Victor Ray to shine on national stage with powerful VE day debut performance

Victor Ray, the hotly-tipped, Ugandan-born musician, who started his career busking on the streets of Newcastle, before moving to London to pursue his dream, is set to make his primetime TV debut tonight, as he performs for the King and millions across the country at the VE Day 80 celebrations.

Victor will perform the Nat King Cole classic ‘Smile’ with a 45-piece orchestra and 30-person choir at the historic Horse Guards Parade in London, just around the corner from his usual busking spot at Piccadilly Circus, where he made his name. Airing (Thursday 8th May) from 8.00PM to 10.00PM on BBC One and iPlayer, the concert will be broadcast live and is presented by Zoe Ball.

Victor says, “I mean when you think about it, it’s crazy. I used to sing on the streets just up the road from here. To be performing at this event, on this stage, is a moment I genuinely never saw coming”

With over one billion views to his name, signed to Universal Music and tipped as one to watch by MTV Push 2025, Amazon Music, The Independent, The Sunday Times, Clash, Notion and The Line of Best Fit, and selected as Wonderland’s cover star in Autumn of last year, Victor’s ascent to superstardom is in full flight across the globe. His potent combination of vulnerable, autobiographical storytelling delivered with staggering, world-class vocals is proving irresistible the world over. His most recent release, the ‘I WILL.’