Daniel Mays reads fallen soldier's letter at Festival of Remembrance

Daniel Mays read a heartfelt letter from Gunner Lee Thornton, a 22-year-old soldier who died in Iraq, at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. The actor delivered the soldier's personal words in front of the King and Queen at the Royal Albert Hall.

Daniel Mays read a letter from Gunner Lee Thornton at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. The letter from Thornton expressed love for his partner and described keeping her photo on his headboard. It was written by Gunner Lee Thornton, aged 22, who died from a gunshot wound in Al Qurna, north of Basra, Iraq.

Royal tribute and emotional response

The reading moved members of the Royal Family and viewers at home, with social media praise for Mays' delicate delivery of the soldier's words. Mays paid tribute to Thornton, leaving members of the Royal Family visibly moved.

Viewers on social media described the reading as 'so moving' and 'heartbreakingly tragic'. One viewer commented that Mays 'barely needed to look down at the words', showing his dedication. Another fan noted Mays 'memorised the letter' and called him 'a class act'. A viewer wrote they were 'sobbing'.

Mays has long supported the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and previously described delivering a reading as an 'honour and a privilege'. One commenter praised Mays. Daniel Mays said: "He delivered that with delicate emotion, passion and meaning. No one better to allow us to hear something so moving".

The soldier's story

Gunner Lee Thornton, 22, of the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery, died in September 2006 while serving in Iraq. Thornton died from injuries sustained in a shooting while on patrol in Al Qurna, north of Basra, Iraq. His letter expressed his love for his partner and described keeping her photo on his headboard before his death.

A night of remembrance

The annual tribute at the Royal Albert Hall honoured the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces. The event was held in the presence of the King and Queen. Clive Myrie hosted the Festival of Remembrance.

A lineup of performers took part in the event.

The Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment and The Bands of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth and Collingwood also performed. Rita Wilson performed an emotional rendition of 'Songbird'. Wilson tweeted about singing for King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Catherine at the event honoring veterans. She added that her father escaped communist Bulgaria to live a life of freedom fought for by so many.

One viewer replied to Wilson calling her rendition beautiful and poignant. Another added that it gave them goosebumps. BBC Events shared the footage on Instagram, captioning the clip: 'Words that were never meant to be read aloud, but deserve to be heard.' Viewers on X praised Mays' reading, calling it the highlight of the evening and saying it made them cry. One viewer wrote they watched the clip three times, admitting their emotions got the better of them.