When Cat Deeley introduced the two-minute silence on Armistice Day, many viewers were taken aback by her choice of words.
While presenting the national act of remembrance, Cat said, “We’re going to go celebrate now… with the memorial,” which left some viewers confused and upset.
The moment sparked a wave of mixed reactions, with some defending her, while others found her wording inappropriate.
Viewers React to Cat’s Misstep
The 11:00 AM silence is a poignant tradition observed by the nation, honoring the sacrifices of the Armed Forces.
As the cameras panned to memorial services in cities like Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Westminster Abbey, the silence was observed across the country.
However, Cat’s comment that it was time to “celebrate” rather than “commemorate” did not sit well with many viewers.
Some took to social media to express their frustration, calling the comment disrespectful.
One viewer tweeted, “Can I just say, Cat, that was a time to remember, not to, as you said, ‘celebrate’. Enough with this disrespectful nonsense, please. #ThisMorning.”
Others were upset by the programme cutting into the silence, accusing ITV of failing to honor the moment appropriately.
The Moment of Silence on This Morning
Despite the backlash, the moment of reflection continued as planned.
The silence was followed by the broadcast returning to the Cenotaph, where service personnel continued to pay their respects.
Cat later acknowledged the “incredibly moving scenes” that had been broadcast, all while co-host Alison Hammond and former Royal Marine Ben McBean, a guest on the show, were present in the studio.
Ben McBean, a veteran who lost his right leg and left arm during his service in Afghanistan, joined the show to provide further insight into the significance of the day.
While Cat’s comment may have caused controversy, the segment continued to honor the importance of Armistice Day.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Leads by Example
Elsewhere, The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, participated in a somber ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, marking Armistice Day with a poem and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Thousands of veterans and members of the public gathered to pay their respects at the Armed Forces Memorial.
The National Memorial Arboretum, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007, is designed so that at 11:00 AM on November 11th, a beam of light illuminates the bronze wreath in the center.
Sophie’s graceful presence at the service was a reminder of the nation’s deep respect for those who sacrificed their lives in service to the country.
Afterward, she took a quiet moment to reflect on the 16,000 names engraved in the memorial.
National Reflection and Future Remembrance Events
In addition to Remembrance Day, Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, announced plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Days in 2025.
More than £10 million will be invested in national events that will bring people together to honor the fallen from World War II.
This will include moments of reflection and commemorations in Paris and across the UK, to ensure the memories of those who served live on.
Starmer expressed the importance of such events in preserving the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring their courage is never forgotten.
“The courage and sacrifice of so many over the generations brings the country together on Remembrance Day in a spirit of the most profound gratitude and respect,” he said.
Clarification of Cat Deeley’s Broadcast Timing
A previous version of the article incorrectly stated that Cat Deeley spoke during the two-minute silence.
In fact, her words were delivered just 15 seconds after the silence had ended.
The article has since been corrected to reflect this clarification.
As the nation continues to reflect on the sacrifices of those who served, moments like these remind us of the importance of respecting and commemorating the fallen.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn