A bishop who interrupted a church live performance in his dressing robe – and instructed singers to “go away his home” – has formally apologised to the choir.
Jonathan Baker was filmed standing barefoot at a microphone as he criticised performers for making a “horrible racket” at St Andrew’s Church in central London.
Addressing the Metropolis Academy Voices choir instantly, the bishop of Fulham mentioned: “I write to apologise for the misery and offence I brought about in bringing the live performance to a untimely finish.
“This could not have occurred … I additionally apologise for remarks which had been made in haste, and which have understandably brought about harm and misery.”
Mr Baker had demanded for the efficiency to cease as a result of it was 10pm – and says he did not realise the choir had booked the church till 11pm.
Within the assertion obtained by Sky Information, he added: “I’ve lived right here on website at St Andrew’s for 10 years, for a lot of which Metropolis Academy has rehearsed and carried out right here.
“You may have been, and proceed to be, welcome – and I hope that it is possible for you to to proceed the connection with us.
“I can provide you each assurance that the occasions of Friday night is not going to recur, and I apologise once more to performers (particularly these unable to carry out on the finish of the night) and the viewers alike.”
The choir was performing to a 300-strong viewers in Holborn when the lights had been out of the blue turned off, with Mr Baker declaring the live performance was “over”.
A church worker then requested the group to go away quietly and for the musicians to step down from the stage, attracting boos from the viewers.
The choir went on to carry out one final music, an A cappella model of ABBA’s Dancing Queen, earlier than bringing their present to an in depth.
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One member of the viewers, who was attending together with his 10-year-old daughter, instructed Sky Information he initially thought the interruption was a staged joke.
Benedict Collins had instructed Sky Information: “This work deserves respect, to not be disparaged as a ‘horrible racket’. The folks right here had put their coronary heart and soul into it.
“The bishop reduce them off in midstream, stopping soloists who had labored their hardest from singing – and stopping the viewers, which included folks of all ages, from having fun with it to the top.”
The choir instructed Sky Information it was “upsetting” that they had been unable to complete their present as deliberate, however “maintain no arduous emotions and need the bishop properly”.
A spokesperson added: “If anybody is pondering of becoming a member of one in all our choirs, the Metropolis Academy Voices rehearse on Mondays in central London. Dressing robes non-compulsory.”
(c) Sky Information 2025: ‘This shouldn’t have happened’: Bishop who interrupted church choir in dressing gown apologises
