The show was hosted by Dame Vera Lynn, who opened the programme with a medley of British hits by leading British songwriters, spanning from 1952 to 1976. The medley sung by Lynn included songs by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Leslie Bricusse, Lionel Bart, Don Black and Norman Newell. The medley ended with the UK's 1976 Eurovision Song Contest winner, "Save Your Kisses for Me".