CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore has died aged 100.
The World War II hero, who raised tens of millions for the NHS last year, was being treated for covid at Bedford Hospital when he passed away.
He hadn’t yet been able to have a covid vaccine as he was already suffering from pneumonia in the weeks before he caught the virus.
Tributes and reactions are already pouring in from around the world for Captain Tom, who became a global star last summer thanks to his inspirational fundraising efforts and was even knighted by the Queen in a unique socially distanced ceremony.
Follow the latest tributes on our live blog below…
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Dan Keane
CAPTAIN SIR TOM'S WORDS OF HOPE
Captain Sir Tom provided light and hope to Brits in the depths of the first national lockdown.
Speaking in April last year, he told the Financial Times: "Things will certainly get better. They’ve always got better.
"The last two wars that I’m talking about – we battled and we won.
"Today, with this battle with this unseen enemy, we shall win in the end.There’s no doubt."
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Dan Keane
SUSANNA REID HAILS 'MAN WHO UNITED THE NATION'
Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid tweeted: "The man who united and inspired our nation at a moment of deepest despair.
"Thank you Captain Sir Tom Moore for your service.
"I am heartbroken for your family. A life well lived, and well loved. RIP."
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Dan Keane
WHY DIDN'T CAPTAIN SIR TOM GET THE COVID VACCINE?
Captain Sir Tom Moore was unable to have his Covid vaccine before he caught the virus because of his pneumonia medication, it was reported last week.
The 100-year-old national hero, who would have been among the first wave of Brits to get the jab, was not allowed to make the journey to his local vaccination centre, his family said.
A spokeswoman for his family said: “Because of the medication he was taking for his pneumonia he couldn’t have the Covid jab."
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Dan Keane
GQ EDITOR'S TRIBUTE
Captain Sir Tom Moore made history, aged 100, as the oldest British GQ cover star in the magazine's 33 year history.
Dylan Jones, editor in Chief of GQ, said: "Captain Tom was one of the heroes of 2020, and he was the first person we thought of celebrating when we started planning last year's Men Of The Year Awards.
"Not only was he the oldest person ever to grace our cover, he was one of the most gracious. He was a hero, a genuine old-fashioned hero, and I feel blessed that we were in his orbit, albeit for a very brief time."
Credit: Reuters -
Dan Keane
QUEEN SENDS CONDOLENCES
A statement from the Royal Family said the Queen had sent her condolences to Captain Tom's family.
A spokesperson said: "The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
"Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year.
"Her thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them."
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Dan Keane
LABOUR LEADER: HE WAS A 'BEACON OF HOPE'
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "This is incredibly sad news.
"Captain Tom Moore put others first at a time of national crisis and was a beacon of hope for millions.
"Britain has lost a hero."
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Dan Keane
MATT HANCOCK PAYS TRIBUTE TO 'GREAT BRITISH HERO'
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: "I'm so sorry to hear that Captain Tom has passed away in hospital.
"He was a great British hero that showed the best of our country & I send my best wishes to his family at this time."
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Dan Keane
Where did Captain Sir Tom fight?
During World War Two, Tom was enlisted in 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps and was chosen for officer training in 1940, rising to the rank of captain.
He was posted to India and went on to serve his country in Burma, now called Myanmar.
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Dan Keane
WHEN CAPTAIN SIR TOM MET THE QUEEN
The Queen duly knighted Captain Sir Tom in July, 2020, for his astonishing fundraising efforts.
It was the Royal’s first face-to-face engagement following the first national lockdown.
With her father's sword in her hand, the Queen, 94, lightly touched him first on his right shoulder then his left with the blade – dubbing him a knight.
She told him: "Thank you so much. An amazing amount of money you raised."
Credit: PA:Press Association/PA Images
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Dan Keane
ENGLAND FOOTBALL PAY TRIBUTE
The England football team has paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore.
They wrote: "We're deeply saddened to learn of the passing of
@captaintommoore"We were honoured to welcome Captain Sir Tom as the leader of our #Lionhearts last year and know that what he achieved will continue to inspire so many.
"All of our thoughts are with his family and friends."
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Dan Keane
CHIEF NURSE'S TRIBUTE
In a statement shared on Twitter, Liz Lees, chief nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "It has been our immense privilege to care for Captain Sir Tom Moore.
"We share our deepest condolences and sympathies with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.
"We'd also like to say thank you, and pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore for the remarkable contribution he has made to the NHS."
Credit: AFP or licensors -
Dan Keane
DAUGHTERS' TRIBUTE
In a statement released today, Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughters Hannah and Lucy said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
"We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime.
"We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.
"The last year of our father's life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he'd only ever dreamed of."
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Dan Keane
FAMILY SHARE LAST PHOTO
Captain Sir Tom Moore beams at the camera surrounded by his beloved family in the last photo taken before his tragic death.
Captain Tom posted a touching photo with his grandchildren Benji and Georgia, daughter Hannah and her husband Colin Ingram on January 18.
The picture, the last posted on his Twitter page before his tragic death, shows the war veteran smiling while giving a thumbs up.
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Dan Keane
PIERS MORGAN PAYS TRIBUTE
Piers Morgan has today paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The ITV star wrote: "A magnificent man. A national hero.
"In our darkest hour since WW2, he rallied Britain with his resilience, courage and optimism.
"Let us all heed his mantra in our own lives: ‘Tomorrow will be a good day."
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Dan Keane
WHAT DID CAPTAIN SIR TOM DO?
During the first UK lockdown from March 23, 2020, last year his aim was to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre (82ft) loop in his garden with the aid of a walking frame in Marston Moretaine, in 10-lap chunks.
The hero achieved his feat on the morning of April 16.
The NHS champ then vowed to keep on walking while people were still donating.As a result, Captain Tom went on to raise over £32m for NHS charities – and won admirers around the globe.
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Dan Keane
CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE DIES AGED 100
Captain Sir Tom Moore has died aged 100, his family have confirmed this afternoon.
The centenarian war hero, who captured the heart of the nation with his fundraising efforts during the first coronavirus lockdown, tragically passed away following a battle with the bug at Bedford Hospital.
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