The new Bishop of Bradford was expected to be named today as the controversial “blogging Bishop” Nick Baines – who sparked a storm for apparently rubbishing traditional Christmas carols – to succeed Bishop David James.

The former Bradford University graduate hit the headlines last Christmas with his book Why Wish You A Merry Christmas?

The Right Reverend Baines, then the Bishop of Croydon, said in his book: “I always find it a slightly bizarre sight when I see parents and grandparents at a nativity play singing Away In A Manger as if it actually related to reality.”

He also said that schools which introduced modern and non-traditional elements to nativity plays were “relegating the story [of Christ] to fictional fantasy”.

But Liverpool-born “Bishop Nick”, 53, who is an inveterate blogger and user of social network site Twitter, later said on his internet blog that “apparently, I am a grumpy bishop who has lost his sense of reality and missed the point of Christmas ‘magic’.”

He said that he had been misrepresented by national newspapers and blogged: “It’s a bit weird, then, that I am doing the round of the studios encouraging people to sing the carols, enjoy the carol services, pack out the nativity plays and celebrate well.”

Bishop Nick – whose blog is subtitled “the musings of a restless bishop” – seems to be immensely popular in Croydon, where he has been Bishop since 2003, and staff were reportedly in tears yesterday after hearing the news that he was moving to Bradford.

An announcement from the Government confirmed his appointment was due at 7.30am today. His colourful career has included being employed as a Russian linguist at Britain’s “spy centre” GCHQ in Cheltenham.

No stranger to controversy nor for engaging with current issues, Bishop Nick also said in one blog post: “The British National Party is not to everyone’s taste. They also have a knack of having leaders and spokespeople who are clearly not the sharpest knives in the drawer.”

His most recent posts have included discussions about Liverpool FC, the anniversary of John Lennon’s death and TV talent show X Factor, which he also extensively tweeted about during the live final last weekend.

In May this year Bishop Nick wrote a series of special prayers for England’s World Cup squad, one of which wryly asked God to grant those people with no interest in football “the gift of sympathy”.

The new Bishop was being unveiled today to civic dignitaries and faith leaders at the National Media Museum in Bradford.

The choice of the NMM is thought to be connected with the Bishop’s “quite high profile” as a religious broadcaster on BBC television and radio, according to one source.

The new Bishop’s appointment follows the publication of the Church of England’s Dioceses Commission’s report last week which recommends the dissolution of the diocese and its absorption into a super diocese of Wakefield.

He is unlikely to take up his post in Bradford until spring.

The Dean of Bradford Cathedral, the Very Reverend David Ison, said: “We haven’t firmed up any details yet, but we are hoping for his enthronement to take place at the Cathedral in May.”

Bishop Nick is married to Linda and they have three children, Richard, Melanie and Andrew.