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Joins an exciting line-up of Rob Rinder MBE, also a VIP guest speaker, mezzo-soprano Friederike Krum and tenor Thomas Elwin
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Event to take place on Wednesday 3 December in London – final tickets available
Rowan Atkinson CBE has been confirmed as the final VIP guest speaker at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity’s annual Christmas Carol Concert. Taking place at the Royal Military Chapel in London, it is a traditional evening of wonderful music and prose in support of the Armed Forces community.
Rowan Atkinson is an actor and writer who came to national prominence in the early Nineteen Eighties with the BBC’s Not the Nine ‘O’ Clock News. He followed this by taking on the eponymous, starring roles, in Blackadder and Mr. Bean, both of which he co-created. He has starred in a number of films, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Lion King, Love Actually and Wonka as well as appearing in the hugely popular Johnny English and Mr. Bean films. More recently Rowan co-created and starred in the hit Netflix series’ Man vs Bee and the impending Man vs Baby.
Rowan joins an exciting line-up for the evening. Rob Rinder MBE, an award-winning broadcaster, barrister and multi-Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author, will also share a special reading. Set to perform during the service are SSAFA ambassador and acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Friederike Krum, as well as Royal Academy of Music alumnus, Thomas Elwin.
Verity Harding, Head of Events at SSAFA, commented:
“We are thrilled to welcome Rowan Atkinson as a guest speaker at this year’s Christmas Carol Concert. The evening is set to be deeply moving as we hear from our VIP guest speakers and members of the SSAFA team, including a casework volunteer, while musical performances of traditional Christmas carols lift spirits as they fill the chapel. I’d encourage anyone interested in attending to book their ticket without delay, as only a final few remain.”
Tickets are priced from £40 per person and can be purchased on SSAFA’s website. Every ticket purchased directly supports SSAFA’s invaluable work, delivered by trained volunteers and employees, helping serving personnel, veterans and their families through some of life’s most difficult moments.
Tickets are also available for an exclusive drinks’ reception, which includes front of chapel seating. The reception is held in the officer’s mess immediately after the concert, continuing until 10pm. It gives guests the opportunity to meet some of the concert’s performers and speakers while enjoying a selection of canapés and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
For more information about the Carol Concert, and to buy tickets, visit: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/concert/ssafa-christmas-carol-concert-2025/
SSAFA has gratefully received sponsorship from several corporate partners for this year’s Christmas Carol Concert: The Gosling Foundation (Platinum Sponsor), Trailfinders and BAE Systems (Gold Sponsors). Their support will enable SSAFA to maximise the fundraising impact of the event.
