Inside Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards as heroes rub shoulders with the stars
There were no lie-ins for Britain’s best and bravest after dancing the night away at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards.
Instead our winners were up early to be whisked from London’s five-star Grosvenor hotel to 10 Downing Street. And it wasn’t just the humans getting invited for a cup of tea and a chat by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Also on the guest list was Australian Shepherd pup, Echo, who accompanied eight-year-old Child of Courage winner Freya Harris.
Freya is living with a rare form of cancer – but it didn’t stop her dancing with Love Island star Liberty Poole at the awards. But it was Echo who stole the show in Downing Street as she had the Prime Minister licked. Quite literally. For his part, Mr Sunak did not seem to mind the pup’s enthusiastic hello – especially as he faced a tougher grilling from one of the two-legged winners.
Pup Echo stole the show (Phil Harris)Dame Averil Mansfield – winner of the Lifetime Achievement honour for her pioneering surgery work – asked Mr Sunak to “fix the NHS ”. A smiling Mr Sunak admitted he was in awe of the winners.
“Nothing is more moving, more uplifting and more inspiring than the tales of courage and determination that the Pride of Britain Awards so brilliantly bring to life,” he said. “I’m in awe of what you have done, what you have achieved and the many acts of bravery and heroism. You make us all so proud.”
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Mr Sunak was drawn to brain tumour survivor and Child of Courage winner Ravi Adelekan, eight, and his five-year-old sister Maya’s colourful braided hair. He admitted he couldn’t create such creative hair for his young daughters.
John Burkhill was spotted donning his green wig as he shook hands with the PM (Phil Harris)John Burkhill, 84, from Sheffield, was still wearing his famous green wig when he met the PM, after being given the Fundraiser Award honour. He has made £1million for Macmillan by pushing a pram around the country after losing his wife to cancer. He said: “When I do get up there in heaven, she’ll be getting me up on the dance floor again like we used to.”
Other winners were still coming to terms with the excitement of the night before. What had started as a drinks reception, a dinner with the stars and awards ceremony, then turned into an after-party with dancing and chatting until the early hours.
Fleur East with winner Jack Rigby - the son of murdered soldier Lee Rigby (Daily Mirror)Guy Bailey was one of five recipients of the special Outstanding Contribution award for the Windrush Generation, in its 75th year. He looked bright-eyed as he was accompanied to Downing Street by his niece, Jackie. “I didn’t get to bed until 2am,” he admitted. “We might have had a drink or two to celebrate.”
Trucker John Rastrick, who won the Outstanding Bravery award for pulling a woman out of a burning car, was keen to get a photo with Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, a London-born business entrepreneur. “You are a true inspiration,” he told her. They posed with John’s award as Tskenya’s was at the bottom of her overpacked case.
Liberty Poole dancing with Pride of Britain winner Freya Harris (Daily Mirror)“I don’t travel light,” she laughed, admitting her “perfect” new dress only just survived the previous night. “It lost a few beads while I was partying but it was a price worth paying. It was a one night only kind of evening.”
Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell certainly seemed to agree. Amy, who looked exquisite in a silk pink gown, had proudly showed off her bald head after undergoing chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer. The pair were joined by fellow Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima, who spotted his 2022 dance partner Kym Marsh in the lobby and they recreated a few steps together.
Rob Burrow with wife Lindsey and two daughters Macy and Maya with Carol Vorderman (Daily Mirror)Wearer of the Best Hat Award – not a real category at Pride of Britain – went to Strictly’s Bad Education star Layton Williams, whose wide-brimmed titfer could have kept Annabel Croft dry had it been raining. Vita Coppola and dance partner Ellie Leach grinned as they left in a cab together as Vito made heart gestures with his fingers. Pride of Britain judge Michael Sheen, meanwhile, showed off a new clean-shaven look, posing with Windrush award-winner Vernesta Cyril, 82, who had worked as a midwife at the Welsh hospital where the actor was born.
Awards co-host Carol Vorderman appeared starstruck by rugby league legend Rob Burrow, his wife Lindsey and their daughters Macy and Maya. He, Lindsey and his former team-mate Kevin Sinfield each won awards for their bravery and fundraising since Rob’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell leave the afterparty (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Bad Education stars Layton Williams and presenter Annabel Croft (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)As many thought about getting home after a whirlwind few days, Joseph Mowlah-Baksh was ready to start globe-trotting. He has finally been given a British passport after 46 years of red tape due to the Windrush scandal, which left thousands of people at risk of deportation.
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Joe, 65, born in Trinidad to parents with British passports, also won the special award, and said he can’t wait for his first trip abroad. “I’d like to see all of Route 66 in America,” he grinned. “Just imagine it: vintage Cadillac with the top down, soaking in all those sights.”
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