m ‘ur living in the "if “i iiii‘ei iir mun "if “i iiii‘ei in mm region iir1‘i he in ll region of indonesia have iir 1i il1‘ifie iir ll region of indonesia have been iir1‘i il1‘ifie iir ll region of indonesia have been warned to keep away from beaches amid fears that be anuk krakatoa volcano could trigger another tsunami. more than 200 people are known to have died since this in army struck and more than a thousand people have been injured. president trump has announced his current victory of defence james mattis will leave office two months earlier than previously announced. general matters resigned last week of the president's plans to withdraw us troops from syria. —— general mattis was pierced to be replaced by his deputy, patrick shanahan, on the first of january. a court in pakistan is inspected to rule shortly noor ‘s sharif. he was indicted on holding sources —— assets beyond is known sources of income in 2017. now it's time for one of our highlights of the year — a special programme about the unique choir who played their part

in celebrating the royal wedding of harry and meghan. trish adudu presents the royal wedding singalong. the marriage between harry and meghan has put smiles on faces all over the world 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. # 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 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 or just challenges in terms of stress and anxiety. so, 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. 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 in a row, 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 is in pain 2a hours a day 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 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 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 could 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? 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. singing 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, 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 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. 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 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 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. well, of course, the first rehearsal was full of adrenaline

and everyone just 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. i actually found that some of them had lost their confidence is 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 that are not always in their control. 0k. sandra is at the helm, steering it all. and i think she knows when you're having a bit of 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 bare my all, even though i've had these issues, they are very brave, i see them all as being really, really brave.

i'm here and i'm so grateful. back here again, the sun is shining, 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's time to get into the studio to record the single. the recording — that's where i was nervous. ithought, oh, 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, ever done, and i've recorded an awful lot. here they were, 26 people, they were in their clothes, dressed up, which actually made a difference because they felt they were at work, doing something they should be doing. it was like there was a nuclear reactor going off and we were all beginning to spark and all of a sudden you hit that explosion and everybody's in the same moment. woomph! 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... i can't control the tears. ..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's 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, you're 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 is that 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 might not seem a big thing. but if you have 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. listen, 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, so 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, "oh, my god, we're going to be singing here today, "the first time i'm 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 to them and thinking, "i can't do that." laughter wow! 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, 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. enjoy the day! gosp—ability choir! we've got one another, we've got great rehearsals, we know what we're doing and the song'sjust been released and we are so happy. it's 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, it's soon time to gather in the grandeur of the guildhall. shortly before their date with the one show, sandra reveals she's received a royal letter. so, sandra, you were keeping a secret from the choir? a big secret. listen, it's a letter from 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, 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.

and 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 from addiction before that, i never thought in two years' time i would be here singing for the royal family, you know. it's amazing. it's humbling. we are like family, we have created a bond that goes beyond just this. it is something that 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're singing bigger and better. but, boy, are they switched on! somehow, we've got a bunch of people just now reaching for the stars! # your love will go all the way # without you, there is no song... cheering who are you?

all: gosp-ability! go where? all: gosp-ability! # gosp—ability! good morning. at least there is no real severe weather. there may be a festive flavour. there may be a festive flavour. there will be some disruptive fog at times. and fold into the start of this morning. a lingering weather front towards the south—west that has kept temperatures up. you can

see blue colours on the chart, widespread frost. temperatures are their lost across parts of scotland and northern england. in glasgow and, we can see thunderstruck you've fog for the morning rush—hour. plenty of sunshine. some drizzle towards the channel islands, south—west england. that will turn lighter in the day. cloud continues across southern lighter in the day. cloud continues across southern areas. lighter in the day. cloud continues across southern areas. for many, it isa dry across southern areas. for many, it is a dry day, christmas eve, plenty of sunshine. temperatures in single figures for most of you. into the evening, eastern parts of england, if you are on the move driving home from christmas, there could be some dense fog to take is into the start of christmas day. you can see the blue colours, widespread frost england and wales, easing through western areas mile —— as mild air

pushes through. patchy frost in the morning and that you lingering fog patches across south—eastern areas of england especially. a bit more breeze through christmas day and around the hills and post most likely to see some drizzle. there will still be some sunshine around and temperatures 11 or 12 towards the west. christmas night into boxing day, we take milder air a bit further across the country. the weather front in the far north will bring out rates of rain and drizzle distant around the highlands. into boxing day, dry again, clearing skies towards the south, increasing amounts of sunshine, but there could be some lingering fog. good morning. welcome to breakfast, with sally nugent and louise minchin. our headlines today: rescue workers race against time to find survivors of the indonesian tsunami that has killed

at least 280 people. and, as the volcano that is believed to have triggered it continues to erupt, there are fears the death toll will rise. respect and understanding — the queen uses her christmas speech to deliver a message of goodwill to all. good morning. we haven't exactly been hitting the high street hard, but are we forking out for our food? it is your last chance today, i am ata it is your last chance today, i am at a supermarket near cardiff to find out.