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James Purnell was speaking on the Today programme about the corporation’s commitment to set up a new unit devoted to improving religious coverage.

But Mr Purnell, who was appointed the BBC’s director of radio and education in November last year, stunned listeners when he admitted he was a non-believer.

During a bruising interview yesterday morning, presenter Nick Robinson asked him: “Are you a religious man?” to which Mr Purnell replied: “I’m not. I’m an atheist but I think the issues around belief are incredibly important to how we live.”

Robinson then suggested that could be a problem for a head of the BBC’s religious programming.

But Mr Purnell replied: “The people who work at the BBC have a wide range of views.

“Our core thing is to reflect what the audience wants and to make programmes that serve that.”

Listeners expressed outrage.

Joan Winter, of Warwick, said: “How can he devote any care or attention to religious content if he thinks it’s all nonsense?”

The BBC was mocked last night for advertising a post for a “head of change” with a £78,000 salary.