Unholy bust-up over Songs of Praise shift

AN unholy row has broken out after Songs of Praise was hived off to an independent production firm.

The broadcasting trade union, Bectu, said it was “very disappointing” move as many of the BBC staff did not want to work for another employer.

It has been announced the show, which first aired in 1961, will be be co-produced by Avanti Media and Nine Lives Media for the next three years under the new charter agreement under which the Government asked for all existing BBC Studios network TV output to be put out to competitive tender over the next 11 years.

Bectu leader Gerry Morrissey said: “A lot of long-serving staff work on Songs Of Praise and they have no desire to work for anyone other than the BBC.”

Mark Linsey, director of BBC Studios, which pitched to continue making the programme, said: “We are disappointed with the outcome. Songs Of Praise is a much-loved programme and we take great pride in how we’ve nurtured and developed the series over many years, which continues to delight audiences.”

Fatima Salaria, the BBC’s commissioning editor, religion and ethics, said: “This decision secures its future for the next three years.”