Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I remember saying ‘I hope the Queen is gentle with this sword...’
Capt Sir Tom a cover star at 100
CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore flies the flag for centenarians everywhere as he becomes the oldest person to grace the cover of GQ magazine.
The 100-year-old appears on the front of the next edition of the glossy title, usually graced by Hollywood A-listers and music stars.
Asked about being picked for the high-profile shoot, the Second World War veteran quipped: “Well, that’s something special, isn’t it? And maybe next year, I’ll be the oldest again!”
The prestigious GQ honour comes just weeks after Captain Tom received a special Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award. His incredible fundraising inspired the nation during the first lockdown and raised more than £32million for NHS charities.
Captain Tom told GQ that the idea of walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, starting in April, was “something I brought on myself ”.
“When I started walking, I never envisioned that sort of money would appear,”
The former British Army officer went on. “I thank my daughter Hannah. Without her, this would never have blossomed.” During an incredible 2020, Captain Tom’s efforts spawned a host of socially distanced fundrai sing e vents, and led him to be knighted by the Queen. He recalled saying, “I hope the Queen is gentle with this sword” when he was given the accolade. Now Captain Tom will be
honoured with the Inspiration Of The Year gong at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2020, in association with Hugo Boss, which is being held virtually.
It can be viewed on British GQ’S Youtube channel a week on Thursday.
Editor Dylan Jones said: “If this year shows us anything, it’s that hope can come from the places you wouldn’t expect. Captain Sir Tom Moore is the embodiment of our Inspiration award.”
Captain Tom is star of the January/ February 2021 issue of the 32-year-old magazine, available in December.