A disco diva presents BBC Radio 2's gospel programme.

The word 'disco' will forever be associated with Gloria Gaynor. For it was she who sold millions with those high energy classics "I Will Survive" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" and came to embody the glitzy world of mirror balls and Saturday Night Fever every bit as much as Travolta and the Bee Gees. But now Gloria has hacked out a new career for herself, as presenter of Britain's most popular Christian music show. 'Gloria Gaynor's Gospel Train' begins its third series on BBC Radio 2 FM on 15th October and, like its predecessors are a showcase for all that is good in black gospel music. The new series, featuring album tracks ancient and modern also offers exclusive recordings by the Winans and Thomas Whitfield plus recorded-for-the-show Brit's such as the Wood Green Gospel Choir, Junior Robinson and Godfrey Gayle. Gloria is anxious that the show communicates spiritual truths as well as top quality music. "Since my conversion in 1982, I believe God has called me to be a witness for him. I see people have a God-shaped void in their lives and a show like the gospel train can be a first step in a journey which could, in time, lead them to Christ.

Gloria was taken by surprise when the BBC asked her to pursue a gospel show. She'd already become known as a zealous Christian, witnessing to her faith in interviews and even at one stage planning a gospel album (sadly, never recorded) with now defunct British Christian music label Ears And Eyes. "I was amazed when the BBC asked me", admits Gloria. "I was surprised people still listen to radio!" But they did, and in increasing numbers for a show which far from being the 'minority interest's slot of much religious broadcasting has held and even increased its listenership. For the future Gloria sees the music policy of the show "gradually moving towards more contemporary music" though without bucking against Radio 2's slightly staid music policy. On the album front Gloria is planning a new soul/dance album featuring a gospel song or two. But she hopes to continue to climb on board the Gospel train, "I love doing the show and judging from the cards I get, the public loves me doing it."