Happy birthday and merry Christmas Gladys!

Sevenoaks Re-engage tea party guest, Gladys Banks, who turns an incredible 108 today, was treated like royalty during a trip to the ITV studios to be filmed for Good Morning Britain’s 1 Million Minutes appeal.

Singer and actor Michael Ball chatted to Gladys as she waited to go on set. Les Miserables star, Alfie Boe, said hello and Ed Balls invited Gladys to use his dressing room. Glady's niece, Tina Robson, accompanied her aunt to the studios, said: “She really was the queen of the studio. Everyone wanted to meet her and they were all so kind and helpful. Michael Ball had a chat and Ed Balls was lovely. He even held her cup of tea while she ate some cake.

“There was an eight-year-old girl called Florrie who was also appearing on the programme and she got on with Gladys like a house on fire. They were giggling all the time, probably because their sense of humour age is about the same!

“It was a long day. We left for the studio at midday and got home at about 9pm. Gladys was tired but she refused to have a nap in the car because she didn’t want to miss anything. She absolutely loved the whole occasion.

Gladys, who is spending Christmas Day with Tina, was gifted a scarf by presenter Susannah Reid and treated to a delicious birthday cake to celebrate her special birthday.