , joseph and the outside as mary, joseph and the donkey walk the road to bethlehem before entering the stable to see baby jesus . stable to see baby jesus. >> 60 people make up the cast and crew, all volunteers with many returning year after year to take part. carry on bexley plays mary. this year i don't know just everything with the show audience love. >> i think it's not what other shows are like because you get the whole outside part . they the whole outside part. they don't expect to have the animals . they didn't expect to have a little baby and then to come into a real life barn to watch the nativity scene. it's just it's different. there's no other play it's different. there's no other play like it. i don't think the tories with a west end producer directing the show, the quality is high. >> his excellency king herod , >> his excellency king herod, this is real life. >> this isn't just words from 2000 years ago written on a bonng 2000 years ago written on a boring page. it's real people and real things happening in their lives . and that's what

their lives. and that's what people take away with them. the reality of it, the immediacy of it and the freshness to it. it's completely fresh. it's happening now . it's completely fresh. it's happening now. it's happening in front of me. >> that is the star that will show us the way. >> there are wonderful group of people in the thing. it's like a real church. people come from every denomination. there are baptists , there are roman baptists, there are roman catholics, there are church of england, there are non—believers here. but when they come together the gospel together to tell the gospel story, wonderful story, we it's a wonderful feeling of comradeship and theatre. you get that anyway, don't you? the lovey dovey thing. but here it's a lovey dovey with the love of god involved in it. it's super special. it really is quite an experience to be involved . i experience to be involved. i recommend it for you . recommend it for you. >> after three decades of bringing one of the most told stories to life , the family stories to life, the family behind the wintershall nativity hope they can do so for many christmases to come . lisa hartle christmases to come. lisa hartle gb news, guildford .

gb news, guildford. >> oh lovely stuff lisa. now folks , if you've ever wanted to folks, if you've ever wanted to see nigel farage take his shirt off, then you're in luck. this is turning into quite the less just sort of shirt. less show, isn't it, alby? well, i'm darren grimes and you're watching and listening to merry christmas britain on gb news, britain's news

sunday mornings from 930 on . gb news. >> hello! thank you for being a big part of gb news >> we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas

season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year. >> from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas, happy christmas , merry happy christmas, merry christmas, merry christmas , christmas, merry christmas, merry christmas here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas. welcome back. >> you're watching merry christmas britain with me darren grimes. thank you very much for doing so. now at 5:00, i'll bnng doing so. now at 5:00, i'll bring you the king's christmas message full. but now we're message in full. but now we're all expecting a general election will take place next year. but we know for definite that the us presidential election will be in november of 2024. and it's widely expected that donald trump will go up against joe

biden . now, it's likely to be a biden. now, it's likely to be a highly controversial election. a lot of, uh, political to and fro . it'll be like the punch and judy show. and the controversy has already started. just a few days ago , a colorado court days ago, a colorado court extraordinarily ruled that trump can't run for president in that state. well, joining me to discuss this is lanny davis, who's an american lawyer. lanny, thank you very much for your time today. this is just extraordinary . is time today. this is just extraordinary. is this unprecedented ? well the case is unprecedented? well the case is unprecedented. >> but first, let me say merry christmas to all my friends in the uk. and i was a british history major, just so you know, uh, this is very extraordinary in the civil war time period in 1865, uh, the united states passed an amendment paul coyte . passed an amendment paul coyte. engaging in an insult action. who was an officer of the united states government shall be barred from holding office. but

there's no execution clause . it there's no execution clause. it simply states that. so the colorado court found, as a matter of fact, that yes, donald trump engaged in an insurrection . your eyes will tell you that that's true by seeing the videotape and his speech urging the violence to take over the capitol and stop the casting of votes for joe biden. capitol and stop the casting of votes forjoe biden. but capitol and stop the casting of votes for joe biden. but the question luke miall made available for them, and that's why the court said, uh, by a very narrow margin , uh, 4 to 3. very narrow margin, uh, 4 to 3. yes we will allow this to take place. but i think the us supreme court will reverse that decision. >> yes . and reverse it for what >> yes. and reverse it for what reason, lanny? just as an area of law and that being unconstitutional or because of the fact that actually were this to happen on a widespread scale , to happen on a widespread scale, state by state, i imagine america would be in a state of civil war very well could be. >> and that's why i, uh, agree

with the three judges in the dissent was a 4 to 3 opinion in colorado. one of our great states in the in the western part of the united states . and part of the united states. and the supreme court will overrule it , because if going to it, because if we're going to bar someone who an bar someone who is an ex—president from running again, it should be after a trial with due process and there will be probably, uh, several trials before the presidential election . and that's the way it should happen, in my opinion. and of course, i'm a trump but course, i'm a trump critic, but i think it should happen i don't think it should happen this it should using this way. it should happen using due those due process of law, which those of you in britain know. the difference between a declaration of someone being guilty and having a jury of your peers make that decision . that decision. >> yes. i mean, lanny, do you think actually president trump , think actually president trump, we could be looking at this going all the way through to a president trump presidency 2.0, because of course, there hasn't ever been a president re—elected like this after losing it after one time in office. am i right? >> well, after being the first defeated candidate in american history who didn't engage in a

peaceful transition of power , peaceful transition of power, and i can't imagine since i know so much about british history , so much about british history, that you would have allowed an insurrection ist who fomented a violent rebellion, not accepting the results of elections in great britain , and then be great britain, and then be re—elected . re—elected. >> and, uh , prime minister. but, >> and, uh, prime minister. but, uh , at least the head of the uh, at least the head of the party that became prime minister. so i think that this will not happen. uh, joe biden has not shown political strength, but he's have not a president who is described in the words of adolf hitler, that allowing immigrants into our country poisons our blood. okay, i'm not, uh, poisons our blood, so i don't think that donald trump will succeed , but he trump will succeed, but he certainly is showing a lot of strength right now. >> all right , lanny, strength right now. >> all right, lanny, we'll strength right now. >> all right , lanny, we'll leave >> all right, lanny, we'll leave it there. lanny davis there, the american lawyer with his take on president donald j. trump and his prospects for next year. i'm sure many of you will disagree and let me know.

vaiews@gbnews.com now, folks, today is of course one of the most important days of the year. certainly in the christian calendar. but what about non—christians? what does christmas day mean to them? well, i'm joined now by rabbi jonathan romain .jonathan, well, i'm joined now by rabbi jonathan romain . jonathan, thank jonathan romain. jonathan, thank you very much for your time today. what does christmas day look like for you ? look like for you? >> well, as a jewish person, we don't celebrate christmas in a religious sense. >> simply not part of our calendar. but having said that, i'm delighted to, uh, to greet everybody and wish you all those who do celebrate it, um, either in a religious sense or just a in a religious sense orjust a time off sense to wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year. merry christmas and a happy new year . and it really is a time of year. and it really is a time of goodwill . and i have to tell you goodwill. and i have to tell you that again, as rabbi, don't that again, as a rabbi, i don't celebrate it with a christmas tree or anything like that, but i really love this time of year because i don't know about you, but find it just but i just find it just a delight to into the high delight to go into the high street. the shops take care street. the shops take such care over their shop

over lighting up their shop windows. people in their windows. uh, people in their homes , as know, driving home homes, as you know, driving home at . it'sjust homes, as you know, driving home at . it's just wonderful to at night. it's just wonderful to see the trouble people have taken to have all sorts of designs outside their homes. people give to charity more and much more aware of what's going on and also people are much friendlier . you know, normally friendlier. you know, normally you say hello to someone and they say hello, how are you? and don't stop for a reply. you know, have got know, christmas people have got a time day. a little bit of time of day. they they tell you they say they actually tell you how they ask you what how they are. they ask you what you're over holidays. you're doing over the holidays. you chat and you actually get to chat and find out more about them in that five and have all five minutes. and you have all yeah five minutes. and you have all year. it's a year. so i find it's a delightful time. is a delightful time. it really is a season of goodwill. i agree, and actually we just had of course, we're celebrating hanukkah now. >> that's a symbol, the symbolism of light, right. and . symbolism of light, right. and. hope that's a christmas message too. of course, in the form of jesus christ. the birth of jesus christ. now i wonder how how important is it to have these these symbols and these themes

of, of hope, of light, especially during a year that has been somewhat difficult? rabbi >> uh, enormously important . >> uh, enormously important. >> uh, enormously important. >> and it's no coincidence that some of the major festivals, whether it's, uh, diwali for hindus or christmas for christians or hanukkah forjews, christians or hanukkah for jews, take place in the midst of winter, precisely at the time when you're feeling really cold and grotty and you're looking inwards, you're sort of shivering sometimes physically, sometimes politically, and instead, you know, you have lights, you have brightness, you have family , you have food, you have family, you have food, you have family, you have food, you have caring and giving. and it really is a time when you need a boost. and all these festivals give you exactly that boost. and yes, it's been a rough year. although i to say, if you although i have to say, if you look over history look back over history most years times , um, years of pretty awful times, um, as well as the good times and it's, um, it's a good reminder to, um, the christian message or hanukkah message that, yeah, things can be tough , but we've things can be tough, but we've got each other, we've got life, we've got hope. there's always tomorrow can and do tomorrow we can try and do things can and things better. we can try and

learn we try and learn from the past. we try and make sure that the coming year is to better than the is going to be better than the previous and something previous year. um, and something to forward to as well. we to look forward to as well. we don't have to repeat this endless cycle . uh, we can endless cycle. uh, we can actually try and make sure there's version next there's a better version next year the version we year than the version we have this indeed this year. indeed >> now, there were some parts of london, of course, when we're speaking about other religions , speaking about other religions, of course, judaism has been, i think, under a fair bit of well, it's had an assault by those who are are fundamentally opposed to jewish people, dare i say. and that happens in britain, where we saw hanukkah symbols actually destroy , uh, not destroyed, but destroy, uh, not destroyed, but certainly damaged. how worried are you about the cohesion , the are you about the cohesion, the cohesive nature of different faiths in the united kingdom? um, yes. >> it's interesting. lots of question you asked this year, which you probably wouldn't have asked in previous years simply because of the war in israel and gaza. and you're right to reflect only gaza. and you're right to refle(is only gaza. and you're right to refle(is going only gaza. and you're right to refle(is going on only

gaza. and you're right to refle(is going on over only gaza. and you're right to refle(is going on over there what is going on over there horrific with the killings on both and you just both sides. um, and you just can't help but be appalled at the loss of life . um, uh, but the loss of life. um, uh, but but also unfortunate . it's had but also unfortunate. it's had a knock on impact here on the muslim community as well, i should add, but perhaps less so. and you've had attacks on jewish children coming out of jewish day schools or the hanukkah symbols or, or some daubings on senegal. and, and it's both politically stupid . i mean, politically stupid. i mean, absolutely stupid to sort of assume that a british jew walking in the streets of london or manchester or leeds is responsible for what's going on in gaza. i mean, how daft can you get? but perhaps more than that, shows a transference that, it shows a transference s that, it shows a transference s that people who dislike policy in israel, which is legitimate if you know, you can be for or against it. but why blame jews in britain? 2500 miles away? um, and lest of course, you have a sort of a latent anti—semitism, and that's what this has brought out, really, that there are some

people who are using the israel protests mask to attack protests as a mask to attack jews and, of course, anti—semitic ism is just another word for racism, and it should be just as unacceptable as any other form of racism . the good other form of racism. the good news is that although it has been a trying time, um , we have been a trying time, um, we have had enormously good interfaith relations, and that's been one of the success stories over the last 50 years. and the religious groups who, frankly, were at loggerheads other 100, groups who, frankly, were at loggyearsjs other 100, groups who, frankly, were at loggyears ago other 100, groups who, frankly, were at loggyears ago are other 100, groups who, frankly, were at loggyears ago are nowother100, groups who, frankly, were at loggyears ago are now see r 100, groups who, frankly, were at loggyears ago are now see each. 200 years ago are now see each other as brothers and sisters. and give you a practical and just to give you a practical example, um, couple weeks example, um, a couple of weeks ago, imam of maidenhead and ago, the imam of maidenhead and i the vicar all got together i and the vicar all got together and said a prayer for peace. it didn't change the world, but it was a very strong message our was a very strong message to our various we various congregations that we don't what's don't have to import what's happening over there to here and the whatever conflicts there are, there political they're about borders. they're about sovereignty. they're not about religion and faith. there's religion and faith. and there's no why a jew and no reason why a jew and a christian and shouldn't , christian and muslim shouldn't, uh, okay, coexist happily in britain. >> yeah, well , britain. >> yeah, well, i mean, i hope

you're right. i certainly do note an optimistic note to end it on there, because i see far too many of these divides being imported. but rabbi jonathan romain, thank you very much for your on christmas day . your time on this christmas day. now, before we finish this hour, we've got a festive treat for you from nigel farages brilliant show last week. i watched it in real time. it was excellent. it's legendary roy wood with it's the legendary roy wood with arguably the greatest christmas song of all time. check this out darren mccaffrey. the song bnngs darren mccaffrey. the song brings the song where the judge blockfi's no word . blockfi's no word. >> it made me smile. i'm so glad it's funny. we love to see your band break the number of your head. band break the number of your head . but you like to dance . you

head. but you like to dance. you know the treats i love the way the weather. wish it could be christmas every day . oh, when christmas every day. oh, when the kids started singing lord balfe begins to brag. hey oh, i wish it could be christmas . wish it could be christmas. every day . like the bells are every day. like the bells are ringing out for christmas . but every day. like the bells are ringing out for christmas. but. >> brilliant stuff and i think actually, that must be one of the best christmas songs. but let me know what yours is. i'll be with you until 6:00 now. in a few minutes, i'll be bringing you the king's christmas message, and we'll analyse and discuss off the back of that, i'm darren grimes and you're watching on listening to merry christmas britain on gb news is britain's news channel >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb

news. >> hello there. i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest update. well the rain finally moves away for most of us. if we go into boxing day, plenty of dry weather, sunny spells and feeling a little bit more festive. because more festive. that's because this pressure moves this area of low pressure moves out the way and we get a brief ridge of high pressure though. nofice ridge of high pressure though. notice how rain quickly moves back southwest back into the southwest by the afternoon evening time, afternoon this evening time, plenty of rain still across england and wales, but this does move away as head into the move away as we head into the early hours showers across northern northern northern ireland, northern england and scotland. but even these start away. plenty these start to fade away. plenty of clear spells to come and that will allow temperatures to dip lower than they have done of will allow temperatures to dip lowe|so an they have done of will allow temperatures to dip lowe|so a| they have done of will allow temperatures to dip lowe|so a little have done of will allow temperatures to dip lowe|so a little chillier)ne of will allow temperatures to dip lowe|so a little chillier toe of late. so a little chillier to start boxing day morning. some icy stretches possible, particularly northern particularly across northern scotland, we'll continue scotland, where we'll continue to some wintry feed to see some wintry showers feed in through the north. but for most boxing day, plenty of sunshine, a great day to be outside , though the cloud

outside, though the cloud thickening from the southwest , thickening from the southwest, and this will bring rain into parts and cornwall as parts of devon and cornwall as we move through the afternoon, slowly way north slowly spreading its way north eastwards move through eastwards. as we move through into evening time. into the evening time. temperature wise, a little bit more festive. generally 2 to 5 celsius across north the celsius across the north of the uk, to 11 in the south. so uk, 7 to 11 in the south. so still a little above average in the south. quick look at the south. and a quick look at wednesday we're back to wednesday where we're back to the wet and windy weather sweeping strong sweeping across the uk. strong winds , outbreaks of snow across winds, outbreaks of snow across the higher scotland the higher ground of scotland too. so do take care if you're travelling on wednesday and it stays through thursday stays unsettled through thursday and friday well. and and friday as well. and temperatures the mild temperatures on the mild side looks like things are heating up i >> -- >> boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> delighted that you're spending your christmas day with me. i'm here until 6:00 now. over this next hour , i'll bring over this next hour, i'll bring you the king's christmas message . he's called on us to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves , less fortunate than ourselves, the king and the rest of the royal family have spent the day at sandringham. and of course, i want to hear from you much more important than anything i've got to say. tell how you're to say. tell me how you're spending your christmas day email me at gb views at

gbillionews.com. i'd love to hear from you. now there's lots of ways. lots on in the next houn of ways. lots on in the next hour. but first of all, we're going to get the news with ray addison . addison. >> thanks, darren. it's 5:00. our top stories. the king has thanked the nation's volunteers in his christmas address, describing them as a selfless army . his majesty said they are army. his majesty said they are the essential backbone of our society . he thanked the hundreds society. he thanked the hundreds of volunteers who attended his coronation in westminster abbey earlier on this year, and said that their presence is a call to all of us to love and care for all of us to love and care for all on this christmas day . all on this christmas day. >> my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another. all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others , not seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet

know . in this way we bring out know. in this way we bring out the best in ourselves . pope the best in ourselves. pope francis has described the children caught up in conflicts across the globe as the little jesuses of today, as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza, delivering his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican, he described the attack on israel by hamas terrorists in october as abominable . october as abominable. >> but he also said that ongoing strikes on gaza by israel were reaping an appalling harvest of innocent people . the pope's innocent people. the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest nights of violence in gaza, with at least 100 people killed by airstrikes. israel's army says that it's investigating one attack after claims from the hamas backed health ministry that many of those killed were women and children. the palestinian red crescent says that bombings of major roads is complicating efforts to help critically wounded people . fire crews were

wounded people. fire crews were called to the office of a conservative mp last night after a suspected arson attack . police a suspected arson attack. police are investigating after mike fryer's office in north london was partially damaged by the blaze . mr fryer told gb news blaze. mr fryer told gb news that the response from emergency services was excellent and luckily no one was in the building at the time. luckily no one was in the building at the time . a 16 year building at the time. a 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed in south london. officers were called to a home in bermondsey just after 10:00 on christmas eve . they 10:00 on christmas eve. they treated a 22 year old for stab wounds but she died at the scene. gb news understands that the boy was known to the victim. he remains in custody. he a man is dead and another in a serious condition . after a shooting at condition. after a shooting at a restaurant in dublin, police were called to the scene at around 8:00 on christmas eve and found two men with gunshot wounds, both were taken to hospital, however, one man in

his 20s died from his injuries. police say they're investigating, but no arrests have been made so far. investigating, but no arrests have been made so far . the have been made so far. the ukraine is celebrating christmas on the 25th of december for the first time in a landmark change to the country's traditions , the to the country's traditions, the russian orthodox church observes christmas on the 7th of january, but this is the first time that ukraine has moved away from that. it comes as russia's invasion of ukraine continues cuz kyivs air defences blocked 28 drone attacks and two missiles overnight at five civilians were killed . it's civilians were killed. it's officially one of the warmest christmas days on record. the coldest place in england is exeter airport , according to the exeter airport, according to the met office, where temperatures dropped to 12.4 degrees between . dropped to 12.4 degrees between. sunrise and sunset. it means those dreaming of a white christmas will need to continue dreaming . unless you happen to dreaming. unless you happen to be in northern scotland, where there snowy patches . there are some snowy patches.

2000 thousands of people across the country made the most of today's unseasonably mild weather by taking a festive dip . weather by taking a festive dip. swimmers in birmingham braved the waters in hats and costumes at sutton park's black root pool at sutton park's black root pool, and members of the serpentine swimming club took part in the annual peter pan cup in hyde park. the race has been held every year since 1864. this is gb news across the uk on tv, in your car, on digital radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news. now let's get back to . darren get back to. darren >> thanks very much, ray. now we start with the king's christmas message. he's praised the selfless army of volunteers serving communities across the country in that christmas broadcast . he called them the

broadcast. he called them the essential , broadcast. he called them the essential, essential broadcast. he called them the essential , essential backbone of essential, essential backbone of our society we i we. pay . we pay

pay. we pay. >> many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal, a chance for family and friends to come together across generations. the act of sharing food, adding to conviviality and togetherness . for some, faith togetherness. for some, faith will be uppermost in their hearts. for others , it will be hearts. for others, it will be the joy of fellowship and the giving of presents . it is also a giving of presents. it is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us, and think also of those whose work of caring for others continues , caring for others continues, even on this special day . this even on this special day. this care and compassion we show to others is one of the themes of the christmas story, especially when mary and joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers. as they waited for jesus to be born need by strangers. as they waited forjesus to be born over waited for jesus to be born over this past year, my heart has been warmed by countless

examples of the imagined ways in which people are caring for one another, going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do at work and at home. within and across communities . my wife and i were communities. my wife and i were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of people volunteered , who army of people volunteered, who served their communities in so many ways and with such distinction, we're able to join us in westminster abbey for the coronation earlier this year , as coronation earlier this year, as they are an essential backbone of our society . their presence of our society. their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of coronation itself . above all, coronation itself. above all, a call to all of us to serve one another, to love and care for all and service also lies at the

heart of the christmas story. the birth of jesus, who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves. throughout the year , my family throughout the year, my family have witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference to their communities as this is all their communities as this is all the more important at a time of real hardship for many , when we real hardship for many, when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves . because out of than ourselves. because out of god's providence, we are blessed with much and it is incumbent on to us use this wisely . however to us use this wisely. however service to others is but one way of honouring the whole of creation, which , after all, is a creation, which, after all, is a manifestation of the divine . manifestation of the divine. this is a belief shared by all religions to care for this

creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none . we care for the and of none. we care for the earth for the sake of our children's children . during my children's children. during my lifetime , i have been so pleased lifetime, i have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share . i find home which we all share. i find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognise this, as does the christmas story, which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds as these were people who lived simply amongst others of god's creatures . those close to nature creatures. those close to nature were privileged that night and at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world. i pray that we can also do all in

our power to protect each other . our power to protect each other. the words of jesus seem more than ever relevant . do to others than ever relevant. do to others as you would have them do to you . such values are universal, drawing together our abrahamic family of religions and other belief systems across the commonwealth and wider world. they remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours and to seek their good as we would our own . so on good as we would our own. so on this christmas day, my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another, all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend. we do not yet know in this way we bnng do not yet know in this way we bring out the best in ourselves.

i wish you a christmas of peace on earth and goodwill to all today and always . today and always. was. share please watch their flocks . by please watch their flocks. by night post seated on the grounds the angels of the lord came down and glory shone around . and glory shone around. >> fear no ofsted evil , mighty >> fear no ofsted evil, mighty dread at sesit troubled my light that lighting the way , my joy that lighting the way, my joy i bnng that lighting the way, my joy i bring to you. and glory have

come . to you . in david's time. come. to you. in david's time. this day is born of david light, the saviour , who is christ the the saviour, who is christ the lord. and this shall be the sign . mid beds you that shall find to you the cutest way for me. we wrapped in swathing himars and in a manger are laid . oh, glory. in a manger are laid. oh, glory. be to god! on how and on the ipp good will, his . will to me, in

good will, his. will to me, in us. give me peace . us. give me peace. >> now. earlier in the show , i >> now. earlier in the show, i spoke to royal commentator richard fitzwilliams. i asked him what he thought of the king, highlighting the working royals . highlighting the working royals. dufing highlighting the working royals. during his speech . during his speech. >> this is in fact the royal family of the future. at there are only four under 70 and it's perfectly true that there have been problems in this year. everyone is well aware it began with the launch of harry's memoirs , spare, and it ended memoirs, spare, and it ended with a fiasco over roman scobie's book end game. there's this aspect to it, which obviously he didn't mention in the speech, but which again, has come into so much commentary. what's at its heart is that the monarchy is there to serve that has the longest serving prince of wales in our history. he he will be a monarch who , fully

will be a monarch who, fully aware of his his role, which is to be advised to encourage and warn, but also that the monarchy above party politics has a pivotal role to play in our society. and it's the only institution in the world which, as we saw, the royal family at saint mary magdalene church this morning and also with the king's christmas message, which is broadcast worldwide , as well as broadcast worldwide, as well as to the other realms in the commonwealth. uh, this is the only family in the world, uh , only family in the world, uh, who has an audience of the size of the world's most high profile royal family. and also one which has so many devoted and dedicated members . and i think dedicated members. and i think we should be very grateful for that. and also to have the king make such a thought provoking and interesting and beautifully woven christmas message . rich woven christmas message. rich fitzwilliams there. >> let me know what you thought of the king's speech now folks,

you start your new year you could start your new year with £10,000 in cash or £500 shopping spree and a brand new iphone. sounds pretty good, right? well, here's how you could make all of those prizes yours time . is ticking on your yours time. is ticking on your chance to become the very first winner of the great british giveaway and grab cash, tech and a ton of treats. >> there's a stunning £10,000 in tax free cash . what would you tax free cash. what would you spend that on? we'll also give you a tech update with a very latest iphone 15 pro max. and finally , we'll treat you to finally, we'll treat you to a shopping spree with £500 in vouchers to spend at the store of your choice for another chance to win the iphone. the vouchers and £10,000 cash text gb win to 84 902. text cost £2 plus one standard network rate message , or post your name and message, or post your name and to number gb zero one, po box 8690. derby de192. uk only

entrants must be 18 or over. lines closed at 5 pm. on friday the 5th of january. full terms and privacy notice at gb news. com forward slash win good luck . com forward slash win good luck. now this year saw the first coronation since 1953. >> i'm going to speak to a man who was lucky enough to be there on that special day in may. i'm darren grimes and you're watching or listening to merry christmas britain on gb news. britain's news channel

especially yours gb news the people's channel, britain's news . channel >> welcome back. you're watching merry christmas britain with me darren grimes . now, before we darren grimes. now, before we move on, i'm going to pop a cracker with albie amankona . cracker with albie amankona. who's with me now in the studio . who's with me now in the studio. >> who's going to win? you to win you? >> what did you get ? >> what did you get? >> what did you get? >> well, let's have a look. i mean, normally they're not actually very good. >> the jokes are abysmal . >> the jokes are abysmal. >> the jokes are abysmal. >> so i think i've got some sort of cardboard reindeer, which is right . so useful. i certainly right. so useful. i certainly will be having this with me until my dying days. and then what does the joke say? how does a psychic know when santa is near? >> how does he know? yeah well, you tell me. >> yes . >> yes. >> yes.

>> gosh, i don't know. >> gosh, i don't know. >> they can sense his presence. >> they can sense his presence. >> oh, wow . >> oh, wow. >> oh, wow. >> i thought that was actually quite good. >> all right. as far as they go, as far as they go, some of them are absolutely abysmal. very much is it very much is now where one bottle of where i threw one bottle of boxfish here already . so boxfish here already. so hopefully you're doing hopefully at home you're doing a marvellous job of getting through but alby through them yourself. but alby will you shortly. will come back to you shortly. now folks, in may we now folks, back in may we enjoyed the first coronation in 70 years. it was a marvellous spectacle that really put britain at her best. the coronation of king charles ii and queen camilla took place at westminster abbey on saturday the 6th of may. it was watched by more than 18 million people in the united kingdom . now in the united kingdom. now robert henninger was at the coronation and he joins me now. robert hello . there you are, robert hello. there you are, robert hello. there you are, robert . lovely to be joined by robert. lovely to be joined by you . how was it? i mean, are you you. how was it? i mean, are you still sort of reeling from it ?

still sort of reeling from it? oh, have we got robert right . oh, have we got robert right. we've lost robert there. well, i'll be you weren't at the coronation, but it was a spectacle, was it not? i was at the coronation. >> goodness gracious me. i mean, it looked like a fantastic event. of the world's event. all of the world's celebrity was there. all of the royalty of the world was there . royalty of the world was there. all of the major world leaders, apart from joe biden, shock . all of the major world leaders, apart from joe biden, shock. um, but aside from joe biden snubbing us, i think it was a real, well, an amazing event for britain. it really puts us on the map. no one does pomp and pageantry like the british, and it's great when we do it. >> couldn't agree more. i think we've got robert back now. uh, we're going to go robert, who we're going to go to robert, who was actually at the coronation and he joins me now. robert, thank you very much for your time. very merry christmas to you. now, saw the king you. now, you saw the king earlier. you got to see him in the flesh the coronation. the flesh at the coronation. what was that like? >> yes. >> yes. >> it was amazing. it was, um , >> it was amazing. it was, um, one of those surreal experiences that you'll never get used to .

that you'll never get used to. um, it was kind of humbling because the way he gave himself to us was , um, something really. to us was, um, something really. it was really touching. and there was there was so many kind of very powerful people in that room that all seemed to be so kind of taken away by the way that he , he, he kind of really that he, he, he kind of really meant so much to him and how tired he looked as well. so, i mean, the, the whole experience was, was very, very hard, but the whole experience was one of these life changing experiences that you'll never see again. i don't think so. >> how did you come to be there, robert? how were you lucky enough to actually attend ? enough to actually attend? >> well, i did a, um, i got a british medal of honour through the lockdown for feeding 100,000 people for free. >> wow . >> wow. >> wow. >> through our through our soup kitchen in hoxton street. we're a catering company. and um, we got closed down and we had all this food. we were halfway through a microsoft event where we had a food for 4000 people

and everything stopped. so we had to find something to do with the food. so we decided to open up a soup kitchen . and next up a soup kitchen. and next thing you knew , we were feeding thing you knew, we were feeding the whole of hoxton and pretty much every anybody who who was hungry and were there to walk that far to come and feed us. we were dropping the food off the people as well. we had a bunch of couriers that would come and help us and take soups and meals to people who couldn't leave their houses , but it yeah, no, their houses, but it yeah, no, it was , it was, it was a once it it was, it was, it was a once it was a really amazing experience. and to kind of it's kind of changed the company that we were all about money before this happened. and then it's kind of, let's forget the money and carry on doing this. so the company's ethics have changed and it makes life a lot easier. working very hard when you know you're doing for good lots of people at the same time as, you know, the people helping you pay for it by using your services .

using your services. >> so absolutely. yeah, incredibly laudable and worthwhile how did this worthwhile stuff. how did this come to attention of the come to the attention of the king? robert >> well, i mean, i think i was very lucky to get, um, not by my cousin nancy, who ? thank you. cousin nancy, who? thank you. nancy, if she's listening, she's amazing. and, um, she they they, um, put it forward to the king. but we went to the queen. it was they gave me the award, but, um , they gave me the award, but, um, i do think they were watching and seeing what people were doing around that time, especially because it seems like even people that didn't get put forward seem to get a nod and stuff that who people who change people's lives and help people a lot. so >> absolutely. yeah. so it's excellent work and you continue it now are you seeing because of the cost of living crisis, robert, are you seeing more demand for services like these ? demand for services like these? >> last week we gave away 2000 christmas meals. now if we hadnt christmas meals. now if we hadn't done that, i would say a thousand of those peoples wouldn't wouldn't have a

christmas meal this year. wow um, it's very concerning . um, um, it's very concerning. um, you know, things . and then just you know, things. and then just on every day , because i'm monday on every day, because i'm monday to monday to friday, thursday we take off. we open from 5 to 7 and we offer free food to anybody in need or anybody who wants food. and from all of our shops that we've got. so we've got a chain of bakeries around london and highbury, hornsey , london and highbury, hornsey, rosemary soon to be in rosemary avenue, soon to be in camden and all of these shops offer free food for anybody, families anybody who's families or anybody who's starving in need . so, i mean, starving in need. so, i mean, this is the new way of the company. let's, let's, let's go out there and make amazing food for your parties. but at the same time, after we've done that , we're going to give whatever's left over back to the and left over back to the people and we're to put more money we're going to put more money back feeding the people. so it's all it's all about. it's a hand in hand thing. we couldn't do this on our own . um, but we're this on our own. um, but we're very lucky to have some amazing clients people using our clients and people using our

services that gives the power services that gives us the power to be able to do this. >> it's brilliant stuff. to be able to do this. >> people :'s brilliant stuff. to be able to do this. >> people would iant stuff. to be able to do this. >> people would iant it'sff. to be able to do this. >> people would iant it's crazy >> people would say it's crazy to do, but since we've to do, but it since we've changed the company to this way, it's been a lot more fun. i bet doing what we're doing and the people robert's people, you know, robert's i don't know about you, but i think there's nothing more criminal than food waste, right? >> i can't stand waste. so to see it going to a good cause and a really worthy cause is incredible work. so, robert will leave it there. thank you very much for that insight. >> so much for your time. >> so much for your time. >> enjoy your christmas, mate. now that was , uh, robert now that was, uh, robert henninger there, businessman who was coronation. now it's was at the coronation. now it's time to show you one the gb time to show you one of the gb news highlights of the air. none of us can forget that nigel farage bared it all on i'm a celebrity. but a few months earlier, he proved that he really is too sexy for his shirt when he met rights head fred.

i'm too sexy for my shirt. >> too sexy for my shirt. so sexy . it hurts . sexy. it hurts. >> and i'm too sexy for my land. too sexy for milan , new york and too sexy for milan, new york and japan. >> too sexy forjapan . >> too sexy for japan. >> too sexy for japan. >> whom new york and birmingham . >> whom new york and birmingham. and i'm too sexy for your party. >> too sexy for your party. no way. i'm disco dancing. oh, nigel is a model. you know what i mean? and he does his little turn on the catwalk . yeah, on turn on the catwalk. yeah, on the catwalk . on the catwalk? the catwalk. on the catwalk? yeah he shakes his little touch on the catwalk . i'm too sexy for on the catwalk. i'm too sexy for my car. >> too sexy for my car . too sexy >> too sexy for my car. too sexy

by far . and i'm too sexy for my hat. >> too sexy for my hat. >> too sexy for my hat. >> what you think about that? oh, i'm a model. you know what i mean? and he doesn't turn on the catwalk . yeah, on the catwalk . catwalk. yeah, on the catwalk. >> on the catwalk . nigel does >> on the catwalk. nigel does his little turn on the catwalk . his little turn on the catwalk. >> too sexy for my two. sexy for my two, sexy for my nigel is a model. you know what i mean? and he does his little turn on the catwalk now on the catwalk . on catwalk now on the catwalk. on the catwalk? yeah he does his little turn on the catwalk. get him off, nigel. >> i'm too sexy for my cat. too sexy for my cat. >> paul . pussy. pussy cat . >> paul. pussy. pussy cat. >> paul. pussy. pussy cat. >> i'm too sexy for my love. too sexy for my love. >> love. going to leave . well

>> love. going to leave. well i was about to say that, you know . was about to say that, you know. >> well, thank goodness that ended there. but we saw a lot more than that on i'm a celebrity, didn't we? um, i'm joined in the studio by albie amankona. i'll be nigel has had one hell of a year. he really has. >> he's he's managed to just increase his capital in both a political sense and also in a sense of celebrity . we had, of sense of celebrity. we had, of course, the coutts banking scandal, which became a huge story. we saw one of the management of the holding company actually had to step down and a shroud of shame because of what nigel exposed . because of what nigel exposed. he then, i think, received the biggest payment of all time on i'm a celebrity get me out of here! >> £1.5 million. they wish natwest wish they'd catch him now because of course, he, um. >> because he he will meet all of their thresholds. so i mean that's loss. but look, that's their loss. but look, whether you love or whether you love nigel or whether you love nigel or whether nigel, whether or not you hate nigel, you deny fact he you can't deny the fact that he is a has become a much more is a he has become a much more serious player in 2023. and i think 2024 will be an

interesting year for him. >> indeed . i'll be. couldn't >> indeed. i'll be. i couldn't agree more. firmly in the agree more. i'm firmly in the love for anyone that's love camp for anyone that's wondering folks, there's a wondering now folks, there's a lot come between lot more still to come between now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'll be joined by the author of now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'ibookjoined by the author of now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'ibook on ed by the author of now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'ibook on brexitthe author of now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'ibook on brexit toe author of now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'ibook on brexit to talkhor of now and 6:00. in a few minutes i'ibook on brexit to talk about a book on brexit to talk about brexit's impact . good or bad, brexit's impact. good or bad, i know where i'm at first of all, though. it's your latest news with addison . with ray addison. >> thanks , darren. it's 531. our >> thanks, darren. it's 531. our top stories. the king has thanked the nation's volunteers in his christmas address, describing them as a selfless army. his majesty said they are the essential backbone of our society. he thanked . the society. he thanked. the hundreds of volunteers who attended his coronation in westminster abbey earlier on this year, and said that their presence to all of us presence is a call to all of us to and care for all on this to love and care for all on this christmas day. >> my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another, all who are serving one another,

all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others. not least the friend. we do not yet know . in this way we bring out know. in this way we bring out the best in ourselves . the best in ourselves. >> pope francis has described children caught up in conflicts across the globe as the little jesuses of today , as he jesuses of today, as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza, delivering his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican , peter's balcony in the vatican, he described the attack on israel by hamas in october as abominable. but he also said that ongoing strikes on gaza by israel are reaping an appalling harvest of innocent people . harvest of innocent people. well, the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest nights of violence in gaza, with at least 100 people killed by airstrikes . israel's army says airstrikes. israel's army says that it's investigating one attack after claims from the hamas backed health ministry

that many of those killed were women and children. palestinian red crescent says that bombings of major roads is complicating efforts to help critically wounded people . a 16 year old wounded people. a 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed in south london. officers were called to a home in bermondsey just after 10:00 on christmas eve . they 10:00 on christmas eve. they treated a 22 year old for stab wounds but she died at the scene. gb news understands that the boy was known to the victim. he remains in custody. he well, you can find more on all of those stories on our website gb news. dot com. now let's get back to . darren back to. darren >> welcome back folks. thank you very much for that, ray. now in london this christmas, it was reported that spending has been boosted by international shoppers taking advantage of a weaker pound. now the past

weekend was forecasted as the busiest weekend for retail as last minute present buying surged. on the other hand , some surged. on the other hand, some uk shoppers who ordered presents from the eu have been stung with customs charges because of the changes brought about by brexit. here to tell us more is the author of a book on brexit, marcus gibson. marcus, thank you very much for your time today and very merry christmas to marcus. how much of a difference has leaving the customs union actually had on shoppers and access to goods in the uk? >> well , it access to goods in the uk? >> well, it has caused some problems for many uh uh, british retailers, especially in the food and drink era. >> uh , area. but the peculiar >> uh, area. but the peculiar thing about these is that how unevenly and erratically they are applied, you know, scandinavia doesn't apply them. the baltics don't. eastern europe doesn't it appears to be just a small number of, of companies, you know, in, in, in

france and spain in particular that apply them, which is, you know, most, you know, most annoying . annoying. >> and do you assume that that's because of a sort of, uh, a punishment for brexit for leaving the eu in the first place, that actually these rules are perhaps gold plated and checked more thoroughly in a country like britain. >> it's difficult to know quite what's going on. >> it's certainly damaging to consumers , as you know, who want consumers, as you know, who want to buy things and companies who want to sell things, especially eu . as you know, eu companies. as you know, britain really is a really britain is a really is a really big importer of consumer goods, you from the eu. you know, from the eu. >> um, but overall it doesn't make much of a difference . make much of a difference. >> you know, last year, 2122, our exports to the eu went up 24. you know , an astonishing 24. you know, an astonishing increase in the two years following the brexit referendum . following the brexit referendum. um, our exports exploded . and um, our exports exploded. and what has really happened is that so many , probably 30, 40,000 of so many, probably 30, 40,000 of the best british companies have switched from, uh, from uh, trading with the eu and they now

only trade , you know, with, with only trade, you know, with, with a high growth regions of the world. >> right . oh, albee, what do you >> right. oh, albee, what do you make of that. because marcus raises a good point there. right on the fact that actually the exports post brexit, they haven't been there hasn't been this massive hit right. i remember george osborne standing up and saying, you know we're all going to be stewing. he didn't quite this, but we're didn't quite say this, but we're all be stewing grass all going to be stewing grass for you and for christmas, you know, and actually it hasn't turned out that britain's actually that way. britain's actually doing that way. britain's actually doiibritain is doing pretty well. >> britain is doing pretty well. it's doing more than pretty well. actually lot well. it's actually doing a lot better than of the better than a lot of the eurozone countries, such as germany, in germany, which is actually in recession but recession at the moment, but also let's kid ourselves also, let's not kid ourselves either . you know, a weak pound either. you know, a weak pound is bad for imports, and we import a hell of lot in this import a hell of a lot in this country. can both be the country. so they can both be the benefits and drawbacks from having a weaker pound than we had before we left the european union. and i think we have just got to stick it out for the long terme, because i don't think the true benefits of brexit have fully been realised just yet . i

fully been realised just yet. i think if you were going to judge brexit on the last seven years, you couldn't really say it was a success a because success or a failure because i don't think most people have noficed don't think most people have noticed yeah don't think most people have nmean, yeah don't think most people have nmean, marcus, yeah don't think most people have nmean, marcus, we yeah don't think most people have nmean, marcus, we consider i mean, marcus, if we consider over months there has over recent months there has been that massive announcement of investment by nissan , for example. >> now nissan i remember, of course, was a was used as a stick with which to beat the working class in my opinion anyway, and tell them that they'll lose their jobs if they vote for brexit. now that hasn't turned out to be the case. in fact, the opposite is true. nissan came out and said actually , brexit hasn't that actually, brexit hasn't had that much impact for our much of an impact for our operations . in britain. operations. in britain. >> yes, nearly all the, you know, the fears you know, which were expressed by all the major financial institutions in this country, god help us have, have all turned out to be wrong, especially those by george osborne , as we will remember osborne, as we will remember them. um, what is fantastic is them. um, what is fantastic is the way in which britain's trade is away from the eu . as is moving away from the eu. as i said, to the three high growth

markets world, middle markets of the world, middle east and north america and south asia. and i mean, of course, pnor asia. and i mean, of course, prior to entering the eu, most of our trade was outside europe. and now we're going back to our our sort of historic pattern of trade that we were most comfortable and which of comfortable with. and which of course, has it's vastly more profitable than trading profitable than, than trading with the eu. >> but if you're someone who's ordered something from europe for christmas and it hasn't arrived , or perhaps it arrived arrived, or perhaps it arrived with a massive customs charge, for example , you're probably for example, you're probably going to be sat there screaming at the telemachus, saying, you know what a load of old nonsense. it's hit me right in the pocket. >> yes. i'm sorry that that is going the case. um, in going to be the case. um, in future , you know, try and buy future, you know, try and buy from scandinavia countries or eastern europe and that'll most certainly avoid those extra charges . yeah. charges. yeah. >> so this is something that you think transitional think is, is a transitional arrangement, a transitional problem that you foresee not being an issue in the future? it's very uneven. >> it's very erratic. we don't

really know. there's no real pattern to these charges. you know , some retailers do it at know, some retailers do it at some points. maybe they're doing it for christmas to try and get some extra money, or because they think they're the customs office is checking office down the road is checking at the moment. and the run up to christmas. we don't really know what's going on. >> yeah . marcus keir >> yeah. and marcus sir keir starmer relaxed about >> yeah. and marcus sir keir sta|eu r relaxed about >> yeah. and marcus sir keir sta|eu than relaxed about >> yeah. and marcus sir keir sta|eu than perhapselaxed about >> yeah. and marcus sir keir sta|eu than perhaps membersyut >> yeah. and marcus sir keir sta|eu than perhaps members of the eu than perhaps members of the eu than perhaps members of the conservative party are. he's talking about changing our relationship with the eu. how concerned are you about that? >> i don't think that'll make any difference at all. you know, as i was just said, you know, germany is in steep decline. you know, their their exports to russia . and china have been hit russia. and china have been hit massively. you know, they have the world's biggest chemical industry in ludwigshafen. and that's on the verge of closing down. they're in big trouble. they've just have spent 40 billion securing oil and gas from norway. well, i think we spend 43 billion. i think last year on oil and gas from norway .

year on oil and gas from norway. the patterns of essential trade really will not change at all. i don't think. >> yeah. i mean i'll be on the politics of that. do you think actually sir keir starmer will fundamentally change our relationship with the eu? or do you see it pretty much staying the i would you see it pretty much staying the! would imagine that sir keir >> i would imagine that sir keir starmer will take a small c conservative approach to our relationship with the european union , for the very union for, for the very important that the voter important reason that the voter coalition that needs in order coalition that he needs in order to win the next general election would include lots of people who voted for the first voted conservative for the first time who were labour time in 2019, who were labour voters voted leave. voters before but voted leave. he will need to consolidate that labour leave vote and i think if he's seen as being too euro philic, he's not going to win those voters. yeah >> and i mean, marcus, have you in your book, you check in your book, do you check out whether not explain whether or not or explain whether or not or explain whether have actually whether or not we have actually exploited did many of the benefits of brexit, you know , benefits of brexit, you know, have we actually taken the most out of leaving the customs union, for example , there hasn't union, for example, there hasn't been an a free trade agreement

with the united states of america that was promised back in the days of the referendum. those sort of things. have we actually made the most of it? >> well , we actually made the most of it? >> well, we could have actually made the most of it? >> well , we could have got >> well, we could have got a better trade deal. i think, especially if we push the germans a bit more on getting rid of these , these duties rid of these, these duties and other certainly other irritations. we certainly could now that we could have done. but now that we are we are , i don't think are where we are, i don't think the trade agreements or not with america are going to really make a difference. our trade with america is booming on all fronts. they're investing heavily in the uk and funnily enough, scandinavia is having very is investing very heavily in the uk now, especially sweden , something which, you know, no national newspaper i've come across as yet spotted. no. and it's mostly in manufacturing, engineering and in the midlands. not in, not in london and the south east. >> so that's in the way of foreign direct investment. >> and we're talking billions. >> and we're talking billions. >> that's tough. >> and we're talking billions. >> of|at's tough. >> and we're talking billions. >> of course jgh. >> and we're talking billions. >> of course london, >> and of course london, london and property, and london property, london small companies uh biotech . you small companies uh biotech. you know, britain's small high tech

companies are the best in the world. by by by by a country mile. and so many foreign investors from the uae, from, from all over the world, from hong kong, from singapore , are hong kong, from singapore, are all there sovereign funds are investing in the uk on a on a very significant scale. >> i like it optimism markets. >> i like it optimism markets. >> i like it optimism markets. >> i do find it extraordinary that you say an american trade deal that you say an american trade deal. not that action, not that important to the uk economy when actually brexit it was actually during brexit it was sold of the major wins of sold as one of the major wins of leaving the european union. so were those brexiteers lying about that? were those brexiteers lying abowell,it? were those brexiteers lying abowell, you're absolutely >> well, you're absolutely right. the odd thing is the right. but the odd thing is the other countries do have other countries that do have a trade with with trade agreement with with america have not done any better than, ourselves, don't. than, than ourselves, who don't. yes. so you're actually right. we should have one can expect. no, i know with the fta in america , there's a long line of america, there's a long line of brilliant british world class products which they refuse to license. no other reasons that they they're hoping for an american alternative . american alternative. rattlesnake antivenin . would you

rattlesnake antivenin. would you believe britain's the only country to produce, you know, and you need 3 or 4 doses because it spookily it comes back together, you know , during back together, you know, during dunng back together, you know, during during your little snake bite period, you know, and it it can cost half a billion, half $1 million, right. for a hospital visit for something that britain's the only country that provides that. >> well, so the americans are missing out in the name of protectionism. what's new there, marcus? very much, marcus? but thank you very much, marcus? but thank you very much, marcus gibson there for your insight and albie amankona in the studio. now we're going to get more reaction the king's get more reaction to the king's christmas message with the legendary commentator , legendary royal commentator, michael cole. i'm darren grimes and you're watching or listening to merry christmas britain gb to merry christmas britain on gb news is britain's news channel .

>> the camilla tominey show sunday mornings from 930 on gb news >> who's . >> who's. >> who's. >> hello! thank you for being a big part of gbh news. >> we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year. >> from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , christmas, merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , merry christmas, merry christmas . christmas. >> here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas .

>> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> welcome back. you're watching merry christmas britain with me darren grimes. we're going to get more reaction now to the king's christmas message. and joined by the brilliant royal commentator michael cole . commentator michael cole. michael, thank you very much for your time. always a pleasure. what did you make of it? dare i say , i thought his majesty the say, i thought his majesty the king had a certain bit of swagger during that performance . swagger during that performance. >> well, first of all, let me say, darren, merry christmas to you too. and everyone at gb news who's working on this very special day. i think the king got it right. >> the message was sincere . >> the message was sincere. >> the message was sincere. >> it was very kind . and what it >> it was very kind. and what it was not was a tub thumping, resounding message about the environment or the other eco causes with which the king is so closely associated that had been predicted by more than one national newspaper. >> but the king didn't go down. >> but the king didn't go down. >> that route. >> that route. >> it was a message , a universal

>> it was a message, a universal message. and i there we see him arriving with with the queen, camilla and behind him, uh, the prince and princess of wales , prince and princess of wales, their three children and on the left hand side there , mia left hand side there, mia tindall, the eldest daughter of um zara and mike tindall going into church , saint mary into church, saint mary magdalene church and the king actually stressed the common root of the world's world's three great religions islam , three great religions islam, christianity and judaism . in christianity and judaism. in abraham and of course , abraham's abraham and of course, abraham's tomb is at hebron in the disputed west bank, not very far , about a half an hour's drive, actually, from gaza. but the king of course, did not get into politics. it was a universal message of love and appreciation . it was very different from , . it was very different from, um, the queen's messages , which um, the queen's messages, which we got so used to . it was very we got so used to. it was very specific. the queen generally spoke about the year where she'd

been, what she'd seen and the people that she'd met and the events of the day. >> this was more , uh, shall we >> this was more, uh, shall we say, cerebral , >> this was more, uh, shall we say, cerebral, uh, going to themes and talking about there. >> we see him with the volunteers and he made a big point of thanking people. uh, he said even the people you have not met yet who may actually have a beneficial effect on your life, and i think that's a message that will be welcomed by many, many volunteers and also people who are working , uh, on people who are working, uh, on this day to make sure that we're all safe and provided with power and have all the necessary necessaries of life. >> and that's important . >> and that's important. >> and that's important. >> and that's important. >> and so i think it's his second, second christmas message. >> and i think a good one. >> and i think a good one. >> now, michael , after this >> now, michael, after this show, we've got arlene foster discussing faiths of the nation . discussing faiths of the nation. now, how important is his anglican faith to his majesty the king? >> i think it's important. of course. he's head of the anglican church and that's why,

of course, during the coronation which we saw in may, he insisted, and i think he was quite right on everything that was to do with the spiritual side of the coronation i personally thought it lacked a little bit of the spirituality of his mother's coronation, which i saw as a ten year old in 1953. and when richard dimbleby, in your profession , in one of in your profession, in one of the great men of broadcasting , the great men of broadcasting, whispered up in the attic , up in whispered up in the attic, up in the rafters of westminster abbey, the queen is crowned. >> i mean the hairs on the back of my neck, even though i was only ten years old, it was an electric moment. >> i think i think in a way the coronation was a little bit over rehearsed and maybe it tried too hard to reach outside the anglican tradition. i'll be interested to see what eileen, who i respect greatly , has to who i respect greatly, has to say about this. but the protestant religion is central to the history of this country , to the history of this country, andifs to the history of this country, and it's indeed why it is a united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. so her

take on it will be fascinating. as i say, she's a woman i've always greatly respected. her father was killed in terrible circumstances. >> she knows all about, uh, conflicts that are, uh, dictated by religious divides and on this day of all days , it's a day for day of all days, it's a day for reconciliation . reconciliation. >> and one can only hope for that. and i think what the king was saying was pointing very, very strongly in that direction. and to that extent, i think it was a huge success. >> do you think, actually, michael, that the king has just briefly, has the king actually blossomed in confidence, has actually the been crowned given him a certain amount of because , him a certain amount of because, as i say at the start there he almost, you know, he was doing some looking away from camera, looking back into the camera. he seemed to be really enjoying himself . himself. >> spot on. darren the difference is, and i've been reporting on him for 60 years, he's now a happy king. >> he is the merry monarch. and

why is that ? because he's had 18 why is that? because he's had 18 years of happily married life. in the old days, he could only really laugh out loud with the queen mother. she made him laugh , you know. but queen camilla has taken over that role. she makes him happy whenever i see him now , he is laughing or him now, he is laughing or smiling . okay, yeah, we'll see smiling. okay, yeah, we'll see that during the rehearsals of the coronation. so i think it's a good thing to have a happy king. >> michael. you're right. michael cole there. we'll leave it there. thank you very much for your time and very merry christmas. now, howie will christmas. now, josh howie will be presenting gb news tonight from 9:00. josh what have you got for us later on? >> we've got everything we might mention. >> christmas once or twice. maybe we might drink this, uh, prosecco. yeah, know you guys prosecco. yeah, i know you guys left it alone. thank you so much. i was worried it was all going by time we going to be gone by the time we got here. >> yeah, well, look, need >> yeah, well, look, people need to tune in at 9:00 because it's going one of a show. going to be one hell of a show. if last night if anything, last night is anything by. all anything to go by. that's all from me. thank you for spending

christmas day with me. up next is soon. is arlene foster. see you soon. >> outlook with boxt >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar, weather on . solar, sponsors of weather on. gb news. >> hello there! i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest update . well, the rain latest update. well, the rain finally moves away for most of us. we go into boxing day . us. we go into boxing day. plenty of dry weather, sunny spells and feeling a little bit more festive . so that's because more festive. so that's because this area of low pressure moves out the way and we get a brief ridge of high pressure though. nofice ridge of high pressure though. notice quickly notice how rain quickly moves back southwest the back into the southwest by the afternoon . this evening time, afternoon. this evening time, plenty rain still across plenty of rain still across england and wales, but this does move away head into the move away as we head into the early hours showers across . early hours showers across. northern ireland, northern england and scotland. but even these start to fade away. plenty of to come and that of clear spells to come and that will allow temperatures to dip lower than have done lower than they have done of late. chillier to late. so a little chillier to start morning. start boxing day morning. some icy possible, icy stretches possible, particularly northern particularly across northern scotland, continue scotland, where we'll continue to see wintry showers, feed to see some wintry showers, feed in through the north. but for most of most boxing day, plenty of

sunshine , a great day to be sunshine, a great day to be outside , though the cloud outside, though the cloud thickening from the southwest , thickening from the southwest, and this will bring rain into parts of devon and cornwall as we through the afternoon, we move through the afternoon, slowly spreading north slowly spreading its way north eastwards. move through eastwards. as we move through into evening time. into the evening time. temperature a little bit temperature wise, a little bit more festive generally 2 to 5 celsius across the north of the uk, to 11 in the south, so uk, 7 to 11 in the south, so still a little above average in the south and a quick at the south and a quick look at wednesday we're back to wednesday where we're back to the wet and windy weather sweeping uk. strong sweeping across the uk. strong winds outbreaks snow across winds, outbreaks of snow across the ground of scotland the higher ground of scotland too. care if you're too. so do take care if you're travelling on wednesday and it stays unsettled through thursday and friday well. and and friday as well. and temperatures mild temperatures on the mild side looks like things are heating up by boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news .

describing them as a selfless army. his majesty said they are the essential backbone of our society. he thanked the hundreds of volunteers who attended his coronation in westminster abbey earlier on this year , and said earlier on this year, and said that their presence is a call to

all of us to love and care for all of us to love and care for all on this christmas day . all on this christmas day. >> my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another. all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others. not least the friend. we do not yet know in this way we bring out the best in ourselves . pope the best in ourselves. pope francis has described the children caught up in conflicts across the globe as the little jesuses of today, as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza. >> delivering his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican , peter's balcony in the vatican, he described the attack on israel by hamas in october as abominable. but he also said that ongoing air strikes on gaza by israel were reaping an appalling harvest of innocent people . the pope's message comes people. the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest nights of violence in gaza, with