THE Daily Mirror PRIDE OF BRITAIN HOST CAROL VORDERMAN SHARES HER MEMORIES OF PRESENTING THE AWARDS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS
HOST CAROL VORDERMAN TELLS ok!’s EMILY WHITWAM ABOUT HONOURING TWO DECADES OF WORTHY WINNERS
The Beckhams aren’t the only ones celebrating a 20th anniversary this year. Carol Vorderman has been host of the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain awards in partnership with TSB for two decades now, ever since the first ceremony in 1999.
The annual awards, screened on ITV every autumn, honour the UK’S unsung heroes. ‘Incredible men, women and children who deserve to be recognised,’ explains Carol. ‘Ordinary, extraordinary people are usually too modest to push themselves into the limelight.’
Celebrating the moving stories of individuals who’ve acted with bravery in challenging situations or who’ve helped improve the lives of others, it’s no surprise there’s rarely a dry eye in the house by the end of the night.
Here, Carol, 58, who’s mum to daughter Katie, 28, and 22-year-old son Cameron, tells OK! about the role she played in bringing the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain awards to fruition, sharing the stage with royalty and making life-long friends through the organisation…
You must be so proud to be hosting the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards on its
20th anniversary…
I am. When the awards began, I was writing a column for the Daily Mirror, introducing people to this new thing called the ‘internet’! Piers Morgan was the editor and he asked me to host the awards, but it was very unlike what we have now. There were awards for Politician, Musician and Businessman Of The Year. So, I told my big boss at ITV to do a show about real people.
Why have you chosen to remain with the awards for so long? Because I love it. I get it. I brought it to the telly. I was in my thirties when it started and now I’m in my fifties. You gain wisdom as you get older.
What moments with royalty on the show stand out the most?
I’ll never forget when Prince Charles did the Mobot on stage [left]! Prince William was magnificent, too. A couple of years ago he presented a number of awards and spoke very movingly. Who are the biggest stars who’ve joined you at the awards? The Beckhams! And, of course, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Shirley Bassey and all our prime ministers. It’s the biggest night of the year for celebrities.
Do you still get nervous?
No, I never get nervous. It’s always about the winners. They get to enjoy this fantastic celebration of themselves. I spend quite a lot of time with them over the weekends leading up to the show. It absolutely is not about the presenter. I will always back away as much as I can. Have the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards sparked any friendships for you? Dr Piers Sellers, an astronaut [a winner in 2006], became a really dear friend to me. He sadly died a couple of years ago but my daughter and I used to go and stay with him regularly. He was a big part of my life. Also Pepe Hart, who won Teacher Of The Year, is one of my besties. We text at least 20 times a day! They’re all amazing people. I’m not into materialistic things – never mention a fancy handbag, because I just have a rucksack! Being around amazing people is what I like.
Have there ever been any blunders on stage?
When we had the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, about 40 veterans arrived on stage and all I got handed was a scrap of paper saying ‘talk to Charles’. So I found who I thought was Charles and said into the microphone: ‘I understand you were shot down twice in the war,’ to which he replied: ‘Good God, no! Once – and that was quite enough!’ I’d got the wrong Charles [laughs]!
Do you think the awards are important now in a divided Britain? I don’t think Britain is divided. I ban the word ‘Brexit’ among my friends. I’ve travelled so much of the world and found that we are one of the
most wonderful, tolerant and kind nations. I wish we’d stop saying bad things about what we are.
Have you been hitting the gym in preparation for the awards ceremony this autumn?
I like being fit and healthy. So this summer I’ll be taking my fitness to another level, but it isn’t for Pride of Britain. It’s for me.
What do you feel have been your best and worst outfits from the event over the years?
I loved the white lace floor-length dress I wore [in 2014, right]. It covered everything – as the host, I think I should be well covered. There was one black corset dress [in 2010, right] which I didn’t realise was quite as busty as it was! I don’t like to show anything off on Pride Of Britain.
How have the awards impacted your life? It’s introduced me to amazing people. It puts everything into perspective. I do 40 days a year of volunteering, because then I’m with people who are like-minded and spiritual.