Saving Lives at Sea to air Dermot O'Leary's Cromer visit

The special edition of Saving Lives at Sea to celebrate the RNLI's 200th birthday will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 8pm.

The episode will feature Cromer as presenter Dermot O'Leary visits several lifeboat stations along the coast.

READ MORE: How RNLI started as charity celebrates 200th anniversary

Dermot O'Leary saw Cromer's all-weather lifeboat, Lester (Image: RNLI/Harry Stimpson)

In the Norfolk segment, the This Morning host hears about Henry Blogg who, alongside his crew, saved 873 lives throughout his 53 years of service.

O'Leary also visits the town's Henry Blogg Museum, gets a close-up look at the H F Bailey lifeboat from the Second World War and goes afloat on Cromer's all-weather lifeboat Lester.

Dermot O'Leary filming at Aldeburgh RNLI (Image: RNLI)

The 50-year-old said: "As an ambassador for the RNLI and a huge history fan, it was a privilege for me to uncover some of the untold stories that saw ordinary volunteers get involved in some of the most extraordinary events of the Second World War.

"The brave men and women we heard about left a real impression on me, as did the present-day volunteers I was able to meet along the way, who are still saving lives at sea today."

The HF Bailey was used by Coxswain Henry Blogg during the war (Image: Mark Bullimore)

Other stations featured in the episode include Aldeburgh, Margate, St Peter Port and Penlee. 

Paul Watling, Cromer RNLI Coxswain, added: "It was great to meet Dermot and take him out on our lifeboat - he is clearly passionate about what the RNLI do and it was great to show him around the station and the boat.

"He was the nicest person you would ever want to meet and he put all the crew and station volunteers at ease during his visit and took the time to chat to us all."

Saving Lives at Sea airs tonight at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.