Gareth Malone

Britain’s Christmas Story (2019)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Gareth Malone wearing a suit and the Archbishop of Canterbury smiling at the camera inside the cathedral.

Caption: Gareth Malone and the Archbishop of Canterbury ©BBC

Starring: Gareth Malone, Karen Gibson
Production Company: BBC
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury High Street and Dane John Gardens

This two-part series Britain’s Christmas Story (2019) presented by Gareth Malone and Karen Gibson uncovers some of the origins of our British Christmas traditions and reveals that in the past, our festive season and Christmas Carols were as much about dancing as singing.

Production filmed in Canterbury for part of the series at Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury High Street and Dane John Gardens.

Gareth Malone wearing a black suit being filmed by a film crew of three inside a cathedral. He is interviewing the Archbishop of Canterbury

Filming of Gareth Malone and the Archbishop of Canterbury for Britain’s Christmas Traditions ©BBC

Canterbury Cathedral is a world heritage site and is the oldest and most renowned cathedral in England. Dane John Gardens is a historic park, which dates to 1551. The gardens afford an excellent view of the city and have the city wall along their border.

Canterbury is a popular filming location and has previously been used as a location for filming for Britain’s Great Cathedrals with Tony Robinson (2018) and Coast v Country (2017).

The two-part series airs on BBC One on Sunday 15th December 2019 at 10:40am and on Sunday 22nd December at 09.05am.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

The Choir: Sing While You Work (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Gareth Malone conducting the P&O choir on a stage

Gareth Malone conducting the P&O choir © BBC, Twenty Twenty, Pete Dadds

Production company: twentytwenty

Kent Locations: P&O, Dover, The Port of Dover 

BBC2 series The Choir: Sing While You Work follows choirmaster Gareth Malone on his search to get Britain’s workforce singing as he aims to create distinctive choirs at five of the biggest businesses in Britain before they compete for the crown of best workplace choir.

In the first episode of the second series, Gareth visits employees at P&O which is the UK’s longest-running cross-Channel ferry service where he faces the challenge of getting the choir members together as they are all based in different locations – Dover, France and even at sea! Will they be able to rehearse enough to blow the competition out of the water? 

In the final episode shown on Sunday 22nd December 2013, the P&O ferries choir went on to win the show – a massive congratulations to them!

From May to October 2013, the production followed Gareth and the P&O employees on their musical journey and filmed them at P&O ferries, The Port of Dover and Dover itself.

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger Port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

The first episode of The Choir: Sing While You Work was shown on Monday 4th November 2013 at 21:00 on BBC2.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.