Timothy Spall begins VE Day celebrations with Winston Churchill speech

Actor Timothy Spall performs his reading of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech in front of a statue of the war time leader (James Manning/PA). - (PA Wire)

Actor Timothy Spall began VE Day commemorations in London on Monday by reading extracts of then prime minister Winston Churchill’s victory speech to the nation on May 8 1945.

The events on bank holiday Monday mark the beginning of four days of celebration across the nation up until Thursday May 8, exactly 80 years since Victory in Europe was declared.