Captain Tom Moore sends sweet message of gratitude to The Weeknd after the singer backed him to reach number one with NHS charity si

Captain Tom Moore has thanked The Weeknd for backing him to reach number one with his charity single, which has raised £28 million for the NHS.

The former British Army Officer, 99, took to Twitter on Friday to share his gratitude to the Starboy hitmaker, 30, for supporting his song.

Tagging the singer in his sweet message, Captain Tom said: 'My goodness, how gracious of you @theweeknd Benji tells me you're rather talented and very popular! What a kind gesture. Thank you!'

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Thankful: Captain Tom Moore sent a sweet message of gratitude to The Weeknd via Twitter on Friday after the singer backed him to reach number one with NHS charity single

The Weeknd was equally delighted by Captain Tom, as he responded: 'thank YOU Sir and we all wish you a happy birthday. XO [sic]'  

According to the latest sales and streaming data by the Official Charts Company, the Canadian musician's Blinding Lights is catching up to the WWII veteran and Michael Ball's cover of You'll Never Walk Alone.

Despite currently securing the lead with 60,000 chart sales accrued, the former British Army officer garnered attention from his competitor, who shared his support for Tom to land the top sport.

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Tight gap: The musician's Blinding Lights is catching up to the 99-year-old WWII veteran and Michael Ball's cover of You'll Never Walk Alone (pictured in September 2018) 

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Sweet: Sharing his gratitude, Captain Tom said to The Weeknd: 'My goodness, how gracious of you @theweeknd Benji tells me you're rather talented and very popular!'

Sharing his gratitude: The Weeknd was equally delighted by Captain Tom, as he responded: 'thank YOU Sir and we all wish you a happy birthday. XO [sic]'

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, The Weeknd displayed good sportsmanship as he promoted the former armoured warfare instructor's campaign. 

The singer penned: 'everyone in the UK please support @captaintommoore/@mrmichaelball single...

'so this incredible 99 yr old war veteran, walking for the British National Health Service @NHSuk & now raised $35 Million can have a No 1 for his 100th birthday in the UK!We're routing for you. XO!' [sic]

BBC Radio 1 chart host Scott Mills admitted the race between Tom and The Weeknd, real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is the closest he's witnessed in years, with the pair being separated by just 18,000 chart sales.

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'We're routing for you!' On Thursday, the Heartless hitmaker promoted the former armoured warfare instructor's campaign to reach number one

The presenter, 46, told The Sun: 'This chart battle is so down to the wire. I remember when I first did the charts show on Radio 1 years ago and it was Rage Against The Machine going up against Joe McElderry. 

'Rage came out on top in the end and no one expected that to happen. The race between Tom and The Weeknd reminds me of that because it's so tight.

'Tom is at a disadvantage because The Weeknd and his song Blinding Lights are streaming power houses. It's tough competition for Tom because he is just working off downloads.'

The Official Charts close at midnight, with the results set for release on Friday at 7pm. 

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'It's down to the wire': Radio 1's Scott Mills (pictured in March) admitted the race between Tom and The Weeknd, real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is the closest he's witnessed in years

Captain Tom - who had vowed to walk 100 laps of his garden at home before his 100th birthday on April 30 in honour of the NHS - will receive a Pride Of Britain award, with his fundraiser becoming the biggest in JustGiving history.      

Appearing on Thursday's Good Morning Britain, show host Carol Vorderman took Captain Tom by surprise as she announced his award, which honours those who have acted bravely or extraordinarily in challenging circumstances. 

Speaking to Tom and his daughter Hannah via video link, Carol said: 'It might not surprise you we've had that many nominations for you to win a Pride of Britain award and before you argue about it, I want to tell you why.   

'Because you've influence, all of us in the country, from the very young. I know you live in three generations, and there's a huge influence you had bringing these three generations together.

'We've given out Pride Of Britain  awards to children with tremendous courage, and to many members of our armed services.  

'Frankly you Captain Tom embody all of that, your kindness, your modesty you utter determination and your selflessness because you're raising money, frankly a ridiculous amount of money, you keep saying it's not for you and it's for those you regard as heroes. 

'I've got something that is for you, this will be your Pride Of Britain award, sent to you with love.    

The emotional veteran responded: 'I can't be more proud and in a position to receive it from you, you are so very kind and I thank all of the people who nominated me for this award.

'I'm very very humbled at receiving magnificent award, thank you very very much. I'm taken aback by this, because I know it's such a prestigious award that people get.'  

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Milestone: Captain Tom will receive a Pride Of Britain award, with his fundraiser becoming the biggest in JustGiving history