December 30, 2025

Hollywood came to Hammersmith on Christmas Day when actor Hugh Grant joined hundreds of older residents at Hammersmith & Fulham’s annual Big Christmas Day Lunch.

The Chiswick-raised star and patron of local charity H&F Giving attended the event at the Novotel in Hammersmith on Thursday 25 December, helping to spread festive cheer among more than 400 guests.

It is the second time the star of the Paddington and Bridget Jones films has turned up at the event having previously appeared at the 2023 meal.

The long-running lunch, which is financially supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council alongside donations from residents and local businesses, is open to older people who would otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone. Now in its fourth decade, the celebration has been running for more than 30 years, with some of its original volunteers now attending as guests.

The free day out included a traditional roast dinner, live music from Vivid Music, dancing, gifts and free transport to and from the venue. More than 20 buses and taxis were laid on to bring residents to the event.

Hugh Grant was joined by council leaders including Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham, and Cllr Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader, as well as the borough’s Mayor, Cllr Sharon Holder, Deputy Mayor Cllr Daryl Brown and Cllr Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform. Local MPs Ben Coleman, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, and Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick, also attended.

More than 65 volunteers worked alongside the council’s events team on the day, serving lunch and supporting transport services. Others gave up their time earlier in December to help pack gifts for guests, with each person receiving a festive food hamper containing items such as soup, shortbread, chocolates, honey, jam and tea.

There were over 400 guests at the meal. Picture: H&F Council

Louise Wilson, Executive Director at H&F Giving, said, “A massive thank you to the whole H&F community for making this special day happen, including everyone who donated and volunteered, all of our sponsors, and to H&F Giving’s patron Hugh Grant for taking time out on Christmas Day to sit down and chat with our older and isolated neighbours.

“Days like this are only possible year on year because of the generosity of the community and everyone coming together to help their neighbours.”

Special guests on the day also included the Pearly Queens of Fulham, one of the Mayor’s chosen charities, while attendees were able to take home souvenir photos thanks to Photobooth First.

The event was supported by a wide range of local organisations and businesses. The Hurlingham Club Foundation donated the turkeys for the lunch, Olympia sponsored the entertainment, and several groups – including Friends of Brook Green, North, Wates, ThermoServ Limited and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust – sponsored tables. Additional support came from The Julia Rausing Trust, Dr Edwards and Bishop King’s Fulham Charity, Shoots & Leaves and Hammersmith BID, with the Novotel providing decorations and Blueprint Partners producing promotional videos free of charge.

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