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KATE, William and their family led the nation’s applause for NHS heroes on TV tonight.

The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge clapped outside their home with George, six, Charlotte, four and two-year-old birthday boy Louis.

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 Prince William, his wife Kate Middleton, and their children George, Charlotte and Louis lead the nation's Clap For Carers
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Prince William, his wife Kate Middleton, and their children George, Charlotte and Louis lead the nation's Clap For Carers
 The Cambridge family clapped outside their home on BBC's Big Night In
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The Cambridge family clapped outside their home on BBC's Big Night InCredit: PA:Press Association

Their 8pm appearance to salute those on the frontline against coronavirus was a highlight of BBC’s Big Night In.

It came after William had appeared in an hilarious sketch with telly legend Stephen Fry.

Fry reprised his iconic Blackadder character Lord Melchett who was getting uptight waiting for an important guest.

William, 37, appeared on a zoom call in a modern send-up of the classic comedy series. The Duke soon had viewers in stitches.

Fry paced up and down tutting as he waited for William to get on to the Zoom meeting.

He joked: “I thought the Germans were meant to be punctual.”

Then he chatted with the Prince on the screen — claiming he was with Blackadder and Baldrick.

Wills asked: “Have you seen anything good on TV? It’s hell without EastEnders.

Fry replied: “What about Tiger King?”

Wills then said: “I tend to avoid shows about royalty.”

 Prince William joked he needed to 'find his trousers' before taking part in Clap For Carers
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Prince William joked he needed to 'find his trousers' before taking part in Clap For Carers
 During the sketch, Fry gave William a 40-second warning to get the family together for Clap for Carers at 8pm
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During the sketch, Fry gave William a 40-second warning to get the family together for Clap for Carers at 8pm

Fry then gave him a 40-second warning to get his family together for the Clap for Carers before the Prince joked: “Let me see if I can find my socks. And shoes. And trousers.”

To a stirring soundtrack the footage moved outside to the duke’s door.

HEROES HONOURED

He and his family then came out to lead the applause - joined by millions around the UK who stood in the streets on doorsteps and on their balconies.

Doctors at the new Nightingale hospital in East London clapped for other frontline workers.

People blew whistles, beeped horns and even set off fireworks to show their support for the NHS.

In a street in York a man announced the clapping was starting by playing a trumpet.

Buildings across London were lit up with the NHS symbol to show support, while minister Dominic Raab and other staff members were shown outside the Foreign Office clapping.

Hospital staff in Newport were treated to a line of police cars outside of the hospital, with officers clapping them.

One man even dressed up as Mrs Brown’s boys character in Worcester to celebrate the NHS and other key workers.

Theo Woods took part in a 12-hour clapping marathon yesterday outside his home in Hartlepool.

Theo, 13, wore gloves to stop his hands going red raw from 8am until 8pm while raising money for the NHS.

Birthday boy Prince Louis celebrated his second birthday at home due to the coronavirus lockdown
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Birthday boy Prince Louis celebrated his second birthday at home due to the coronavirus lockdown
 A family applaud NHS heroes with pots and pans outside their chip shop in Hale, Cheshire
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A family applaud NHS heroes with pots and pans outside their chip shop in Hale, CheshireCredit: Zenpix
 Theo Woods, 13, wore gloves to stop his hands going red raw as he clapped from 8am until 8pm to raise money for the NHS
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Theo Woods, 13, wore gloves to stop his hands going red raw as he clapped from 8am until 8pm to raise money for the NHSCredit: North News and Pictures
 Families in North London applaud NHS heroes and care staff on the coronavirus frontline
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Families in North London applaud NHS heroes and care staff on the coronavirus frontlineCredit: London News Pictures

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BBC1’s Big Night In charity fund-raiser was a union between Comic Relief and Children In Need.

The two-minute Blackadder sketch was written by Richard Curtis.

A royal source said: “Prince William is a big, big fan of the Blackadder series.

“When he heard about this he wanted to be part of the event. He is comfortable with sending himself up. There has been a lot of seriousness and rightly so, but there is also time for the lighter side.”

The event was hosted by Lenny Henry and Matt Baker and included ten Doctor Who actors from the past 50 years thanking real doctors and other NHS staff.

Little Britain, Peter Kay, The Vicar of Dibley and Catherine Tate also made a TV return during the three-hour special.

Prince William’s telly cameo had echoes of the Queen who stole the show at the Opening ceremony for London’s 2012 Olympics with a James Bond sketch.

Peter Kay introduces new rendition of Armadillo on The Big Night In

Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff

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.

 Peter Kay recreated an updated version of (Is This The Way To) Amarillo on Big Night In
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Peter Kay recreated an updated version of (Is This The Way To) Amarillo on Big Night In
 Peter Kay appeared on The Big Night In from his back garden in sunny Bolton
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Peter Kay appeared on The Big Night In from his back garden in sunny Bolton
 Prince Charles and his wife Camilla outside the front door of their home at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire for the Clap For Carers
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla outside the front door of their home at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire for the Clap For CarersCredit: PA:Press Association
 A West Midlands Police officer applauds outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham
A West Midlands Police officer applauds outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in BirminghamCredit: SnapperSK
 Residents in Tonbridge, Kent, take part in the fifth clap for the NHS
Residents in Tonbridge, Kent, take part in the fifth clap for the NHSCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 Firefighters were out in force to show their appreciation for carers and the NHS at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham
Firefighters were out in force to show their appreciation for carers and the NHS at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in BirminghamCredit: SnapperSK
 A resident in Marine Gardens, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, applauds to salute local heroes
A resident in Marine Gardens, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, applauds to salute local heroesCredit: PA:Press Association
 Hospital workers, nurses and doctors gathered outside St Thomas' Hospital at 8pm for the weekly Clap For Carers
Hospital workers, nurses and doctors gathered outside St Thomas' Hospital at 8pm for the weekly Clap For CarersCredit: London News Pictures
 Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab applauded NHS staff outside the Foreign Office in London
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab applauded NHS staff outside the Foreign Office in LondonCredit: AP:Associated Press

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