this is bbc news. our latest headlines. a man is killed in flash flooding in the west midlands — with some areas getting more than a month's rain injust one hour. a migrant from mali is to be made a french citizen after scaling a building in paris with his bare hands to rescue a dangling child. the labour partyjoins calls to change abortion laws in northern ireland, following the referendum in the republic. it must be the bank holiday because now on bbc news... the royal wedding singalong. the marriage between harry and meghan has put smiles on faces all over the world. their engagement inspired a 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. # if you need me, call me...# 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 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 north from where harry and meghan are marrying at windsor castle. so, sandra, what's the inspiration to this choir? the inspiration has come through the amazing work 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 forwards 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. so that combination coming together is going to be really unique

and it sets the choir apart from any other choir, i think. immediately, sandra faces her first hurdle. will 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 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 a clean heart...# ijust kind of locked myself in a room, you know, every time i got four or five that came in a go, 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, 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...# one of the many people moved 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 has from intense nerve pain that makes it a struggle to walk. it affects every part of the body from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. 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. # life is like a song... # if you need me, call me # no matter where you are # summertime and

the living's 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. and 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 water...#. 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 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 the worst thing that can happen is that you'll stand up and you won't get to be able to sing. 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. # what am i without you # 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 have to have heart. so 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 # lying 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 would take nothing from you...

sorry. that was great, actually. 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. you know, there are moments when i had to get up out of my chair and help one or two of them who were struggling a little bit, but then they found their backbone as it were 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?

hello, is that frances? yes, it is. 0h, hello, darling. listen, 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. she sings thank you! 0h, she's started early, singing! that's lovely. jonty g has also made the cut. so excited, i was literally sitting there thinking, "oh, 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? me, rupak?"

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 # 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 was 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 actually relate to everybody. ok, let's hear a bit. i know harry is a bit of a groover. there's strong rhythm in this song, 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...#. so that's me really saying without 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 cheering all these people, 26 of them, have come, actually 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. they sing 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 without having a panic attack. so, yeah, i'm really happy that i got here and i wasn't shaking. the people are so 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. i felt, "look at the talent in this group, what am i doing here?" i'm going to start the first line, remember, 0k, 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, fun and games. during the second rehearsal, 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. of them had lost their confidence a little bit. my health problems and issues i feel 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. i have so much respect and awe for the other people in the group who are dealing with things not 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, and says, you know, are you all right? people who have stood and said i want to come forward and bare 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 what life is about, not the horrible voice in the head that constantly tries to kind of overwhelm me. and all too soon, it is time to get into the studio to record the single. the recording, that was where i was nervous. i thought, blimey, watch me muff it all up now. recording the song, the 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, which actually made a difference, so 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 i think that's the strength of the choir. 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. gosp—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, who is singing a different part. just keep to the melody, try and listen to everybody, 0k. one, two, three.

# i'll help you carry on...#. 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. 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. is someone going in completely the wrong direction... and on the day of gosp—ability‘s first live performance you could feel the excitement. it's going to 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 going to be great.

i've just walked into the cathedral, stepped in and seen all these chairs, looked straight up the aisle, and thought, "oh, my god, 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, 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. gosp—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 # you know where you belong # 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 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 before because we practised and practised, we positioned, 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. the choir was just brilliant, absolutely wonderful. rupak, how do you feel it went? i think it went really well, really well. 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. a week later, and windsor is in the grip of royal fever. the royal nuptials are just 36 hours away. and gosp—ability are keen tojoin in the fun. we're at windsor! going to have some fun? we are going to do ourselves proud. listen, the single is out as well. you are now on itunes which is fantastic, and i want you to get as many people downloading that single as possible. gosp—ability choir! enjoy the day! we've got one another, we've got great rehearsals, we know what we are doing and the song hasjust been released and we are so happy.

it is going to be such a wonderful honour and a wonderful day! and the crowds are treated to an impromptu street performance... all: gosp—ability! but with the clock ticking, soon it is time to gather in the grandeur of the guildhall. shortly before their date with the one show, sandra reveals she has received a royal letter. so, sandra, you were keeping this a secret from the choir? a big secret. listen, it's a letterfrom kensington palace, from prince harry and meghan markle, saying they wish us the warmest, best wishes for the performance tonight on the one show! a personal letterfrom prince harry. what more could happen? in the audience, many of the choir‘s family and friends in the audience, including rupa k‘s sister. rupak‘s about to go on television.

how does it feel? fantastic. i can't describe how proud we feel of her. it's amazing. then its lights, camera, action! alexjones: now we're heading back to windsorfor a one night only performance from a choir with people who've overcome physical and mental challenges. this is their wedding gift — with big love song, it's gosp—ability. # a letter arrived from heaven # a secret song to sing # a never—ending love song # a song to make dreams big # no matter what some may say # your love will go all the way # without you there is no song # you're up where you belong...#.

amazing, i can't describe howjoyful i am for having that opportunity. i never thought, suffering with addiction before that, i never thought in two years' time i would be singing for the royal family. it's amazing. it's humbling. we are like family, we have created a bond that goes beyond just this. it is unbreakable and it goes right to the heart. any opportunity anyone wants to give us, we're ready to sing. # without you there is no song...#. they think i'm crazy, because each time they are singing bigger and better. but, boy, are they switched on? somehow we have a bunch of people just now reaching for the stars! # your love will go all the way # without you there is no song #. who are you?

all: gosp—ability! cheering go where? all: gosp—ability! # gosp—ability all: gosp—ability! very dry. this scene from north yorkshire pretty much sums up how many areas have been put cloudy on

the south coast with thunderstorms and across north west wales. grey and across north west wales. grey and cloudy in eastern coastal areas and cloudy in eastern coastal areas and that it's working westwards as we head through the night so cloudy skies by dawn for most places and maybe the chance of showers across the south coast. tomorrow, a great start and the cloud should break up and burn back to the coasts. elsewhere, there should be a lot of sunny spells but there is the risk of sundry downpours in the south and it will stay humid. for most of this week, warm and humid with the risk of thundery downpours. this is bbc news. the headlines at 5pm... a man is killed after flash flooding in the west midlands — with some areas getting more than a month's rain injust one hour. the clean—up operation is underway, but weather warnings remain in place for several parts of england. a migrant from mali is to be made a french citizen after scaling

a building in paris with his bare hands to rescue a dangling child. i asked him was and he frightened for his own life. he said no, at that moment he wasn't thinking of himself, he was thinking of the child. as soon as he started to climb, he was scared that the child would get tired and let go. the labour partyjoins calls to change abortion laws in northern ireland, following the referendum in the republic. from sparkling sea, to magnificent moorland — the 840 bus route from pickering to whitby in north yorkshire has been voted britain's most scenic.