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VE Day 80

VE Day 80

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Programmes to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day

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VE Day 80: The Nation Pays Tribute

Summary

The first day of the VE Day 80 celebrations begins with a military procession and flypast to honour the Second World War generation. Sophie Raworth presents from a studio in St James's Park in London, joined by celebrity guests. Paddy O'Connell, whose parents served during the Second World War, will provide commentary

Review

David Butcher

Thursday marks the climax of the VE Day anniversary celebrations Thursday marks the climax of the VE Day anniversary celebrations but the party starts here. The BBC has pulled out all its many stops this week, in director general Tim Davie’s words “to bring the nation together to pay tribute to the World War II generation and ensure their legacy is remembered”.

With the benefit of the Bank Holiday, more of us will be able to enjoy the morning’s live coverage of the military procession taking place in London — assuming we’re not busy stringing up bunting for our own street parties. (There will be plenty of those across the country, with correspondents bringing us a flavour of some.) The central London procession, complete with military bands playing 1940s songs, will begin outside the Houses of Parliament, progress up Whitehall past a flag-draped Cenotaph, then though Admiralty Arch and down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Sophie Raworth presents from St James’s Park while Paddy O’Connell (whose father served during the war) provides commentary. The proceedings climax with that reliably stirring spectacle, a flypast of military aircraft, old and new.

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rolenamePresenterSophie RaworthCommentatorPaddy O'ConnellExecutive producerCheryl Ko PearsonExecutive producerCatherine StirkProducerLeah CreaseDirectorSimon StaffurthDirectorPeter JonesDirectorTony Grech-Smith

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