DON’T MISS THE PRIDE OF BRITAIN
HE room was packed with some of the UK’s biggest stars, but it was a cheeky schoolboy from West Derby in Liverpool who stole the show.
Little Dante Marvin, 11, had host Carol Vorderman and the Pride of Britain audience in stitches with his hilarious one-liners and dance moves with Ashley Banjo before an impromptu duet with chart-topping singer Anne-Marie.
Dante’s infectious joy as he receives his Child of Courage Award, taking to the stage with a loud “What’s up London?” like a rock star, is just one of many highlights for viewers of tonight’s Pride of Britain show on ITV.
Young winners always provide some of the most memorable moments at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB. And this year’s 20th Anniversary show, screened tonight at 8pm, is no different.
As well as Dante, viewers will fall in love with Jaydee-Lee Dummett’s bashful smile. After receiving her award for saving her family’s lives by alerting them to a carbon monoxide leak in the middle of the night, she high-fived X Factor supremo Simon Cowell in delight.
Ben Hedger, nine, was another young lifesaver. He leapt into action when his mum Lauren suffered a seizure while driving him home at 65mph on a dual carriageway.
The youngster grabbed the wheel and steered the car to safety, saving their lives and preventing a potentially devastating pile-up.
Music fan Ben was stunned when pop superstar Dua Lipa walked out on stage to present his award.
And some of the biggest stars in Hollywood paid tribute to the Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year Aaron Hunter.
He suffers from the rare terminal illness Rohhad Syndrome, but has raised more than £300,000 to help find a cure for other young sufferers.
Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr and Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt thanked him on screen, before singer Cheryl presented his award.
The show may be packed with action heroes from the big screen, but Pride of Britain is the one night of the year when everyday heroes take the limelight.
Breathtaking reconstructions of two terrifying incidents will set viewers’ pulses racing tonight.
Sgt Stevie Bull, 28, collected the
This Morning Emergency Services Award from boxing champ Nicola Adams and Queen frontman Adam Lambert. She was saluted for her bravery in tackling a man who was pointing a gun at a nurse at University College Hospital in London.
And Dan Nicholson and Joel Snarr won the Outstanding Bravery Award for risking their lives to pull three passengers from the burning wreckage of a crashed plane.
Football fan Dan collected the award from England captain Harry Kane and manager Gareth
L-R: Carol Vorderman looks on as Daniel Nicholson receives his Outstanding Bravery award from Gareth Southgate, Phil Neville, Harry Kane and Ryan Giggs
Southgate, and Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville.
Margaret Walker, at 80, sums up the love and compassion that Pride of Britain is all about.
She is a speech therapist who developed Makaton, a visual language which has transformed the lives of millions of people with communication problems.
The film of her remarkable story is one of the most heartwarming sections of tonight’s TV show, before she is joined on stage by the judges and stars of Strictly Come Dancing to present her award.
Compassion also drives Josh Littlejohn and Alice Thompson, who won a Special Recognition award for Social Bite, which helps the homeless through its cafes and a unique village. In two years, their Big Sleep Out fundraising initiative has gone global – with 50,000 people expected to sleep out in 50 cities this year. British cinema icons Michael Sheen and Ken Loach paid an impassioned tribute to their work as they handed over their trophies.
Hezron Brown won the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award for escaping a life of gang crime and using his experiences to help steer other young people away from the same path.
His charisma, positivity and force of personality wowed the audience as well as his award presenter, Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley.
There were smiles all round when Rylan and Davina McCall presented the TSB Community Partner award to Ben Clifford, whose world-leading surf school in Wales has helped hundreds of disabled people experience the joy and freedom of riding the waves.
And ITV Fundraiser of the Year