Radio Times Covers Party 2024, Harry Clarke, Molly Pearce, Jaz Singh

The cast of Mr Bates Vs The Post Office and The Traitors among the guests at Radio Times’ annual Covers Party

Wednesday 31 January, 2024

On Tuesday 30 January, Radio Times held their legendary annual Covers Party at the Claridges Ballroom in Mayfair. Hosted by Sir Lenny Henry, the Radio Times annual Covers Party celebrates those who have featured on its front cover in the previous 12 months.

This year’s event welcomed some of the biggest names in British television, from Mr Bates v The Post Office and The Traitors, to Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who. The star-studded guest list included Louis Theroux, Mary Berry, Johannes Radebe, Jodie Whittaker, Natascha McElhone and many more.

The cast of Mr Bates v The Post Office, were presented with special covers recognising the huge influence ITV’s drama has had, with stars Monica Dolan, Katherine Kelly, Lia Williams and Will Mellor appearing on-stage alongside former Sub-mistress Jo Hamilton, whose story was told in the drama after being wrongly accused of theft, fraud and false accounting due to the defective Horizon IT system.

Celebrating 20 series of Master Chef, Radio Times also welcomed some of TV’s favourite chefs, including John Torode and Greg Wallace, Ainsley Harriot, Prue Leith, Simon/Sy King, Monica Galetti and Mary Berry.

“What a night! One hundred years on from the birth of Radio Times the power of programmes to move us remains undimmed. To see the room erupt when the stars and the real people from Mr Bates Vs The Post Office went up on stage to meet the brilliant Sir Lenny Henry, certainly illustrated that fact, and I might possibly of had something in my eye at the time…”

Shem Law, Editor, Radio Times

Headshot of Shem Law, Joint Editor, Radio Times, Immediate Media Co.

“Earlier this month we witnessed something extraordinary unfold over four nights on ITV. Mr Bates v the Post Office was, on the face of it, just another drama. We previewed it in our Christmas double issue. I want to extend a special Radio Times thank you to the makers of this very special programme. Together they proved the true power of TV.”

Tom Loxley, Editor, Radio Times

Cover stars from 2023 included: Sarah Lancashire, Helena Bonham Carter, Sir Grayson Perry, Cast of Hotel Portofino, Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, Jamie Ritchie, Ken Owens, Cast of The Gold, Richard E Grant, Cast of Call the Midwife, George Michael, Sir David Attenborough, Kiefer Sutherland, Cast of Great Expectations, Brian Cox, Deborah James, Bridgerton Queen Charlotte, HRH King Charles III, Louise Theroux, Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe, Bear Grylls, John McEnroe, Sharon Horgan’s, Salma Hayek, Sir Elton John, Wham!, Cast of Fifteen-Love, Cillian Murphy, Cast of Good Omen, Andi & Miquita Oliver, Melvyn Bragg, Cast of Wilderness, Kylie Minogue, Kirsty Young, Helen Mirren, Cast of Strictly Come Dancing, The Beatles, Squid Game, Elizabeth Debicki, Cast of Doctor Who, and Ncuti Gatwa.