Songs of Praise — Season 2017

2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, so Aled Jones goes behind the scenes at Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace. There is also a look back at the very best of Songs of Praise from the last 12 months.

Josie d'Arby meets those whose faith has brought freedom from spiralling debt, and Katie Melua performs Rachmaninov's All Night Vigil.

Days before Donald Trump enters the White House as president, we find out about his family connections to the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides.

It's Hull's big year as the UK's City of Culture, and Aled Jones discovers what that means for England's biggest parish church and how Hull's famous sons, from William Wilberforce to the latest BBC Face of Hull, are all getting in on the act.

Josie d'Arby celebrates Chinese New Year at a magic lantern festival and we meet Stella Parton, sister of Dolly, who shows that musical talent and faith run in the family. Plus a performance of the Nunc Dimittis from Alexander Armstrong.

It's the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, and Connie Fisher visits the Hampshire house where the celebrated romantic novelist lived to examine her - not always flattering - portrayal of clergymen.

Aled Jones visits north Wales to follow the pilgrim trail to Bardsey Island, reputed to be the resting place of 20,000 saints. And Kate Bottley is in Dublin to uncover the real St Valentine.

Marking the 25th anniversary of the Church of England's vote in favour of women's ordination, David Grant meets the first female Anglican priest.

Josie d'Arby is down on the farm in Dartmoor, joining girls from inner-city London who are being given a taste of rural life. And the famous bells of Southwark Cathedral are hoisted back up their tower.

Thirty years after the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, which resulted in the loss of 193 passengers and crew, Aled Jones is in Dover to hear first-hand accounts from survivors and precious memories from people who lost loved ones.

With Britain facing a housing crisis, Josie d'Arby visits the Lake District to see how the church can make a difference. And to mark the season of Lent, Dr John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, discusses the subject of forgiveness.There is music to celebrate St Patrick's Day and a performance by flautist Sir James Galway.

Aled Jones follows the work of a hospital chaplain and witnesses the highs and lows of life on the wards.

For Mothering Sunday, David Grant meets a mum who became a boxing coach to help youngsters in her community and a foster mum who took in three young asylum seekers from Afghanistan. The archbishop of York continues his special interviews for Lent, and there is music to lift the soul.

Josie d'Arby visits the fishing port of Peterhead and meets the trawlermen whose job is one of the most dangerous in Britain. Plus a look back at a music revolution in the church 50 years ago.

Josie d'Arby is in the Yorkshire Dales for lambing season, and the archbishop of York meets the mother who forgave those responsible for the death of her son.

For Easter Sunday, Sally Magnusson discovers how the people of Greater Manchester have come together to stage an ambitious outdoor performance of the greatest story ever told - Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

David Grant visits Leybourne Animal Centre in Kent, run by the oldest welfare organisation in the world - the RSPCA - founded nearly 200 years ago by a Church of England vicar.

Josie d'Arby celebrates 30 years of saving lives with the Cornwall Air Ambulance, and we visit the church service in London that is bound to put a smile on your face.

Sally Magnusson visits Guernsey as its people approach the anniversary of the liberation of the island from German occupation in May 1945. She hears from a woman who lived under Nazi rule and how even today a community cafe, run by ex offenders, is still liberating people.

Pam Rhodes explores how a tiny island in the Lake District inspired a Victorian clergyman to become one of the founders of the National Trust.

Josie d'Arby meets nuns at a convent in Pembrokeshire and hears how they dedicate themselves to life in a closed community.

In the aftermath of the terror attack in Manchester, Aled Jones discovers how the city is pulling together and the role that faith is playing in the recovery.

Josie d'Arby is in Liverpool to celebrate the golden jubilee of the city's iconic Metropolitan Cathedral and to share a very special occasion with two of its young parishioners. And there's music to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.

Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker and his wife Tiggy reveal what it is like to become a carer when your partner has to battle cancer, and we meet the soldiers preparing for this year's Trooping the Colour.

Connie Fisher joins the Street Angels of Magaluf as they patrol the Spanish party town, offering aid and advice to dusk-to-dawn revellers.

David Grant travels along the Settle to Carlisle Railway, taking in the spectacular views and hearing the story of the workers who risked their lives to build the remarkable Ribblehead Viaduct.

Aled Jones visits Chatsworth for its first flower show, Pam Rhodes discovers more about the estate's history, and former JLS star JB Gill talks faith and farming.

Sean Fletcher visits Mont Saint-Michel in France to meet some modern-day pilgrims and discover the history of this iconic and majestic monastery.

Aled Jones takes to the Welsh hills with Mike Peters from the band The Alarm on a walk to raise money for NHS cancer services. The Rev Kate Bottley meets a royal composer at St Asaph's Cathedral and the hospital chaplain who connects with dementia patients by singing like Elvis!

Katherine Jenkins explores the seaside resort of Hastings, revealing how the battle of 1066 changed British Christian history, and meets the volunteers from a local church who help mums by providing Moses baskets full of donations for newborn babies.Sean Fletcher finds out how Voces 8 are inspiring young people to take up choral singing, and Claire McCollum meets a young man whose faith has helped him make it all the way to representing Great Britain at the World Transplant Games.Katherine performs the classic hymn Jerusalem.

Aled Jones is at Southwark Cathedral in London to reveal how people are pulling together in a spirit of love, light and unity after the recent tragic events in the capital. Josie d'Arby finds out how the Salvation Army supports the emergency services and meets Britain's youngest black vicar as he gives his first service.

Claire McCollum is in Port Sunlight to hear how Christian entrepreneur William Hesketh Lever built this idyllic village to house his soap factory workers. The Reverend Kate Bottley meets the remarkable 13-year-old who sings like an angel.

Josie d'Arby joins thousands of Christians at the annual New Wine gathering in Somerset, and Connie Fisher visits Abbey Road Studios on the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' song All You Need Is Love.

Sally Magnusson is in Scotland's capital as the city celebrates 70 years of the world-famous Edinburgh Festival, and JB Gill meets gospel music legends The Blind Boys of Alabama. Plus hymns from Edinburgh's Stockbridge Church, including The Lord is My Shepherd and Immortal Invisible.

To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, Songs of Praise celebrates how she broke down barriers through her amazing charity work and meets those who benefitted. At the Mildmay Aids Hospital in London, Pam Rhodes talks to a nurse and the mother of a patient who Diana met before he died. Sally Magnusson journeys to Nepal to discover the impact Diana made by shaking hands with patients who had leprosy, and Aled Jones takes a personal tour of the newly created memorial White Garden at Kensington Palace.

Claire McCollum travels to County Mayo in Ireland to join thousands of pilgrims as they climb Ireland's holy mountain - Croagh Patrick. Sean Fletcher visits another point of major interest for pilgrims, Knock Shrine. Sally Magnusson travels to Nepal to reveal how mountaineer Doug Scott is giving something back to the people. And Claire tells the story of the Celtic Christian who became a pirate queen. There is also a spectacular performance of Amazing Grace by Celtic Woman.

Katherine Jenkins travels to the monastery on Caldey Island, just off the coast from the holiday resort of Tenby in west Wales, to sample monastic life in the 21st century. This monastery funds itself through its own businesses and small enterprises, and Katherine is guided around the monastery by Brother David, one of its longest-serving monks. Josie d'Arby meets the father-and-son duo behind the choir Angelicus Celtis, who were Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists. With hymns and songs from the beach at Tenby Harbour.

Aled Jonesis in the seaside town of Eastbourne during its famous International Air Show. He takes to the skies with the Blades aerobatic display team and meets a 95-year-old World War II pilot who is supported by their charity work. Aled also meets one of the RAF's first female pilots, who swapped the cockpit for the pulpit, and Pam Rhodes visits a charity making aviation accessible to people with disabilities. Hymns come from the Eastbourne Bandstand with worship leader Lou Fellingham leading the 1,000-strong congregation.

Aled Jones and JB Gill are at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show to celebrate harvest. Aled tries his hand at herding ducks, while JB Gill finds out about the show's long Christian heritage and meets the world's leading rugby referee, who talks about his faith. With hymns from the sheep-shearing shed.

Sean Fletcher celebrates 60 years of the space race at the National Space Centre in Leicester. The Reverend Kate Bottley meets a Christian astronaut.

Katherine Jenkins joins a Christian retreat walk. Sean Fletcher meets Rev Richard Coles, who talks about his struggles with mental health.

Aled Jones feels the valley's warm welcome in Pontypridd and hears the story of a bridge building minister while JB Gill enjoys art and singing in Christian worship.

Claire McCollum is in Dungannon, County Tyrone, as she introduces music and inspirational stories of faith from across Ireland. She takes to the sea on a tall ship for a voyage designed to bring together teenagers from both sides of the border. Sean Fletcher discovers more about the devastating Irish famine 170 years ago and how a small group of Quakers launched an enormous relief effort. And there's a special performance from Northern Irish singer-songwriter Nathan Jess.

The Reverend Kate Bottley visits Hereford Cathedral and is shown its famous treasure, the mappa mundi, the world's largest surviving medieval map. She also meets a Christian and her family who have farmed the same land for four generations. Top jazz singer Gregory Porter tells JB Gill about his own Christian faith and performs the song When Love Was King. Former military man and bodyguard Stuart Anderson explains how Christianity has impacted his life. Hymns include For All the Saints, Great Is Thy Faithfulness and There Is a Redeemer.

Sean Fletcher visits Milton Keynes as it celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, and he has a kick-about with freestyle footballer Daniel Cutting.

In a special programme, Claire McCollum is in Enniskillen where 30 years ago, an IRA bomb exploded during a Remembrance Day ceremony.Viewers will hear inspirational stories of hope and faith including the story of Gordon and Joan Wilson, whose daughter Marie was the youngest victim. Joan recalls how her husband's deep Christian faith inspired his famous words hours after the atrocity "I bear no ill will to anyone", which many believe helped the Peace Process.Sean Fletcher reveals how the MOD is helping relatives of servicemen declared missing in action and meets Alma Williams from Cheshire, who is finally able to bury her brother, 74 years after his death. There are hymns for Remembrance Day from St Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen including… O God Our Help In Ages Past and Abide With Me.

Katherine Jenkins is in Windsor to mark Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary, and she is joined by Prince Michael, who was a pageboy at the wedding. Kate Bottley talks to another couple celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. The programme meets sculptor who designed the commemorative ú5 coin and travels to the Royal Mint to see it being struck. Plus hymns from around the UK, including two of the Queen's favourites, which were sung at her wedding.

David Grant hosts the competition to find the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year 2017. Five leading amateur choirs take to the stage of Central Hall Westminster in London to compete for the prestigious trophy. The judges are singer-songwriter Seal, broadcaster and worship leader Muyiwa Olarewaju, and award-winning gospel specialist Karen Gibson.

David Grant presents the final of the annual Gospel Choir of the Year competition, as five leading amateur choirs take to the stage of Central Hall Westminster in London to raise the roof with the glorious sound of gospel.Deciding which choir will win are three judges - singer-songwriter Seal, broadcaster and worship leader Muyiwa Olarewaju, and award-winning gospel specialist Karen Gibson.

Josie d'Arby celebrates Advent by following the journey of a Christmas tree from a Devon forest to a village church, while its farmers share their own deeply held Christian faith. In Plymouth, a church minister with cancer describes how God is helping him look forward to Christmas. JB Gill meets B Positive, a new choir founded by the MOBO Awards and the NHS to encourage people from all different backgrounds to give blood, and he donates his own for the first time.Songwriter Matt Redman performs a Christmas song - How Far, while the Hereford Cathedral Choristers sing The Truth From Above. Plus there are hymns and carols both old and new, including Hills of the North Rejoice, Christ Be Our Light, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Here I Am To Worship and The First Nowell.

Songs of Praise presenters each choose their favourite carol, and some are sung by candlelight in Winchester to celebrate Christmas. Sean Fletcher visits the Hospital of St Cross to find out about their tradition of giving food to pilgrims, and he catches up with former presenter Debbie Thrower, now a lay cannon in Winchester Cathedral. Carols include O Come All Ye Faithful, Away in a Manger, When a Child Is Born and Once in Royal David's City.

Songs of Praise celebrates Christmas in London with 5000 voices raising the roof of the Royal Albert Hall. The programme includes a performance from Katherine Jenkins.

An audience of 5,000 sing at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate New Year's Eve. The programme features performances by former Westlife star Shane Filan, Mary-Jess and the boys' choir Libera.