Music
10 Dec 04

Bono to host Christmas special on BBC 4

Not content with picking up two Grammy nominations for 'Vertigo', Bono will be a geust presenter in the forthcoming Christmas Today series on BBC Radio

The U2 media blitz continues with Bono joining Sir Richard Branson and The Duchess of York as one of the guest editors of the Christmas Today programme on BBC Radio Four.

The singer is planning to use his turn in the chair to highlight the ongoing AIDS crisis in Africa.

"I want to start the countdown to next year when Britain can change the world for the poorest people on the planet," he reflects.

The special week of shows commences on December 27, with the precise scheduling of Bono's spot still to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, U2's 'Vertigo' has picked up Grammy nominations for 'Best Rock Performance' and 'Best Short Form Music Video'.

Also short-listed for the annual gong-giving ceremony which takes place in LA on February 13 are Van Morrison's What's Wrong With This Picture? ('Best Contemporary Blues Album') and Maire Brennan's Two Horizons ('Best New Age Album').