Sheridan Smith wipes away tears as she listens to emotional tributes from veterans while Nicola Roberts leads powerful performances on VJ Day 75
Sheridan Smith fought back tears as she listened to emotional tributes from veterans during BBC’s VJ Day 75: The Nation’s Tribute on Saturday night.
The occasion marks three quarters of a century on from the formal end of the Second World War, which ceased when Japan surrendered.
The actress and singer, 39, led the star performances on the evening as she read out a memoir from the late Dame Vera Lynn and sang a medley of her songs.
Tearful: Sheridan Smith fought back tears as she listened to emotional tributes from veterans during BBC’s VJ Day 75: The Nation’s Tribute on Saturday night
Moments before wowing audiences with a collection of Vera’s wartime classics, including iconic track We’ll Meet Again, Sheridan was seen wiping away tears as the war veterans recalled their memories.
The commemorative programme was hosted by Joanna Lumley, who led viewers who a host of tributes from former servicemen and celebrities.
Announcing Sheridan’s segment, Joanna told viewers: ‘Dame Vera Lynn will be remembered for her contributions to the second world war, but she also has a special place in the hearts of those in the far east.’
Sheridan then read out one of Dame Vera’s diary entries from the period, which recalled her time in Burma during the war.
Wow: Nicola Roberts, 34, showcased her powerful vocals on the night, as she sang The Captive’s Hymn
Tributes: The programme included many tributes from former servicemen
Dame Vera, who died in June aged 103, spoke of how she sung her heart out in the jungle and concentrated on singing with as much feeling as he could, after experiencing their horrendous living conditions.
Other performances during the evening included one from Jamaican singer Ruby Turner, who sang a stunning rendition of Now Is The Hour.
Sir Bryn Terfel also wowed audiences with his version of Homeward Bound.
Emotional: Tributes: Moments before wowing audiences with a collection of Vera’s wartime classics, including iconic track We’ll Meet Again, Sheridan was seen wiping away tears as she listened to tributes from war veterans
Presenter: The commemorative programme was hosted by Joanna Lumley, who led viewers who a host of tributes from former servicemen and celebrities
Glam: Nicola brought glamour to the event in a form-fitting bronze dress, while she wore her flame-hued locks loose with a shimmering pallet of make-up
Nicola Roberts, 34, showcased her powerful vocals on the night, as she sang The Captive’s Hymn, which was composed by Margaret Dryburgh in the Palembang ‘houses’ camp in 1942.
The song was first sung by herself, Shelagh Brown and Dorothy MacLeod at a Sunday service and then every Sunday even throughout their later years in captivity when they encountered suffering and death all around them.
Nicola brought glamour to the event in a form-fitting bronze dress, while she wore her flame-hued locks loose with a shimmering pallet of make-up.