Night of glamour as stars salute our unsung heroes
A GALAXY of stars turned up last night to applaud the incredible achievements of many unsung heroes at the Pride of Britain awards in London.
Among the celebrities on the red carpet was This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby, 37, who wore an elegant cream gown.
She told reporters she was there to support the nation’s “reluctant heroes”, before adding: “It’s very humbling, you sit here and listen to these stories. There are heroes walking amongst us every day.
“It makes you feel be British”
Also stepping out on the icy cold night was ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, 47, who wore a strapless blue dress and Good Morning Britain host Charlotte Hawkins, 43, in a sleeveless pink gown.
Myleene Klass, 40, chose slashed-to-the-waist gown.
Comedian Seann Walsh, who was voted off BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday, weeks after he was caught kissing his dance partner Katya Jones, also turned up at the event at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Now in it’s 19th year, the annual ceremony hosted by Carol Vorderman, celebrates the UK’s unsung heroes.
Ella Chadwick was this year’s proud to a Child of Courage. The 11-yearold, from Rochdale, who posed in a pretty white dress, said she was having “the best day of her life”.
She was born with a rare kidney disease and endured 40 operations before a kidney transplant from her grandmother.
Despite being dependent on a walking frame and wheelchair, she has raised thousands of pounds for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Jessica Ruth at the charity said: “Everyone who meets Ella is blown away by her positivity.”
Prince Charles handed out his Prince’s Trust Young Achiever to Omar Sharif, 26, a former gang member who turned his life around after losing three friends to knife crime. He now works to deter others from following the same path and is a motivational speaker in schools and prisons. The 12 Thai schoolboys and their coach who were trapped in a cave for 17 days in July were also reunited with their rescuers.
Cave divers John Volanthen, Jason Mallinson, Rick Stanton, Chris Jewell, Josh Bratchley and Connnor Roe were honoured for their outstanding bravery.
The show will be broadcast on ITV next Tuesday at 8pm.