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CAPTAIN Tom Moore will be honoured with an RAF flypast, as well as receiving a personalised telegram from the Queen to mark his 100th birthday.
Producers at BBC Breakfast — who were among the first to back the veteran’s efforts — have lined up a raft of celebrations to mark the war hero’s big day on Thursday, after working closely with Buckingham Palace chiefs.
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Tom, who hass raised more than £28million for the NHS and currently holds the UK No1 single, will have the entire programme dedicated to his life and achievements.
A TV insider said: “The BBC have been championing Tom since day one and now they want to go all out to celebrate his special day.
“The team on Breakfast have been working with the palace on organising the telegram in time for the morning broadcast which they hope will come with a special message from Her Majesty.
“They have also been working hard on organising a fly past which will honour Tom’s service to the country throughout his life.
“It’s going to be a really emotional day and they want to make it as memorable as possible for Tom by way of thanks for all he has done.
“They’re lining up lots of surprises for him too. What Tom has achieved is the most incredible feat and the whole show will be dedicated to Tom and his special day.”
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Richard Frediani, editor of BBC Breakfast, said plans were still be confirmed but added: “Having followed Captain Tom’s incredible story from the start the UK’s most watched morning show will make sure the nation can safely come together to celebrate Captain Tom’s 100th birthday on Thursday morning on BBC Breakfast.”
Appearing on BBC Radio 2 today, Tom said of his birthday: “I am hoping we shall have a little family party, we can’t have a big one.
“We can’t all stand close together so maybe we will have a good party afterwards when we can all come. I might have a little drink.”
Since he started walking laps of his garden at the start of the month, yesterday Tom was just £60,000 short of raising £29million.
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The ex-serviceman, who lives in Bedfordshire, will be celebrating his birthday in the same week as holding the UK No1 with his cover of You’ll Never walk Alone.
Tom recorded the song with Michael Ball and the NHS Care Choir.
He is also being lined up for a CBE in the bi-annual honours list for his fundraising efforts.
We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.