Vernon Kay broadcasts BBC Radio 2 VE Day 80 special from Beverley

Earlier today, Vernon Kay broadcast his BBC Radio 2 show from Beverley Memorial Hall in Beverley, Yorkshire, where he held a VE Day 80 Tea Party.

Beverley is the hometown of listener Linda, who, when Vernon was asking for ideas for where he could hold his VE Day 80 celebration, invited him to come and do it there.

With Vernon and his team dressed up in 40s outfits to invoke the era, the show featured guests and live music performances.

It was for a specially invited audience which included WWII veterans, those who remember the VE Day celebrations as children, and members of the local community including nurses, WI, military personnel and community leaders.

Local hero Calum Scott returned to his hometown too to provide live music on the show, and there was even dancing in the aisles from an East Yorkshire lindy hop troupe!

Vernon played audio clips of VE Day from the BBC Archive, and he also brought with him an original vintage BBC microphone which was on display during the show.

He also revealed that the vintage microphone at the broadcast today is one of only two from that time that are still in existence. It’s thought to be the actual microphone that the VE Day announcement was made through.

Travel reporter Ellie – a former presenter on local station BBC Radio Humberside – went out and about on the streets of Beverley to discover how the locals are celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Vernon Kay: “This morning was a fantastic celebration, but also an important commemoration. Thank you Linda for inviting Radio 2 to Beverley where we’ve had the warmest of welcomes.

“We heard the incredible stories from WWII veterans and wonderful memories of others who were back here at home when VE Day was announced to the nation.”

Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: “When our wonderful Radio 2 listener, Linda, invited Vernon Kay’s show to her hometown of Beverley in Yorkshire – which is not far from my own hometown of Hull – I had to join them to be part of this incredible celebration of VE Day 80.

“We’ve had such a warm welcome from everyone here and it’s been a truly memorable show. I’d like to thank all the guests, but particularly the WWII veterans who joined us here this morning, and local hero Calum Scott who performed beautifully.

“Do also tune into Vernon hosting VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration – a concert featuring the fabulous music of that era – which is on Radio 2 this Sunday 11 May and you can hear now on BBC Sounds.”