BBC Local Radio to air Monty Panesar special on Sikh faith during lockdown

Former England cricket star, Monty Panesar has spoken of how his Sikh faith helped him during lockdown in one of a series of religious reflections on BBC Local Radio.

As part of the reflection which will be broadcast across 14 BBC Local Radio stations and BBC Sounds on Sunday, he said his Sikh faith had helped him question his life and get structure to his day by exercising to Kirtan (devotional songs) during lockdown.

Born in Luton, Monty made his test debut in Nagpur in 2006 against India by taking the wicket of world respected batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

Speaking on the broadcast, he said, “One thing I was pleased about was how the Sikh community continued to do Seva (selfless service) to feed many people and help the homeless during the covid 19 crisis. So for me, that was the reflection of what our Sikhism is about.”

The Sikh reflection will feature on 14 BBC Local Radio stations at 05:50 on Sunday. It will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds.