Thursday’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards hosted a star-studded audience in London, for the first time since 2019, when the ongoing coronavirus pandemic halted their screens.
The annual award show honours the nation’s unsung heroes, with singing superstar Ed Sheeran surprising quadruple amputee Harmonie-Rose Allen – the winner of the Child of Courage Award – on the show.
Later in another heart-warming moment Ant and Dec surprised the winners of the Young Fundraiser Award, including 10-year-old Hughie Higginson from Lancashire who raised £220,000 for his cancer ward.
Happy: The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards returned to screens on Thursday, with singing superstar Ed Sheeran surprising quadruple amputee Harmonie-Rose Allen in one of the stand out heartwarming moments
Carol Vorderman, 60 years old, was once again the host. However, this year, for only the second time in the show’s 22-year history she was joined by Diversity star Ashley Banjo (33), who was just revealed as her new cohost.
The ceremony opened with Harmonie Rose, quadruple amputee and winner of the Child of Courage Award. She inspired the nation with her courage & unbreakable spirit.
Harmonie lost her arms, legs and feet after contracting meningitis when she was a baby. Ed surprised her by surprising her with a meeting with him, who is one of her favourite singers.
Ed, her host, announced to her that Harmonie had arrived at the special afternoon tea she had organized for her family. We heard that you love cakes so we set this up for you. You are very special and we want you to know how amazing you truly are.
Famous faces: Later in another sweet moment Ant and Dec surprised the winners of the Young Fundraiser Award, including 10-year-old Hughie Higginson from Lancashire who raised £220,00 for his cancer ward
Stars: Host Carol Vorderman, 60, once again took the helm, but this year, for the first time in the show’s 22-year history, she was joined by Diversity star Ashley Banjo, 33, who was recently revealed as her new co-host
The two sang Perfect together on a karaoke machine.
Ed said that Ed was right to give her the award. He also stated that Ed thought she was amazing.
Harmonie Rose said that the meeting was a great experience.
Simon Cowell presented the award to her and said that it was the most important award in the entire world. Ed could not sing the song better than you! So well done!’
Amazing: The ceremony kicked off with quadruple amputee Harmonie-Rose who won the Child of Courage Award for inspiring the nation with her courage and unbreakable spirit
Having fun: Harmonie lost her arms and legs after contracting meningitis as a baby and was surprised with a meeting with Ed who is one of her favourite singers
Alesha Dixon shared, “It’s amazing to meet your zest for life, and we can all benefit from what you can teach us.”
Ant and Dec both surprised the Young Fundraiser Award Winners. Hughie Higginson (10) and Freddie Xavi (11) from Lancashire.
In September 2020 Hughie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and went on to raise £220,000 for his hospital cancer ward.
Thrilled: Simon Cowell presented her with the award and said: ‘I want to say this is the most important award in the world, you even sang the song better than Ed! So well done!’
Beautiful: Surprising her at a special afternoon tea organised for her and her family Ed said: ‘You must be Harmonie! We knew you liked cakes so we made this for you. We want to show you how special you are.
He described his experience as: “I was scared for all of the medicine, my jaw hurt from the treatment.”
He realized that cold slushy drink helped his jaw so he decided to run 2k daily to raise money for the drinks he wanted to give to his ward.
Geordie duo Ant, Dec and their partner set up jungle challenges for them as an adventure day out. They surprised them at the centre to their delight.
Award: Harmonie Rose stated about the meeting: “I was wondering if this really Ed. He was so kind and I just loved his so much.”
They told the boys, who called themselves mini Ant and Dec, that they were glad to see them.
“You are the young fundraisers” Well done!’
Hughie accepted the award and sang his favorite KSI song, then was surprised by the singer on the stage.
Hassan Alkhawam, 23 years old, from Northern Ireland, was present at the ceremony. received the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award for his work in helping to integrate refugees to the UK.
He spoke to Prince Charles and Christine Lampard, charity ambassadors, about his work and how proud he was of everything he accomplished.
Sharon Stone presented the award to him and said that despite having been through a lot over the past two years, no one can imagine what you’ve gone through. Having been in a war zone, learning a new language and going through it all, you were able to overcome it and decided to help others. Here’s your award and you’re incredible.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, hosted by Ashley & Carol, returned to screens on Thursday.
Here they are! Ant and Dec also surprised the Young Fundraiser Award Winners Hughie Higginson (10) and Freddie Xavi (11) from Lancashire
Tough: In September 2020 Hughie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and went on to raise £220,000 for his hospital cancer ward
Ashley stated that she felt like she’d been part of Pride of Britain for several years, but that the opportunity to co-host it alongside Carol, who is a legend and a pro, was amazing.
“It’s such special show and a hugely inspirational and inspiring night.
Carol said about Ashley, “Ashley’s a wonderful person and he’s joining us because he has been involved since a few years and it just feels right.”
“The Pride of Britain Awards are a special evening and show that you should be a part of.”
Funny: Ant & Dec had a great time surprising the boys that day
Surprise! Surprise!
Pride of Britain celebrates the achievements of truly inspiring people with a night of ‘extraordinary stories of courage, selflessness, and phenomenal fundraising feats’.
During the event, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to campaigner Rosemary Cox, who set up the first Organ Donor Register in the UK, helping save thousands of lives.
Pride of Britain’s first Environmental Champions was named to Ella Meek, 16 and Amy Meek, 18, for their campaigning sisters. They set up a charity that fights plastic pollution.
Accepting the award: Hughie & Freddie spoke to Susanna Reid & Ben Shephard, guest presenters on the night
Pride: During the ceremony Hassan Alkhawam from Northern Ireland, aged 23, was presented with the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever prize for his work in integrating refugees to the UK.
Royalty. He spoke with Prince Charles, and Christine Lampard (charity ambassador), about his work. He said that he was proud of everything he accomplished.
The Emergency Services award went to Stephen Warton, 53, from Cumbria, whose gong was presented by Penny Lancaster and her husband Rod Stewart.
Meanwhile, this year’s Special Recognition Award went to Gee Walker, who forgave her son’s killers and devoted her life to promoting racial harmony in his memory.
Diane Parish of EastEnders was accompanied by her co-stars on stage as she celebrated Gee’s mission to promote harmony among races in the name and memory of her son Anthony.
Diane said to them when they were on stage: “Your ability to take pain and turn it into hope and action, is an inspiration for all of us.”
Star: Sharon Stone presented the award to him. She said: “We’ve all been through some tough times in these last two years but no one really knows what you’ve been through. Going through a war zone, learning a new tongue, you overcame it, and now you want to help other people.” Here’s your award, and it’s amazing.
Good work: Ella and Amy Meek, sisters who campaigned against plastic pollution, were named Pride of Britain’s first Environmental Champions.
“It doesn’t matter what race or gender we’re from. You are an inspiration. All I can do is salute.
Anthony, an 18-year-old boy who had aspirations to become a lawyer, was chased by a Huyton bus stop and shot with an icepick in an unprovoked attack.
Gee said, ‘I forgive’ them. I don’t hate them. My son was killed by hate. I’m already in enough pain. Why should I continue to suffer from hate and anger?
Gee created the Anthony Walker Foundation to combat racism in 2006 and provide a safe place for people who had been subject to racial abuse.
Incredible: Stephen Warton, 53 years old, from Cumbria, won the Emergency Services Award for his heroic actions in saving a teenager drowning during one of his shifts
In the last five years, nearly 40,000 youth were reached through educational outreach programs in schools.
Carol shared her thoughts about the ceremony. She said, “My favorite part of the Awards is the winners and how happy it makes me feel that they’re being recognized.”
“These extraordinary people make you want be a better person.” Even though everyone is emotional, it’s a celebration of all the truly amazing things they have done.
Celebs: Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart presented the gong to him at the event
Ashley Banjo said, “I have so much respect for all of them” and that they inspire me.
While Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of award partner TSB added: ‘I have been bowled over by the bravery, courage and determination of all the winners.
‘Helping people in our local communities is at the heart of what we do at TSB – that’s why we are especially proud to sponsor the TSB Community Hero Award. It is truly inspiring to see the extraordinary acts of kindness and support that people have done for their communities.
Inspirational: Gee Walker won the Special Recognition Award this year. Gee was a mother who forgave her son’s killers, and has dedicated her life in his memory to promoting harmony between races.
The star-studded crowd was closed by Westlife, who performed their new song My Hero.
The winners were nominated by the public and come from all walks of society, all ages, and all parts of the country.
Since the inaugural ceremony in 1999, royalty, prime minsters and hundreds of top figures from showbusinesses, sport, politics, and the arts have all participated.
The awards attract a viewership of approximately five million viewers each year in a primetime slot of ITV, making them the most viewed awards show on British television.
COVID-19 restrictions meant that 2020’s ceremony featured prerecorded segments featuring recipients receiving their awards at home. Meanwhile, a host of high-profile names headed to The Royal Hospital Chelsea in order to film links before the show.
Honour: EastEnders’ Diane Parish and Danny Dyer led their costars as they joined Gee to celebrate Gee’s mission to promote harmony between races in the name her son Anthony.
Performance: Closing the incredible ceremony were Westlife who sang their new hit My Hero to the star-studded crowd
In celebration of the winners, landmarks throughout London, including the London Eye and the BT Tower, became red, white, or blue as the awards aired on ITV.
Marcus Rashford and Sir Tom Moore were both honored at the ceremony that celebrated the extraordinary contributions of Brits to the nation.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in partnership with TSB were broadcast on ITV at 8pm on November 4.