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| Alfie Boe sings Happy Birthday to UK's oldest man | Alfie Boe sings Happy Birthday to UK's oldest man |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Opera star Alfie Boe has serenaded the UK's oldest man with a special version of Happy Birthday as he turned 110. | Opera star Alfie Boe has serenaded the UK's oldest man with a special version of Happy Birthday as he turned 110. |
| The singer made a special appearance, by video call, during Donald Rose's celebrations on Tuesday. | The singer made a special appearance, by video call, during Donald Rose's celebrations on Tuesday. |
| Mr Boe said it had been a pleasure to sing for Mr Rose, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire. | Mr Boe said it had been a pleasure to sing for Mr Rose, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire. |
| The 110-year-old said it had been "very nice" to hear Mr Boe sing and rewarded him with a round of applause. | The 110-year-old said it had been "very nice" to hear Mr Boe sing and rewarded him with a round of applause. |
| The call with Mr Boe was part of a day of celebrations arranged by care home staff | The call with Mr Boe was part of a day of celebrations arranged by care home staff |
| The call, organised by staff at the Canal Vue care home where Mr Rose lives, was part of a day of celebrations involving the former soldier's family, friends and civic dignitaries. | The call, organised by staff at the Canal Vue care home where Mr Rose lives, was part of a day of celebrations involving the former soldier's family, friends and civic dignitaries. |
| He even received a card from Buckingham Palace. | He even received a card from Buckingham Palace. |
| Mr Rose was born in Westcott in Surrey on 24 December 1914 and served in World War Two with the Queen's Royal Regiment. | Mr Rose was born in Westcott in Surrey on 24 December 1914 and served in World War Two with the Queen's Royal Regiment. |
| After joining the army, he trained as a sniper and served in North Africa and Europe, and said he put his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time in the desert. | After joining the army, he trained as a sniper and served in North Africa and Europe, and said he put his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time in the desert. |
| Among the guests at his birthday celebration was Mayor of Erewash, Kate Fennelly, who described the veteran as "a national treasure". | Among the guests at his birthday celebration was Mayor of Erewash, Kate Fennelly, who described the veteran as "a national treasure". |
| Mr Rose with his card from Buckingham Palace | |
| Mr Rose's son David, 76, said: "Dad is just amazing he has been a great father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. | Mr Rose's son David, 76, said: "Dad is just amazing he has been a great father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. |
| "He always worked so hard. After the war, he drove a dust cart, then worked for the gas board and he would do any work to put food on the family table. | "He always worked so hard. After the war, he drove a dust cart, then worked for the gas board and he would do any work to put food on the family table. |
| "He was as strong as an ox. | "He was as strong as an ox. |
| "It's amazing to think my dad is the oldest man in the country. We've all had a really lovely day and it's a great way to start Christmas." | "It's amazing to think my dad is the oldest man in the country. We've all had a really lovely day and it's a great way to start Christmas." |
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