‘It’s the BIGGEST KARAOKE in the world’
For many of us, Sunday would not be complete without Songs Of Praise, the series that has drawn TV audiences for the past 53 years. And Pam Rhodes has been the face of the programme for 27 of them.
‘It’s held in such affection,’ Pam says. ‘You have to ask yourself why any programme will stay on primetime television not just for 27 years, but for 53. I think many people would say it is the hymns. It’s the biggest karaoke in the world with the words shown at the bottom of the screen. There’s that lovely feeling of knowing everyone is singing along.’
As well as the hymns, Pam also loves the people who share their stories during each episode. ‘Those really generous people who are not professional speakers. They’re my neighbours and yours, up and down the country, talking about human experience, about things that we all may have known. Death, a taboo subject that we don’t discuss, faith, love, fear, hope, and where God fits into that for them. It just touches people.’
While the programme has remained in largely the same format since 1961, Rhodes recently commented that the series could be getting the ‘Countryfile’ treatment. At the launch of her latest novel, she was heard saying, ‘There will most likely be more than one presenter per show and, if we are in a particular area, we might do an interview, then have a change of clothes, and then do another one – which just makes a lot more sense economically.’
Her comments have been interpreted by some to mean that the show could become less focused on traditional church worship. ‘I made a mistake mentioning that,’ Pam explains. ‘It’s not really mine to say and it’s not certain it will happen because we’re just talking about it. I completely spoke out of turn.’
This begs the question: is it the traditional format that keeps the viewers coming back? (At its peak, 11.4 million people tuned in.)
‘The reason it’s lasted so long is because it’s constantly evolving; it’s such a treat on the eye and the ear,’ Pam says. ‘I also love the fact that I think it’s inclusive, rather than exclusively Christian. Although it is Christian to its heart and that’s always what the theme is going to be, if you have someone talking very movingly about losing their husband or mum or whatever, and their experience of bereavement, does it matter whether they’re Christian?’
Indeed, Pam believes that the programme’s viewers come from many different denominations. ‘People watch because there are a lot of lessons to be learnt and shared. It’s very touching and very human,’ she says.
As well as being a much-loved face of Songs Of Praise, Pam has also written a number of novels, including her latest, Casting The Net. The second in The Dunbridge Chronicles (the final book is scheduled to be published in September), it is based around a church community.
‘I’ve heard the most amazingly wonderful true stories shared by vicars up and down the country. I think it goes with the territory that vicars are great characters; they have a big heart for the community around them. I just thought it would be quite nice to weave some of them into a book. Churches have been at the centre of town, village and city life since the year dot. They have always had the role of bringing people together. I love the way in which people feel a sense of belonging to a church community and the fellowship that they find together, but it is also a place where people can bubble up and find their own talents and levels.
‘You will find natural organisers becoming churchwardens, the grannies and kind-hearted ladies manning the teapots and doing the food. Those who can act and sing all contribute to the music in the church in some way. It’s a place in which people can show their strengths and help others. There aren’t many places like that.’
Despite this, Pam fears that we have lost touch with the church over the years. ‘Children at school don’t say prayers or learn the Lord’s Prayer or even the Christian stories today. They will learn stories about all faiths and it’s about being ethical and moral and caring for each other. But most of us grew up with hymns [she admits she is a complete anorak when it comes to hymns] in school assemblies, the Lord’s Prayer every day and probably went to Sunday school. We had more opportunity to learn about Christian stories in our childhood.’
For Pam, hymns have incredible power. ‘They’re like prayers in your pocket, a spiritual first-aid kit. If you can’t think of the right quotation from the Bible, many can remember “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide, the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide”. That song, which is so dear to people, is a prayer in itself.’
So how can we make sure the younger generation remains in touch with hymns and Christian stories? ‘The answer to that is a big quest for churches everywhere. We are a multifaith society now and we have to reflect that.’ When we meet, she is about to head off to film the Easter special of Songs Of Praise. ‘We’ve got Tom Courtenay to read the pieces from the Bible,’ she tells me excitedly.
While Songs Of Praise isn’t awash with chocolate Easter eggs, our shops certainly are. Does this mean we have lost the true meaning of Easter? ‘In the Christian calendar, it’s more important than Christmas,’ Pam says. ‘But I think for many people that passes them by, which is a shame. That’s the challenge for all Christians and the Christian church to get the message across and to help people perhaps think a little deeper about the meaning of Easter. I think it’s all got tied up with spring coming, the feeling of new life and fluffy bunnies and chicks and Easter eggs.’
Talking about religion on a weekly basis, I wonder how big a part it plays in Pam’s own life. ‘I think sometimes people are put off by all the formality or the rules and regulations that you find in other churches,’ she states. ‘The actual step of faith is a very small one. It’s the simplicity that appeals to me most. I think religion isn’t as important as faith. That’s probably what means most to me.’
Casting The Net by Pam Rhodes is published by Lion Fiction, £7.99.
‘It’s held in such affection,’ Pam says. ‘You have to ask yourself why any programme will stay on primetime television not just for 27 years, but for 53. I think many people would say it is the hymns. It’s the biggest karaoke in the world with the words shown at the bottom of the screen. There’s that lovely feeling of knowing everyone is singing along.’
As well as the hymns, Pam also loves the people who share their stories during each episode. ‘Those really generous people who are not professional speakers. They’re my neighbours and yours, up and down the country, talking about human experience, about things that we all may have known. Death, a taboo subject that we don’t discuss, faith, love, fear, hope, and where God fits into that for them. It just touches people.’
While the programme has remained in largely the same format since 1961, Rhodes recently commented that the series could be getting the ‘Countryfile’ treatment. At the launch of her latest novel, she was heard saying, ‘There will most likely be more than one presenter per show and, if we are in a particular area, we might do an interview, then have a change of clothes, and then do another one – which just makes a lot more sense economically.’
Her comments have been interpreted by some to mean that the show could become less focused on traditional church worship. ‘I made a mistake mentioning that,’ Pam explains. ‘It’s not really mine to say and it’s not certain it will happen because we’re just talking about it. I completely spoke out of turn.’
This begs the question: is it the traditional format that keeps the viewers coming back? (At its peak, 11.4 million people tuned in.)
‘The reason it’s lasted so long is because it’s constantly evolving; it’s such a treat on the eye and the ear,’ Pam says. ‘I also love the fact that I think it’s inclusive, rather than exclusively Christian. Although it is Christian to its heart and that’s always what the theme is going to be, if you have someone talking very movingly about losing their husband or mum or whatever, and their experience of bereavement, does it matter whether they’re Christian?’
Indeed, Pam believes that the programme’s viewers come from many different denominations. ‘People watch because there are a lot of lessons to be learnt and shared. It’s very touching and very human,’ she says.
As well as being a much-loved face of Songs Of Praise, Pam has also written a number of novels, including her latest, Casting The Net. The second in The Dunbridge Chronicles (the final book is scheduled to be published in September), it is based around a church community.
‘I’ve heard the most amazingly wonderful true stories shared by vicars up and down the country. I think it goes with the territory that vicars are great characters; they have a big heart for the community around them. I just thought it would be quite nice to weave some of them into a book. Churches have been at the centre of town, village and city life since the year dot. They have always had the role of bringing people together. I love the way in which people feel a sense of belonging to a church community and the fellowship that they find together, but it is also a place where people can bubble up and find their own talents and levels.
‘You will find natural organisers becoming churchwardens, the grannies and kind-hearted ladies manning the teapots and doing the food. Those who can act and sing all contribute to the music in the church in some way. It’s a place in which people can show their strengths and help others. There aren’t many places like that.’
Despite this, Pam fears that we have lost touch with the church over the years. ‘Children at school don’t say prayers or learn the Lord’s Prayer or even the Christian stories today. They will learn stories about all faiths and it’s about being ethical and moral and caring for each other. But most of us grew up with hymns [she admits she is a complete anorak when it comes to hymns] in school assemblies, the Lord’s Prayer every day and probably went to Sunday school. We had more opportunity to learn about Christian stories in our childhood.’
For Pam, hymns have incredible power. ‘They’re like prayers in your pocket, a spiritual first-aid kit. If you can’t think of the right quotation from the Bible, many can remember “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide, the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide”. That song, which is so dear to people, is a prayer in itself.’
So how can we make sure the younger generation remains in touch with hymns and Christian stories? ‘The answer to that is a big quest for churches everywhere. We are a multifaith society now and we have to reflect that.’ When we meet, she is about to head off to film the Easter special of Songs Of Praise. ‘We’ve got Tom Courtenay to read the pieces from the Bible,’ she tells me excitedly.
While Songs Of Praise isn’t awash with chocolate Easter eggs, our shops certainly are. Does this mean we have lost the true meaning of Easter? ‘In the Christian calendar, it’s more important than Christmas,’ Pam says. ‘But I think for many people that passes them by, which is a shame. That’s the challenge for all Christians and the Christian church to get the message across and to help people perhaps think a little deeper about the meaning of Easter. I think it’s all got tied up with spring coming, the feeling of new life and fluffy bunnies and chicks and Easter eggs.’
Talking about religion on a weekly basis, I wonder how big a part it plays in Pam’s own life. ‘I think sometimes people are put off by all the formality or the rules and regulations that you find in other churches,’ she states. ‘The actual step of faith is a very small one. It’s the simplicity that appeals to me most. I think religion isn’t as important as faith. That’s probably what means most to me.’
Casting The Net by Pam Rhodes is published by Lion Fiction, £7.99.