Currently nearly in tears on Richard and Judy talking about 2 little boys. Bless him.

I'd be nearly in tears if I had to be that close to Richard Madeley without being able to twat him.

I think he's just that type of bloke. I remember him once completely breaking down when he hosted 'Animal Hospital' after a little budgie called 'Pecky' met it's end. It was extremely moving.

I think he's just a genuinely nice man, you couldn't put on something like that.

It won't do the sales any harm either, all very convenient if you ask me.

i thought he said all profit from the single goes to the rbl

He never said out about it to me in Oxy road fishy.

The programme last night on the Beeb where Rolf traced his father's/uncle's steps was quite moving but the real story was the Newsnight presenter Kirsty Warks great uncle. He was a machine gunner who survived the whole of the war, received the Distinguished Service Cross for gallentry. She read his letters home and broke down at one stage as he clearly expected to die in one of the battles. But he survived the war and wrote about his orders to reurn home only to subsequently fall to Spanish Flu - he died on the 25 November 1918 in France. Poor bugger.

I bet there's some interesting stories from ordinary folk, I don't like this fashion for having to have a celebrity all the time raising their own profile into the bargain ... lazy TV on the part of the producers and the assumption that the public have to have a celeb nailed on to watch something like because they're too thick otherwise.

I've had various contact with Rolf over the past couple of years; the first time when I had a 20 minute chat with him during the lead up to the Monkeyhangerz 2LB's and then again earlier this year at Buckingham Palace.

The fact is that Rolf Harris does not need either the publicity or the money. When he gets involved in things its because he wants to or it means something to him. Any emotion he shows is genuine.

I got an impression thats all, not saying I know the bloke like a brother but he seemed very genuine to me.

Im with mutley, why wait to tell him now all his history?

"oh yer , you know that song you released 40 year ago right........

Don't like it either Snowy but it is becoming unavoidable for producers.

First a known name does boost viewing figures- you add a few Animal Hospitallers to your family history and military history audience.

Second, loads of productions are done by independent production companies or the original pitch is from somebody too junior to control a budget so they use whatever they can to get cash to cover WW1. If the editors and senior managers want known faces you have to get them or the thing you're interested in never gets filmed.

Third, often the celebs are pretty good on screen talent and would normally cost a packet. Rolf's agent would probably see this as a good promotional tool for the single re-release which should then boost his value for gigs and other TV work. The British legion only get the cash from the single all subsequent LP royalties, TV, radio and live monies go to Rolf. So you get him cheap. In Kirsty's case it shows a different side of her which makes her more marketable too.

i think there's just too many tear jerking (cue onion) coincidences all conveniently lining up here ... I should have been in the KGB.
I wonder how people remembered the fallen before celebs came along?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7724596.stm

about half way down, you lot even get a mention on the right hand side (kind of a mention anyways)

Isn't there anyone else who'll admit to thinking TLBs is horribly sentimental? I can't stand it