Britain should take pride in its VE Day 80 celebrations, the Prime Minister said, as stars of stage and screen prepare for tonight’s sell-out tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Sir Keir Starmer said events marking today’s 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe were ‘a hugely important part of our history, of which we should be extremely proud as a country’.
Tonight, Classic FM presenters Myleene Klass and Dan Walker will lead a star-studded line-up for a two-and-a-half hour spectacular at the prestigious west London venue.
The event is sponsored by the Daily Mail and will feature performances from mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and dancing from Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova.
Tonight’s show will also include first-hand recollections from military veterans and those who lived through the conflict.
Former pop star Ms Klass, whose father served in the Merchant Navy, said it was ‘both humbling and an honour’ to be involved.
She said: ‘With it (VE Day) being 80 years now, and as our serving personnel from that time reach an age many never thought they’d see, it’s essential we keep their sacrifices and memory alive.’
Former BBC Breakfast star Walker told the Mail he considered it ‘a real privilege’ to be ‘standing on that stage introducing some amazing people’.

Myleene Klass (pictured) is among a host of celebrities set to attend a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day

The former pop star will join her Classic FM colleague Dan Walker (pictured) to lead a star-studded line-up for a two-and-a-half hour spectacular at the prestigious west London venu.

The event will also feature performances from mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins (pictured) and dancing from Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova
And Air Marshal Sir Simon Bollom, chairman of hosts SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said the Second World War saw a period of ‘unending sacrifice across the Armed Forces’, adding: ‘We want the last World War Two veterans to know that their sacrifice is recognised, and we will not forget it.’
In a poignant reminder of that sacrifice, Sir Keir also pointed out that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine showed the Second World War was not ‘just history’.
He said: ‘I’ve got children who live in peace and in a democracy as a result of other people. The reminder, with the Ukrainian contingent in the procession, that the idea this was all just history… is completely wrong.
‘Those values of freedom and democracy matter today.’
The concert will be broadcast live on Classic FM from 8pm.