Captain Sir Tom Moore is set to get another dose of fame – after plans were announced to turn his incredible life into a movie.
The late British Army veteran shot to fame during lockdown after walking 100 laps of his garden at the age of 99 to raise money for the NHS.
He set out with a goal to raise £1,000 by his 100th birthday – but when the public heard what he was doing, the total amount raised topped £30 million.
Sadly Tom passed away at the age of 100 in February 2021 following a short battle with Covid and pneumonia.
But not before he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his fundraising efforts, making him a Sir.
Tom had a number one single with Michael Ball after the pair teamed up to sing You’ll Never Walk Alone – meaning he was number 1 in the charts on his 100th birthday.
The World War Two veteran also won a Special Recognition Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award.
Everything Tom did in the last year of his life scored him two Guinness World Records.
He is officially the oldest person to have a number one single – and the fundraiser who raised the most money for an individual charity walk.
All this – as well as his childhood in Yorkshire and time spent in the Army – has inspired Fisherman’s Friends writers Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard to turn his life into a film.
The duo are said to have already scripted the film – which will be directed by Richard Loncraine – but are yet to reveal the title.
Richard’s previous work includes Band of Brothers, Finding Your Feet and Wimbledon, starring Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany.
Filming is set to begin in August in the UK, Thailand and Barbados, so fans may have to wait a bit for the movie to hit screens.
Writers Nick and Meg told Screen Daily: “With his motto Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day, Captain Tom inspired us to adapt his unique and inspirational life story for the screen.
“We cannot wait for audiences to get to know the side of the man and his story that they have never seen or heard before.”
Director Richard said: “The film will explore how his strength, wisdom and humour brought a family together and motivated him to raise money for the National Health Service, who he credited with saving his life.”
James Scott, of Circus Studios - who are funding the project – added: “Captain’s Tom’s story struck a chord not just in the UK, but in over 160 countries. His life, his achievements and his legacy will entertain, move and inspire cinema audiences the world over.”
Audiences can expect an action-packed film, as Tom won awards for his motorbiking skills, as well as his service in Burma and India during the war.
He married late wife Pamela in 1968 when he was 50 after admitting he had ‘almost given up on love.’ The couple also had two daughters, Lucy and Hannah.
Tom described their marriage as ”a happy time” and the devoted couple loved the simple things in life.
”Pamela loved nothing more than a trip to Marks & Spencer. That was her dream day out, so we did that a lot,” he joked.
Sadly, Pamela died in 2006 after developing a form of dementia but, before her death, Tom would visit her in a nursing home every day.
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