Today guest editors 2009

Each year, the Today programme hands over the editorial reins to six public figures, giving them a chance to decide what goes on the programme between Christmas and New Year.

Previous guest editors include Yoko Ono, Zadie Smith, Jarvis Cocker, Anthony Minghella, Professor Stephen Hawking and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.

They are responsible for between a third and a half of their programme's output, aided of course by Today's producers and reporters.

The people taking charge this year come from all walks of life, from artists and musicians, to scientists and politicians. You can listen to the highlights from their programmes using the links below.

MARTIN REES - MONDAY 28th DECEMBER

Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow, is the president of the Royal Society and the Astronomer Royal. A world expert in cosmology and astrophysics, his research interests include gamma ray bursts, galactic nuclei and the formation of black holes.

His programme examined the place of choice in our lives, the role of dogs in science and the questions to which we will never know the answer.

Highlights from Martin Rees' programme

DAVID HOCKNEY - TUESDAY 29th DECEMBER

David Hockney is one of Britain's best known artists. He was an important member of the 1960s Pop Art movement and his influence continues to this day through his paintings, prints, photo collages and theatre designs.

His programme asked whether there are too many laws in the UK and whether smokers across Europe are fighting back against the smoking ban.

Highlights from David Hockney's programme

TONY ADAMS - WEDNESDAY 30th DECEMBER

Footballer and manager Tony Adams captained both England and Arsenal. He turned out for England 66 times and spent his entire club career at Arsenal, for whom he appeared in 504 matches, winning the league title four times and the FA Cup on three occasions.

A recovering alcoholic, Adams set up the Sporting Chance Clinic in 2000 which provides treatment, counselling and support for sports men and women with drink, drug or gambling addictions.

His programme investigated addiction in sport and what it was like to be a football fan, and featured an interview with Newcastle United footballer Joey Barton.

Highlights from Tony Adams's programme

PD JAMES - THURSDAY 31st DECEMBER

Baroness James of Holland Park, better known as PD James, is one of Britain's most successful crime writers. She has written 20 books, many of which feature her most famous creation, the detective Adam Dalgliesh.

In her programme she quizzed the BBC's Director General about the future of the corporation and discussed TV crime drama with Lynda La Plante and Sir Ian Blair.

Highlights from PD James' programme

ROBERT WYATT - FRIDAY 1st JANUARY

Musician Robert Wyatt was a founding member of the Soft Machine, one of the biggest bands to come out of the late sixties psychedelic movement. In 1973, Wyatt fell from a third-floor window during a party, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. Since then he has performed as a solo artist.

His programme looked at the music being made by amateur choirs around the country and at the people willing to stick up for politicians after the scandal surrounding MPs' expenses.

Highlights from Robert Wyatt's programme

SHIRLEY WILLIAMS - SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY

Baroness Shirley Williams is a senior Liberal Democrat politician. From an early career as a Labour cabinet minister, Shirley Williams was part of the Gang of Four who split from the party to form the Social Democratic Party (SDP) - which later merged with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats.

Her programme examined whether British theatre is enjoying a golden age, the pros and cons of a Tobin Tax on international currency trading and featured an interview with former prime minister Sir John Major.

Highlights from Shirley Williams' programme