She has combined a hugely successful Hollywood career with campaigning on a range of issues close to her heart.
So Angelina Jolie will not be short of ideas for stories to pursue when she guest-edits BBC Radio 4’s Today programme over Christmas.
Since 2003 the flagship current affairs show has invited prominent public figures to become the editor for a day during the festive period.
Jolie, 43, will take the reins on December 28, when she will highlight the issues of violence against women in conflict zones and the refugee crisis
Jolie, 43, will take the reins on December 28, when she will highlight the issues of violence against women in conflict zones and the refugee crisis.
She will speak to refugees and survivors of conflict directly during the show.
The mother-of-six, actress and campaigner has already begun work on her stint at Today.
Her spokeswoman said she is ‘grateful’ for the opportunity ‘to draw on the BBC’s global expertise and network to explore practical solutions to a number of pressing issues of our time’.
She added: ‘She has already begun working with the Today programme team and is looking forward to engaging a broad and diverse range of voices in the programme.’
Jolie will not be briefing John Humphrys on the issues as Justin Webb and Mishal Husain are due to present that day.
Jolie’s spokeswoman said she is ‘grateful’ for the opportunity ‘to draw on the BBC’s global expertise and network to explore practical solutions to a number of pressing issues of our time’
Other guest editors will include outgoing Question Time host David Dimbleby, 80. Meanwhile, the subject of ‘outer space’ will be explored in a separate, theme-based episode of the Radio 4 programme.
Dimbleby will join Kamila Shamsie, winner of the Women’s prize for fiction, the founder of lastminute.com Lady Lane-Fox, the Churchill biographer, Andrew Roberts, and Chidera Eggrue, the fashion blogger and campaigner on female body issues.
Last year the Duke of Sussex was among the guest editors of the show, interviewing his own father, the Prince of Wales, and former US president Barack Obama.
Actress Carey Mulligan, comedian Sir Lenny Henry, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow and Professor Stephen Hawking have also previously steered Today for special Christmas editions.
Kamila Shamsie, winner of the Women’s prize for fiction (left) and Chidera Eggrue will be among the guest editors of the show
