Captain Sir Tom Moore of Bedford is GQ magazine’s oldest cover star - see his cover here

Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £32million for the NHS walking 100 laps around his garden, has become GQ magazine’s oldest cover star, at 100 years old.

Sir Tom, of Marston Moretaine, was revealed by British GQ as the recipient of the 2020 Inspiration Of The Year award.

When he was told he would be GQ’s oldest ever cover star, the war veteran said: “Well, that’s something special, isn’t it? And maybe next year, I’ll be the oldest again."

Talking to GQ interviewer, Stuart McGurk, Sir Tom revealed that, while his fundraising mission could have been simply to say thank you to the NHS during the pandemic, it actually stemmed from something more personal.

He explained that, in 2019, he fell whilst unloading the dishwasher. For the first two weeks in hospital afterwards, in intensive care, no-one thought he would make it.

While Sir Tom doesn’t remember much about this time, he does remember how he was treated by the NHS staff when his hip was replaced and he was moved to a rehabilitation unit. He says that he received so much kindness and care in those five weeks, and that the staff not only treated him well, but also showed him that his independence wasn’t gone.

He said: “When I started walking, I never envisioned that sort of money would appear.”

The NHS hero had his pictures taken for the shoot by Gavin Bond, and is seen wearing a classic black tuxedo.

He is draped in a Union Jack flag, and sports his medals on his jacket pocket.

GQ editor Dylan Jones said, “If this year shows us anything, it’s that hope can come from the places you wouldn’t expect.

“Captain Sir Tom Moore is the absolute embodiment of our Inspiration award for 2020.”

The GQ Men of the Year Awards 2020, in association with Hugo Boss, will be available to view via British GQ’s YouTube channel on Thursday, November 26 at 8pm.

It is an annual event, and highlights the best and brightest across fashion, culture and politics.

Sir Tom is the cover star of the January/February 2021 issue of the magazine.

It will be available to buy on newsstands from December 4.