Happy birthday Colonel Tom! | Cheryl Gibbs

Yesterday was his 100th birthday. What an absolute legend.

Tom was given the honorary title of Colonel by the Queen this week after there were calls to give him a knighthood.

But I’m pretty sure our Tom was more than happy with his new title, particularly because he is a lifelong fan of Her Majesty. I’m just so thrilled for him.

Not only has he raised more money for a sponsored walk than anyone else in the history of the online fundraising site JustGiving.

But he has also duetted with his favourite singer, Michael Ball.

That resulted in a number one single, You’ll never walk alone.

His century was also marked with an RAF flypast.

Oh, and did I mention that he received more than 140,000 birthday cards from all over the world as well as countless gifts, paintings, and pictures in his honour?

Even our prime minister, fresh out of hospital and back to his parliamentary duties, paid his respects to the Colonel with his own video announcement telling him that he was a ‘point of light in all our lives’. And that is so true.

I’ve been keeping updated daily on Tom’s progress and every day there is some new achievement or a new figure that he had smashed.

I was delighted that he reached the £30m mark on his birthday.

He’s served his country in more ways than most of us will ever achieve, and he’s still doing it at the age of 100 – I’ll always be in awe.

Tom joins countless men, women, and children of all ages who are contributing to fundraising efforts for the NHS during these unprecedented times and I’m so grateful to be living in a country that looks after each other like we do.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re not without our flaws, but I don’t believe there’s another country quite like ours. I wasn’t even born here, but I can still say that with conviction.

Good on you, Blighty – keep it up!

Carrie’s going to find it tough at the start but it’s worth it

Congratulations to the prime minister and his partner Carrie Symonds on the arrival of their baby.

Their son, whose name has yet to be revealed, was born on Wednesday and is the first child for Boris and Carrie together.

The news was welcomed by many who saw it as something to celebrate during these difficult times, and no doubt the new parents felt the same.

The baby will undoubtedly bring them both joy. Although Boris has been through this before and will more than likely know what to expect, the sleepless nights, constant crying and endless nappy-changing will be new to Carrie.

I send her my best wishes. It gets better, I promise!

We’d welcome Harry back to the UK, all is forgiven!

Prince Harry is said to be struggling with his new life in Los Angeles, and I don’t blame him.

Can you imagine going from an institution like the royal family where he has strict protocols to follow, to La La Land where anything goes?

Not forgetting his military career and the royal engagements that he was preoccupied with before the couple moved overseas.

Apparently Harry doesn’t resent Meghan at all for wanting to move, but is struggling with their new life in California.

I’m gutted he left. I love the royal family, but Harry was, and will always be, my favourite. As far as I’m concerned Harry, you’re welcome back anytime!