Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Pam Rhodes has been a familiar face on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television's Songs Of Praise for over 20 years, with high profile interviews and meetings including the Pope, Dr. Christiaan Barnard, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and members of the Royal Family.

Pam cut her teeth in news journalism as the anchor for Anglia Television's evening news programme and is a patron of many local and national charities. Well known as an after dinner speaker, Pam often comperes large orchestral and musical events at symphony halls around the country.

What has been your most memorable experience whilst presenting Songs of Praise?

Over 24 years, there have been so many memories – of magical visits overseas to present programmes from the Sydney Opera House, from one of the Vatican basilicas, from Zimbabwe, Vienna, Nashville, Hong Kong and Brazil. I've met fascinating people from Pope John Paul to Dolly Parton, from Sir Cliff Richard to the Reverend Jesse Jackson – but the stories and people who stay with me most are not famous at all, but just your neighbours and mine in streets and towns up and down Great Britain – people who tell their story with extraordinary honesty and courage.

Is there a particular viewers story that has stayed with you or inspired you over the years?

More than 20 years ago, I was sent down to Falmouth where I met a wonderful couple called Daphne and David Petersen. Less than a year before, they had lost four children in a fire at their home – a hugely traumatic experience which devastated a very loving family. I remember Daphne and I hugging and blubbing our eyes out at the end of our interview – but it was the start of a friendship, which has lasted ever since. Daphne went on running the local pre-school playgroup in her area, and her loving care for children in spite of her own tragedy is nothing less than inspirational. The depth of her faith touched me deeply too. As a Mum myself, I wondered how strong my faith would remain in the face of such tragedy. I hope it would hold fast – but can we ever know until we experience something as awful as that ourselves?

What do you like best about Songs Of Praise?

What I love about Songs Of Praise is that, although it is a Christian programme, it is also very inclusive in a way, which is positive and constructive. If one of our interviewees is talking from the heart about bereavement, their experience is likely to touch and encourage people who are Christians, as well as those of other faiths, or of no faith at all. So often the subjects we cover are simply about the human experience. You don't have to be a Christian to identify with the feelings and experiences of many of the people we meet during the programme

What is your favourite hymn/piece of music?

I have several favourites – Eternal Father Strong To Save, because I grew up in a naval family where the words of that hymn always hit home; A Touching Place – a modern hymn written by John Bell and Graham Maule of the Iona Community, which teams very uncompromising words describing the hard challenges of everyday life nowadays with a haunting traditional Scottish melody; and a little children's song called Let There Be Peace On Earth And Let It Begin With Me – because I like the tune, but love the sentiment that change for the better, and the possibility of peace on earth, begins with each and every one of us.

Why do you think Songs Of Praise is still so well loved 50 years after it was first broadcast?

I think it remains so popular because it is more than just "television". People may switch on for the hymns, but what they often remember most are the people who speak so generously and candidly in between the hymns. These aren't professional speakers. They are just ordinary people who speak about their very human experience in a way, which touches viewers at home, who may often identify in their own way with the story on screen. Viewers are challenged and encouraged by what they hear and definitely reassured to hear how faith has provided great strength during difficult times.