In just two days it'll be Christmas Day and with it the Queen's annual festive message. It's often a directive filled with hope and goodwill but even her Maj must concede that 2016 has been a year to forget.

Advertisement

And while we're sure she's all good and ready to broadcast to the nation, perhaps she could take some last minute tips from Dame Helen Mirren? The actress – who famously bagged an Oscar for playing HRH in 2006 film The Queen – has recorded her own alternative Christmas message to round off a year that's been – in her words – "a big pile of s**t".

With the national anthem playing in the background, Mirren put on her best RP to muse on this time of "celebration and togetherness" at the close of a calamitous 12 months – and to shoehorn in a big old plug for her new film...

Advertisement

"My advice to you is drink responsibly and be merry, have a very Happy Christmas but above all, go and see Collateral Beauty out on Boxing Day." Cheers, Dame Helen.

Authors

Susanna LazarusAssociate Editor, RadioTimes.com
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement