Songs of Praise

1961

'Songs of Praise' is a BBC religious programme based around traditional Christian hymns. It was broadcast for the first time in October 1961 from the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cardiff and is one of the longest-running TV shows in the world. It is shown in a late afternoon slot on Sundays on BBC1 and usually features congregations from various churches and cathedrals singing hymns while the presenter explores a weekly theme. The main presenters are Pam Rhodes, Sally Magnusson, Diane Louise Jordan, Aled Jones, Eamonn Holmes and Gavin Peacock. Songs of Praise viewers also take part in the annual Big Sing event at the Royal Albert Hall, where a choir of 1,000 voices leads a packed auditorium in well-loved hymns and songs. Special programmes have also been made celebrating famous British Christians, including Thora Hird and Harry Secombe (both much-missed former presenters of the programme) and Cliff Richard.