R2OK!

Nickbucks · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 100

Brian D'Arcy announced at the end of tonight's programme that he was quiting in February. Suggestions for another celeb to take this on ?

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

I just heard that as well. I've no idea who they could get to take it over unless there is someone from the Pause For Thought lot. I only hear it when Evans is away so don't really know who is there.

I suppose they are all getting on a bit now!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I love hymns and used to listen to Sunday Half Hour religiously (pardon the pun) when Roger Royle presented it but I've never really warmed to the current presenter

Having said that I do hope the programme doesn't go downhill and turn into one of those ridiculous ecumenical offerings which devalues traditional British culture and in the end appeals to nobody

Long live the traditional British hymn service Very Happy

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iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Agree with all Ruddlescat's comments. As for a new presenter, how about Canon Ann Easter or Rev Ruth Scott?

Ian.

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

New presenter has been announced as .... Diane-Louise Jordan. Currently on Songs of Praise. Is this the first time we've not had an ordained minister as a regular presenter?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/sunday-half-hour.html

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Oh dear I can't see that going down well at all. I think you're probably right about it being the first non ordained minister.

I don't care for women broadcasters (well 90% of them!) so I doubt if I'll listen on the odd ocasion that I'm listening to the preceding programme on a Sunday night.

What is it with these programme makers? Rolling Eyes

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I think it's a mistake not having an ordained clergyman doing the job and in any event I think if they had to go for a female lay person Pam Rhodes would have been a far better choice

Whilst normally liking most female presenters on this one I'm with Helen quite simply because I do not agree with the ordination of women in the Church and I think such a job should be done by an ordained male person if such a person is available

The programme risks losing its unique sense of gravitas and tradition in my view Sad

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

I agree with you on the ordination of women Ruddles. I have visions of it becoming a 'happy clappy' programme which will be awful. I'm not religious (even though I went to a convent school from 5-18!) but am a traditionalist when it comes to hymns.

I'd forgotten about Pam Rhodes who would have been a good choice IMHO.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

At least he's contributing to Pause For Thought. Songs Of Praise will be aired on Radio 2 soon Laughing

Nickbucks · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 100

She ticks all the politically correct boxes are as far as R2 and its political masters are concerned. I hear they are still looking for an extra terrestrial since they fear they may be discriminating against them as well !

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

@ Nick!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject:

Oh dear. I thought she was terrible on Blue Peter, and not much better on Songs of Praise. The worst thing about that job is she pretended to be into religion in order to get the job (and now claims the show converted her properly).

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

It's probably only relatively recently that Sunday Half-Hour has had a regular presenter. Very brief checking back to the 1970s shows different presenters all the time with a smattering of Revs and Fathers but also other regular broadcasting names some will recognise: Geoffrey Wheeler, Godfrey Talbot, Jeremy Carrard and Martin Muncaster.
The aptly named Michael Vickers was a regular in the late 60s/early 70s.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:54 am Post subject:

It was funny on Chris Evans show this morning as they spent lots of time going on about Desert Island Discs being the longest-running show on British radio and doing a 60th Anniversary celebration on Friday... and then Father Brian casually mentioned he'd presented Sunday Half Hour's 70th Anniversary show "a couple of years ago" Laughing

Sure enough, DID gets all the hype but Sunday Half Hour is 12 years older.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

To be hoped Chris was told to eat humble pie and get back in his box................ No? I thought not Rolling Eyes

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

It's some time since I've heard DLJ and, whilst I wasn't struck on her at that time, I'll try to keep an open mind till I've heard her on SHH a time or two.

Ian.

R2Icon · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 1444

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Aled would be a far better choice than what is presently being proposed

Even though he is not an ordained clergyman at least he can relate to the experience of singing hymns in Church Choirs and he has a good knowledge of the religious musical calendar and the history of the main religious festivals

And yes - RA I'm sure would be an excellent replacement for Sunday breakfast Smile

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