Jimmy Kimmel to deliver Channel 4’s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message
US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel, who finds himself in a conversational battle, will host Channel 4’s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message.
The late-night host will focus his speech on what a “great year” it’s been “from a fascism perspective.”
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! It comes after he was taken off the air and suspended indefinitely in September following comments he made on his show. Following the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, an ally of US President Donald Trump.
Mr Trump later suggested that if any TV stations gave him bad news, “maybe their license should be taken away”.
The suspension was met with public criticism of the US administration from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and political figures for violating freedom of expression and the press, leading to Kimmel’s return five days later.
The comedian will begin his speech by saying: “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.”
Kimmel will continue to reflect on the events of the past year and share his own personal experiences and insights, after being at the center of one of the stories that shocked the United States and its core democratic values.
Offering an alternative to the King’s Christmas message broadcast every year on television, the program was first broadcast in 1993 and aims to convey a message to viewers about the events of that year.
Kimmel’s speech follows previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including comedian Chris McCausland, who touched on disability after becoming the first visually impaired person to win Strictly Come Dancing last year.
Other guests include Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former House of Commons speaker John Bercow and actor Danny Dyer.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: “Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his far-reaching impact on the world is the story of 2025, and it would be hard to think of a better person to cover it than Jimmy Kimmel, who finds himself at the forefront of America’s fight for free expression.”
The Alternative Christmas Message will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 5.45pm on Christmas Day.
