BBC Radio 4's flagship Today Programme has signed guest editors including writer, broadcaster and actor Michael Palin, musician PJ Harvey and the former director general of MI5, Eliza Manningham Buller.

Also guest editing the programme during the week between Christmas and New Year will be Sir Tim Berners Lee, director of the World Wide Web Consortium and Antony Jenkins, group chief executive of Barclays.

Palin will speak to travel writers from across the globe during his programme. He will travel to Ethiopia and ask whether small farmers hold the key to success in developing countries. He will also talk to fellow Monty Python actor John Cleese to discuss their 1979 movie 'The Life of Brian'.

Harvey will showcase her political, poetical and musical influences.

Manningham Buller will explore the use of pigeons in spycraft and will look at how cities can be more distinctive.

Sir Berners Lee will cover future developments in the internet and ask listeners what they want from the internet.

Jenkins will focus on challenges facing leaders to deliver long-term solutions to major social and economic issues. He also explores the changing workplace and what type of jobs young people should prepare for.

The guest editors will take responsibility for half of the Today Programme's output and these specials will air between 26 December and 31 December.