'OUR SWEETHEART'
Katherine Jenkins leads tributes to Dame Vera Lynn as she pays tribute to ‘icon who filled nation’s hearts with hope’
KATHERINE Jenkins has led the tributes to "icon" Dame Vera Lynn after the war-time singer died aged 103.
The singer described the We'll Meet Again star as a “legend” and an "inspiration" as news of her passing broke this morning.
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Jenkins, who recently performed Dame Vera's iconic war-time hit on the BBC for the 75th anniversary of VE Day, said: "I simply cannot find the words to explain just how much I adored this wonderful lady.
"Her voice brought comfort to millions in their darkest hours, her songs filled the nation's hearts with hope, and her emotive performances, whether home or abroad, then or now, helped to get us through.
"It was she who chose the sentiments of her songs - she knew instinctively what people needed to hear, how to rally the morale and her spirit and strength created the soundtrack of a generation."
There will never be another Dame Vera Lynn. Forces' Sweetheart and our sweetheart. An icon. A legend. An inspiration. My mentor and my friend.
Katherine Jenkins
Jenkins' rendition of We'll Meet Again was played alongside Dame Vera's during the VE Day broadcast, but the singer said her idol was one of a kind.
She added: "There will never be another Dame Vera Lynn. Forces' Sweetheart and our sweetheart. An icon. A legend. An inspiration. My mentor and my friend.
“I will miss you greatly and I know we'll meet again some sunny day."
TRIBUTES TO AN 'ICON'
Sir Cliff Richard also paid tribute to Dame Vera, describing her as a "great singer".
He said: "Dame Vera Lynn was truly an icon. She was held in such high esteem and my best, and favourite, memory was sharing a performance with her in front of Buckingham Palace for the VE Day celebrations in 1995.
"We walked to the stage through a crowd of survivors of that war, and they were reaching out to touch and get a smile from Vera.
"I heard the words ... 'God bless you' ... 'Thank you' ... 'We love you' for their very own Forces' Sweetheart! A great singer, a patriotic woman and a genuine icon.
";I am happy to use the words called out on the wonderful day. Vera, thank you, God bless you, and I loved you too.
"Rest in a very deserved peace."
'CHARM ENTRANCED THE NATION'
While Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the singer’s "charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours.”
He added: “Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come"
Captain Tom Moore, the Second World War veteran who raised £39million for the NHS, said Dame Vera had a "huge impact" on him during his service in Burma.
In a message posted to his Twitter account, he said: "A real shame, I really thought Vera Lynn would live longer she’s been speaking so well on TV recently.
"She had a huge impact on me in Burma and remained important to me throughout my life. My thoughts are with Dame Vera Lynn's family at this sad time".
Opera star Alfie Boe described singing with Dame Vera as an "honour".
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The tenor said: "Rest in peace Dame Vera Lynn.
"Truly a national treasure, and this is such sad news to hear, especially at this time when her iconic song and spirit touched the nation.
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"It was a real pleasure to sing with her - an honour I will treasure forever."
Dame Vera Lynn dead at age 103 – We’ll Meet Again singer has died ‘surrounded by family’
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