Free entertainment aimed at care homes and the vulnerable across the UK

Spokeswoman Gemma Hook said: “With the world now in isolation, we need to ensure those who are already isolated, lonely, and vulnerable are not forgotten, nor are they allowed to languish in the difficult weeks ahead.

“We need to be looking out for our family and friends, but also for those in our community who are alone. With this in mind, The Not Forgotten - a British Armed Forces registered charity for serving and ex-service men and women – is launching its very own free entertainment show, The Best Seat In The House.

“This show is intended to entertain those in care and senior living facilities across the country, as well as the general public, who are isolated from their loved ones now more than ever.

“Launching on Tuesday, March 31 at 3pm, and then running twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays from April 7 onwards, The Best Seat In The House features a wonderful array of special guests from the world of showbiz and entertainment. With acts drawing inspiration from the 1940s-60s, viewers can expect traditional variety style entertainment with some familiar faces and stars from ‘Allo ‘Allo!, The Bill, Emmerdale, Good Morning Britain, and West End musicals to name but a few.

“Each hour-long episode will be aired via The Not Forgotten’s YouTube Channel - http://www.youtube.com/TheNotForgottenAssoc - so that anyone around the world can tune in and enjoy the entertainment. The end of each show will also feature a shout-out, request, and a message segment so viewers can feel involved/get a mention in a future episode.”

Brigadier James Stopford, CEO of The Not Forgotten, said: “A big part of The Not Forgotten’s work is bringing entertainment to the care homes we support across the UK.

“This is normally through our annual tour, but, for obvious reasons during the current pandemic that our world is facing and subsequent safe-guarding measures, this has had to be cancelled. However, as far as we were concerned, the show still needs to go on to bring joy to those who are now more isolated from their friends, families, and loved ones than ever before. We just had to find another way to bring the entertainment to them.

“Not being deterred by COVID-19, The Best Seat In The House brings together some of our beloved tour artists, combined with a few well-known faces in the entertainment industry, all performing golden oldies or relaying messages of hope and inspiration direct from the comfort of their own homes into our viewers homes.

“While the show was originally designed to reach those who served their country, in true military style we wanted to rally the troops, bring the nation together and highlight true community spirit, so we have taken the decision to upload the show to our YouTube channel enabling anyone in the UK, or in fact the world to tune in and enjoy simple, feel-good entertainment during these uncertain times.”

The first episode of The Best Seat In The House will be uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday, March 31 and will be available to watch from 3pm. For more information on The Not Forgotten, visit http://www.thenotforgotten.org.

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