The BBC faced a backlash yesterday over plans to drop Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory from the Last Night of the Proms. The anthems - which are popular with millions of Britons - could be axed as part of a dramatic shake-up in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
And there were fresh calls for the licence fee to be scrapped as campaigners and politicians branded the plans "a disgrace". An online petition has been set up asking for a parliamentary debate over the issue to "ensure our cultural history is protected". The broadcaster has been accused of showing contempt for pensioners while stripping millions of over-75s of free licences.

The finale of the annual festival of music – which is celebrating its 125th year and has been broadcast by the BBC since 1927 – will take place on September 12.

It is famed for its flag-waving fans belting out rousing versions of the songs inside a packed Royal Albert Hall.

But this year the audience will be kept away because of the pandemic, while social distancing means the orchestra is at half-strength.

Organisers are said to be looking at a more inclusive running order because of a "perceived association of colonialism and slavery".

It is claimed that COVID-19 restrictions will make it difficult to perform the songs, too – providing the perfect excuse to drop them.