Defiant Brits celebrate VE Day in lockdown as they paint the country red, white and blue and revive wartime spirit with street parties in the sun (145 Pics)
Defiant Brits across the nation showed wartime spirit in the face of the coronavirus pandemic today as they pulled together to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Today marks the official surrender of Germany to the Allies on May 8, 1945, and the end of the war in Europe.
And while large-scale public events may not be able to go ahead, patriotic neighbours battled on bravely, making the best of the situation as they decorated their streets and held tea parties while observing social distancing.
Many were able to wave from their balconies and gardens as the RAF staged spectacular flypasts, with the Red Arrows soaring through the sky above Buckingham Palace and the London Eye and Typhoon fighter jets flying over Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Boris Johnson urged Britain to take inspiration from the 'heroic' generation that won the Second World as he paid a heartfelt tribute in a VE Day video, adding, 'we owe them everything.'
The Bank Holiday - and what may well be Britain's last weekend of lockdown - gets underway as the Prime Minister mulls over what easing of restrictions he will announce on Sunday, as Wales announced a lift of the rules today.
Wales dropped limits on outdoor exercise and announced schools, libraries and garden centres can open from Monday.
Poignant commemorations this morning were led by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who each laid a wreath at a memorial near Balmoral.
Veterans and members of the public, unable to gather by their local war memorials as normal, quietly reflected in their own homes as veterans up and down the country led the way in paying their respects to the fallen.
The Queen will address the country from Windsor Castle at 9pm this evening and afterwards, Britons will be invited to join in with a singalong to Vera Lynn's wartime classic, We'll Meet Again.
The Prime Minister has also written to veterans, assuring them their efforts will 'always be remembered'.
In a heartfelt message to the nation this morning, Boris Johnson said 'our gratitude will be eternal' to the 'soldiers, sailors and airmen fought the Nazis with courage, ingenuity and stubborn endurance.'
Defiant Brits across the nation showed wartime spirit in the face of the coronavirus pandemic today as they pulled together to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day (pictured, residents on Novers Park Road in Knowle, Bristol)
Britons across the nation are commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which marks the official surrender of Germany to the Allies in 1945 (pictured, children celebrating holding paper planes outside their houses in Altrincham)
Monty the bulldog celebrated VE day with his family. Boris Johnson urged Britain to take inspiration from the 'heroic' generation that won the Second World as he paid a heartfelt tribute in a VE Day video, adding, 'we owe them everything.'
Laura Jeffrey, seven, with her face painted in the colours of the Union Jack and eating an ice lolly at a socially-distanced street party in Trevis Road, Southsea, to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day
Families sit outside during a socially-distanced street party in Newcastle-under-Lyme on the 75th VE Day anniversary
Emma pictured with two donkeys decorated with Union Jack clothing, bunting and flags in Sweffling village, Suffolk
Dame Joan Collins, whose childhood home was destroyed in the Blitz as she slept in a Tube station, leads the Nation's Toast from the balcony of her London apartment
A home in Wandsworth, London, draped in an enormous Union Flag to mark VE Day celebrations
A child in Altrincham poses with a cupcake while two other children pose with Union Jack flags on the special day
Jane and Toby Lyde, from Tooting, South West London, have pulled out all the stops to decorate their home for VE Day
People in Altrincham make the famous 'V for victory' sign as they celebrate the landmark day during Friday's great weather
The Altrincham neighbourhood created special VE Day cupcakes white white, blue and red icing spread on top
Sheila Daphne, 68, waves to a friend as she joins in her street's celebrations in Duncan Avenue, Redcar
Ian and Anna Jones, of Launton, Oxfordshire celebrating VE day - and observing lockdown - in style with Hector the hound
Carl Thompson performs The Last Post as residents in Birtley, Gateshead, come outside to start the VE Day celebrations
A homeowner observes a two-minute silence in Helpston near Peterborough
Residents of Stuart Way, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire celebrate Victory of Europe Day at a social distance on Friday
Monty the Bulldog, loveable pet of reader Dawn Summers, is photographed celebrating VE Day with two Union Jack flags
Graham looks on as his wife Sue Gillson untangles a flag on their roof on their home ahead in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
Bichon Frise Ruby joins in the Carswell family celebrations at their socially distanced street party in Knowle, Bristol
The Red Arrows treated onlookers to a spectacular display as they flew over London before heading back to RAF Scampton
Miniature schnauzers Jack, 13 (left) and Ringo, five (right), joined their owners in their garden in Emsworth, Hampshire this morning for the two-minute silence - while proudly showing off their fetching Union Jack bandanas
An aircraft over Henstridge airfield in Somerset wrote a VE Day 75th anniversary message in the sky using skytyping
Footage from inside the cockpit of the RAF jets showed their flight as they soared above the Thames
Royal Navy veteran, Charles Medhurst was met by serving members of the Royal Navy outside his home in south-east London. Aged 17, a year before he was called up aged 18 in 1943, Charles opened the telegram that told his family his 19-year-old brother had been killed by the Japanese in Burma. His ship HMS Malay atook part in trials of the bouncing bomb used on the famous Dambusters raid – a dummy prototype punched a hole in the side of his ship
This veteran was applauded by proud members of the public as he made his way to The Cenotaph
This veteran shared a joke with army personnel at The Cenotaph in Westminster after a two minute silence
The Red Arrows carried out a spectacular flypast over London, and Buckingham Palace, this morning
The residents of Cambrian Road in Chester dress up in 1945 clothing and have a social distancing tea party to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day
Downing Street was draped in flags and bunting today, with neighbourhoods across the country following suit.
Residents enjoyed a huge street party while observing social distancing guidelines in Chester, with locals baking cakes and donning 1940s-style dress as vintage cars cruised through the streets.
In Peterborough, people decorated their gardens with bunting and dressed in red, white and blue.
In Gateshead, bugler Carl Thompson played the Last Post in front of emotional neighbours.
In Greenwich, 95-year-old Royal Navy veteran Charles Medhurst stood solemnly outside his house with rows of medals gleaming on his chest, while in Redcar Royal British Legion branch chairman, Eric Howden, 75, lowered his standard in respect during the two-minute silence.
Dozens of emergency services personnel and serving members of the Armed Forces also came together to bow their heads as they observed a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in London.
Wales' First Minister also paid tribute to the 'unimaginable courage' of those who served during the Second World War.
Mark Drakeford spoke with Welsh veterans, now aged between 96 and 103, in calls over Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and over the phone.
At Balmoral, Charles wore Highland Day Dress - a Hunting Stewart kilt with a Gordon Highlanders tie and lapel badge - as well as wearing medals and neck order.
The Duchess of Cornwall placed spring flowers on the memorial, which were picked personally by Her Royal Highness from the garden at Birkhall.
Charles' handwritten message with his floral tribute read: 'In everlasting remembrance', while Camilla left a note with her bouquet in memory of her father Major Bruce Shand, who served with the 12th Lancers during the war.
The duchess, who wore her 4 Rifles dress, because she is Royal Colonel of the regiment, and her 12th Royal Lancers regimental brooch, wrote: 'In memory of my darling father and all the officers and men of the XII Lancers who fought so bravely to give us peace.'
General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, this morning urged the public to 'spare a thought' for those stuck at home at a time of celebration as he said the scaled-down commemorative events necessitated by strict lockdown measures made it 'tough' on veterans.
In a special message broadcast on the Royal British Legion's livestream, Dame Vera Lynn gave her thanks to the wartime generation.
In a heartfelt message to the nation this morning, Boris Johnson - pictured observing a two-minute silence - said 'our gratitude will be eternal' to the 'soldiers, sailors and airmen fought the Nazis with courage, ingenuity and stubborn endurance.'
16-year-old Grace Rayner hangs Union Jack flag bunting outside her home in Darlington this morning
A poignant wreath-laying service and two-minute silence was led by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla from Balmoral
Monty the Bulldog, loveable pet of reader Dawn Summers, is photographed celebrating VE Day with two Union Jack flags
Jack the 13-year-old miniature schnauzer donned a union jack bandana in time for VE Day celebrations
Specially-made cakes are put on display by Jane and Toby Lyde in Tooting, South West London, during Friday's celebrations
Flats in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, are draped with flags to commemorate the special day this bank holiday weekend
Glenise Jones and Ken Taylor, of Propps Hall Drive, Failsworth, Manchester, share smiles and laughs on the special day
Blind war veterans from WWII and their carers outside Blind Veterans UK for VE Day
A huge flag adorned a patriotic property in Streatham, south-west London this afternoon
World War Two veteran Len Gibbon, 96, stands to watch a Spitfire fly over the Care for Veterans site in Worthing
Cadets salute 95 year old Second World War veteran Signalman Eric Bradshaw, who is in isolation after testing positive for covid 19, outside Anchors Millfield care home in Oldham, Greater Manchester
Staff and residents at Anchors Millfield care home in Oldham, Greater Manchester
Care assistant Cat Buckley looks after 95 year old Second World War veteran Signalman Eric Bradshaw, who is in isolation after testing positive for covid 19, in Oldham, Greater Mancheste
Julia and Arthur Williamson dress up in 1940s clothing as they sit under a gazebo outside their house during a socially-distanced street party in Bulkington to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
Officers and soldiers of Household Division observe social distancing as they take part in a two minute silence
The Red Arrows - officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - flies over the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace
Bunting covers the facade of Downing street to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day today
The Prince of Wales bowed his head as he led the silence from Balmoral at 11am this morning
May 8, 1945 file photo crowds of civilians, British and Allied troops wave and cheer as Winston Churchill, second balcony from left, and members of the cabinet appear, to celebrate the end of the war in Europe, in Whitehall, London
World War Two veteran Bernard Morgan, aged 96, pays respect outside his home in Crewe during the two minute silence
A short service is lead by members from the Inveraray Royal British Legion as they observe a two minute silence on Friday
A handful of people are photographed in Trafalgar Square on VE Day as people respected the lockdown rules on a special day
A gentleman holds two Union Jack flags aloft as respects are paid for the 75th anniversary of VE Day across Great Britain
Homes across the country were draped in bunting, including these in Hale, as residents observed the two minute silence
Thomas Cleverly, 7, from Carlisle, waves a Union Jack flag during a garden tea party at home on the 75th anniversary
Karen Butt (right) and her partner Ed (left) celebrate VE Day on their canal boat on the Kennet & Avon canal in Wiltshire
Red arrows fly over the Mall in London, releasing blue, white and red smoke during celebrations on Friday morning
Stella, an adorable cat from Gateshead, dons a Union Jack bow tie for the 75th anniversary of VE Day in the north east
An officer plays The Last Post on the trumpet during the two minute silence at St James's Park in London on Friday
Amy Pateman poses with baby Isaac Pateman as the young family celebrated VE Day. Isaac is only one month old
A woman lays a wreath at the Naval War Memorial in Plymouth to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day
People walk past Wimbledon Windmill, South West London, decorated with Union Jack flags and red, white and blue bunting
Residents of Wimbledon, South West London, stand for a two-minute silence to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day
Katie Wharton and her daughter Evie, 5, stand on their doorstep in Southsea, Hampshire, to pay their respects
In Thorner, West Yorkshire, residents decorated their homes with flags and bunting and a poppy flag is pinned up
Members of the armed forces are seen during a service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall
Tea parties are already under way in Chester this morning, as neighbours come together to mark VE Day
Members of the Armed Forces lay a wreath next to the Cenotaph on Whitehall today
A display by the Ministry of Defence and the British Legion on the Lights in Piccadilly Circus in central London to thank Second World War Veterans and to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day today
A veteran makes his way to the Naval War Memorial in Plymouth in time for the service today
Three buglers play the last post at 11am at the Naval War Memorial in Plymouth
In a message read by actress Lesley Sharp, Dame Vera shared: 'As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, what a perfect opportunity for me to say thank you to everyone who did their bit to help us fight for freedom.
'Not only our wonderful Air Force, Navy and Army, but all the munitions workers in factories, those who broke the codes, the land girls and everyone else in the country.
'Neighbours helping neighbours, every person involved helping in some way. My love and thanks to you all, Dame Vera.'
Victory in Europe Day is a 'very special' occasion, Captain Tom Moore has said, as he remembered his comrades from the Second World War.
The 100-year-old veteran and NHS fundraising champion said 'we all need to be very happy' during celebrations as the UK marks 'the end of a very fearsome war in Europe'.
The Yorkshireman, who was just 20 when he was conscripted, has become a national hero by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, raising more than £32 million for the NHS.
After he joined the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in 1940, he was posted to India the next year, later moving to the jungles of Burma.
He had just returned from Asia and was at an army camp in Bovington, Dorset, when news of Nazi Germany's surrender came through.
But despite the war ending in Europe, Captain Tom has bittersweet memories of VE Day, having returned to the UK to work as a tank instructor while his friends were still fighting in Asia.
It was another three months until Japan's surrender on August 15 1945.
He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'At the time I was very concerned that all my comrades I had left in Burma were still fighting.
'My thoughts were with them because although there were great celebrations here all my comrades were still fighting in Burma with the Japanese.'
Captain Tom previously said he would be celebrating by having a 'very peaceful, quiet day, rejoicing the very fact that this did happen so long ago and with so much benefit to everybody'.
The veteran, who was made an honorary colonel to mark his centenary and fundraising efforts, added that it is 'rather sad' that people will not be able to celebrate the occasion in groups together because of the coronavirus lockdown.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to veterans to assure them that despite the ongoing lockdown, they and their efforts to defeat a 'ruthless enemy' would not be forgotten.
'We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person,' he said in the letter.
'But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered.'
Residents in Altrincham sit out on their drive and toast the 75th anniversary of VE Day with a Union Jack flag on their car
People in Altrincham make the famous 'V for victory' sign as they celebrate the landmark day during Friday's great weather
The Altrincham neighbourhood created special VE Day cupcakes white white, blue and red icing spread on top
A child in Altrincham poses with a cupcake while two other children pose with Union Jack flags on the special day
World War 2 veteran Len Gibbon, 96, watches a Spitfire in the distance as it flies over the Care for Veterans site in Worthing
Eric Bradhaw, 95, a veteran Signalman, waves at a young child with his care assistant Cat Buckley in Oldham, Manchester
A house in Streatham is draped with a huge England and Union Jack flag with the words 'we'll meet again' on Friday
Residents of Stuart Way, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire celebrate Victory of Europe Day at a social distance on Friday
MailOnline reader Rhiannon Evans knits a Tommy Tucker for her 87-year-old mother who is isolated during lockdown
A woman from Bristol wearing a Union Jack sparkling dress is pictured by a special Lest We Forget van on VE Day on Friday
Charles wore Highland Day Dress - a Hunting Stewart kilt with a Gordon Highlanders tie and lapel badge - as well as wearing medals and neck order
The Duchess of Cornwall placed spring flowers on the memorial, which were picked personally by Her Royal Highness from the garden at Birkhall
The poignant moment was led by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who each laid a wreath at a memorial near Balmoral
Charles and Camilla led the way as the UK fell silent to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day
People applaud as a WWII veteran walks past after two minutes of silence was observed in Whitehall
Soldiers chatted animatedly with a WW2 veteran in Whitehall after the poignant silence at 11am
92-year-old Lou Myers stood in front of the Cenotaph as members of the public behind followed his lead, bowing their heads in respect
Royal Navy veteran, Charles Medhurst stands outside his decorated house during a two minute silence on the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day in Greenwich
Officers and soldiers of Household Division observe social distancing as they take part in a two minute silence
Staff at the deserted National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire
A restored Second World War amphibious DUKW vehicle drives through Helpston near Peterborough
The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery carry out a socially distanced parade of 20 soldiers
Royal British Legion standard bearer Richard Hignett lowers the standard during the two minutes' silence outside his home in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Scottish Minister Nicola Sturgeon observes a two-minute silence alongside (left to right) British Army Corporal Fiona Williamson-Jones, Royal Navy Lieutenant Donovan Davy, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop, Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM, British Army Warrant Officer Class 1 Edinburgh Garrison Sergeant-Major Scott McFadden and RAF Flying Officer Luke Hilton outside St Andrew's House in Edinburgh
Paramedics and a firefighter during the two minute silence to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day in St James's Park, London
A Bugler plays the Last Post as the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery carry out a socially distanced parade in Woolwich
A Royal British Legion standard bearer lowers his standard in respect during a two minute silence in Redcar, North Yorkshire
Force Red Arrows flying past the statue of former prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square
RAF Typhoons carried out a flypast which soared over Edinburgh Castle this morning
WWII veteran Bernard Morgan, 96, takes part in the VE day two minute silence outside his home and alongside neighbours in Crewe. RAF Sergeant Morgan was a 20-year-old code and cipher operator, part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force. His role was to advance with the land forces across Europe and encrypt messages for pilots and UK command. He received and printed out the first official original telex message, declaring the end of hostilities and the 'THE GERMAN WAR IS NOW OVER' and now proudly keeps in this in his possession
Billboards in central London displayed messages and advertisements from VE Day in 1945
Two RAF Typhoons performed a flypast over The Titanic slipway in Belfast
Lou Myers, 92, bowed his head during the silence at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall today
Royal Air Force Red Arrows flying past the Runnymede Memorial in Egham, Surrey
Veterans and ambulance workers at The Cenotaph in Westminster ahead of the commemorations
A veteran was joined by two ambulance workers at The Cenotaph in Westminster this morning
The Royal Family and Kensington Palace Twitter accounts today shared historic photos and an address from the Queen's father
The RAF carried out an incredible flypast over the Horse Guards Parade in London
Although large-scale public events are unable to go ahead because of coronavirus restrictions, the RAF delighted people who were able to look up from their gardens and balconies in London this morning
The breathtaking display brightened up the mood in the Capital this morning, which has been sombre in recent weeks amid the pandemic
The RAF soared across the River Thames and above the London Eye, to the delight of onlookers below
VE Day 75 has been mowed into a field in Abbots Leigh to commemorate the 75th anniversary
Even pets are joining in the celebrations in Chester today, with neighbours playing music and baking food for the whole street
Piper Louise Marshall plays at dawn along Edinburgh's Portobello Beach overlooking the Firth of Forth on the 75th anniversary of VE Day
A guardsman stood beside a memorial to servicemen in London this morning, ahead of VE Day celebrations
The 'Tommy' war statue by artist Ray Lonsdale in Seaham, County Durham at sunrise this morning
Piper Louise Marshall plays at dawn along Edinburgh's Portobello Beach this morning
Russian president Vladimir Putin has sent a message to the Prime Minister on the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
In his message to Boris Johnson, the Mr Putin said: 'The Great Victory was a pivotal event of the 20th century with enduring significance for the fate of all humankind. It was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the Soviet Union and the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. That invaluable experience is no less needed today.'
The Kremlin said he also expressed confidence that the memory of the two nations' 'brotherhood-in-arms' would lead to a 'constructive' Russian-British dialogue and co-operation.
Meanwhile World War Two navy veteran, Ken Benbow, also appeared on GMB to commemorate V.E. Day.
Mr Benbow, who went viral for a video which showed his care home carer, Kia Tobin, handed him a cushion with his late wife's image on it, spoke about how much celebrating V.E. Day means to him.
'I wasn't in the UK when V.E Day happened. I happened to be in the Pacific, we were on our way to invade Japan. We were picking up men in the sea that had been shot down and taking them back to their aircraft carriers.
'We were doing various things, but we heard on the wireless that the war in Europe had ended and Germany had been defeated, which was a wonderful feeling and we all were so very, very pleased. But we couldn't do much, because as I say, we were in the middle of a battle.'
Talking about wanting to get back to the UK to celebrate with his friends and family, Mr Benbow said: 'Definitely, that was the most important thing.'
When asked what he will be saying in his speech later today in the care home, Mr Benbow said: 'I'll thank the Lord for my life. I've had a marvellous life, I had the most wonderful wife in the world. I've got the most wonderful carer now, but they're all angels here, I couldn't wish to be in a better place.'
On the video of Kia handing him a cushion with his late wife's image on it going viral, Kia said: 'It's been really crazy. I can't really describe what it's been like! It's been lovely to see the support that we've been given - and the letters that have been written. I've been in tears looking through them.'
Neighbours in Chester got ready to enjoy the celebrations today, while abiding by social distancing guidelines
On the eve of VE day blind war veterans from the WWII and their carers clap outside Blind Veterans UK
There is bunting aplenty out in Chester today, with everyone wearing 1940s style dress for the celebrations
The statue of Britain's wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill casts a shadow in Parliament Square in London on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II
A fleet of vintage cars have made their way through Cambrian Road in Chester to mark the events
Residents of Portsmouth decorate their home in Union Jack bunting and flags (pictured, Katie Warton with her daughter Evie in preparation of VE Day)
The residents of Cambrian Road in Chester are out in force today, marking the 75th anniversary
Chester residents are looking suitably fashionable for the occasion this morning
In a video addressing the nation this morning, the PM said: 'Seventy five years ago, the people of this country celebrated victory against Hitler's aggression. In cities scarred by enemy bombing, the crowds gave thanks for a national exertion greater than anything else before or since. What our country and our allies did was to save freedom.
'Britain and the Commonwealth and Empire were the only nations who fought Hitler from the first day of the Second World War to the last without being defeated and occupied. For a whole year, 1940-41, we stood alone against him, the last barrier to his tyranny. If we'd gone down, then it wasn't just our country that would have been destroyed, but liberty and democracy everywhere.
'But we did not fail: thanks to the heroism of countless ordinary people, who may be elderly today, but who once carried the fate of freedom itself on their shoulders. Across the world, our soldiers, sailors and airmen fought the Nazis with courage, ingenuity and stubborn endurance.
'On the home front, women defended out cities against air raids, worked the factories, ran the hospitals and broke enemy codes. People of every age, race and background came together in one supreme effort, and they paid a grievous price, with over 450,000 British people laying down their lives.
'And yet they triumphed over every ordeal and hardship and because of their victory, hundreds of millions of people live in peace and freedom today. The countries who we fought are now among our closest friends, and most of Europe has enjoyed 75 years of peace. We are now engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus, which demands the same spirit of national endeavour.
'And that means we can't hold the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past. But all of us, who were born since 1945, are acutely conscious that we owe everything we most value to the generation who won the Second World War. Today we celebrate their achievement, we remember their sacrifice and we take pride in being their compatriots. We are a free people because of everything they did, and our gratitude will be eternal.'
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will also release a pre-recorded commemorative message, and tributes will be offered by speakers in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.
A two-minute national silence will be observed at 11am to honour the memories of the British servicemen and women who gave their lives during the conflict.
The silence will be led by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and broadcast from a location in Scotland, where they are self-isolating.
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will reflect on the 'courage and sacrifice' of the war generation, describing reconciliation and hope as the 'two great tributes we can pay'.
At 9pm, the Queen will address the nation in a televised message - the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a speech over the radio three-quarters of a century earlier.
Captain Tom Moore, who raised more than £32 million for the NHS in April, will share his memories of wartime in an ITV documentary called Captain Tom's War, which airs at 8pm.
In it he recalls having his spirits lifted by Dame Vera Lynn, whose songs include We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover.
'She did a little song for us, so it really boosted the morale of everybody,' he said. 'She was great.'
Sir Nick described the centenarian fundraiser as 'a bit of a legend', but said fellow veterans deserved to be in people's thoughts amid the muted celebrations.
He told BBC Breakfast: 'Of course it will be different and I think that's tough for the veterans and all of those who have lived through the war, because they would like to see a parade and they would like to be involved in that.
'So I think we should spare a thought for them having to commemorate and celebrate at home.
'These tremendous people, what they give us is, they give us hope, and I think that word hope is very important at the moment.
'I do think we should spare a thought for the young - it was tough for them in the 1940s but it will be tough for them going forward, I fear.'
Defiant Brits celebrate VE Day in lockdown as they paint the country red, white and blue and revive wartime spirit with street parties in the sun (145 Pics)
![Defiant Brits celebrate VE Day in lockdown as they paint the country red, white and blue and revive wartime spirit with street parties in the sun (145 Pics)]()
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