In response to the gentleman who asked "Can't the BBC plan for Easter?", I would (as a member of staff at the Cathedral) add the following. The amount of technical equipment (lighting, cameras etc) needed for a broadcast on the scale of SoP meant that rigging started over a week before filming began, causing considerable disruption. There is no way that could have been done in Holy Week for filming at Easter itself, as the Cathedral (and indeed any church) will be somewhat preoccupied with other matters at that time! The same goes for Christmas. It made sense to do these recordings at a quieter time of the Church's year, and doing two at once (three actually, as there will be another one broadcast in the summer) seems to me to be an efficient use of time and resources.

Catherine, Lichfield,

I think they missed a trick... They could have taped shows for Christmas 2007 and Easter 2008 too. Seriously, it must cost a fortune to make Songs of Praise on locatuion and for a relatively small audience. So the Beeb is doing us all a favour by doing two for the price of one.

And, remind me, when was the last time Sky or the other channels televised any kind of religious service?

Robert, Manchester,

OMG!

Next they'll be telling us that Pride and Prejudice wasn't actually filmed in the 19th century!

Starling, Lancaster,

A few members of the choir from St Giles Church Whittington ( 2 1/2 miles from Lichfield) took part in the rehersals and recording for both the Christmas and Easter services.
At NO time were we shivering in the Cathedral and were were NOT told to change our overcoats for floral prints. All the congregation which mainly consisted of Church choirs and members of congregations from churches within the Diocese. We were asked by the Producer to wear red or colours appropriate for Christmas, most of the ladies wore red or green, we saw few overcoats. The men wore suits in general with brightly coloured ties. For the recording on the following day, Easter, we were asked to wear spring like colours.
Once again the media are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Surely it makes economic sense to do both recordings when all the massive amount of equipment required is already in place.
Those of us who took part thoroughly enjoyed the experience. St Giles Church Choir

Mrs Sue Elliott, Whittington, Lichfield, Staffordshire

Songs of Praise has always been a con. Compare the overflowing chuches it shows compared with reality of more than half empty churches.

The BBC is being disingenuous in saying "there is no deliberate intent to deceive" which is an admission that they have deceived the viewers.

Gerry Howard, Cranleigh,

There's more to the Songs of Praise travesty. The service filmed bears no relation to the church's normal form of worship - the church is merely a filming venue. The 'congregation' is sometimes bussed in because the selected church can't fill enough seats, even with the TV coverage. Presumably churches go along with the BBC producers because they are desperate for publicity, new members and cash. But how does this complicity serve the public interest, or the truth ?

Robin, London,

By recording several shows at once, the Beeb is actually making efficient use of publicly funded money. They shouldn't be chastised, but 'praised'. It's hardly a serious issue.

James Kerr, Bangor,

I was there. We knew beforehand that we would turn up one night dressed for winter, then that we had to turn up the next night dressed for spring. I also got chatting to some technicians and they told me they have done it like this in other cathedrals for Christmas and Easter. We were not mislead in anyway by the BBC and I find the articles in the press today very insulting, because most of what they imply are not true.

Jacqueline Price, Stafford, England

What a load of fuss over nothing. Does anyone seriously imagine that these programmes are not filmed well in advance? Just like, say, the Morecambe and Wise Christmas show always was, and I don't recall people claiming they were being conned over that. And if you're dealing with all the expense and logistics of getting a production team set up in a large church or cathedral - which you need for a programme linked to a festival - and getting a combined choir together and rehearsed, why not save licence-holders' money by filming two? To link this item of 'news' (which was never a secret anyway) with the scandals mentioned is frankly disingenuous and unworthy of a newspaper of your traditions.

James, Ipswich,

if some clown hit a football / cricket ball / tennis ball / snooker ball / whateverball anywhere on the planet the BBC would drop everything to be able to relay it live. But they can't plan for Easter?

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

i would say i am not bothered as they are not asking for people to call up but i think when it comes to religion they should own up i don't think they should be doing easter before christmas at all, bbc are just being cheapskates.

simone, UK, UK