Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Jools Holland’s Hootenanny Rings In 2026 on BBC Two With Pre-Recorded Party and Star Guests

The BBC calls it an “idealised New Year’s Eve party” designed to gather a big, collaborative lineup off the actual night.

Overview

  • The two-hour broadcast ran from 11:30pm on 31 December on BBC Two and was available on BBC iPlayer.
  • Guests included Ronnie Wood, Olivia Dean, Lulu, Jessie J, Craig David, Heather Small and The Kooks alongside Imelda May, Joe Webb, David Hermlin and Ruby Turner.
  • The episode was recorded earlier in December and aired “as live,” with a countdown to midnight and traditions led by the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.
  • An eyewitness at the recording described a free bar, prosecco for the staged “midnight,” and an effort to film in one continuous flow to sustain a party atmosphere.
  • Real-time commentary highlighted viewer complaints about the lineup and format, reinforcing ongoing debate over the show’s current relevance.