May 24th 2024.
Next on the show, Vanessa Feltz delivered an emotional appeal on behalf of her late friends during a discussion about the rules for receiving a blue plaque. Hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary asked Vanessa who she believed should be honored with a blue plaque, as one was unveiled today at George Harrison's childhood home.
In response, the 62-year-old presenter expressed her opinion that the restrictions for receiving a blue plaque should be changed. She believed that these restrictions prevented her friends, Paul O'Grady and Steve Wright, from being honored for a significant period of time. The National Blue Plaque Scheme, run by English Heritage, allows councils to mark buildings where notable historical figures lived, died, or worked. However, one of the rules states that the recipient must have passed away at least 20 years prior to the application being made.
Vanessa did not agree with this rule, stating that if there is a strong public sentiment to honor a public figure immediately, they should be able to do so. She passionately appealed for a change in this rule for her friends, especially for Paul O'Grady, who unfortunately passed away last year. She also expressed her desire for her other friend, Steve Wright, to be given a blue plaque now, rather than having to wait 20 years.
For those unfamiliar with blue plaques, they are placed in visible locations to indicate a building or area that is linked to a famous person or event. Vanessa believed that her friends deserved this recognition, just like other notable figures such as Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, and Princess Diana.
However, English Heritage confirmed that they are not considering changing the rule, but also stated that local councils are not bound by this rule and can set their own guidelines. The purpose of this rule is to give enough time for a figure's reputation to settle before being considered for a blue plaque.
Vanessa also shared some interesting facts about blue plaques, such as there being over 1003 in London alone, and many more across the rest of the UK. Some of the most notable ones include Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Peter Cushing, Emily Wilding Davison, Enid Blyton, Charlie Chaplin, and Vincent Van Gogh, among others.
The rule for receiving a blue plaque means that only those who passed away before 2004 can be considered, and applications must be made before July 19. The scheme was first introduced in London in 1866 and was expanded across the UK in 1998 as a trial, before becoming permanent in 2023 under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act.
Interestingly, the first ever blue plaque was given to poet Lord Byron in 1867 by the Society of Arts, but unfortunately, his home was demolished in 1989. Before the scheme extended outside of London, local councils and other organisations would erect similar plaques to honor notable figures.
Vanessa also mentioned that there are 177 blue plaques in Camden alone, including ones for Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, and John Keats, while the late Amy Winehouse will not be eligible under the current rules until 2031.
The hosts encouraged their audience to get in touch with any celebrity stories, videos, or pictures, by emailing, calling, or visiting their Submit Stuff page. They expressed their excitement to hear from their viewers and listeners.
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