BBC ‘forsaking Christianity’ after dropping Cambridge service

THE BBC has been accused of turning its back on Britain’s Christian faith after scrapping its broadcast of the traditional Easter service from King’s College, Cambridge.

The programme has been dropped in favour of religious coverage elsewhere across the corporation’s platforms.

It comes after the BBC invited Alice Roberts, a “confirmed atheist” and humanist campaigner, on to the Good

Friday edition of rather than a Christian figure.

Ms Roberts, the professor of public engagement in science at the University of Birmingham and vice-president of the charity Humanists UK, refused the

tradition of taking a Bible with her, alongside the

Critics said the BBC appeared to be deliberately abandoning the part of its audience that professed the Christian faith. Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said: “The BBC’s motto, ‘Nation shall speak peace unto nation’, is Biblical in origin. The more the BBC seeks to forget and minimise the primary role of the Christian faith shaping this nation, the darker all things will become. Easter reminds us of Christ’s victory over death, which is a good-news message for us all.”

The BBC has rejected claims that it is ignoring the role of Christianity and religion in general after dropping the King’s College Easter service, which was shown on BBC Two last year and had been on television since 2010. It said its

Faith and Hope for Spring 2024 season will “showcase a vibrant mix of programmes across TV and radio channels, shining a spotlight on faith at a time when many of the major religions are marking key moments in the calendar”.

The season includes a special performance of Bach’s from Cardiff on BBC One on Easter Sunday, to be led by Gareth Malone, the choirmaster and broadcaster, marking the 300th anniversary of its first performance.

Pope Francis’s Easter message and blessing, Urbi et Orbi, will be live from the Vatican and a special edition of

comes from Canterbury, presented by Aled Jones.

On Radio 2, Rev Kate Bottley will celebrate Easter Sunday with the Archbishop of York, and Choral Evensong comes live from Canterbury Cathedral on Radio 3. Radio 4 will also have a Sunrise Service from Durham Cathedral and Easter Sunday Worship from Canterbury Cathedral.

There is also the new series of

on BBC Two and Easter-themed episodes of and on CBeebies. Daisy Scalchi, head of religion and ethics on BBC Television, said: “This is such a special time of year and we’re delighted to work across our networks to bring viewers a diverse range of content that brings faith, belief and spirituality into focus.”

Tim Pemberton, head of religion and ethics on BBC Audio, said: “I’m delighted to be bringing listeners such a wide range of special programming, with opportunities for worship and reflection, as well as some wonderful music.”