Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Born to be a star
Inspirational Dante captures all our hearts at The Pride of Britain Awards
THEY are household names from the worlds of TV, film, sport and politics, with the spotlight firmly trained on them 364 days of the year.
But yesterday, Britain’s bestloved celebrities turned out in their hundreds for the one night in the showbiz calendar guaranteed to shine brightly at a very different galaxy of truly inspirational stars.
For the past two decades, the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, has honoured “ordinary” men, women and children for feats of extraordinary courage, ingenuity and selflessness.
And no one was more ready to applaud their achievements, especially in the event’s landmark 20th year, than the famous faces who stepped out in the chill October air at Grosvenor House, Central London, last night.
They were there to say a collective thank-you on behalf of the nation at our annual glittering event.
And, with seasoned guests admitting they had pre-packed tissues, knowing the tears would inevitably flow, they were all braced to be overwhelmed by the bravery of our winners. Long-term champion, This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby, was thrilled to be back at Pride of Britain again.
“This is one of my favourite nights of the year,” she smiled.
“It’s so good to sit back and wallow in the awe of so many people doing such incredibly brave things. I’ve worn waterproof mascara, so I’m ready for it!”
X Factor host Dermot O’leary, honoured to be one of the Pride of Britain judges, joked that the reason stars attend is because the event is like a big, comforting bowl of “human chicken noodle soup”. “It’s a great night for humanity,” he said.
“There’s so much humility here, which is great with where we are as a country at the moment. It’s very nurturing and heartwarming.”
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, attending with her mum, said the poignant night gives her inspiration each year.
“Events like this truly bring the country together as a whole,” she said. “It is one of my favourite award ceremonies and it’s always very inspirational.
“The bravery I see carries me through for several months,” she added. Fellow judge Motsi Mabuse was overwhelmed to be attending the ceremony for the first time.
It was her very first red carpet event in the UK since arriving here to join the Strictly panel. “I just think it’s so important to celebrate these people. I love that everyone here is celebrating this tonight,” she beamed. For one showbiz couple, the event means the world for personal reasons too.
Frank and Christine Lampard, who also joined the judging panel this year, met as at the event 10 years ago. And they are drawn back each year because of the inspiration the winners bring them.
Loose Women host Christine said: “You’re reminded there are good people in the world, and that’s important, especially at the moment.” Chelsea manager Frank added: “We met here 10 years ago, so it’s always special night for us.
But more important, it the inspiration of the evening and the awards given out for incredible reasons.”
This Morning host Phillip Schofield agreed that inspiration is unrivalled. “You hear all these incredible stories which you wouldn’t if it wasn’t for Pride of Britain,” he said.
As the stars flocked inside, they all admitted they were preparing for an “emotional roller coaster” of an evening. Amanda Holden made it, despite recently breaking her leg.
“It’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” she said. Fresh from her stint on the Strictly
It’s a great change from all the misery. It makes me want to be a better person
TV HOST DAVINA MCCALL ON IMPACT OF PRIDE OF BRITAIN
dance floor, Treasure Hunt legend Anneka Rice laughed she had definitely come prepared. “Everyone cries, so I made sure I packed my tissues,” she grinned. “Pride of Britain is so important because it brings the UK together.”
Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp and wife Shirlie, formerly of Pepsi & Shirlie, were delighted to return to the event for the second time. But they admitted they had not been quite as organised as Anneka. Martin said: “It’s the most emotional roller coaster.
“I’ve just had to run to the bathroom to get tissues because I’ve remembered how sad and humbling it is. These are incredible people who have done things.” Shirlie giggled: “He’s wearing my waterproof mascara.”
Strictly contestant Michelle Visage agreed it was definitely called for. “I’m expecting to be sobbing. I’ve forgotten to wear run-proof make-up.” she said.
Attending the event for the 10th time, Loose Woman Linda Robson said she was also unprepared. “I know I’m going to blub,” she said. “I’ve forgotten my tissues, so have to get some loo roll.”
For many of the guests, Pride of Britain and the selflessness it advocates is especially important against the backdrop of political division and unrest across the country. Esther Rantzen said: “People are braver, kinder, more generous, more compassionate than we sometimes think when we read the world headlines or look at the way nations treat each other.
“You forget how great indiincredible viduals can be and especially those the Daily Mirror celebrate. This night makes a huge difference.” Presenter Davina Mccall agreed, saying: “It makes a change from all the depressing thing we hear every day. Especially at the moment, we need something like this. It makes me want to be a better person.”
While fellow presenter Kate Garraway added: “At the moment there is a lot of fear, there’s a lot of panic and division, and you go in there and realise there is a lot of good out there. I probably won’t be able to keep together. If you’re not moved by tonight, you’re made of stone.”
They are two small children who have made a huge difference: one hilariously extroverted, the other adorably shy. Dante Marvin dazzled in the spotlight, happy to show off his dance moves with Ashley Banjo, sing with Anne Marie and tell the room packed full of celebrities about how he will not let a brittle bone disease get in the way of his fundraising efforts.
And then little Jaydee-lee Dummett, in her best party dress, so bashful that she accepted her child of courage award with only a sweet smile after a video of her saving her fouryear-old brother’s life left the audience in tears and in awe of her actions.
The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, celebrates the children who like to shine and the ones who would happily stay in the background. In days when the nation needs a bit of cheering up, maybe we all need to be more Dante.
Seeing him beaming and working hard to spread happiness to others through his work as an ambassador for children’s charity Variety, despite his own debilitating illness, inspires everyone he meets.
Hearing him remind people of his motto: “There are no disabilities, just abilities” lifts them out of any gloom and reminds us to focus on the special things we can all do.
Dressed in a tiny white tuxedo that was the envy of star Ashley Banjo, Dante zoomed around in a wheelchair covered in wrestling stickers.
He was a pocket rocket of positivity, taking to the stage with a loud: “What’s up London?” like a rock star.
Dante, 11, from Liverpool, has endured much more than most.
He had 16 broken bones in his mum Rachael’s womb and was born with brittle bone disease and scoliosis.
He has broken 92 bones in his life – as a sneeze or high-fiving one of his siblings can injure him – and has endured 17 separate operations to insert rods in his limbs. Rachael says:
“I don’t stop Dante doing anything – he just gets on with it.
“He hates seeing other children sad. If I take him to hospital he is more bothered about the child in the bed opposite who is crying and tries to reassure them. I am so proud of him.”
Dante is so grateful for his new yellow wheelchair that had been donated by Variety. He said: “My message to anyone with a disability is, ‘don’t give up’.”
A huge fan of Coronation Street the lad was invited on to the cobbles to be surprised by Jack P Shepherd who
plays David Platt.
He said: “I don’t have the words to describe how much I love David Platt. He has the same personality as me.
“I was so shocked to see Jack I had to go away and have a little cry.”
Presenting his Child of Courage award, Jason Manford asked if he’d like to be a comedian – and Dante told him he never stops laughing.
Jaydee-lee is a special little sevenyear-old from Fochriw, South Wales.
She might not be the first to shout out in class, but she listens so intensively in class that she learned an important and life-saving lesson.
When Wales and West Utilities visited her school to give a talk on gas safety, she remembered not only the warning signs of odourless carbon monoxide poisoning but even the emergency phone number. Three weeks later, Jaydeelee went to bed as usual but woke in the middle of the night to find her four-year-old brother Laylan acting strangely and disorientated. She recognised the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, alerted mum Lindy and urged her to call for help. Lindy said: “Jaydee-lee came out on the landing and said ‘Mam, what’s that red light?’ So we went to look at it and she said, ‘Mam that’s the carbon monoxide alarm’”. Jaydee-lee added: “I told Mummy to call. I knew the number – 0800 111 999.”
A gas engineer was soon with them