Connie Fisher returns to host Songs of Praise

Connie FisherIn November Welsh singer, actor and presenter Connie Fisher will become the latest to front long running religious series Songs of Praise on BBC One.

The edition will be celebrating the theme of Climb Every Mountain. Guests joining Connie include soloist Elin Manahan Thomas, the Llandaff Cathedral Choir, Steve Balsamo and Rosalie Deighton.

Connie rose to fame playing the lead role of Maria in The Sound of Music at The London Palladium having won How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s reality TV show for BBC One.

I’m absolutely delighted to be presenting Songs of Praise for a second time. After playing a nun onstage for so many years as Maria Von Trapp, I thought I was familiar with ‘climbing every mountain’. However, when I agreed to present this special Welsh edition of the programme, I didn’t expect the production team to take the title literally and make me climb everything in sight! – Connie Fisher

Climb Every Mountain is the second of three special editions of Songs of Praise celebrating the rich musical heritage of Wales, produced by Avanti Media, one of Wales’ most successful independent content creators. Bear Grylls presented Welsh Coastal
Path on 25th August, whilst on 23rd February 2014 Llandaff: A City Within a City will celebrate St David’s Day in the stunning Llandaff Cathedral with the Three Welsh Tenors.

Singing plays a very important part in my life of course and, having overcome my own obstacles, the theme is particularly pertinent. In the programme I speak to people who have experienced the highs and lows of life, and have relied on their faith in God during the toughest climbs and their darkest valleys, and to those whose faith is inspired by the mountainous terrains of Wales.

Whilst faith means different things to different people, the joy we all find in singing is universal. We had great fun filming the programme. As a farmer’s granddaughter, I very much enjoyed donning my wellies, and getting stuck in with herdingsheep with one of Wales’ last remaining shepherds – although his unconventional method of whistling has to be seen to be believed! – Connie Fisher

Connie is no stranger to presenting having also fronted Connie’s Musical Map of Wales for the BBC and as well as a series of Connie’s People. The first actress to play Maria on stage in The Sound of Music in the UK was Jean Bayless who turned soap star in Crossroads.

The edition of Songs of Praise airs on November 3rd on BBC One.