D-Day Remembered: BBC satellite link goes out on Dame Vera QE2 concert

THE BBC missed the boat last night, failing to broadcast an emotional D-Day remembrance concert by Dame Vera Lynn and other stars from the QE2 off the Normandy port of Cherbourg, writes Marianne Macdonald.

The programme was not shown because a satellite link failed. More than 50 viewers called to complain as the BBC was forced to show recorded highlights of D-Day commemoration events and a repeated Wildlife on One documentary about racoons.

It is a severe embarrassment for the BBC, as the concert was to be the climax of three days of televised coverage of the 50th anniversary events.

It will now be shown in recorded form on BBC 1 on Thursday at 8pm. A BBC spokesman said last night: 'People are trying to find out what went wrong. It was a problem somewhere between the QE2, the satellite itself, and a London station. We are very sorry and embarrassed to disappoint our viewers in such a way.'