The 49-year-old presenter told how BBC bosses decided to remove all references to fire, just over two weeks on from the inferno in West London which left many residents dead and unaccounted for.
Tonight’s six groups included an a cappella group from King’s College London All The King’s Men, a Polish jazz group Alle Choir, the London International Gospel Choir, a female vocal soul group Songbird Sessions, a Welsh choir Sgarmes and the newly formed 4 Tune Tellers and Kimmy.
Introducing the head-to-head battle round, Mel said: “One group is about to be knocked out of the competition.
“The other will face All The King’s Men in tonight’s solo battles. Deciding their fate is the ever dramatic Riff-Off.”
Normally the video screen would turn to reveal the theme, this week being “fire”.
However, this was scrapped and Mel recorded a new voiceover to explain the reason.
She said: “This show was recorded before the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the theme of this Riff-Off was fire.
“Due to some of the lyrics, we feel it would be insensitive to show it in full. Both of our lovely choirs fully support this decision.”
The programme then broadcast snippets from the round in quick succession, but left out any words referencing fire.
Songs that were due to be featured included Ellie Goulding’s Burn, The Trammps’ Disco Inferno, John Parr’s St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion), Take That’s Relight My Fire, Katy Perry’s Firework, and Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain.
It comes after the BBC initially announced that it would only rearrange the episodes, rather than chop up the show segment.
A BBC spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “Following the tragic fire in London today, due to song lyrics and themes, the decision has been taken to replace the original opening episode of Pitch Battle with another episode.”
Pitch Battle continues next Saturday on BBC One at 7.30pm.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
