Vera Lynn

“All young men should have a certain time in the Army, instead of going running around wild for a few years after school. They would learn discipline and they would learn a good trade. It would be a good opportunity.”

“When I was 14 or 15, I was in a small troupe for teenagers, and I heard somebody say, 'Oh, she'll never get anywhere. She's too common.'”

“Certain people cause so many problems, not only to the running of the town and the country, but to people themselves.”

“Barely a week goes by without me being asked to cut a ribbon somewhere, and I'm usually happy to oblige. Things to do with the Army mostly.”

“I'm a girl from East Ham.”

“So many older people are on a very small budget and just wouldn't be able to afford a TV licence.”

“I always took things very seriously. Always have done.”

“People used me, in a way, to achieve something, and I was glad of it. I was just doing my job.”

“I've been blessed to be able to sing and perform.”

“My favourite hotel is the Hilton Hawaiian Village beach resort in Honolulu.”

“Our family didn't have a lot of money, so my brother, parents and I spent our holidays at Southend-on-Sea.”

“In 1939, a newspaper ran a competition for the first load of boys off to war to pick their favourite singer. They chose me from my radio broadcasts. That's when I became known as the 'forces' sweetheart.'”

“You never know what's going to happen en route to the airport or station and the last thing you want is to get there just as your train or plane is disappearing into the distance. Get there early, read a book, have a coffee and don't get stressed.”

“Keep interested, read books, watch television and try to keep in touch with life and what people are doing, seeing and enjoying.”

“The journey to Burma is etched in my brain, full of all sorts of intense memories.”

“I went goodness knows how long without a bath.”

“Take each day as it comes and focus on the present moment.”

“If somebody makes a record, no matter how many years later it's released, they or their families should be entitled to the proceeds.”

“We'll Meet Again' is the one that means more to me than anything.”

“I don't like a cheater.”