On 6 June 2024, BBC One commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a special program, D-Day 80: We Will Remember Them. This episode marks this significant date in history, honouring those who served in the Normandy campaign.
The program, presented by Paddy O’Connell, whose father served during D-Day, is set overlooking Gold Beach at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. This event, organised by the Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defense, holds special significance as the first national commemoration at this location. His Majesty the King and Queen Camilla will be in attendance, along with D-Day veterans who have returned to France for this occasion.
The ceremony will feature living testimonies, curating exclusive conversations to preserve firsthand accounts before we enter a post-witness era. Musical performances will include the talents of Johnny Flynn and Sir Tom Jones, along with a new composition from Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The event will conclude with a solemn act of remembrance, accompanied by a tribute from the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, soaring over Normandy to honour this remarkable generation. Accessible commentary will be provided by Petroc Trelawny for the blind and partially sighted audience members.
D-Day 80: We Will Remember Them airs on Thursday, 6 June 2024, at 8:30 am on BBC One.
