Latest news with #VEDay80:ACelebrationtoRemember
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Update on BBC Radio 2's fortunes following Zoe Ball's breakfast show departure
Listeners to the Radio 2 breakfast show have fallen since Zoe Ball stood down as presenter, it has emerged. Several stand-in DJs have covered for Ball following her departure in late December, with Scott Mills only taking over the role full-time on January 27. The breakfast show attracted an estimated weekly audience of 6.45 million across January to March of this year, down from 6.83 million in the previous three months. But the slot continues to enjoy the largest audience on national radio at that time of the day, ahead of Radio 4's Today programme. Research body Rajar has published the data around three-and-a-half months into Mills' tenure, having previously presented an afternoon show on the same station. Gaby Roslin and Mark Goodier filled in throughout January before Mills, 52, started the role. It is worth noting Rajar's listernship figures, which includes this spell, does also show the estimated weekly audience was greater than the 6.28 million recorded in July-September 2024. Ball, 54, has since started presenting a Saturday lunchtime programme on BBC Radio 2. She also continues to do TV work, having hosted a segment of VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember coverage on the BBC earlier this month. But the mum of two was overwhelmed with emotion during her final breakfast show. Addressing her audience, the host said: "Thank you for tuning in, whether as a lone listener, as family, as a work gang on your morning jogs, dog walks, truck drives, train commutes, or hiding in bed, it's been a real privilege to keep you company through your morning manoeuvres. You're just there and I'm just here having a chat with a mate. It's such a special, intimate relationship." In addition to Mills' new role, BBC Radio 2 made a number of changes to its daytime lineup at the start of the year. Trevor Nelson now hosts a new afternoon show and DJ Spoony presents a late evening slot on Mondays to Thursdays. Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said she was "thrilled" that Radio 2 remains the UK's most popular radio station, adding: "Congratulations to Vernon Kay who remains the most listened to show in the country with a weekly audience of 6.73 million to his mid-morning show, and to the Radio 2 breakfast show, which maintains its position as the UK's biggest early morning programme." Elsewhere, the commercial network Greatest Hits saw a slight fall in listeners for the fourth quarter in a row, though its average audience of 7.14 million is still nearly two million higher than it was two years ago, when it stood at 5.12 million. Among the smaller news-based stations, Times Radio recorded its best numbers since launching in 2020, with an average audience of 622,000 listeners across the three months to March, up 3% on the previous quarter and a jump of 24% on the year.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles Reveals Iconic Piece of Queen Elizabeth's History
Every year on May 8, the U.K. celebrates VE Day, a holiday that marks the end of World War II in Europe. All week long, members of the royal family have been attending different events in honor of VE Day's 80th anniversary, including , who made a speech that included a sweet anecdote about how much his late mother, , loved the holiday. As People reported, Charles addressed the crowd at the VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember concert in London on Friday, May 9, looking back on the very first VE Day on May 8, 1945, when the war came to an end. At the time, Queen Elizabeth was known as Princess Elizabeth, daughter to King George VI, and she was just a teenager... and acting surprisingly similar to "normal" teenagers, despite the fact that she would become queen less than a decade later. "The celebration that evening was marked by my own late mother who, just 19 years old, described in her diary how she mingled anonymously in the crowds across central London and, in her own words, 'walked for miles' among them," Charles told his audience. He then went on to read a diary entry aloud that 19-year-old Elizabeth had written about how the celebration continued on into a second day. According to Charles, she wrote, "Out in the crowd again. Embankment, Piccadilly. Rained, so fewer people. Conga-ed into house. Sang till 2 a.m. Bed at 3 a.m.!" Though Charles admitted that he "rather doubted" he'd have the kind of energy to celebrate the way his mom had that year, it was a sweet way to remember her, and to include her in a holiday that seemed dear to her heart. Now, that just leaves one question: What else did the queen write about in her diary? 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles Reads from Queen Elizabeth's Teenage Diary About the Night She Snuck Out of the Palace
King Charles quoted Queen Elizabeth's diary about sneaking out of the palace to celebrate VE (Victory in Europe) Day on May 8, 1945 The King, 76, shared how his mother "walked for miles" and "conga-ed into the house" as crowds rejoiced that World War II was over in Europe The late Queen later said that it was "one of the most memorable nights of my life"King Charles wove excerpts from Queen Elizabeth's personal diary — written when she was a 19-year-old princess celebrating VE Day in London — into his speech marking the 80th anniversary of the historic night. On May 9, the King, 76, charmed the crowd at the VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember concert at Horse Guards Parade in London. Charles was joined by Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family for the final national celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which heralded the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945. The King remembered how his grandfather, King George VI, announced to Britain and the Commonwealth that "the dreadful shadow of war has passed from our hearths and our homes," and what then-Princess Elizabeth wrote about that night. "The celebration that evening was marked by my own late mother who, just 19 years old, described in her diary how she mingled anonymously in the crowds across central London and, in her own words, 'walked for miles' among them," King Charles said. "The rejoicing continued into the next day, when she wrote, 'Out in the crowd again. Embankment, Piccadilly. Rained, so fewer people. Conga-ed into house. Sang till 2 a.m. Bed at 3 a.m.!' " he added. The diary entry made the audience of 12,000 laugh, and Prince William and Princess Kate smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, I do hope your celebrations tonight are almost as joyful, although I rather doubt I shall have the energy to sing until 2 a.m., let alone for that matter to lead you all in a giant conga from here back to Buckingham Palace!" the King continued, and the audience laughed again. The future Queen Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret famously slipped into the crowd to celebrate on VE Day, short for Victory in Europe Day. Their father, King George VI, had announced via radio broadcast that World War II was over in Europe after six years of fighting and the princesses joined him on the balcony of Buckingham Palace multiple times to greet the cheering crowds gathered below. They appeared there with their mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and British Prime Minister Winston Chruchill, who led the country through World War II. That night, the royal sisters went out to join the revelry across the city, a scene reimagined in season 6 of The Crown on Netflix. The Independent reported that the princesses received permission from their parents to go out, and were escorted by a group of Grenadier Guards. No photos from the outing are known to exist, but the palace released a previous recording of the Queen remembering the unforgettable evening. The Queen said in the clip that she was part of a group of about 16 people and a fellow officer scolded her for pulling her uniform hat over her eyes in an attempt to disguise herself. Then-Princess Elizabeth served in a reserve unit during World War II and was also named Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "We cheered the King and Queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the street. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief." It was "one of the most memorable nights of my life," she said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles Reads from Queen Elizabeth's Teenage Diary About the Night She Snuck Out of the Palace
King Charles quoted Queen Elizabeth's diary about sneaking out of the palace to celebrate VE (Victory in Europe) Day on May 8, 1945 The King, 76, shared how his mother "walked for miles" and "conga-ed into the house" as crowds rejoiced that World War II was over in Europe The late Queen later said that it was "one of the most memorable nights of my life"King Charles wove excerpts from Queen Elizabeth's personal diary — written when she was a 19-year-old princess celebrating VE Day in London — into his speech marking the 80th anniversary of the historic night. On May 9, the King, 76, charmed the crowd at the VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember concert at Horse Guards Parade in London. Charles was joined by Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family for the final national celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which heralded the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945. The King remembered how his grandfather, King George VI, announced to Britain and the Commonwealth that "the dreadful shadow of war has passed from our hearths and our homes," and what then-Princess Elizabeth wrote about that night. "The celebration that evening was marked by my own late mother who, just 19 years old, described in her diary how she mingled anonymously in the crowds across central London and, in her own words, 'walked for miles' among them," King Charles said. Last night at 9pm, The King delivered a speech to mark exactly 80 years since his grandfather, King George VI, addressed the nation on VE the speech, His Majesty reflected on his mother Queen Elizabeth II's memories of the special day. 🎥 BBC Studios Events — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 9, 2025 "The rejoicing continued into the next day, when she wrote, 'Out in the crowd again. Embankment, Piccadilly. Rained, so fewer people. Conga-ed into house. Sang till 2 a.m. Bed at 3 a.m.!' " he added. The diary entry made the audience of 12,000 laugh, and Prince William and Princess Kate smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, I do hope your celebrations tonight are almost as joyful, although I rather doubt I shall have the energy to sing until 2 a.m., let alone for that matter to lead you all in a giant conga from here back to Buckingham Palace!" the King continued, and the audience laughed again. The future Queen Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret famously slipped into the crowd to celebrate on VE Day, short for Victory in Europe Day. Their father, King George VI, had announced via radio broadcast that World War II was over in Europe after six years of fighting and the princesses joined him on the balcony of Buckingham Palace multiple times to greet the cheering crowds gathered below. They appeared there with their mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and British Prime Minister Winston Chruchill, who led the country through World War II. That night, the royal sisters went out to join the revelry across the city, a scene reimagined in season 6 of The Crown on Netflix. The Independent reported that the princesses received permission from their parents to go out, and were escorted by a group of Grenadier Guards. No photos from the outing are known to exist, but the palace released a previous recording of the Queen remembering the unforgettable evening. The Queen said in the clip that she was part of a group of about 16 people and a fellow officer scolded her for pulling her uniform hat over her eyes in an attempt to disguise herself. Then-Princess Elizabeth served in a reserve unit during World War II and was also named Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "We cheered the King and Queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the street. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief." It was "one of the most memorable nights of my life," she said. Read the original article on People
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC VE Day 80 concert viewers distracted by 'random' performance as stars lead tributes
The BBC marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special live concert, which begun with a special address from host Zoe Ball. The BBC commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a spectacular live concert, kicked off with a special introduction from host Zoe Ball. The BBC Radio 2 presenter welcomed viewers to the unique VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember on BBC One. The concert showcased performances from a host of celebrities at Horse Guards Parade, a fitting venue to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day - featuring appearances from stars such as Samantha Barks and Fleur East. John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings and Keala Settle were also present to perform, along with Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker and classical singer Sir Willard White and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Fleur East opened the concert with a stunning performance, accompanied by the stars of Strictly Come Dancing, including Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington. Special messages were also shared by Dame Joan Collins, Dame Mary Berry, and Dame Sheila Hancock while actor Brian Cox delivered a powerful recitation of Winston Churchill's famous wartime speech, reports the Mirror. At the beginning of the broadcast, Roman Kemp was backstage discussing the show and introducing Zoe Ball. She hinted she would be making her entrance with special 'props' and expressed her excitement about hosting such a significant 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 shared about her experience as host. As the evening began to unfold, the first esteemed guests were none other than the Prince and Princess of Wales, who took their time to greet the assembled veterans within the Royal Box. Their arrival was soon followed by a grand fanfare heralding the presence of King Charles and Queen Camilla, both of whom engaged in conversation with veterans and wartime evacuees. Zoe made her appearance on a sidecar donning a Union Jack helmet to address the gathered audience. "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, amidst a patriotic sea of red, white and blue. The beginning of the event saw everyone pause in solidarity to honour the attending veterans; they received a heartfelt round of applause and flag-waving from an emotional crowd. Online reactions echoed the sentiment, with one person commenting: "This is proper emotional man!" while another noted the consistent colour scheme, saying: "Everyone at the concert wearing red white or blue." Soap stars Michelle Hardwick, Claire Sweeney, and Emma Barton graced the stage with a performance paying homage to The Andrew Sisters, backed by a troupe of dancers. The actresses, known for their roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and EastEnders as Vanessa Woodfield, Cassie Plummer, and Honey Mitchell respectively, looked completely different from their on-screen personas. The Darkness took to the stage next with their hit 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' engaging the crowd in a sing-along, complete with clapping and dancing. However, their appearance seemed to bemuse some Twitter users. "I mean I love The Darkness but that was bold." one remarked, while another commented: "Tbf, The Darkness was jolly, if a bit random." A third shared: "Bet the veterans are enjoying the randomness of The Darkness." Another tweet read: "These 107-year-old veterans of VE Day are loving The Darkness banging out I Believe In A Thing Called Love." Keala Settle performed an version of 'When You Wish Upon A Star' alongside cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The event paused for a poignant tribute as footage of King George VI's renowned speech was shown, before King Charles III appeared on stage. Actor Brian Cox delivered the iconic words of Winston Churchill's speech following a stirring performance of 'Land of Hope and Glory'. Richard Armitage read the touching tale of Jeff Borsack's wartime experiences before Borsack himself joined Armitage on stage to narrate his own story. Tom Walker delivered a stirring performance of his hit 'Leave The Light On', accompanied by an orchestra, which left viewers deeply moved. One fan tweeted: "Tom Walker is the best so far" while another praised, "Tom Walker performance on #VEDay80 so beautiful he's amazing," and a third echoed the sentiment with: "Brilliant performance by Tom Walker." To commemorate the event, 'Dad's Army' was revived in a special sketch featuring Larry Lamb and Nigel Havers, alongside Daniel Mays and Kevin Eldon. The skit also included appearances from Iain Glen, Sir Derek Jacobi, and Alex Macqueen. Freya Ridings gave a heartfelt performance of 'Lost Without You', interspersed with the poignant words of Margaret, a veteran's wife, and the love letters she penned to him during the war. Her husband, joined by their daughter Penny in the Royal box, had been the recipient of these letters in which Margaret expressed her longing for his return. Sir Willard White touched hearts with his rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', as the programme shared the tales of war survivors. To change the tempo, Toploader took to the stage with their upbeat hit 'Dancing In The Moonlight'. The concert neared its end with Calum Scott singing 'The White Cliffs of Dover', uniting veterans and evacuees among the 12,000-strong audience in song. Samantha Barks concluded the evening with a performance of Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again', proudly displaying her nearly full-term pregnancy as she announced she was nine months pregnant with her second child. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
