Latest news with #HorseguardsParade
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge singer's VE Day 80 performance sparks confusion amongst viewers
Viewers who tuned in for the BBC VE Day 80 concert were left baffled after singer John Newman took to the stage to perform in front of veterans and the Royal Family A huge singer sparked confusion amongst viewers during the VE Day 80 concert on Thursday. Hitmaker John Newman, known for tracks including Love Me Again, Come and Get It and Blame joined the line-up alongside Calum Scott, Tom Walker, Fleur East, Keala Settle and The Darkness. The singer took to the stage at London's Horseguards Parade for a special concert to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe, when the Germans surrendered after their brutal attacks across the continent, marking the end of the Second World War in 1945. The event on Thursday night was the finale of the dozens to mark the historic event. Famous faces from across the entertainment industry, including Strictly Come Dancing stars and soap actors, joined forces for the remarkable event, which was attended by veterans, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, Sophie, Countess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sir Keir Stamer and his wife, Lady Victoria. While John has recently taken a hiatus from music, with his last studio album being released ten years ago, many viewers were left baffled following his performance. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer said: "WTF was that John Newman on VE80?" "What a row from John Newman," said a second. Meanwhile, a third went on to ask: "Watching the VE 80 celebrations on tv, who is John Newman?" But one fan was left baffled by the decision to have John and The Darkness on the bill for the event. However, some viewers went on to praise John's performance. One fan said: "That was certainly interesting by John Newman, I did actually like the slightly different version of the song." "Wasn't expecting to like this concert but am really enjoying it. Yes, even John Newman #VEDay80," said a second. A third viewer typed: "Kings speech followed by John Newman, not the bingo card I had in mind but flip its brilliant." During the concert, there were also special words from Dame Joan Collins, Dame Mary Berry, Dame Sheila Hancock while Brian Cox also read out Sir Winston Churchill's monumental wartime speech. At the start of the broadcast, Roman Kemp was backstage as he chatted about the show and introduced Zoe Ball. She teased that she would be arriving with special 'props' and said she was excited to be hosting such a special concert. "The atmosphere has been so joyous. I am telling everyone at home, you will cry tonight. The veterans will be telling their story. It means the world - it's utterly terrifying," Zoe said of her hosting role. The Prince and Princess of Wales were the first to arrive, where they greeted veterans who had joined them in the Royal Box. A fanfare was then played as King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived, where they spoke with veterans and evacuees. Zoe then arrived on a sidecar with a Union Jack helmet, as she addressed the crowds. "Good evening and welcome to the VE Day 80. I am thrilled to be with you all here. Together, we can remember a very special day. We have transformed Horse Guards Parade into a special concert venue," she said, "Glorious sea of red, white and blue."
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC viewers are all saying the same thing as John Newman takes to the stage during the VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration
John Newman's performance in the BBC 's VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration has been blasted by viewers. The singer, 34, joined a star-studded lineup who took to the stage to pay tribute to the nation's war heroes with a special concert at London's Horseguards Parade. The concert, which took place at London's Horseguards Parade, is the last of many events this week to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which was the day the Second World War finally came to an end in Europe in 1945. John, best known for his hit song Love Me Again in 2013 before he took a hiatus from music in 2020, showed off his vocal skills during the performance, but viewers were left unimpressed. Posts on X included: 'Oh God. John Newman is... painful. What on earth is this?! Never thought I'd say this but get The Darkness back on quick 'Who the hell told John Newman he could sing, premium nasal mumbling that. Can't make one word out. The singer joined a star-studded lineup who took to the stage to pay tribute to the nation's war heroes with a special concert at London's Horseguards Parade 'The Audience listening to John Newman; What a row from John Newman, that's not singing 'Watching the VE Day 80 celebrations on TV, who the hell is John Newman? That was probably the worst performance I have ever seen. Totally inaudible; 'John Newman being taken over by the spirit of Kenneth Williams to celebrate VE Day; 'What in the First Response Nasal Spray has happened to John Newman; 'John Newman sounds like my dog when he yawns.' John's performance came hot on the heels of rock band The Darkness, a signing which also sparked confusion from some viewers. While many fans were quick to praise the band and lead Justin Hawkins for their energetic performance, others shared their confusion at the decision to sign them, considering the audience in attendance. Taking to X, fans noted that many veterans may prefer some of the older songs in the show, quipping they 'didn't know' The Darkness had such a large following in war heroes. This was a sentiment that appeared to be echoed by Queen Camilla, as the camera caught her covering her ears, while she chatted to 107-year-old World War Two bomber pilot Harry Richardson. Elsewhere, Their Majesties, King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, smiled as they made an appearance for an evening of music, along with Prince Edward, 61, and his wife Sophie, 60. The mother-of-three stunned in an all-white ensemble, rewearing an effortlessly elegant Cream Tailored Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress by Self-Portrait. The artists featured include include the cast of World War II musical Operation Mincemeat, West End legend Samantha Barks - offering her powerful rendition of We'll Meet Again - Fleur East, Calum Scott, John Newman, Toploader and Tom Walker. Elsewhere, Brian Cox - celebrated for his role in Succession - delivered a moving re-enactment of Winston Churchill's iconic wartime speech. On May 8, 1945 the nation celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day with church bells ringing out across the country and people gathering to revel in the end of hostilities, with crowds gathering outside Buckingham Palace calling for King George VI. e until August 15 that year.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Darkness' bizarre performance in VE Day concert leaves fans baffled as they question BBC's 'odd' choice to sign the rock band (and even Queen Camilla covers her ears!)
The BBC 's VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration saw an unlikely addition to its lineup on Thursday, as iconic rock band The Darkness took to the stage. In a show that featured renditions of 1940s classics such as We'll Meet Again and I Got Rhythm, the famous group took to the stage to perform for the many war veterans, and members of the Royal Family, in attendance. The concert, which took place at London's iconic Horseguards Parade, is the last of many events this week to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which was the day the Second World War finally came to an end in Europe in 1945. While many fans were quick to praise the band and lead Justin Hawkins for their energetic performance, others shared their confusion by the decision to sign them. Taking to X, fans noted that many veterans may prefer some of the older songs in the show, quipping they 'didn't know' The Darkness had such a large following in older war heroes. This was a sentiment that appeared to be echoed by Queen Camilla, as the camera caught her covering her ears, while she chatted to 107-year-old World War Two bomber pilot Harry Richardson. Sharing their thoughts on the performance, posts on X included: 'Harry Richardson, 107 years old World War 2 bomber pilot; 'We owe him and his heroic colleagues so much; 'So we wheel out The Darkness singing ''I believe in a thing called love'' Don't know whether to laugh or cry 'Wasn't aware of the 100-year-old veterans at this VE Day concert being big fans of The Darkness but there we are!' 'Nope. The Darkness does not fit here. At all; Not sure how The Darkness fit into this; 'Watching the VE Day concert, and I didn't expect to see The Darkness performing; 'The Darkness at the VE Day concert is so random and not really a war time theme.' However, others praised the band's show, with comments including: 'The Darkness reminding us that I Believe In A Thing Called Love is an absolute banger; 'The Darkness playing I Believe In Thing Called Love was not on my VE Day bingo list; 'These 107-year-old veterans of VE Day are loving The Darkness banging out I Believe In A Thing Called Love.' Elsewhere, Their Majesties, Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, smiled as they made an appearance for an evening of music, along with Prince Edward, 61, and his wife Sophie, 60. The mother-of-three stunned in an all-white ensemble, rewearing an effortlessly elegant Cream Tailored Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress by Self-Portrait. The artists featured include include the cast of World War II musical Operation Mincemeat, West End legend Samantha Barks - offering her powerful rendition of We'll Meet Again - Fleur East, Calum Scott, John Newman, Toploader and Tom Walker. Elsewhere, Brian Cox - celebrated for his role in Succession - delivered a moving re-enactment of Winston Churchill's iconic wartime speech. On May 8, 1945 the nation celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day with church bells ringing out across the country and people gathering to revel in the end of hostilities, with crowds gathering outside Buckingham Palace calling for King George VI.
