My Top 10 Pride of Britain highlights
CAROL VORDERMAN’S BEST MOMENTS FROM TONIGHT’S SHOW:
It is our 19th Pride of Britain Awards... and our most amazing yet. Broadcast on ITV tonight, it’s packed full of hilarious surprises, courageous, inspirational winners and touching moments.
But this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards, in partnership with TSB, carry an extra-special poignancy. In a year which has been dominated by upheaval, terror and tragedy, the awards, attended by Prince William, PM Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and more then 100 celebrities, are especially moving.
Here, host Carol Vorderman reveals her top 10 moments.
1 Moin Younis summed up what Pride of Britain is all about. The bright, witty 17 year-old lad, who won a Teenager of Courage Award, suffers excruciating skin condition epidermolysis bullosa. His skin tears and blisters at the slightest touch.
Treatment takes five hours every day. Yet his sense of humour is incredible and that came through when I queried his love of Aston Villa FC and he cheekily asked, “Is there a problem?” Then pointed out fellow fan Prince William in the audience and said, “You’re the main man”.
We’d sent his hero David Beckham, to tell him about his award. With tears in his eyes, Moin is so lost for words he blurts out, “I can’t get my hair as good as you”. You’ll laugh and cry.
2 This moment had me in stitches. Adorable little Suzie McCash, five, was such a sweetie. She won a Child of Courage award for having the presence of mind to ring 999 when her mum collapsed at home. On stage with her emotional mum Rowena, she completely broke the mood when I asked her if she knew who Jamie Oliver was.
He was there to present her award. She wrinkled her little nose and came out with: “My mum told me he makes pasta – but I don’t know him very well.”
3 George Mathias, 11, was our recipient of the Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser Award, and has raised more than £35,000 running miles for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to say thank you for saving his little brother James’s life.
We surprised George with news of his award as he was judging a charity “Simon Cowell lookalike contest” for Alder Hey.
One of the lookalikes was the real Simon, who took off his shades and presented the invitation. George’s shocked expression is hilarious.
4 One of the most moving moments came when the leaders of our three main political parties honoured the hero police officers whose bravery during the Westminster and London Bridge terror attacks moved the nation. Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable walked on stage humbly to meet PC Wayne Marques, Emergency Response Officer Charlie Guenigault, and the sisters of PC Keith Palmer, who tragically lost his life in the Westminster attack.
Mrs May said: “Nobody epitomises the British spirit better than the police officers who faced those knife-wielding attackers”.
5 Prince William came on stage to commend the Grenfell Tower community, whose world was torn apart by the terrible fire in June, and the firefighters who so courageously fought the blaze.
The unforgettable tragedy also produced heroism – on the night and since.
Prince William praised the firefighters and officers for their bravery.
Then he told some of the families affected he had seen their courage at first hand and was proud of what the community had achieved.
6 He’s one of the hottest stars in the world right now, so our winners were overwhelmed to meet singer Ed Sheeran. He came on stage with Prince William to present an award to the medics who treated the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack with such dedication earlier this year. What you don’t know is, he came to my dressing room beforehand and explained just how important it was for him to be here – he had played the Manchester arena only a week before the attack.
Flanked by brave young survivors of the attack, it was a truly special moment.
7 Sir Rod Stewart was an absolute gent when he presented Katie Walker with her award. The rock legend was blown away by 32-year-old Katie, winner of the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award, who, following a horrific domestic violence attack, found the courage to speak out to inspire other victims and to follow her dream and open her own beauty salon. Right there on stage, Rod Stewart pledged £10,000 to her business.
8 Coming from Bristol, I was incredibly inspired by the radical work of 80 year-old Paul Stephenson, who won our Lifetime Achievement Award.
Activist Paul was an integral part of this country’s civil rights movement. He led a victorious boycott against racist bus company bosses in 1963, who refused to employ black and Asian people. He has dedicated his life to equality. Comedian Lenny Henry presented his award and was visibly moved. “You absolutely are a giant,” he said.
10 In 19 years of presenting these awards, I think this year’s finale is the very best. Everyone came together to sing All You Need Is Love and we felt such a spirit of unity.
Every race, religion, colour, no matter where you were from everyone stood together in that moment.
It was a reminder we truly do live in a wonderful country and are very, very lucky.
9 Daredevil Dilys Price from Cardiff is a star. At 85, she has completed more than 1,139 solo parachute jumps for charity and picked up the Pride of Britain Special Recognition award. She often dances in the sky as she jumps, so it seemed only fitting the whole cast of Strictly Come Dancing present her award. And she pulled out the moves on stage, leaving us all weeping with laughter. Giggling and utterly joyful, she gave the Reverend Richard Coles a twirl.