‘Hats off for surviving but also for thriving’, Duke tells young people
EUROVISION HOST Graham Norton said he was upset the singing competition was cancelled this year, but added that “safety has to come first”.
The TV star, who usually commentates on the contest, will host the BBC’s replacement coverage, Eurovision: Come Together on BBC One, after the event in Rotterdam was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Norton, 57, said he had thought this year would have been a “special one for the UK” and entrant James Newman, who is from Settle in North Yorkshire.
Talking about the cancellation, he said: “I was very upset, we all were, but people’s safety has to come first of course. I always enjoy arriving in the host city and getting the chance to fully immerse myself in the excitement of the competition, there’s always a Eurovision fever that has taken over.
GRAHAM NORTON:
“I’m disappointed for the artists too and the teams that work behind them. They all work for so long to make this wonderful night of TV happen so it’s sad that the songwriters will also miss out on their time to showcase their songs to the audience.”
He tipped “Iceland and those iconic jumpers” as an act he had been looking forward to seeing.
He added: “It was also going to be a really special one for the UK as it’s the first time in a while that we’ve worked with a label, so it would have been fun to see the reaction to James’ performance.”
The presenter said he hoped the alternative coverage would still feel like “event TV”. Eurovision: Come Together airs at 6.30pm on BBC One on May 16.
WHEN TARA Kilner’s father was admitted to intensive care, she was devastated.
Her father Michael became seriously ill at the start of the coronavirus lockdown just as the family’s Sheffield butchers’ shop became overwhelmed with orders and deliveries for customers self-isolating.
Ms Kilner took the difficult decision to keep the shop open – and now, with her father fighting fit again, she has thanked customers for their support.
They have run Bradway Meats on Twentywell Lane since 2014 with colleague Scott Storey.
Mr Kilner, 61, had suffered with a heart condition and became ill just as the coronavirus crisis was starting. Ms Kilner explained: “Our customers have been so supportive, they have rung up to send their best wishes and that, along with family and friends, has really kept us going.”
THE DUKE of Sussex has praised young people for surviving and thriving amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Harry delivered a video message to members of OnSide Youth Zones, saying of the situation: “This too shall pass.”
The charity provides stateof-the-art youth centres across the UK and during lockdown has been supporting more than 50,000 young people remotely via phone calls and over social media with digital and interactive content.
Introducing an online rerun of OnSide’s award ceremony from November, Harry said: “Hats off to every single one of you for surviving but also for thriving.
“These daily challenges that you guys are coming up against are unbelievable and so many people will never understand.
“But you guys have the strength to pull through and you have the
He delivered a video message to the members of OnSide Youth Zones.
support of the OnSide community, the OnSide family to help you through that process. I can only imagine the last six weeks has made it even more challenging.
“This too shall pass. And before you know it, you will be back together again, probably in a youth zone, running around having the best time ever.”
The Duke, who is now living in Los Angeles, has stepped down as a senior working royal to pursue a life of financial and personal freedom away from the monarchy.
He delivered a speech and handed out accolades at the OnSide Awards last year at the Royal Albert Hall, in London.
It was his final public appearance before a six-week break with the Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in Canada over Christmas.
There are 13 OnSide Youth Zones in the UK, which usually provide over 20 activities each evening for young people from sports to arts, music to cookery and dance to climbing, for just £5 annual membership.
This weekend, the Duke said life has “changed dramatically” as he marked what would have been the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
He urged the “Invictus family” to look out for each other and encouraged them to get involved with virtual activities over the coming days.