Tribute act's honour at joining tribute to Dame Vera Lynn

Lorrie, who stars in the Advertiser’s regular Salute to the 40s shows, was one of the guests for the event at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The portrait will be displayed at the historic venue in honour of Dame Vera Lynn.

Lorrie has been portraying the wartime songbird for over 25 years and in 2013 was named the UK’s number one Vera Lynn tribute by the Agents Association of GB, a success she followed up in 2019 with a Music Industry Award for her service to the tribute industry.

She and her husband, Gary Birtles have become ambassadors to Dame Vera's charity, The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, which supports children under five with cerebral palsy, and have raised over £11,000 for the charity with after-show collections.

The portrait was unveiled in front of Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia, who read out a message from Dame Vera herself, while other guests included members of the armed forces.

The painting was painted by Norwegian artist, Ross Kolby, who said he had been keen show all the key moments in Dame Vera’s life and included the white cliffs of Dover, a radio microphone and a palm tree — to signify her time in Burma.

Britains Got Talent 2019 winner Colin Thackery performed a medley of Dame Vera's hits.