'SO LOVED'
This Morning fans in tears as Esther Rantzen pays tribute to friend Dame Vera Lynn after her death at 103
ESTHER Rantzen has paid tribute to her friend Dame Vera Lynn today after her death at 103.
The TV presenter, 79, appeared on This Morning after the singer's family announced Dame Vera had sadly passed away after living an incredible life.
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Esther told viewers how Dame Vera became the forces' sweetheart who kept the UK's morale up in World War Two.
Dame Vera soon went on to become a national hero with hits such as We'll Meet Again and White Cliffs of Dover.
In April, the Queen made a reference to Dame Vera's songs in her address to the nation about coronavirus lockdown, saying 'we will meet again'.
Esther said of Vera, who lived in Ditchling, East Sussex: "There was something royal about Vera, she was so loved.
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"Everyone who remembers the war remembers her remembers she did her country proud."
She went on: "I think everyone will feel a personal sense of loss. I'm no spring chicken but she was a star for the whole of my life. She was constantly loyal to the things she believed in.
"She associated herself with the people who defended our nation and she went out and entertained them. Her voice was as true as a bell, right up until the end of her life. She had a natural dignity, but she was never too grand. She was a very remarkable human being."
The forces sweetheart's uplifting songs boosted the morale of troops during the Second World War.
Vera was born in East Ham on March 20, 1917, making her 103 when she passed away.
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She was a singer, songwriter and actress who became hugely popular during World War Two and was widely referred to as "the Forces' Sweetheart".
She began performing at the age of seven and gave up school aged 11 to start touring.
By the 1930s she was a popular radio performer and she released her first solo record in 1936.
How did Dame Vera Lynn die?
Dame Vera sadly died at the age of 103 on June 18, 2020.
Her exact cause of death is yet to be revealed.
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Her family said in a statement: "The family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers at the age of 103.
"Dame Vera Lynn, who lived in Ditchling, East Sussex, passed away earlier today, 18 June 2020, surrounded by her close family."
When did Vera Lynn sing We'll Meet Again?
Dame Vera was best known for her 1939 hit We'll Meet Again, which was hugely popular with troops posted overseas and their families back home.
In the early stages of the war she was voted Britain's most popular singer.
She would tour the world to entertain the troops during wartime, often at great personal risk, as part of the Entertainments National Service Association.
Among her other best-known songs are I'll Be Seeing You, The White Cliffs of Dover, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and There’ll Always Be An England.
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Films she has appeared in include: We'll Meet Again (1943), Rhythm Serenade (1943), One Exciting Night (1944) and Meet Again (2014).
Once the war ended, Dame Vera decided to raise her daughter, Virginia - but she still remained popular.
Her family confirmed the sad news in a statement this morning.
Dame Vera had continued to be in good health until the end of her life, and had continued giving interviews as recently as VE Day earlier this month.
In May, she urged the nation to "remember the brave boys and what they sacrificed for us".
She added: "They left their families and homes to fight for our freedom and many lost their lives trying to protect us and our liberties."
Vera dedicated much of her life to supporting military veterans.
On turning 103 in March, Dame Vera said: "Thank you all for the kind gifts, cards and gestures I received to celebrate my birthday this year.
“Once again, I am overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and generosity, and am so grateful to you all for helping me to mark this milestone.
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“I feel very fortunate to have reached 103, and my day will be made all the more special by hearing from people all around the world.
“Thank you also for your generosity towards my Charitable Trust as I care very much about the work it does and the donations received around my birthday are the best gift imaginable.”
Vera was famously known for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There'll Always Be An England, I'll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings, to help raise British spirits during the Blitz.
She once said: "My songs reminded the boys of what they were really fighting for.
"Precious, personal things, rather than ideologies and theories."
Tributes have flooded in for the wartime singer.
Boris Johnson has paid tribute to Dame Vera Lynn following her death at the age of 103, saying her “charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours. Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come”.
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His fiancee Carrie Symonds tweeted that Dame Vera's death was "very sad", adding: "Will be playing her music here today. RIP."
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan tweeted: "Oh no.... what terribly sad news. Dame Vera Lynn has died, aged 103.
"A magnificent woman who rallied our country when we most needed it. The Forces sweetheart. The Nation's sweetheart. RIP."
Singer Katherine Jenkins hailed Vera as an "icon".
She said: "There will never be another Dame Vera Lynn."
Dame Vera Lynn singing 'We'll Meet Again' live to members of the RAF
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