Dermot O'Leary visits RNLI Cromer on Saving Lives at Sea

A special edition of Saving Lives at Sea will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on March 12 in celebration of the RNLI's 200th birthday.

The episode follows presenter Dermot O'Leary as he visits several lifeboat stations along the coast, including Cromer.

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.

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

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.

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

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."

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 at 8pm on Tuesday March 12 on BBC Two and iPlayer.