Head of religion at the BBC admits he's an ATHEIST and announces plans to boost coverage of ALL religions across TV and radio
- James Purnell faced intense questioning on plans to boost religious coverage
- Said on R4 that he's an atheist but insisted being non-religious isn't a problem
- Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish holy days will now be marked on popular shows
James Purnell faced intense questioning on Radio 4's Today programme this morning
The BBC's director of religious programming today admitted he was an atheist, while discussing plans to boost its coverage of non-Christian festivals.
James Purnell, who earns £295,000 a year, faced intense questioning on Radio 4's Today programme this morning, but insisted that being non-religious was not a problem for his role.
Hours earlier it emerged Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish holy days will be marked on popular programmes including The One Show and Chris Evans on Radio 2.
On Radio 4 today, presenter Nick Robinson asked Mr Purnell: 'Are you a religious man?' - and the former Labour minister replied: 'I'm not. I'm an atheist but I think the issues around belief are incredibly important to how we live.'
Robinson asked him: 'Is that not a problem though? You are head of the BBC's religious programming, you got the job because the BBC decided to abolish the post of head of religious programming as a separate post usually held by a Christian, recently held by a Muslim. You're now doing it as part of a very busy job and you don't even believe.'
Oxford graduate Mr Purnell replied: 'Not at all. Actually, if you look at our audience, the vast majority of people in this country have a range of views; some people have very strong religious views, some people have strong atheistic views.
The Boy with the Topknot (pictured), a drama about an author struggling to tell his parents about his non-Sikh fiancée, was given as an example of the BBC already widening its coverage
'Actually the people who work at the BBC have a wide, wide range of views. Our core thing is to make great programmes, to reflect what the audience wants us to do, and to make programmes that serve that. We all have our different views, we all leave them at the door to make great programmes for our audience.'
He said there were no plans to scrap Thought for the Day on Today, adding: 'We've always done God, it's a key part of our purpose and with things like Thought for the Day I think we can hope to win over some of our more sceptical listeners as well.'
The interview comes two months after veteran BBC presenter John Humphrys described the daily Thought for the Day slot as 'deeply, deeply boring, often'.
And Mr Purnell's comments came as it emerged the BBC will give more primetime coverage to non-Christian festivals in a bid to be more reflective of British society.
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Storylines in dramas will show protagonists struggling with dilemmas caused by their faith, under the proposals to inject more religious themes into mainstream TV.
There will also be more primetime documentaries on religious and ethical issues featuring celebrity hosts and guests.
The proposals form part of a report today which follows a year-long review which concluded that people of all faiths were 'often absent, poorly presented or satirised'.
But Lord Hall of Birkenhead, director-general of the BBC, said its commitment to covering Christianity would not be affected as the corporation would find new ways to cover Easter and Christmas.
He said: '(The plans) will ensure the BBC better reflects the UK, the world and the role that religion plays in everyday life.
Mr Purnell (pictured at the Labour Party conference in Manchester in 2008 when he was work and pensions secretary) insisted that being non-religious was not a problem for his role
'They will also raise understanding of the impact religion has on decisions made at home and abroad.'
The BBC Religion and Ethics Review consulted more than 150 faith leaders and experts including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chief Rabbi and senior Muslim figures.
It heard complaints that BBC programmes 'don't reflect the everyday role of faith or [the] diversity of communities in mainstream drama and comedy.'
It was reported that the corporation was warned that it risks 'marginalising' its coverage of faith, despite producing 7,000 hours of religious coverage each year.
The review adds that there is an 'opportunity to increase impact with a more mainstream audience' and that the BBC will 'extend coverage of non-Christian religious calendars'.
Mr Purnell, who is the BBC's director of radio, education and religious programming, had previously said the corporation was already taking steps to widen its coverage.
The Boy with the Topknot, a BBC Two drama about an author struggling to tell his parents about his non-Sikh fiancée, was mentioned as an example.
Upcoming primetime shows include The Pilgrimage, which features celebrities travelling between holy sites, and Earth's Sacred Wonders, which will visit places of worship around the world.
The BBC, which has earmarked 2019 as its 'year of beliefs', has said it will also represent the views of those who 'are not engaged with traditional religion but are spiritual'.
But Stephen Evans, National Secular Society chief executive, told MailOnline: 'James Purnell's personal beliefs are an irrelevance - all that matters is his ability to carry out a fair and impartial review.
In October, veteran BBC presenter John Humphrys described the daily Thought for the Day slot as 'deeply, deeply boring, often'
'I'm not sure he's achieved that and the review is something of a missed opportunity. There should always be a place for good quality, informative and entertaining programming about religion and belief.
'But the BBC's tendency towards sycophancy and fawning coverage isn't appropriate and doesn't represent today's religion and belief landscape.
'Given that the BBC went to great lengths to consult faith representatives during the review, it's unsurprising that the final report has reflected their priorities – which are often out of touch not only among the non-religious majority, but many of those who follow religion.
'Most people in Britain are indifferent to religion and don't organise around religious identities, true diversity should reflect that.'
The news about Mr Purnell made some social media users laugh, with Ștefan Iaonco tweeting: 'Hilarious and so W1A: former politician turned head of religious broadcasting - James Purnell - at the BBC just confirmed on BBC Radio 4 Today that he's an atheist!'
Edward Bentfield added: 'With more than half the country saying they are not 'religious', the BBC announced today that it is 'to increase focus on Religion in its Programming' - James Purnell - the atheist head of BBC religious broadcasting. Get your head around that one; if you can.'
But Jay Singh-Sohal said of the new plans: 'As a British Sikh filmmaker who often battles to get stories onto BBC I very much welcome this move.
'Diverse communities need air time to share their values and help foster mainstream understanding. Not "festival journalism" but depth.'
Church of England priest Giles Fraser added: 'James Purnell very strong on the BBC doing God. The need for greater religious literacy now more important than ever.'
It was revealed in April that the religion and ethics department at BBC Studios in Salford, would fold as a result of independent producers taking over Songs of Praise.
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