Pam Rhodes
STILL ON SONG AFTER 25 YEARS
Fronting Songs Of Praise has been a compelling and powerful experience, says presenter
She may have interviewed some of the world’s biggest names but it is the ‘ordinary’ folk who Pam Rhodes really enjoys meeting as part of her role in Britain’s longest running religious series, Songs Of Praise. Pam, who has been presenting the much-loved Sunday afternoon treat for 25 years, says that working on the show has been a great pleasure and has enriched her life in more ways than she could ever have imagined. “I’ve absolutely loved working on Songs Of Praise,” she smiles. “It’s a lovely show and has really enhanced my life and faith. I’ve interviewed all kinds of famous people which has been wonderful but it’s the ‘people next door’ that I’ve really loved meeting.
“Every ‘ordinary’ person is extraordinary and as an interviewer, it’s been such a great pleasure. The privilege of my position means that I’m able to ask people the questions that most people would never normally ask and get right to the nub of the matter.
“The fact that people are so generous and trusting about what has happened to them in their lives is incredibly humbling and a great intimacy is usually created with them as a result of my interview.”
The TV presenter says that the show has only helped to strengthen her faith. Being constantly exposed to the power of faith and prayer has meant Pam has witnessed more than most in her working life.
She says: “The Songs Of Praise experience means that I’ve had the opportunity of speaking to hundreds of people about their faith and so I’ve heard many, real examples of the power of prayer. I think when you hear that it’s not just you who believes, it becomes incredibly compelling and powerful.”
Pam’s journey towards a deep-rooted belief began at school. As a member of a proud navy family, she was introduced to a strong Christian ethos at a young age and has continued throughout her life to remain devoted.
“My journey really began in the most traditional way. The hymn ‘Eternal Father, Strong To Save’ was very important to families like mine as many of the fathers were away working at sea for up to three months at a time.
“My schooling had the greatest influence on my faith, but it wasn’t until I came to London when I was working behind the scenes in television that I got involved with community projects and began to merge my faith with a sense of responsibility. I used to teach dancing in youth clubs across London and that’s when my role as a Christian really became clear.”
Pam’s sense of God’s calling is something which she has now come to accept as part of her life as a devoted believer.
She says: “There are often occasions when I’m talking and I think of the hymn ‘God Be In My Head’. When I’m doing public speaking or interviewing someone, sometimes I’m afraid I won’t know what to say, but yet somehow the right words do come out!
“When this happens, it makes me realise that I’m just a channel, that I’m part of a greater plan to do God’s work, which is very comforting. I’m sure many people feel the same way.”
After working on Songs Of Praise for so many years, it’s perhaps no surprise that Pam is a huge fan of Christian hymns. Indeed, she describes them as ‘little prayers in our pockets’.
“Hymns are often rather overlooked in regards to their value and importance to us as Christians. The writers put the words so beautifully together, so that when they are paired with the perfect accompanying music, they become indelible in our minds.
“Hymns come back to you easily because of the music, which means they’re always right there in our heads for us to access when we need them.”
While Pam acknowledges that Christianity is changing and modernising, she says that hymns need to be appreciated and held dear by all believers.
“I think we need to be very careful that, as we inevitably move on with the times, we don’t lose our heritage and the wonderful value that hymns can bring into our lives. Otherwise we really will be missing out on such a huge and wonderful resource.
“The poetry of hymns and their words say so much and I really do think that hymn singing is a resource that can bring incredible joy and comfort to us as Christians.”
Pam, a mother to two children and stepmother to six, is now also a grandmother. Thinking back on her time as a presenter for Songs Of Praise, she says it’s incredible how the journey of her life has echoed that of her as a presenter on the show.
“One of the next shows I’m working on with Songs Of Praise is one tied in with the celebration of grandparents, because of National Grandparents Day in America this September.
“I’ve really grown up with the show and I do think that my age and experience echoes the profiles of our viewers.
“It’s quite funny to think that when I started the show 25 years ago, I was a young thing and now 25 years later, I’m working on a show about grandparents, when I’m a grandparent myself! It really has been a truly wonderful experience.
Barnabas Ministries UK 