BBC defended the episode, insisting it was 'not a political statement'

None of the programme's hymns were sung from makeshift migrant church

One admitted trying to cross Channel every night by hiding under trains

A controversial Songs of Praise special filmed at a migrant camp in Calais has aired on the BBC.

The programme's crew descended on The Jungle, a shanty-like town of tents and rubbish that is home to thousands of desperate migrants, to interview some of those trying to enter the UK.

Presenter Sally Magnusson was seen questioning two African migrants about their faith, one of whom admitted trying to sneak into the UK every night by hiding under trains.

None of the episode's hymns were sung at a makeshift church built by the migrants however, with the camera reverting to congregations across Britain for the show's music.

In a special Songs of Praise, presenter Sally Magnusson spoke to one migrant in Calais who admitted trying to enter the UK illegally every night after fleeing from Sudan where he says he was persecuted for over his faith

Introducing the episode this afternoon, Miss Magnusson said it sought to explore 'the faith aspects of the migrant crisis in Calais'.

She was filmed standing outside St Michael's, a rickety, make-shift church erected by migrants, before being taken inside by an Ethiopian theology student living in the port town.

'They have clung to the thing most precious to them, their faith. As I discovered, a symbol of that faith is plain to see.

'It's clearly makeshift and temporary but it is a church and there's something striking about it,' the 59-year-old said.

Footage filmed inside showed religious drawings, prayer books and rugs laid out for the scores of migrants who arrive every day to worship.

At the beginning of the episode presenter Sally Magnusson is seen walking through the camp known as 'The Jungle'

She is taken inside the makeshift church, named St Michael's, by an Ethiopian theology student

Later Nima, the young Ethiopian who runs some of the church's services, said he had not tried to illegally enter Britain but that migrants were left little other choice

Nima, a theology student from Ethiopia who leads some of the church's services, said they prayed in their droves to the angel Gabriel to 'save their lives'.

'All of us we love this church. We love it more than ourselves,' he said.

Despite claiming that he did not try to enter the UK illegally, he added: 'It is not right to enter the UK illegally but, if it is not right, what are we supposed to do?'

Elsewhere a Sudanese migrant called Daniel, who claimed to have fled the war-torn country after being persecuted for being protestant, said he attempted to cross the Channel every night 'under trains'.

Another migrant, called Daniel, said he had been forced to flee Sudan for Calais because of his faith

Children gather for a service in the makeshift church which volunteers said the migrants were more eager to build than temporary housing

Asked by Magnusson whether he prayed to get to England, he responded: 'I pray every day, not (just) for England but for my life.'

Another segment saw the Reverend Giles Fraser attend a service at the makeshift church.

He described it as 'really moving,' telling the programme: 'These are my brothers and sisters in Christianity. They are part of me.'

The programme split viewer opinion, with some praising the BBC's 'humanising' approach to the migrant crisis while others accused it of trying to 'brainwash' them into sympathising with those interviewed.

Earlier this week the Corporation defended its decision to film in 'The Jungle', insisting it was 'not a political statement on the situation.'

Instead the programme sought to 'reflect conversations going on in Christian households,' said Aaqil Ahmed, the BBC's head of religion and ethics.

Migrants sit on the floor of St Michael's during one of the church's services. None of the hymns included in the programme were sung there

The BBC reverted to footage of congregations across Britain for the programme's hymns on Sunday

He compared the migrants to Mary and Joseph, adding that the programme was 'looking at how people express their faith'.

'For centuries Christians have related to the vivid image of the Holy family becoming refugees themselves when Joseph, Mary and their baby son had to flee persecution from King Herod and escape to Egypt,' Mr Ahmed wrote in a blog.

'The Gospels themselves are full of stories and teachings of Jesus to help those in need, to find the dispossessed and vulnerable and to love your neighbour as yourself, whether that’s close to home or in a global context.

'The programme is looking at how people express their faith, it is not a political statement on the situation or a judgement on migration, and to suggest so is wrong.

'Songs of Praise is simply reflecting the conversations going on in many churches and Christian households around the country.'