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Edinburgh Live
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
VE Day concert viewers baffled as they point out one 'major issue'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Royal enthusiasts pointed out a peculiar aspect of the VE Day concert that left a number of viewers perplexed. Yesterday (Thursday, May 8), BBC showcased a special concert from Horse Guards Parade in recognition of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Nonetheless, despite a stunning display for veterans, royalty and onlookers, there was an element that left numerous spectators scratching their heads. The line-up's eclectic mix of musicians, artists and entertainers spanning various eras seemed to confuse them. The programme aired by BBC left audiences puzzled as they tuned in to celebrate the 80-year milestone since worldwide joy erupted following the end of World War II in Europe. Throughout the past week, Britain has been paying tribute to this significant occurrence with numerous festivities nationwide. However, Thursday night's concert, presented by Zoe Ball and broadcast on both BBC One and iPlayer, featured acts like Fleur East, The Darkness, Freya Ridings and Samantha Barks. Despite attendees clearly enjoying themselves, there was a consistent theme picked up by those watching at home. A viewer commented: "Am I the only one tonight thinking that the songs and artists were irrelevant for the #VEDayConcert on @BBCOne?" Another shared: "Am I the only one that's watching the VE Day 80 celebrations on @BBCOne and "Could have, and should have, been so much more to honour a momentous occasion. Some songs and artists so irrelevant #VEDayConcert." A third expressed disappointment, saying: "Majority of the veterans must be thinking: 'What is this racket? They're not singers'. Could have had more appropriate music." Yet another chimed in with: "Totally agree with you! Modern songs, American songs and totally boring. The best song was the last one sung by Samantha. The audience became involved with We'll Meet Again!" Despite some critical voices, others found the concert "wonderful" and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, commending the execution of the event. Commenting on the sentimental value, someone penned: "I thought the VE Day concert was incredibly moving tonight and thankfully the focus was on the members of the audience who remembered what happened 80 years ago. Fantastic to see the 107-year-old gentleman sitting next to King Charles and to hear his love letters." Patriotism also featured in the positive feedback, as another added: "On evenings like tonight I love being British. Please let's not lose our patriotism." To clarify any confusion regarding the line-up for those seeking something more traditional, there were additional celebrations, hosted by Dan Walker, Myleene Klass and Katherine Jenkins - "VE Day 80: The Party" was broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall. The concert, aired by Classic FM, showcased the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and RAF Squadronaires, delighting audiences with beloved classical anthems alongside 1940s swing hits. Before the concert took place, Classic FM shared: "The Royal Albert Hall's arena will be transformed into a dance floor where the Swing Patrol will perform Lindy Hop moves, and Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova will perform. "Katherine Jenkins and Katie Ashby, along with the the D-Day Darlings, will feature among the vocal performances, while British astronaut and Armed Forces Veteran Tim Peake will appear on stage to reflect on some of the key moments of the Second World War that led to Victory in Europe Day. "Randolph Churchill will read the words of his great-grandfather, plus stars of stage and screen will share untold personal accounts of our 'Greatest Generation'. Traitors winner and Army Veteran Harry Clark will also interview veterans and other audience members about their memories of the war and VE Day."
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Zoe Ball looks sensational in glitzy red midi dress as she puts on a glam appearance at VE day celebrations after her return to BBC Radio 2
Zoe Ball looked sensational as she put on a very glam appearance at the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday. The radio presenter, 54, wowed in a glitzy red long-sleeved midi dress and matching red sparkly heels. Grinning from ear to ear in the sequined number the star arrived at the historic Horse Guards Parade in central London to present a concert in front of King Charles, Queen Camilla, The Prince and Princess of Wales. Looking worlds away from her usual casual and makeup free radio look, Zoe completed the ensemble with silver dangly earrings and a red lip. Arriving on stage in a World War Two motorbike and side car, Zoe said: 'I'm truly honoured to play a small role in the celebrations of such a momentous occasion. 'My dear Dad Johnny Ball was 6 years old on VE Day, his memories of that time are incredible. 'Our great grandparents, and grandparents, our families, our nation went through so much. 'The bravery and sacrifices of so many for our freedom, we must always remember and this will be a very special night with some magnificent performances.' During the evening the audience were treated to a range of performances from the cast of World War II musical Operation Mincemeat, Fleur East, Calum Scott, John Newman, Toploader and Tom Walker. West End legend Samantha Barks also offered her powerful rendition of We'll Meet Again Elsewhere, Brian Cox - celebrated for his role in Succession - delivered a moving re-enactment of Winston Churchill's iconic wartime speech. Zoe's appearance at the event comes after she returned to BBC Radio 2 last Saturday for her new afternoon show. The star stepped down from her breakfast show in December to 'focus on her family,' bidding farewell to her £950,000 salary. Reconnecting with her listeners she announced: Hello it's me, oh it's lovely to be back on a Saturday. 'This is where it all began for me back when I used to sweep up and make the teas.' Happy to see the star's return, a viewer wrote: 'Great to have you back, Saturday afternoon is much better than having to wake up early' She proceeded to read out some other well wishes she then added: 'It is lovely to be here thanks for all your messages'. After six years at the helm, Zoe handed her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show over to Scott Mills after stepping down to 'focus on family' just months after her mother Julia's death in April. In February, Radio 2 officially announced programme changes, including a new weekly show with Zoe (1-3pm). She will also be hosting two specials, including a BBC TV show celebrating Elaine Paige's 60-year career in showbusiness. Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: 'Zoe is one of the UK's most loved presenters, so I'm thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she'll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.'
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Masked Singer star pregnant with second child as she shows off bump at VE Day bash
BABY JOY Masked Singer star pregnant with second child as she shows off bump at VE Day bash THE MASKED Singer winner Samantha Barks has revealed she's pregnant with her second child with her partner Alex Michael Stoll. The West End star, 34, showed off her baby bump at last night's VE Day 80 celebrations, which was attended by King Charles and The Prince and Princess of Wales. Advertisement 4 Samantha Barks has revealed she's pregnant with her second child Credit: PA 4 Her baby bump was kept under wraps in the a ruffled off-the-shoulder gown Credit: Getty Samantha performed Vera Lynn's wartime anthem We'll Meet Again at London's Horse Guards Parade on Thursday. Her baby bump was kept under wraps in the a ruffled off-the-shoulder gown. And just before she took to the stage, Samantha revealed she was expecting. "I'm nearly nine months pregnant, it's gonna be me and baby performing for royalty tonight," she said. Advertisement "It's our first adventure!" Speaking ahead of her showstopping performance, Samantha continued: "It's my fourth time, actually. It never gets less nerve-wracking, it's always such an honour but I'm nervous! "We have a choir, we have dancers, it's gonna be a really big finish and I'm super proud of it." She added: "Music brings us all together, it still does, even tonight, it brings us back to those days - the power of music. Advertisement "A song like We'll Meet Again, it's so poignant and beautiful and I'm really looking forward to it." Earlier this year, The Masked Singer crowned its latest winner with Pufferfish being unmasked as major theatre star Samantha. She beat off competition from Dressed Crab and Wolf who were also revealed to be major stars. The show's panel - Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and guest judge Danny Jones - were left in awe when Samantha took off her mask to finally confirm her identity. Advertisement Speaking after she was unmasked, the star said to the panel: "I've had the best time, I've had the best time. Underneath the mask I've been smiling the whole time." Samantha, 34, rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC talent show I'd Do Anything. The programme searched for an actress to play Nancy in a revival of Oliver! She made her film debut in the 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. Advertisement More recently, she has become the biggest West End star since Elaine Page and is famed for playing Elsa in the theatre production of Frozen. Finishing a close runner-up to Samantha was Dressed Crab who turned out to be soul and jazz star Gregory Porter. 4 Samantha won the latest series of The Masked Singer earlier this year Credit: ITV 4 The theater star beat off tough competition to be crowned the winner Credit: ITV
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Masked Singer star pregnant with second child as she shows off bump at VE Day bash
THE MASKED Singer winner Samantha Barks has revealed she's pregnant with her second child with her partner Alex Michael Stoll. The West End star, 34, showed off her baby bump at last night's VE Day 80 celebrations, which was attended by King Charles and The Prince and Princess of Wales. 4 Samantha performed Vera Lynn's wartime anthem We'll Meet Again at London's Horse Guards Parade on Thursday. Her baby bump was kept under wraps in the a ruffled off-the-shoulder gown. And just before she took to the stage, Samantha revealed she was expecting. "I'm nearly nine months pregnant, it's gonna be me and baby performing for royalty tonight," she said. "It's our first adventure!" Speaking ahead of her showstopping performance, Samantha continued: "It's my fourth time, actually. It never gets less nerve-wracking, it's always such an honour but I'm nervous! "We have a choir, we have dancers, it's gonna be a really big finish and I'm super proud of it." She added: "Music brings us all together, it still does, even tonight, it brings us back to those days - the power of music. "A song like We'll Meet Again, it's so poignant and beautiful and I'm really looking forward to it." Earlier this year, The Masked Singer crowned its latest winner with Pufferfish being unmasked as major theatre star Samantha. She beat off competition from Dressed Crab and Wolf who were also revealed to be major stars. The show's panel - Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and guest judge Danny Jones - were left in awe when Samantha took off her mask to finally confirm her identity. Speaking after she was unmasked, the star said to the panel: "I've had the best time, I've had the best time. Underneath the mask I've been smiling the whole time." Samantha, 34, rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC talent show I'd Do Anything. The programme searched for an actress to play Nancy in a revival of Oliver! She made her film debut in the 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. More recently, she has become the biggest West End star since Elaine Page and is famed for playing Elsa in the theatre production of Frozen. Finishing a close runner-up to Samantha was Dressed Crab who turned out to be soul and jazz star Gregory Porter. 4 4
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Masked Singer star pregnant with second child as she shows off bump at VE Day bash
THE MASKED Singer winner Samantha Barks has revealed she's pregnant with her second child with her partner Alex Michael Stoll. The West End star, 34, showed off her baby bump at last night's VE Day 80 celebrations, which was attended by King Charles and The Prince and Princess of Wales. 4 Samantha Barks has revealed she's pregnant with her second child Credit: PA 4 Her baby bump was kept under wraps in the a ruffled off-the-shoulder gown Credit: Getty Her baby bump was kept under wraps in the a ruffled off-the-shoulder gown. And just before she took to the stage, Samantha revealed she was expecting. "I'm nearly nine months pregnant, it's gonna be me and baby performing for royalty tonight," she said. READ MORE ON MASKED SINGER "It's our first adventure!" Speaking ahead of her showstopping performance, Samantha continued: "It's my fourth time, actually. It never gets less nerve-wracking, it's always such an honour but I'm nervous! "We have a choir, we have dancers, it's gonna be a really big finish and I'm super proud of it." She added: "Music brings us all together, it still does, even tonight, it brings us back to those days - the power of music. Most read in News TV "A song like We'll Meet Again, it's so poignant and beautiful and I'm really looking forward to it." Earlier this year, The Masked Singer crowned its latest winner with Pufferfish being unmasked as major theatre star Samantha. She from Dressed Crab and Wolf who were also revealed to be major stars. The show's panel - Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Speaking after she was unmasked, the star said to the panel: "I've had the best time, I've had the best time. Underneath the mask I've been smiling the whole time." Samantha, 34, rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC talent show I'd Do Anything. The programme searched for an actress to play Nancy in a revival of Oliver! She made her film debut in the 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables, starring More recently, she has become the biggest West End star since Elaine Page and is famed for playing Elsa in the theatre production of Frozen. Finishing a close runner-up to Samantha was Dressed Crab who turned out to be soul and jazz star Gregory Porter. 4 Samantha won the latest series of The Masked Singer earlier this year Credit: ITV 4 The theater star beat off tough competition to be crowned the winner Credit: ITV
