Holly Willoughby has opened up about a time she met Dame Vera Lynn, after the iconic singer's death at the age of 103.
Today's edition of This Morning opened with the ITV magazine show paying tribute to the We'll Meet Again singer, who was known as the 'Forces' Sweetheart' thanks to her morale-boosting efforts during the Second World War.
Speaking to co-host Phillip Schofield and guest Esther Rantzen, 39-year-old Willoughby recalled her own special encounter with Lynn when she was a child.
"When I was a really little girl, we grew up not far from Ditchling, actually, where she lived," the presenter explained.
Dame Vera Lynn - In pictures
"There was a farm where you used to go and get your turkeys at Christmas and I remember being with my mum, and I was only tiny, and my mum saying to me, ‘That lady there is Dame Vera Lynn.’”
Willoughby continued: “I remember then just looking at this lady, and I was so young I couldn’t put it in context, but just thinking, ‘Oh my gosh.’ Now, I’m so pleased that at least I got to catch a glimpse of this incredible woman.”
Schofield, 58, recalled the various times he met Lynn throughout his career.
"She was always very dignified," he said. "She never really put a foot wrong, having been so perfect for what everybody needed her at the time we needed her the most."
Schofield and Willoughby are among the many stars who have paid their respects to Lynn after her death.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter: "Dame Vera Lynn’s 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."
Meanwhile, Sir Cliff Richard described the singer as "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," he said.
“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.”
In a statement issued today, family of Lynn said: "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.”
