BBC in race row over all-white King’s choir

VIEWERS have complained to the BBC after its festive service Carols From King’s failed to feature a single non-white chorister.

None of the 13 singers on the programme, which aired on BBC2 on Christmas Eve, appeared to be from an ethnic minority. The choristers were selected by their school, Cambridge’s King’s College.

One viewer told The Mail on Sunday: ‘All the young choristers were white. I’ve got mixed-race grandchildren and I was appalled. I can’t believe that the King’s College School doesn’t have any black pupils who can sing.’

A spokesman for King’s said the line-up changed after some of the singers were forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus. The BBC said one of the adults shown in the service is of Japanese heritage.

Carols From King’s has become a traditional and popular part of the BBC’s festive coverage.