Dan Walker hits out at 'meaningless' complaints in passionate D-Day tribute
Dan Walker has marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings that changed Britain and Europe forever with a passionate tribute.
Channel 5 newsreader Dan Walker has hit out at "meaningless" and trivial modern-day complaints, suggesting that they don't compare to what D-Day heroes have been through. Taking to Twitter, he confessed to his 800,000 followers: "Every #DDay I come back to Harry Billinge."
He blasted: "If you’re tempted to moan about something meaningless or complain today… watch Harry and think about what he, and many others, went through for the freedoms we all too often take for granted." Inserting a heart emoji to punctuate his love for the veterans, he continued: "There aren’t many of those heroes left but they have so much to teach us."
The TV and radio host then reminded his audience: "We’ll be playing music to commemorate the anniversary throughout the day on @ClassicFM #DDay80 #LestWeForget." He attached a tearjerking video of Billinge being interviewed back in 2022, before his death aged 96.
Dressed in military garb, he insisted: "Don't thank me, and don't say I'm a hero. I'm no hero. I was lucky. I'm here." With a hint of trauma creeping into his voice, Billinge agonised: "All the heroes are dead and I'll never forget them as long as I live."
He spoke about the "88-millimeter guns" used by the enemy, which had the potential to "blow you off the face of the earth". A horrified Naga Munchetty listened as he revealed that a friend with a three-week-old baby had died in his arms in France.
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Harry Billinge reflects on D-Day heroes in old BBC interview
"My generation saved the world and I'll never forget any of them," he declared.
Dan believed the video ought to have put some of the minor everyday problems that are often complained about into perspective.
Fans agreed, exclaiming: "You're not wrong pal... this man is incredible".
One added: "The bravery and stoicism these men and women showed then and show now is an inspiration to us all."
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"Absolute heroes. So few of them still with us, making it even more important to remember them today," a third mused.
Meanwhile, another took the opportunity to remember his father, who served during World War II, and had died aged 94 back in 2019.
This week has been filled with D-Day commemorations, including a poignant rendition of Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again' on the Lorraine show today.
It was performed by BGT 2018 finalists The D-Day Darlings - a group often described as the UK's premier wartime act.
