tv The Royal Wedding Singalong BBC News May 11, 2018 9:30pm-10:01pm BST
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this is bbc world news, the headlines. the american secretary of state mike pompeo has indicated north korea could get financial aid, if it gives up nuclear weapons. he made the comments after meeting with his south korean counterpart. france and germany are moving to safeguard their economic interests in iran, as the us brings back sanctions. paris has asked the european union to revive sanctions—blocking measures if washington punishes firms for doing business with tehran. the chief inspector at the un's nuclear watchdog, the international atomic energy agency, has resigned. no reason was given for tero varjoranta's sudden departure, which comes days after the us withdrew from the iran nuclear deal. the world health organisation is preparing for the worst after an ebola outbreak in the democratic republic of congo. at 10pm, fiona bruce will be here with a full round up of the day's news.
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first, let's have a royal wedding singalong. the engagement between harry and meghan has been a smile on the face of the nation. and inspired gospel singer sandra godley to come up with an idea. to find volunteer singers to form an amateur choir and record a charity single as a wedding gift to the happy couple. but it's no ordinary choir. all her singers are facing up to physical or mental difficulties in their lives. and the age of four i was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. the doctors said i wouldn't live to see 16. we looked for people with all sorts of abilities and backgrounds and boy, have we got them. for sandra and her choir, it's been
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a roller—coaster of a ride. i mean, i had a major emotional meltdown this morning. this week's been rough. this morning was the first time i managed to get in without having a panic attack. taking them to places and performances they could only dream of. but as the wedding draws closer... just move, just swap over. has she bitten off more than she can chew? we've just had an invitation to windsor. can i pull it off? sandra godley is a professional singer songwriter who has performed her music all over the world. hello! she lives in coventry, a couple of hours from where harry and meghan are due to tie the knot in windsor castle. so, sandra, what's the inspiration to this choir? the inspiration has come through the amazing work
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prince harry and his family have done, particularly with organisations like invictus. fantastic work. they start walking down the road towards the mall. the big overriding thing for me is the memory i've always had of him, prince harry, walking behind the coffin of his late mother and only recently being able to talk about that in public. it really has been inspiration for me to move forward with this project. so what's so special about this choir? what are you looking for? oh, i'm looking for amazing people. people who have faced challenges, either physical challenges orjust challenges in terms of stress and anxiety. that combination coming together is going to be really unique and sets the choir apart from any other choir, i think. immediately sandra faces her first hurdle. would anyone actually volunteer to help her get her royal wedding singalong off the ground? well, soon, word spreads. sandra's idea strikes the right chord. bbc coventry and warwickshire. it starts making headlines. a gospel singer from coventry
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is creating a special choir to perform in the lead up to prince harry and meghan markle's wedding, this may. and it's not long before the demo tapes start rolling in. # so far away, but still so near # created me...# i just kind of locked myself in a room, you know, every time i got four or five that came in and just blown away by the fact that someone would put their time into putting their face in front of a video and saying, "this is me". # going up to yonder...# that's what got me: people just stood where they wanted to come in their bedrooms, outside the house, in the car, nervously just saying, "this is what i've got, will you listen to it?". absolutely moving. # lean on me # when you're not strong #
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one of the many peoplemoved to get in touch is rupak who has suffered decades of depression. in recent years i've started suffering quite a lot from anxiety, crying and everything. getting very emotional, not wanting to go out. can't even face getting out of bed and seeing anybody, or talking to anybody. the idea of standing obviously in public was one of the scariest things i could imagine doing. and then i thought, no, i could never do that. as soon as i said that, there's a part of me that will not back down from a challenge. whatever happens, i have to try this. jonty g also responded to sandra's call to action. i was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of four. the doctors said that by the age of eight i'd be in a wheelchair and i wouldn't live to see 16. and i'm 29 now, yeah. former car parts worker dave is in pain 2a hours a day from a nerve disease that stops him from walking. it affects every part of the body from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet.
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every nerve in the body is affected. ilike singing. i think choirs sound brilliant and it's a release. with so many people wanting to join in her royal wedding singalong, sandra holds auditions to narrow the field. the venue, the awesome interior of coventry cathedral. # if you need me, call me # no matter where you are # summertime and the living is easy... scores of people turn up to face sandra and her panel ofjudges. for many, the biggest stage they have ever sung on. so, canjonty g, rupak and dave impress her? singing, for me, is really a way for me to release my stress and tensions.
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i feel so free when i'm singing. i think it changes a lot of people's lives but it also changes me. # like a bridge over troubled waters.# i think you're anxious, you want it to go well. even walking in, standing in a particular position for a certain amount of time while they're recording, it was challenging but good. # i will lay me down...# rupak is trying hard to stop her nerves from getting the better of her. i've decided to go for this and yet i find the whole thing really terrifying. i keep telling myself that the worst thing that can happen is that you'll stand up and you won't get to sing.
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that's the worst thing, my voice won't come out. and that's fine, that's all right. the sky's not going to fall in. it's not the end of the world. but it'sjust, for some reason it's really terrifying. # i'm all out of love # i'm so lost without you # i was absolutely terrified. when i was standing there, my legs were shaking, my hands were shaking. everything was shaking! my body was just working against me and i didn't think it was going to happen. i was scared, really scared. # i can't be too late # to say that i was so wrong# applause you did say that you don't have to be a great singer, you
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have to have heart. heart, i have plenty of. # take the ribbon from your hair and then it's time for dave and his baritone to take centre stage. # shake it loose and let it fall # laying soft against my skin... my boots were shaking before i put them on. it was quite nerve—racking. so nerve—racking in fact — his mind goes blank. # i could take nothing from you... sorry. i'm in front of the judges, warbling away, the first verse was fine, the second verse, going fine and suddenly, third line, gone, disappeared. the third line had just vanished like a rabbit from a hat. it was nowhere. that was it. there are moments when i had to get up out of my chair and help one or two of them who were struggling
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a little bit but then they found their backbone and suddenly you see these people come alive. at the end of the auditions we were all singing together, everybody, from the helpers through to the people who were there to audition. it was a realjamboree, as it were. so, yeah, absolutely scared to start off with but totally rejoicing and happy at the end. whittling more than 200 hopefuls down to the 26 who will make up the choir takes several days. and then it's time to break the good news to the successful singers. hello, is that francis. yes, it is. hello, darling. i've got some good news for you. on good friday. i want to tell you that you've made it through to the choir. singing thank you! oh, she's started early, singing. that's lovely. jonty g has also made the cut.
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so excited, i was literally sitting there thinking, wow, i'm so glad that i've made it through. it was just amazing to get that call. and despite the nerves, so have dave and rupak. it was just fantastic to get the phone call. i was like, i'm not going to get the phone call, i've had it, you know, and then that was it, it was there. it was, ijust felt lifted. i had my speech ready to say because i was complete... are you sure? she said rupak, you got through and i was like.... i was just really surprised. and the name of the new choir, gosp—ability. # i should be so lucky # lucky, lucky, lucky # i should be so lucky in love # i should be so lucky # lucky, lucky, lucky
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# i should be so lucky in love # gospel just really reflects my background and that's basically based on love and giving away, that's great. but the ability side of the title really does, for me, i guess, give some definition in terms of, we're looking for people with all sorts of abilities and backgrounds, and boy, have we got them. she has her choir but now she needs a song. fit for a prince and his bride. what comes first, the melody or the lyrics? i start dreaming and i think, what am i thinking about? this is a love song, so of course, love hearts everywhere. a lot of pressure, you know, you've got to create this song, fit for a prince and a soon to be duchess. my goodness, huge pressure but actually, what i'm trying to do is simplify everything, simple lyrics that will relate to everybody. ok, let's hear a bit. harry is a bit of a groover. there's strong rhythm in this song
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so i think it fits just about everybody‘s tastes and i'm looking forward to hearing, harry, what you think about this song. # without you there is no song... that's me really saying without, you know, love, you're not going to get very far. and i feel that those lyrics are apt. the tune is called the big love song and sandra now hears that her choir will notjust be recording a charity single, they've also been invited to perform it live in the magnificent guildhall in windsor. 36 hours before the couple tie the knot. everything is falling into place. the big love song is written and there is a live gig at windsor in the pipeline. with the wedding just a month away, the choir are gathering for rehearsals and beginning to jam. elvis! do you want to borrow my glasses? laughter
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cheering all these people, 26 of them, have come, not expecting that they would become friends, that they would have this common journey together. it is fine being friends, but can sandra get them to sing? you kind of dip your head into that. singing two, three, four. not bad, and her big love song is going down well. # no matter what some may say love will go all the way # without you there is no song # my gosh, it's a bit nerve—racking, but so exciting. i'm loving it, i'm absolutely loving every minute. i feel honoured to be a part of it, i really do. this morning was the first time i managed to get into coventry
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without having a panic attack. so, yeah, i'm really happy that i got here and i wasn't shaking. the people are amazing, you know, everybodyjust seems so positive about life and they're really getting into this opportunity and, you know, we're singing for a royal. what can i say? but not everybody is finding the choir easy. i had a major emotional meltdown this morning. this week's been rough, i fell apart, and for some reason for all of last week i started to feel like a fraud. look at the talent in this group, what am i doing here? i'm gonna start the first line, remember, ok, got that, no diva moments until later. the first rehearsal was full of adrenaline and everyone wanted to be there, they'd never seen each other before, fine and games. during the second rehearsal,
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i thought, is this actually going to happen? i need people who are still dynamic and full of energy and i found some of them had lost their confidence is a little bit. my health problems and issues i feel like they're self—inflicted because they come from inside, the enemy sits inside me, it's not something on the outside. and i felt so horrible about myself that i've done this to me, nobody else has. so much respect and awe for the people in the group who are dealing with this. and i wasn't in their control. 0k. sandra is at the helm steering it all. i think she knows when you're having a bad moment because she sometimes looks at you, you know, are you all right? people who have stood and said i want to come forward and bear my all even though i've had these issues, they are very brave, i see them all as being really brave. i'm here and i'm so grateful. back here again and the sun is shining, we had an amazing rehearsal, and this is really
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what life is about, not the horrible voice in the head that constantly tries to overwhelm me. and all too soon it is time to get into the studio to record the single. the recording, that's where i was nervous. i thought, blimey, watch me muff it up now. recording the song, big love song, was one of the most exciting and rewarding things i've ever done and i've recorded an awful lot. here they were, 26 people, in their clothes, dressed up, and that made a difference because they felt they were at work, doing something they should be doing. it was like a nuclear reactor going off and we were all beginning to spark and all of a sudden you hit that explosion and everybody is in the same moment. 0h! you're off. it's a great feeling. the sound was amazing, the whole thing about coming together is important and being a team and being a family and that's the strength of the choir.
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cheering they've recorded a charity single, battled their demons, and made lifelong friends. now with the wedding gig in windsor just weeks away they face a new and unexpected challenge. gos—ability have been invited to perform live here at coventry cathedral in front of a huge audience including the man presiding over the royal wedding the archbishop of canterbury. our first gig at coventry cathedral in front of the archbishop, i don't think it gets much better than that. listen, there's someone at the back, i'm not sure which guy it is, they're singing a different part. just keep to the melody, try and listen to everybody, ok. one, two, three. the studio, there's a certain amount of control that can be held by the people doing the recording. a live performance, you're out there, on the edge of the crevice, and if you drop a clanger you've dropped a clanger.
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so the kind of things that could happen, somebody forgets their words. or someone decides that they really don't want to be part of it and it's just too enormous, "you didn't tell us it was like this". the big thing for me because i've tried to teach them how to sway from left to right which may not seem a big thing. but if you have someone going in completely the wrong direction... and on the day of gos—ability‘s first live performance you could feel the excitement. it's gonna be great. just remember to focus, lots of smiles. sandra does such a good job of making us feel comfortable, coming into this cathedral on a very hot day, with a big hug, i'm just thrilled, i want to do it now. it's gonna be great. i've just walked into the cathedral, stepped in and seen all these chairs, looked straight up the aisle, and thought, gosh, we're going to be singing here today, the first time singing in public like this, and in front of the archbishop of canterbury. 0h! that's all i can say. you know sandra, who leads it,
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is an old mate of mine from when i was working here. she is an extraordinary choir leader, the way she enables people to find talents and gifts that they had no idea that they had, it's a liberation of the people involved. remember this, guys. i cannot hold a note in my head and i will spend the service when they're singing, listening, thinking, "i can't do that". laughter over 700 people here to see this concert, gos—ability simply have to deliver. # no matter what some might say, your love will go all the way # without you there is no song # you know where you belong # no matter what some might say, your love will go all the way # without you there is no song
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# you know where you belong # no matter what some might say your love will go all the way # without you there is no song # waiting for long # no matter what some may say # your love will go all the way # without you there is no song # applause amazing, this has been a dream come true. you know, i was so nervous because we practised and practised, we encouraged, we prayed and everything. and you know, will they deliver, that was the question, and they did. they were so incredible. i was in heaven. that was just brilliant, absolutely wonderful. rupak, how do you feel it went? i think it went really well, really well.
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it was a bit hairy for a lot of us but we really enjoyed it, i really enjoyed it. i couldn't control myself. i was really enjoying it, the energy was phenomenal. and to just see the crowd respond to them when they were singing, clapping and cheering, it was incredible. i loved every moment of it. wow. i want to thank everybody in this group for making me a part of it. # lean on me # when you're not strong # and i'll be yourfriend...# but that was all just a rehearsal for what would be their biggest gig to date, singing live on the bbc at the guildhall in windsor in the run—up to harry and meghan‘s wedding. for that performance, they will have an audience of millions. they think i'm crazy because each time there's something bigger and better to do, but boy, they're switched on. somehow we got a bunch of people who are now really reaching for the stars.
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weekend it seems to be difficult at the moment, and unlike the friday where we had temperature of 18 in kent, but further west we had outbreaks of rain and it was cool and windy for a time, but the wind is dropping and everything is stirring down. rain has cleared away from eastern scotland, sunshine to many in the morning but we are looking at rain developing in nice at least pushing north, —— developing in the east and then pushing north. top temperature about 17, maybe 18 in east anglia. where does the rain go? how far west and east? that is the difficulty. it looks like the eastern side of the
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country that might have heavy rain on saturday evening. nothing to move things on so we are stuck with that weather front bringing a spell of rain across the eastern side of the uk and it could be heavy again on sunday and that is working its way north so maybe the south—east improving in the afternoon, this time we're not expecting the heavy thundery showers across northern ireland and wales that we were on sunday, so for many areas it will be dry with sunshine, but temperatures around the mid to high teens. the weather front stuck around eastern areas and then it gets pulled apart, so areas and then it gets pulled apart, so the rain is pulled away and things calm down, we start to have high pressure building from the south. so high pressure towards the south—east and east anglia, the east midlands, cloud moving away from eastern scotland and we have an atla ntic eastern scotland and we have an atlantic influence in the far north—west but monday looks dry and brighter and sunnier and probably warmer. the low pressure heading out
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into the continent taking away the rain, looking at this height to exert the influence, but we have the weather front from the north west and that means more cloud for scotla nd and that means more cloud for scotland and northern ireland, maybe some drizzle, nothing very much. across the south and england and wales, dry and quite sunny. warmer, as well, possibly even 23 degrees. the week weather front continues its journey slowly around the edge of the high—pressure, further south and east over the uk on wednesday, so we may have rain to greet the day across northern england and wales, pushing through the midlands, but little or no rain, and then behind it we have slightly cooler and fresh air, so we start to see the temperatures dropping around that area of high pressure, so a colder high for the middle part of the week. but there is warmer air not
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far away from the uk and with the strengthening jet in the outlook pushing some of the warmth our way but the position of the jet will be crucial because it picks up areas of low pressure as crucial because it picks up areas of low pressure as we crucial because it picks up areas of low pressure as we know and it stays them along thejet low pressure as we know and it stays them along the jet stream towards them along the jet stream towards the uk and it looks like we will see lower pressure to the north—west of the uk and higher pressure to the south and east of the uk, and the upshot is as we head into the weekend and things get more difficult it will be turning cooler, still turning one subtle but the rain is more likely in the north—west, dry and brighter in the south—east. —— still turning u nsettled. the rising number of students taking their own lives — university leaders say they are being failed by a lack of mental healthcare. the stark warning follows the deaths of three students in the city of bristoljust in the last month. if we ignore it, we will have failed a generation. we would be setting ourselves up for huge costs and burdens on the nhs, but more
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than that we will be destroying lives. we'll be looking at why vulnerable students are being driven to such despair and what more could be done to help them. also tonight: more money for grammar schools in england — will it mean more choice for parents or greater social division? the women let down by smear test mistakes in ireland, and the children who'll now lose their mothers to cancer. it hasn't hit me that i'm dying.
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