Happy 100th, Dame Vera

Original ‘Forces’ sweetheart’ Dame Vera Lynn on taking a trip down memory lane for a new BBc2 documentary and living life to the full at 100…

- Sarah Selwood

The accolades ‘national treasure’ and ‘legendary’ are used too freely nowadays, but in Dame Vera Lynn’s case, there’s no dispute that both are more than deserved.

The record-breaking singer brought so much joy to people on the front line and back at home during World War Two that she earned the title of ‘Forces’ Sweetheart’.

And, as she reaches her 100th birthday this Monday, 20 March, she shows no signs of slowing down!

‘I’m looking forward to celebrating at my home in Ditchling, East Sussex, with family and close friends,’ smiles Vera in an exclusive interview with TV Times. ‘There will be a tea party with a special cake. There isn’t a present I’d like, to have reached 100 is a present in itself.’

Vera’s still singing and, just before her birthday on 17 March, is releasing another album, featuring re-orchestrated versions of her best-known songs including The White Cliffs of Dover and We’ll Meet Again featuring her original vocals. She will be the first artist to release a new album as a centenarian.

‘It’s truly humbling that people still enjoy these songs from many years ago,’ she says.