For almost 75 years it has been a reassuring weekly fixture following an unchanged format, part of the fabric of the nation. But the pace and reach of social change appear to have left Desert Island Discs behind.
A new poll suggests that only 31% of people in the UK would like a copy of the Bible to take to a desert island. The Radio 4 programme’s imaginary castaways are given a Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare, along with their choice of eight pieces of music, another book and one luxury item.
Reflecting the increasing secularity and diversity of British society, the poll found that 56% of respondents would not choose to take a Bible, and another 13% were unsure. Fewer than one in three welcomed the inclusion of a Bible in their musical and literary accompaniments to a solitary existence. There was a noticeable generational difference: 18% of 18-to-24-year-olds would choose a Bible, compared with 39% of over-65s.
The first Desert Island Discs was recorded in January 1942 featuring the musical choices of Vic Oliver, an Austrian-born actor and comedian. Since then, more than 3,000 people have agonised over their selections – and millions more have fantasised about their line-up should the BBC ever call.
The programme was devised by broadcaster Roy Plomley, who presented it until his death in 1985, apart from a five-year break when it was off-air. He insisted on strict enforcement of the rules. After the death in 2012 of his widow, Diana Wong, who owned full rights to the show, there was speculation that the Bible might be dropped. But a BBC spokesman insisted there were “no plans” to remove it.
Some guests have objected. In 2010, Michael Mansfield, the human rights lawyer, requested a bible of vegetarian cooking instead, only to be told by the presenter, Kirsty Young, that he had no choice. In response to a complaint by the National Secular Society, Alice Feinstein, then the programme’s editor, wrote: “Castaways … are not forced to take a religious text – many choose not to take any religious book at all. Others do take one, but make the point they would read it simply as a piece of literature.”
David Walliams, the comedian, and David McVicar, the opera director, also refused the Bible. But novelist Philip Pullman, who is an atheist, accepted it, saying, “There are lots of good stories in the Bible.”
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Bible is the most widely read book of all time, followed by Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-Tung and the Harry Potter series.
Steve Cox, chairman of the Church and Media Network, which commissioned the poll from ComRes, said: “Despite claims that we live in a secular country, it’s encouraging to see a third of Brits still value the Bible as an important work. Whether you are a Christian or not, the Bible is an amazing book that gives accounts of life, love and hope.
“It is wonderfully rich in texture, containing histories, letters, poetry and much more, describing the human condition, family, and the wrestling with all that life has thrown at humankind throughout the centuries: triumph, despair, courage, grief, redemption and hope.
“As Christians we also happen to believe that it is not just a piece of literature, but God’s word. I cannot think of a better book to take with me if I were to be stranded on a desert island.”
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