ZapGossip

Katie Piper joins Songs of Praise

Katie Piper is joining the ‘Songs of Praise’ presenting team.

The 36-year-old writer will be part of the BBC’s religious music series for this year’s Harvest edition to celebrate the annual autumn festival.

Taking to Twitter to reveal the news, she wrote: "I am so excited 2 announce that I am joining the @bbc ‘Songs Of Praise’ presenting team!

"I am really looking forward 2meeting so many different people & hearing their inspiring and uplifting stories. I will be on the Harvest edition on Sunday, 20th September at 1.15pm on BBC One (sic)."

A number of fans took to the comments to congratulate Katie on her new role.

One wrote: "That’s wonderful news. I haven’t seen it in years but that’s a lovely reason to tune in. I met the delightful @DavidGrantSays in Malmesbury abbey once when they were recording it in town. Well done Katie!"

Another said: "So pleased with the news Katie. I always watch the programme and you will be a wonderful addition xx"

Whilst a third added: "Fantastic !!! Congratulations !! I really enjoyed seeing you and your mom the other year on SOP. (sic)"

The BBC show has celebrated Christianity by airing people singing hymns in churches from around the UK since 1961.

The current main presenters include Aled Jones, Katherine Jenkins, Sean Fletcher, JB Gill, David Grant, Bill Turnbull, Pam Rhodes, Sally Magnusson, Diane-Louise Jordan, Claire McCollum, Connie Fisher, Dan Walker and Kate Bottley.

Meanwhile, Katie recently rejected a lucrative offer to star on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ over fears for her health.

The star received a big-money offer from ITV bosses to appear on the show, but she ultimately rejected the opportunity as she’s still recovering from an acid attack in 2008.

Katie – who has had more than 250 operations over the last 12 years – said: "An offer for the jungle came into my agency. But I’ve got too many medical problems to do it, so I couldn’t sign up.

"If I was in a camp I’d be the person everyone hates because it would always be, ‘Katie can’t do this trial for medical reasons’. So I don’t think I’d be very popular."