Carol Vorderman set to march on Downing Street to hand in petition to get Dambuster hero Johnny Johnson a knighthood
Former Countdown star urges Sun readers to give it 'one last push' as petition almost reaches 198,000
CAROL Vorderman is set to march on No 10 to hand in her petition to get Dambuster Johnny Johnson a knighthood.
And she is urging The Sun’s army of readers to give “one last push” to take the total number of signatures over 200,000.
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The former Countdown star, an ambassador for the RAF Cadets, said: “We’re so close, we just need about 2,000 more to cross the line.
"When we hand it in it would be fantastic if we’ve hit that milestone.”
Johnny, 95, is the last surviving Brit from the bouncing bomb raids on Hitler’s dams in 1943.
But he was snubbed in the New Year Honours list while bureaucrats and political cronies got gongs.
Carol, 56, who is spearheading a campaign by The Sun, will also hand over an official nomination to Downing Street staff on Thursday.
She will be joined by ex-RAF man and Gulf War hostage John Nichol, also backing the bid.
Carol said: “We will walk from the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, down past Buckingham Palace and into Downing Street.
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“The response has been absolutely incredible, but it’s not surprising.
The British public cherish heroes like Johnny and think it’s only right he should be given the honour he deserves.”
When told how many people had signed the petition last night, Johnny, from Bristol, said: “Good Lord! That’s a lot of people.
“I’m very grateful for the response.
"If successful it would be a great honour, especially for 617 Squadron.”
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Flt Lt Ken Trent, 95, joined 617 Squadron as a Lancaster bomber pilot after the daring raids.
Ken, 95, who survived more than 40 missions including the 1945 blitz on Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" hideout in the Alps, said: "Everyone in Bomber Command was brave but in my eyes Johnny was the bravest.
"He was a bomb aimer so it was his job to make sure they hit the target.
"During the raid on the Sorpe dam he made the pilot circle round ten times before he was happy to drop it.
"Everyone on that flight just wants to get rid of the bomb and go home but Johnny was determined to get it spot on.
"He wanted it to be bang in the right place and he had the guts and determination to make a really good job of it."
Johnny has dedicated his life to teaching children and helping people with mental health problems.
The Sun launched its campaign after he was snubbed in the New Year's honours list.
Our petition has almost 198,000 signatures.