Carol Vorderman delivers petition to No 10 to get last Dambuster a knighthood
CAROL VORDERMAN clearly wasn't feeling hungover following the National Television Awards as she headed to No 10 Downing Street today.
Carol Vorderman petitions to get last Dambuster knighted
Carol Vorderman, 56 was seen posing for photographers outside No 10 Downing Street at lunchtime today as she delivered a petition - which has been signed by more than 200,000 people - calling for the knighthood of last surviving British Dambuster George "Johnny" Johnson.
Carol stepped in after the 95-year-old veteran - who was part of Royal Air Force 617 Squadron - was snubbed in the New Year Honours list. She was joined by John Nichol, a RAF veteran whose Tornado was shot down during the first Gulf War.
The former Countdown star - who is an ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets - took to Twitter to back the last surviving British airman earlier this month, with her saying that she and many others were left "extremely disappointed" when he failed to get the honour that he deserves.
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I can't think of anyone who deserves a knighthood more than Johnny.
The former I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star wrote on her change.org petition link: "I'm Carol Vorderman MBE, TV presenter and Honorary Ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets.
"Last year I met 95-year-old George 'Johnny' Johnson - Britain's last surviving hero from the Dambusters raid on Nazi Germany. I was overwhelmed and humbled by his achievements and what he has done for this country.
"That's why many of us were extremely disappointed that, in spite of being nominated, he was overlooked in this year's New Year Honours list. I can't think of anyone who deserves a knighthood more than Johnny."
Her message continued: "There were many fine people who received awards, but I believe they would all agree that Johnny deserves one too.
"He is an incredible man who volunteered for one of the most dangerous missions during World War II. And since then he has been a teacher, a counsellor, endlessly supported young people and raised huge amounts for charity."
Carol first met Johnny at the cadets' 75th anniversary celebrations last year. She has been taking to Twitter on numerous occasions to push the cause since launching the petition; which has had over 230,000 signatures so far.