Dame Vera leads nominees for Classic Brits

SHE WAS the Forces’ sweetheart who helped ensure the nation’s spirit remained undimmed during the Second World War.

And now, 73 years on from the end of the conflict, Dame Vera Lynn leads the nominees for the revived Classic Brit Awards.

The 101-year-old wartime singer is up for two awards, female artist of the year and album of the year. She is joined by Britain’s Got

Talent winner Tokio Myers, who will also collect the best breakthrough artist prize.

Dame Vera’s Vera Lynn 100 became the biggest selling album released by a woman in the UK in 2017. She will also be honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the event, which is returning after five years amid a revived interest in classical music.

Myers, who less than a year ago stormed to Britain’s Got Talent victory with his piano led mashups of classic and pop tracks, is also up for best male artist alongside another former BGT graduate, Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Myers said: “It’s just amazing to be appreciated for all the hard work that has gone in throughout the years but especially the last year. It’s beyond a year – I’ve been doing this my whole life.”

Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer will do battle with himself in the soundtrack of the year category with his compositions for Dunkirk, Blade Runner

2049 and Blue Planet II all nominated. Also in the category is The

Greatest Showman soundtrack, which topped the UK album charts for 14 weeks.

Musician and radio presenter Myleene Klass will host the refreshed awards ceremony along with Pointless star Alexander Armstrong at London’s Royal Albert Hall in June.