Channel 4 to air film classic We'll Meet Again in a bid to boost morale during lockdown

London, UNITED KINGDOM: The logo of Britain's Channel 4 television station is pictured at the company's headquarters in central London, 18 January 2007. Carphone Warehouse, the main backer of Channel 4's reality television show 'Celebrity Big Brother,' pulled its support Thursday as complaints about alleged racist bullying spiralled and criticism mounted. Mobile communications retailer the Carphone Warehouse said it had told broadcaster Channel 4 to remove its name and branding from the programme with immediate effect, saying it did not want to be associated with it. But Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan said Thursday they "could not say with certainty" that the comments directed at 31-year-old Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty were racist or whether they stemmed from "broader cultural or social differences". And he rejected calls for the show to be pulled off air. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images) (Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

The Vera Lynn classic will be shown on Saturday...

Channel 4 has announced a last-minute change to its Easter weekend scheduling by adding in the Dame Vera Lynn film classic We'll Meet Again.

The much-loved film will be shown on Saturday tea time - perfect for all the family to enjoy together as we follow government guidelines to stay at home following the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans of the 1943 musical will remember it stars actress Vera Lynn, who was otherwise known as Britain's Forces Sweetheart during the Second World War.

Vera Lynn PA Images

We'll Meet Again starring Dame Vera Lynn will be aired on Channel 4 this Saturday (Picture: PA Images) (Image credit: PA)

The film is about a young dancer trying to make it in London, but then discovers people like her singing voice.

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Although reluctant to sing at first, she finally does, and becomes a star.

The channel made the move to show the film after The Queen addressed the nation on Sunday during a special broadcast following the COVID-19 outbreak.

During her speech The Queen praised Britain's "national spirit" as we face the challenges coronavirus has brought to the country.

She also evoked wartime memories by reassuring those "feeling a painful sense of separation from their loved ones" to take comfort in the fact "we will meet again."

A spokesperson for Channel 4 commented that not only was the film being shown in response to The Queens message, but also because there will be a lot of people feeling separated from their friends and family over the Easter bank holiday weekend...

The Queen special broadcast

Channel 4 are airing We'll Meet Again after The Queen's special broadcast last weekend (Picture: BBC)

"We feel the film could have special resonance at a time when people are separated from friends and family for an indeterminate amount of time."

With the usually busy long weekend almost upon us, many families across the country would usually be making plans for holidays, family gatherings and Easter activities with the kids.

But with lockdown restrictions still very much in place, what better way to pass the time but with a bit of good old fashioned nostalgia.

We'll Meet Again will be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday 11th April ay 6.20pm and it will later be available to stream on All 4. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.