The North Yorkshire abbey’s makeover will cost £6.8m, according to The Sunday Telegraph, which challenges the community of 58 monks and lay people who adhere to the Benedictine precept of living “prayerfully, compassionately and humbly in the service of God and our fellow men”.

Barring the introduction of electric light and the installation of a hand basin, the abbey hasn’t been revamped for 120 years.

Fr Chan Boulton, a resident at the monastery told the paper modernisation was needed as the monks’ accommodation had been neglected.

However, the monks’ aren’t all in agreement as to what changes need to be made.

Fr Boulton explained: “We have had a great debate as a community over what is acceptable for a monk.

“Is an en suite going too far for a monk?”

An artist’s impression of the new rooms includes modern storage and Molton Brown products in plush bathrooms.

The refurbishments will include replacing all the windows throughout the abbey, replacing the chimney and introducing a loop system for monks who have hearing problems.

The abbey is appealing for help to raise the final £1m and the monks have offered their services to raise the cash.

Fr Henry Wansbrough, 83, who is often seen whizzing around the grounds on his scooter, told The Times: “We looked at everything we didn’t need and sold it.

“Even a monk acquires clutter.”

The singer and TV presenter, who found fame at the age of 12 with his top five Christmas hit Walking In The Air, said he was “deeply sorry” for any upset caused but strongly denied any “inappropriate contact”.

A spokesman for the 46-year-old said that while the matter does not relate to any broadcast work, he had voluntarily agreed not to go on the BBC while it is investigated.

In a statement, the spokesman added: “Whilst he accepts that his behaviour over a decade ago was occasionally juvenile, as was that of others, he never intended to harass or distress and he strongly denies any inappropriate contact.

“He is, however, deeply sorry for any upset caused and hopes this matter is resolved soon.”

The former choirboy received an MBE in 2013 for his services to music and broadcasting.

He became a national radio presenter after signing up with Classic FM in 2002 and went on to present a Sunday morning show for BBC Radio 2.

Jones, a father of two, was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and further TV work has included Daybreak, Escape To The Country and Cash In The Attic.

The BBC has declined to comment.

The photographs, taken by British photographer Matt Holyoak, show Elizabeth II and Prince Philip standing in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in early November.

The 91-year-old monarch opted to wear the cream day dress by Angela Kelly that she also wore at the Diamond Wedding Anniversary thanksgiving service, along with a yellow gold, ruby and diamond ‘Scarab’ brooch, designed by Andrew Grima and gifted to the couple in 1966.

They are framed by Thomas Gainsborough’s 1781 portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte, who were married for 57 years, and the Queen holds her hands clasped in front of her, while Prince Philip stands upright with his hands behind his back.

The photographs were taken for Camera Press, which also celebrates its anniversary 70 years after the agency distributed the royal pair’s official wedding photos as its first assignment.

Elizabeth II, who married the consort at Westminster Abbey on November 20 1947, is the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary.

Their enduring relationship has lasted the longest of any British sovereign, and Philip has been at the Queen’s side throughout the decades, supporting her as she devotes herself to her duties as head of state.

The monarch, who was a 21-year-old princess when she walked up the aisle, is the nation’s longest reigning sovereign, having overtaken the record set by Queen Victoria.

Cecilia Bartoli joined the 20 men and 30 boys who make up the world’s oldest choir of the Sistine Chapel in Rome as part of a unique musical project, which draws on the musical archives of the Catholic Church.

The five-time Grammy award singer told Classic FM: “Being the first woman to sing with the choir, and to record in the Sistine Chapel, is an immense privilege.

“I am at a loss for words. I am in seventh heaven, may I say that?”

The mezzo-soprano singer broke the 500 year-old tradition of only men performing below Michelangelo’s ceiling and recorded music by the Renaissance composer Pérotin.

At a press conference at the Vatican, Georg Gänswein, prefect of the Papal Household, said: “This new production, focusing on the liturgical time of Christmas, is based on the unique characteristic of translating into sound the manuscripts present in the “Sistine Chapel” archive, a truly precious treasure chest.”

Bartoli’s voice is also included in the choir’s 16 track Christmas CD, Veni Domine: Advent and Christmas at the Sistine Chapel, which was released worldwide this month.

Federico Capitoni, who is a music critic for La Repubblica said the inclusion of a woman in the choir was a “significant gesture of openness by the Vatican”.

Cecilia Bartoli joined the 20 men and 30 boys who make up the world’s oldest choir of the Sistine Chapel in Rome as part of a unique musical project, which draws on the musical archives of the Catholic Church.

The five-time Grammy award singer told Classic FM: “Being the first woman to sing with the choir, and to record in the Sistine Chapel, is an immense privilege.

“I am at a loss for words. I am in seventh heaven, may I say that?”

The mezzo-soprano singer broke the 500 year-old tradition of only men performing below Michelangelo’s ceiling and recorded music by the Renaissance composer Pérotin.

At a press conference at the Vatican, Georg Gänswein, prefect of the Papal Household, said: “This new production, focusing on the liturgical time of Christmas, is based on the unique characteristic of translating into sound the manuscripts present in the “Sistine Chapel” archive, a truly precious treasure chest.”

Bartoli’s voice is also included in the choir’s 16 track Christmas CD, Veni Domine: Advent and Christmas at the Sistine Chapel, which was released worldwide this month.

Federico Capitoni, who is a music critic for La Repubblica said the inclusion of a woman in the choir was a “significant gesture of openness by the Vatican”.