CAPTAIN Tom Moore's charity single for the NHS has rocketed to the top of the iTunes shortly after being released.
The 99-year-old war hero, who has raised more than £22million for the health service by walking 100 laps of his garden, teamed up with Michael Ball for the special rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
The pair recorded the duet of the stirring 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein classic with the NHS Voices of Care Choir.
The track, which costs 99p on Apple's iTunes, opens with Captain Tom saying: "Hold your head up high and don't be afraid of the dark."
Michael's vocals then come in and the pair sing together backed by the choir, which is made up of hard-working NHS staff.
The track has overtaken another charity song, Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins' We'll Meet Again, which is now in the No2 spot above Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.
Singer Michael, 57, explained how the collaboration came together, telling BBC Breakfast: "I made some calls.
"I called my record producer and said have we got a track we could put together? I had an idea that the NHS Voice of Care Choir could form the background for us.
"Crucially though was talking to Tom and Hannah. Because we're all over the place and all isolating I had to get Tom to speak the words and then sing the words into his phone.
"All the choir did it individually around the country when they were off shift. We did it all in 12 hours, I can't quite believe we did."
Last week, the government hinted at an official honour for Tom, who served in WWII and turns 100 on April 10.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said: “Captain Tom has captured the heart of the nation with his heroic effort and raised an incredible amount of money for hardworking NHS staff.
“He has embodied the spirit of the country. From his military contributions to his support for NH staff, Tom has demonstrated a lifetime of bravery and compassion.
“The PM will be looking at ways to recognise Tom and his efforts.”
- To donate to Captain Tom's campaign visit Justgiving.
Source: Read Full Article
