Captain Tom Moore has responded in his trademark gentlemanly style after The Weeknd urged fans to support his competitor in the race for the number one spot in the singles charts this week.
The war veteran has teamed up with Michael Ball to release a charity cover of the Jerry and the Pacemakers song You’ll Never Walk Alone, as well as the NHS Voices of Care Choir.
However, despite high hopes that Captain Tom and co. would hit the top spot, the song has been neck and neck with The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights all week, with the winner being announced later today (Friday).
Paying tribute to Captain Tom on Twitter, The Weeknd said: ‘everyone in the UK please support @captaintommoore / @mrmichaelball single so this incredible 99 yr old war veteran, walking for the British National Health Service @NHSuk & now raised $35 Million can have a No 1 for his 100th birthday in the UK!We’re routing [sic] for you. XO!’
Captain Tom replied: ‘My goodness, how gracious of you @theweeknd Benji [his grandson] tells me you’re rather talented and very popular!
‘What a kind gesture. Thank you!’
Do we sense a duet on the cards?
We’d download it!
Captain Tom, 99, shot to fame after raising funds for healthcare professionals working on the frontlines during the coronavirus crisis by walking 100 laps of his garden. He turns 100 on 30 April.
He recently told Metro.co.uk that he ‘doesn’t feel famous’ despite raising £28m for the NHS.
He added: ‘If the lockdown was not in place no one would have heard of me!’
As well as generating global praise for his fundraising, Captain Tom was honoured with a Pride of Britain Award this week, and has inspired a 99-year-old grandmother and a six-year-boy suffering with spina bifida to hold similar fundraisers.
Grandad-of-four Tom, who comes from Yorkshire, has vowed to keep walking until donations stop.
You can donate to his JustGiving page here.
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MORE: The Weeknd urges fans to support Captain Tom Moore as race to number one gets close
