Songs of Praise: The Nation's Favourite - Hardcover

2001 marked the 40th anniversary of the nation's favourite religious TV programme, Songs of Praise. This book was compiled to celebrate the occasion. Written by a former producer of the programme, Songs of Praise traces the story from the first broadcast to the present day. With a lightness of touch, Andrew Barr recounts amusing anecdotes, reveals a behind-the-scenes view of how a programme is put together, looks back at the most inspirational of the interviews, explores some of the more unusual and imaginative locations and props, and shows how the programme has responded to changing musical styles and tastes. All the favourite presenters are there and, above all, there are the hymns which make the programme so personal and special. Illustrated with previously unseen colour photographs.

ANDREW BARR has spent more than 30 years making religious television programmes for the BBC and ITV. Until June 2000 he was BBC Scotland's Head of Education and Religious Broadcasting. He lives near Edinburgh.