Love changes everything at the Real Downton Abbey: Lady Carnarvon meets BGT Winner Colin Thackery MBE

Welcome to my podcast! In this special episode, I am thrilled to welcome Colin Thackery, a Chelsea Pensioner and Britain's Got Talent winner, who has an extraordinary life story to share. Colin talks about his time in the Royal Artillery, his experience being appointed an MBE and his unexpected journey to stardom at the age of 89. We also discuss his book, 'My Story. Love Changes Everything' and his enduring love for his late wife Joan. Join us as we reflect on his inspiring journey, his military service and his newfound fame with captivating stories of bravery, love, and resilience.

00:49 Colin's MBE Award Journey

05:49 Life at the Royal Hospital

09:32 Britain's Got Talent Experience

15:44 Reflecting on Joan's Legacy

16:12 Early Marriage and Military Life

17:22 Family and Cultural Heritage

18:51 Royal Artillery and Highclere Event

22:24 Musical Journey and Britain's Got Talent

25:09 Post-Army Career and Civilian Life

29:05 Meeting Jo and New Beginnings

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

Transcript

Host: Welcome to my podcast. And I am so thrilled to welcome a man who I hope has become my friend and whose story has so inspired me, and I think millions of other people. It's Colin Thackery, the most wonderful man in his Chelsea Pensioner uniform who has so many stories to tell. And he's written a book called My Story: Love Changes Everything. So there is no better podcast and book to be discussing than that book in this month of February, when we're all looking forward to Valentine's Day to cheer us all up. And you're actually already perfectly dressed for Valentine's. Thank you so much for joining me, Colin. I don't know where to start actually. You're firstly covered in medals from both serving in the Army, the Royal Artillery, and perhaps actually, why don't we start with the fact you've been awarded the MBE? Do you want to tell us about that? Because that must have been so amazing.

Colin Thackery: It is a high point. At my age as well. It started a year before when my son said to me that you do so much for charity and you really ought to be recognized. And he enlisted the aid of my partner, Jo. And between them, they garnered this great list of people and pleading with them, "Would you write a few words about me?" And there was some wonderful stuff written. really quite lost for words.

Host: It was valid, I imagine.

Colin Thackery: Yeah. And all this went on and on for a year. And I kept on saying, "How long does it take?" "Well, who knows? I know you're not going to get anything really." And then the early part of the year, this year, I was told that I was going to get an award and I was probably going to be made an MBE.

Host: Which is a Member of the British Empire for those who are listening to this from abroad.

Colin Thackery: That's right. And of the general order.

Host: Formal letter of some sort was there or...?

Colin Thackery: We were told not to say anything.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: So it was complete secrecy. We were sworn to secrecy. And because you ruin everything if you let it out. And the only people we could tell really were obviously my close family, my son and daughter and Jo obviously knew because she was right from the beginning. So we didn't say anything. And of course, you're not allowed to say anything until you're gazetted. Which is a marvelous thing in itself really.

Host: It is marvelous.

Colin Thackery: It is when you get the bound copy, which Jo fortunately decided to buy me one. And from then on you can be said Colin Thackery MBE. And then you wait to see who it's going to be because it's either the King himself, Princess Anne, or Prince William. And that day we were summoned, is the word really, to Windsor Castle.

Host: That's right.

Colin Thackery: And I was allowed three guests. And my son, my daughter and Jo fitted the bill beautifully. We all assembled, they came in, my son and daughter came together. And we drove off. And you arrive at this gate because there's masses of policemen there, dogs and all sorts. So the gates were closed. Then we got through that bit and they looked in the boot and make sure we were who we were supposed to be. And because I've got a blue badge, disabled badge, I was allowed right the way through. And we parked literally outside the castle. And then it starts. You go in and you wait and you're assembled in groups and you wait. And you finally got through to the room with people telling you what's going to go on all the time, what the procedure is. And I got into the room where Prince William was on duty. And it was lovely to see him and just watching him because there was a couple before me. And you go and you stand beside this chap who is one of the equerries I gather. Who then whispers in your ear what you need to do.

Host: So you stood opposite him?

Colin Thackery: That's right. And did my bow. And he said, "Hello." And recognition in his face because I had met him and the Princess when I did the Royal Command Performance.

Host: Did he ask you to sing?

Colin Thackery: No. He said to me, "Are you still singing?" And I said, "Oh yes, very much so." And we had a bit of a laugh because I said to him, "I'm made to sing every day. Or encouraged to sing every day. If I don't sing, I don't get any dinner." Which he thought was quite funny. And we were laughing away there. And of course the whole thing is quite very... everybody straight faced. And everybody looking round to see who the hell the laughing going about. Anyway, it was lovely. And we had a little chat. And before I went in, one of the things they do is they put a hook on your uniform. So all the Prince has got to do is literally hook it on. And I got my lovely medal, this one, which I'm immensely proud of. And we went out of that room and into this other room where there were photographers. And it was just mass photographs, photographs, photographs. And that was it really. That was the whole thing.

Host: And did you have a nice lunch?

Colin Thackery: Yeah, we'd organized lunch to come back. We have a very favorite restaurant. We're very fond of Italian food. And this Italian food, a restaurant called La Cassa is only a couple of minutes from Jo's house. So I then had my little lunch party.

Host: Oh lovely.

Colin Thackery: It was the top of the day.

Host: How amazing. So this you got when you were 95?

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And obviously your life started... you've had such an extraordinary life. I think we're almost playing your life backwards because the time that I remember first seeing you on television was when you went on Britain's Got Talent. Yes. But I gather that was a result of a dare.

Colin Thackery: It was rather. I had arrived at the Royal Hospital. I applied to go in when my late wife died.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: Which she... we were married for 66 years. So it was rather a bit of a wrench. My son said, "Are you going to do it?" Because we had got notification to say that if the circumstances changed, you could apply to join. You got all the qualifications. So I applied and was invited... you're invited to go there first of all for four days. And in the four days is a look-see job and they look at you.

Host: So this is in the Royal Hospital?

Colin Thackery: It's the Royal Hospital itself.

Host: And it's where famously, for those who live in London, that is the Chelsea Pensioners because I grew up in London so I used to be part of our afternoon walks going round there because it was simply marvelous. You always looked so smart and it's such a beautiful building. I just have such envy actually of all the accommodation there.

Colin Thackery: Now it's 330 years old. I arrived there and the other two guys on this four day visit were both Irishmen and we just laughed. They were very rude as most soldiers are. One was Medical Corps and one was from the Irish Guards. And we're still great friends. We had our four days there where you go and you visit every department, you're interviewed by all sorts of people including the Padre and the MO and all sorts of people. And we had a great four days there. And then of course at the end there, you haven't got too shorts going on, then they said, "Would you like to come in?" And I said, "Oh yes please." So in the August of the year 2017, I entered and was given the berth number 6... I've still got berth number six. And it was great. One was back in uniform after all these years of being a civilian. We were back in uniform and you're in uniform all the time. You should wear a uniform every day before four o'clock. And anyone jumps into civvies if you want to. It's not restrictive anything like that because it's a proper home. I got together with this other guy, Bill Gory, who is still about fortunately. And Bill and I used to talk about singing. He was great Country and Western too. And every month there is, and still is actually, Curry Friday. Done army style because curry in the army is very much constitution really.

Host: It is. Very important. We have a Highclere curry as well.

Colin Thackery: Ah right.

Host: Curry. I'm going to have to cook it for you one time.

Colin Thackery: Oh I look forward to that. Yeah. Anyway, Curry Fridays and once a month. And Bill and I used to entertain after curry for an hour. He'd sing Country and Western and I'd sing love songs really. And I had over a drink at some time another, I said to this chap, he said to me, "Do you still sing?" I said, "Yeah, not doing as much as I used to." Because we were singing all the time in Norwich where we lived. My wife was a good alto. So we belonged to the local operatic society and entertaining and that sort of thing. So we were always singing. So I said to him, I said, "Yeah, but I'm not doing very much." And he said, "Don't use it, you lose it."

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: One particular Friday, this chap came up to me after I got off the stand. He said, "Did you mean what you said? If you don't use it, you lose it?" I said, "Of course I did." Well he said expletive deleted, "Prove it." So I went, "How?" He said, "Well they want advertising for Britain's Got Talent." So I said, "Don't want an old man like me. I'm 89." "Go on, have a go." He said, "I dare you." "Right then. I'll show you." Talking mum straight away. So I said, "Alright then." I went back to my berth, got on my computer, downloaded the application form. And the rest really as they say is history.

Host: It was amazing. I think you made everybody cry.

Colin Thackery: Yeah, I know. I'm afraid I still do actually. Especially when I sing... the first song I got on with was a song called Wind Beneath My Wings.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: Which Joan and I had seen the film with Bette Midler of course. That was it. She brought the song into the public eye. And Joan loved it. She...

Host: I love that song.

Colin Thackery: And she was during all the years through the army, promotion, courses, that sort of thing, you're on the ladder. And she was literally the wind beneath my wings. So it fitted the bill really. And seemed to make everybody cry.

Host: Which got me through to the next bit. What was your second song then?

Colin Thackery: It happened to be just about the time of one of the celebrations. And Simon Cowell had said he ought to sing a wartime song. "What do you want me to sing?" He said, "We'll Meet Again." I said, "Oh gosh, really? That old song? Everybody knows that." "Precisely. That's why they wanted me to sing it." So it was We'll Meet Again and just a do-over. And I kept on getting very good praise from the audiences standing up, clapping and cheering and all the rest of it.

Host: Yes. I think I was doing that but at home. Sorry about that.

Colin Thackery: So then you're told you got through. Now the first time, this Wind Beneath My Wings, was a filmed audition and that was at the Palladium.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: The next two were at the Apollo Theatre.

Host: Right.

Colin Thackery: Yep. And that was rather nice. And because you go through the crowds as you're going in, people shouting at... you first found that what this is all is all about really. That people really do listen to the radio and the television and all the rest of it. So I got through that and sang We'll Meet Again. It happened to coincide... he was very clever Simon Cowell. I said to my son at the time, "I don't wanna sing that old song." And my son said to me, he said, "Simon Cowell, if he says do it..."

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: "...he's made a lot of money being right." And of course he was absolutely right because it chimed straight in with what was going on, the end of the war and all that sort of celebration. And everybody knew We'll Meet Again. Still do. So I sang that. Next thing I knew is you're through to the final. And that was extraordinary. On the way I was helped, a lot of help. I was helped by an officer, Major Philip Shannon, who's since become a great friend. Now Philip Shannon finished up as... he'd been in the Royal Artillery... funny, finished up leading the... being musical director of the band of the Irish Guards.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: And he was great. He was great help musically because he rehearsed me and all that sort of thing. And it was lovely. And I got loads of help from him. And at the same time, the television people paid for this lovely lady who was a coach. She's still going, she's still very strong. And she put me through the hoop. And we became again good friends. And as I say I never take anything really seriously, not anymore. I think it's a big laugh. But she was quite serious and she helped me through. And I went on...

Host: And then what... for the final... in your final performance, that was Love Changes Everything, wasn't it?

Colin Thackery: It was.

Host: And who... Why did you choose that song? Was that a recommendation of Simon Cowell or was it your personal choice or...?

Colin Thackery: Recommendation. "Would you like to sing this song?" It seems to fit the bill. And I said, "Yeah, okay." So I learnt the song. And Phil put me through the hoop. We laugh now because he had certain ways of putting me through things and stamping his foot and... So we still laugh about that now. Next thing I knew I was astounded standing on the stage there. You see this on film. When they said you won, I said to Ant & Dec... yes, one of them... Ant & Dec were there all the time. I said, "What's happening?" He said, "You won." I said, "Have I?" "You did." I looked quite blank because I don't hear very well as well.

Host: No.

Colin Thackery: I'm deaf in both ears.

Host: How extraordinary. And that's led you on to making various CDs and...

Colin Thackery: Yes, that's right.

Host: Amazing.

Colin Thackery: A book and CD.

Host: A book and a CD. And being asked to sing well at the Royal Albert Hall I think, wasn't it?

Colin Thackery: Yeah. Yeah. I was looking forward to the time where they said you'll be invited to sing at the Royal Command Performance. And I thought, oh wow. This is... there's nothing else to do really. Just do it. And what was it? I Vow to Thee My Country.

Host: Amazing.

Colin Thackery: Which is a lovely song.

Host: Beautiful.

Colin Thackery: And so they set me on the stage and listened. And of course the Prince William and the Princess were there. And they were the royalty that night. Yes. And it was a wonderful occasion. I remember coming through this... the curtains after this long introduction. And there were young drummers coming across the stage.

Host: Wow.

Colin Thackery: Drumming to this thing. They... the way they put it together...

Host: Amazing.

Colin Thackery: It was extraordinary. And at the end of the performance, all performers back on stage. That's the principles like myself. And I went and stood on the stage and I remember standing next to this chap, a contortionist. A little Russian fella. I'll never forget him. And we sort of waited there and eventually the Prince and Princess came on stage. And they were so nice. You know, they were so natural. And of course I could type me eyes off the Princess. She's so beautiful.

Host: She is proper princess, isn't she? She is just...

Colin Thackery: She is. She's absolutely gorgeous. And they were there, we sort of talked for a few minutes. And then that was it. And my family were waiting in the dressing room. We all went off. If I think I'm right in saying it was quite close by. It was a Chinese restaurant.

Host: I was going to say Italian was it? But it was Chinese this time.

Colin Thackery: Yeah, we all love Chinese food.

Host: Oh lovely. How amazing. It's extraordinary what you've achieved Colin. I imagine Joan upstairs must be looking down and applauding you.

Colin Thackery: Oh I'm sure, yeah.

Host: But without a doubt. But this has been the end part. And obviously your book starts at the beginning when you first meet Joan. And it starts with as you say, you fall in love with a complete stunner who then agrees to marry you and be with you and stands by you as the wind beneath your wings for 66 years, which is extraordinary.

Colin Thackery: Yeah, she did. The thing about our marriage is it was one of these things, is it going to happen or not? And is it going to work or not? My parents were divorced. This is why I went in the army so young. I joined when I was 15. And I had my father and my aunt, his sister. My father came to the wedding actually. And we married two weeks... we were warned to go to Korea. Off we went. And I saw her two years later. Instead of coming home after our stint in Korea in the war, we were sent to Hong Kong instead of coming to UK. And because we were married, I was entitled to put in for a free passage for Joan to come on the ship. Because everybody traveled by boat those days. Nobody flew anywhere.

Host: No.

Colin Thackery: So she did. She spent a month coming out to Hong Kong. And that's really when we started our married life.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: And my daughter was born a year later in Hong Kong in British Military Hospital in Hong Kong. And that started our married life and we just... had a great... a lot of fun. Never had any money. But good fun though.

Host: But I guess you had each other and you had your singing. And I think now I've gathered you've got a great-granddaughter. Which is amazing.

Colin Thackery: She... her name is Dalia.

Host: Dalia.

Colin Thackery: Yeah. My son-in-law, my daughter's husband, is Lebanese. So his two daughters, my two... my two granddaughters have got English and Arabic names.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: I must check when... over Christmas I'll talk to him about this. I think Dalia actually is Arabic. I'm not sure but I think it means flower.

Host: I'm sure it's probably related to Dahlia and we probably got our name for Dahlia from their name Dalia.

Colin Thackery: I think it is. She is been christened Dalia Joan. My great grandma... Dalia Joan Davis.

Host: Oh lovely.

Colin Thackery: Yeah she came into the world in January. And I didn't meet her until the March though I was 95 and they came down to celebrate my 95th birthday. And I saw her and I fell in love straight away.

Host: I'm not surprised.

Colin Thackery: Yeah she...

Host: How lovely. How lovely. Funny enough my number six sister's husband is from Lebanon too. So their two daughters have names which work for both parts of their culture.

Colin Thackery: Yeah.

Host: They are fluent in Arabic as well as French and English.

Colin Thackery: Oh.

Host: I wish I was as clever as they were. I sometimes get them to try and teach me to say something in Arabic and I do my best and then they cry with laughter as I'm perfectly hopeless. But anyway, I like to try. I hope your great-granddaughter will learn Arabic as well as English. It's lovely to do that from the start. But it is amazing. So you've got this extraordinary later part of your life which we've been chatting about. But of course much of your life was within the Royal Artillery.

Colin Thackery: It was.

Host: And part of that came through because in September of last year, 2025, I wanted to gather everyone at Highclere to think about 80 years since VE Day.

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And to say thank you for all our parents and grandparents did.

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And to raise money who for those who serve and save today.

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And one of the men who I was involved with was the Controller of SSAFA. Oh marvelous, heavenly, gorgeous man who I adore, in case you hadn't realized, called General Sir Andrew Gregory.

Colin Thackery: No, I know him very well. He...

Host: And he was in your regiment, the Royal Artillery.

Colin Thackery: He... yes. He was Boss Man. Yes Boss Man.

Host: He was Boss Man?

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And he is just one of the most special men. So it was delight for me that he was there and helping me.

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And obviously of course as well as that, that you were... I reached out not really knowing you to ask if you would come and you did and it meant so much to me because it's just trying to draw people together from all nationalities and say thank you.

Colin Thackery: Yes.

Host: And there you were and you led us in the singing which was blooming brilliant. The only other person who was there was Colin Bell who obviously is 105 so he shakes a leg at you in terms of saying you have a bit of age to catch up on him with. But he's... he was fun too. So you were the two heroes of the day for all the thousands of us to listen to and cheer. But thank you for coming to that.

Colin Thackery: It was a delight actually. I think we came over three days, didn't we?

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: Came every day. And it was great fun.

Host: It has to be fun, doesn't it? Because people don't come if it's not fun.

Colin Thackery: Oh of course. Yeah, yeah.

Host: And I again I wanted to bring people together from all backgrounds, whoever wanted to come and just to be part of understanding the history. So it was very real because you can't do that just with books.

Colin Thackery: No, that's right.

Host: But with people and your stories you can. And it's marvelous. And I have to say in your red coat you always look simply stunning.

Colin Thackery: Thank you. Well we wore... I walked around dressed like this in the scarlets all the time. And people stopped us all the time for photographs. There's always... one always gets a load of people wanting photographs because of the uniform. And that was lovely and talking to people all the time. And great fun. We came upon this group of people all dressed up sort of wartime fashion. And they did the tea party. Do you remember the tea party?

Host: Yes. Yes I saw you actually. You seemed to be having a lot of tea with them.

Colin Thackery: Yes. They said come and have some tea. And we enjoyed... Joe was with me there of course. She was with me. And we went and had tea with them because they... all their cakes were wartime recipes and that sort of thing.

Host: Amazing, wasn't it? Yes.

Colin Thackery: Yeah. And then I think on the second day, "Can you come at five o'clock? Because we want to sing We'll Meet Again." And then we recorded that We'll Meet Again at five o'clock. It was lovely.

Host: That was amazing actually.

Colin Thackery: It was good fun though, the whole thing.

Host: Yes it was good fun. And I loved it because you came in with Joe and we all had supper together on each evening which is always good fun on the Saturday. And I loved that. It's the sort of camaraderie of it all. And wonderful Reverend Richard Warden who was just stunning bringing us all together because everybody kept changing. It's always quite fluid and it's difficult to bring ambassadors and you can't tell them what to do because they do what they do. So it was... He was amazingly calm and just went with the flow which was wonderful. As did you. But he was great actually.

Colin Thackery: Yeah.

Host: So how long were you actually in the Army for?

Colin Thackery: 25 years.

Host: 25 years.

Colin Thackery: Yeah. I joined when I was 15. On boy service at Woolwich. And I did my training as a boy. You learn everything as a boy. Gunnery, on the guns themselves. And signaling and command post work, technical stuff. Then I was auditioned into the Royal Artillery Band. I had no idea I was being auditioned. I was in the drum and bugle band, in the drum and trumpet band. And we'd finished this parade and this small, rather small Colonel came onto the parade. I hadn't the foggiest idea who he was. And he said, "Him," and he pointed at me. And I was asked to come out. I was on the bass drum at the time. And he said, "Put a side drum on." So I put a side drum on. "March up and down playing play a paradiddle and a roll." And so I was playing this drum. "Yeah. Come back again." And asked me a couple of questions. He said, "Yes, okay. That's fine. I'll have him." Hadn't the foggiest idea what was going on. Because in those days you weren't told an awful lot. You just did as you were told. And I ended up in the Royal Artillery Swords and Flame Band. At Larkhill would you believe?

Host: Which is not far from here.

Colin Thackery: That's right. And I was in it... I went on a tour with them, world tour. We came back off this tour. And my father who was still in the army at the time, he was a WO1. He appeared and he said to the musical director, "I want him out back into duty." And he said, "Why?" He said, "Well you'll get no promotion in the band." And this... anyway, there was a bit of a negative answer. My father said, "Do what you like. But I shall claim him." Now you see being under age, you can be claimed by a parent or an older brother... this was at the time, I don't know whether it still happens, into their unit.

Host: Right.

Colin Thackery: So he's...

Host: How extraordinary.

Colin Thackery: He said, "I'll claim him. And there's nothing you can do about it." So of course I had to be released. And I was released back to duty and was posted up to County Durham. And that's where I met me Joan. Met this very pretty young little girl from a local village, mining village. Everybody... it was all mining... mines. And found out that she like dancing. I love dancing. And so that was it. That started our 66 years of...

Host: How amazing is that?

Colin Thackery: ...married life. Yeah.

Host: So what did you do after the Army then Colin?

Colin Thackery: I was offered a job by a good old friend, a chap who's recently died actually. But we moved together... great friends. He was sent in... I was in charge of this barrack room. I had no stripes. I was just senior soldier. And the Sergeant Major said to me, "You're getting this bloke." And I said, "I want you to bring him up to standard. Show him how to clean his boots and press his pants and all the rest of it." So I said, "Yes, okay." So into this came this individual. And his name was Kenneth Brown. Ken and I became good friends. We went to Korea together in the war. He... we were in the same troop, the same battery. And when we came back because I... Joan had by that time come out to Hong Kong. Her ship had arrived. And so I started my married life. And he met this young lady whose father didn't want her really to have anything to do with soldiers. I don't blame him really. But anyway long story short, she... his father... and she took her off to Australia. So he said, "I'm taking my discharge," because he was in for five years and seven reserve. So he could... after five years he could elect to come out. Which he did. And he took his discharge and followed her off to Australia. By this time we'd had a lot of fun. We'd been in a concert party. We were... used to do little shows together and he came out of his shell. And he went to Australia and worked for Nestle. He became one of their top salesmen. And then she wanted to come back to UK. She'd never lived in UK.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: And they did and they came back and had... started their family. But he said, "When you come out of the army, what are you gonna do?" I said, "I haven't the foggiest idea." He said, "Do... what do I know?" "What do I know? I can drive. I can operate a wireless set. I can fire a gun. But who wants to know about those sort of things in civvy street?" "Come work for me. I'll get... I'll find you a job." And he was... by that time... by the time he'd back in UK, and he was always in the vending business. Instant everything. Instant coffee and instant milk and instant... So he was by that time managing director of this small firm in Hounslow. And that's where I ended up. I came back. And went to Hounslow where I started my... he threw me in the deep end. I hadn't the foggiest idea what I was doing. I'd never been a civilian. I hadn't...

Host: Yeah.

Colin Thackery: So much so that when you get this great wodge of stuff at the end of your service sorting this out at home. And I said, "I wonder what that is." And Joan said to me, "Don't you know?" I said, "No. What is it?" She said, "That's the card what you put the stamps on. You stamp..." "Oh is it? Is that what they call getting your cards?" I hadn't the foggiest idea.

Host: No.

Colin Thackery: And so that... yes, so it was that... it was that kind of thing. I'd never been a civilian.

Host: It's hard actually. I think many soldiers find that change of course immensely challenging. And you have the bonds and the bands of brothers and friendship.

Colin Thackery: That's right.

Host: Which are fantastic to build your life around. Where many of those who are homeless were once in the army.

Colin Thackery: That's right.

Host: For that very reason. And that's again why I like SSAFA and all that General Sir Andrew Gregory does to help people when they... when their life falls apart and restarts them. But we need to do that.

Colin Thackery: This is... at the Royal Hospital... they're men and women there that are widowed and widowers. And you suddenly find your life coming apart.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: And you go there and it comes... now you're back in uniform, back in with guys you'd... the sort of people you served with.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: And then the banter and all that sort of thing.

Host: It's such fun.

Colin Thackery: And it all starts up again.

Host: It does all start up again. It's wonderful. And then, and I gather that after you had won the Britain's Got Talent and done all these unexpected things when, you know, at the age of 89 and 90, you also had met Jo. So another part of your life took a different course.

Colin Thackery: Oh.

Host: So you galloped forward for the next how many 10, 20 years of your life.

Colin Thackery: That's another story. I'm at the Royal Hospital and keen to sing. And there was a choir from the Old Bailey.

Host: Yes.

Colin Thackery: And they're all ladies. And they wanted male voices. They were doing a concert. And they were doing the sort of music I liked to sing anyway. And so I elected to go. And this lady had said to me, "I want to find you a lady." I said, "I'm sorry. I don't want anymore ladies thank you." At the end of the concert we did, it was all baroque music which I love, at the end of this time we were at a little party outside drinking rather expensive warm white wine.

Host: Excellent. As one does.

Colin Thackery: And she grabbed hold of me and said, "Come on. I want you to meet this lady." And there were three ladies. Jo was one of them. And straight away we said hello. And it was the first time we'd ever seen... I don't know but these things happen, don't they? And we just walked off talking. With our rather expensive warm white wine.

Host: Warm white wine.

Colin Thackery: I found Joe herself was a widow. I was a widower. And that all started. And Jo... she's 20 years... 23 years younger... about same age as my daughter. But we fit... we hit it off.

Host: But it's lovely. And I think it's been an amazing journey with Jo. And it's been delight for me to meet Jo when you came here in September. And this summer we're going to have a dance... bits of glitz and glamour here at Highclere. And a little bit of dancing and I suspect singing. And if you were to come, which I hope you will as my guest, who would you above all like to bring? It can be from the past or it can be from today.

Colin Thackery: I'd like to bring the Princess but I don't think she'd come. So of course Jo... we're together all the time. And it would be great fun for us to come.

Host: So if the Princess of Wales doesn't accept your invitation...

Colin Thackery: No.

Host: ...you're going to bring Jo.

Colin Thackery: Yes that's right.

Host: I hope we'll have many more reasons to ask you and Jo back.

Colin Thackery: I look forward to it.

Host: And to think of more bonkers things to do together.

Colin Thackery: Oh absolutely bonkers. Yeah. Yeah.

Host: It's important to do that. And much laughter and friendship as well. But thank you Colin for coming along today. It's been really kind. And I wish everyone could see you look so smart in your uniform.

Colin Thackery: Thank you.

Host: And many congratulations on your MBE and your latest medal. Congratulations. Thank you.

Colin Thackery: Thank you very much indeed. Been a great pleasure.