Alternative Christmas message
The alternative Christmas message is a message broadcast by Channel 4 since 1993, as a sometimes humorous and sometimes serious alternative to the traditional Royal Christmas message.
== Background ==
Beginning in 1993, Channel 4 broadcast an alternative Christmas message, usually featuring a contemporary, often controversial celebrity delivering a message in the manner of Queen Elizabeth II. This tradition started by accident when, running a series of programmes on Christmas in New York, the channel invited Quentin Crisp (who, coincidentally, was born on Christmas Day) to give an alternative message – playing on the pejorative term 'queen' meaning a very feminine male homosexual. In contrast to the Queen's message, the alternative lasts only three to five minutes. The concept seems to date back to a sketch in a Christmas special of The Two Ronnies, where Ronnie Barker delivered a Christmas message from Your Local Milkman. Examples of recent variations to the alternative Christmas message proliferate on YouTube.
== Messages ==
=== 1990s ===
=== 2000s ===
=== 2010s ===
=== 2020s ===
Prime Minister's New Year Message (United Kingdom)