Pride of Britain 2021: Sharon Stone moves viewers to tears as she presents special award to Syrian refugee while Ed Sheeran delights quadruple amputee and Ant and Dec surprise cancer survivor during heart-warming ceremony
- The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards returned to screens on Thursday, hosting a star-studded audience for the first time since 2019 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
- The annual award show honours the nation’s unsung heroes as stars of TV, sport, politics and showbiz come together to celebrate ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’
- 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
- Singing superstar Ed Sheeran surprising quadruple amputee Harmonie-Rose Allen – the winner of the Child of Courage Award – on the show
- Later in another heartwarming 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
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards returned to screens on Thursday, hosting a star-studded audience in London for the first time since 2019 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The annual award show honours the nation’s unsung heroes, with Hollywood actress Sharon Stone moving viewers to tears as she presented the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award to Hassan Alkhawam for his work with refugees.
Elsewhere on the night 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.
Incredible work: The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards returned to screens on Thursday, where Sharon Stone moved fans to tears as she presented the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award to Hassan Alkhawam for his work with refugees
Happy: Elsewhere on the night singing superstar Ed Sheeran surprising quadruple amputee Harmonie-Rose Allen – the winner of the Child of Courage Award – on the show
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.
During the ceremony, Hassan, 23, from Northern Ireland – who fled Syria during conflict there – received the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award for his work in helping to integrate refugees to the UK.
He spoke with Prince Charles and charity ambassador Christine Lampard about his work and told how he was ‘so proud’ of all he achieved.
Sharon Stone presented him with the award and said: ‘We’ve all been through a lot in this last two years, but no one knows quite what you have been through, going through a war zone and learning a new language, you overcame it and you decided to teach other people too.
‘Here is your award and you’re amazing. You’re the kind of man I want leading my children.’
Fans reacted to the heartfelt moment on Twitter, with one writing: ‘Great story and to have @sharonstone present the award is truly fantastic’, while another said: ‘Sharon Stone: ‘you’re the kind of man I want leading my children’, along with a series of hand clapping emojis.
A third wrote: ‘Sharon Stone at the pride of Britain awards! what a powerful speech!, while a fourth commented: ‘Beautifully said Sharon Stone.’
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
Royalty: Hassan spoke with Prince Charles and charity ambassador Christine Lampard about his work and told how he was ‘so proud’ of all he achieved
Emotional: Hassan burst into tears and struggled to contain his emotions as he met with Prince Charles to discuss his work
Reaction: Fans reacted to the heartfelt moment on Twitter, with one writing: ‘Great story and to have @sharonstone present the award is truly fantastic’
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.
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.
Turning up at a special afternoon tea organised for her and her family Ed said: ‘You must be Harmonie! We heard you like cakes so we laid this on for you, you are incredibly special and we want to show you how amazing you are.’
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 pair then sweetly sang the hitmaker’s song Perfect on a karaoke machine together.
Afterwards Ed said: ‘She is hugely deserving I think she is incredible!’
Harmonie-Rose added of the meeting: ‘I was thinking ‘is this really Ed’, he was really kind and I just loved him so much.’
Simon Cowell presented her with the award and said: ‘I want to say this is the most important award in the world, and you even sang the song better than Ed! 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 added: ‘It’s so amazing to meet you, you have such a zest for life and we can all learn so much from you we really can.’
Meanwhile Ant and Dec surprised the winners of the Young Fundraiser Award 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 heard you like cakes so we laid this on for you, you are incredibly special and we want to show you how amazing you are’
He said of his experience: ‘I was scared for all the medicine, my jaw hurt from all the treatment.’
He then realised that cold slushy drinks eased his aching jaw and decide to run 2k a day to raise money for the drinks to give out on his ward.
Geordie duo Ant and Dec set up jungle challenges for the pair as an adventure day out and surprised them at the activity centre, much to their delight.
Award: Harmonie-Rose said of the meeting: ‘I was thinking is this really Ed, he was really kind and I just loved him so much’
Walking into the centre they told the boys – who call themselves mini Ant and Dec – : ‘Good to see you, we’re best mates too and you are strong for each other, it’s just what you do.’
‘You are the young fundraisers of the year! Well done!’
Accepting the award Hughie sang his favourite KSI song and was then surprised by the singer on stage.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards returned to screens on Thursday, hosted by Ashley and Carol.
Here they are! Meanwhile Ant and Dec surprised the winners of the Young Fundraiser Award 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
Upon the announcement earlier this month, Ashley said: ‘I feel like I’ve been a part of Pride of Britain for a few years now but the chance to co-host it next to Carol, who is a complete legend and a pro, is amazing.
‘It’s such a special show and a hugely emotional and inspiring night.’
While Carol said of Ashley: ‘Ashley is a wonderful person and I’m delighted that he’s joining me because he has been involved for a few years now and it just feels right.
‘The Pride of Britain Awards are an incredibly special evening and show to be a part of.’
Funny: Ant and Dec delighted in surprising the boys on the day
Surprise! Accepting the award Hughie sang his favourite KSI song and was then surprised by the singer on stage
Pride of Britain sees a night of ‘extraordinary stories of bravery, selflessness and phenomenal fundraising feats’ as well as a plethora of astounding surprises, laugh out loud situations and emotional moments as the nation comes together to honour the achievements of truly inspirational people.
During the show, 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.
Campaigning sisters Amy and Ella Meek, 18 and 16, were named Pride of Britain’s first ever Environmental Champions for setting up a charity to help fight the global scourge of plastic pollution.
Accepting the award: Hughie and Freddie spoke to guest presenters Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard on the night
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.
EastEnders’ Diane Parish led her fellow co-stars as they joined Gee on stage to celebrate her mission to promote racial harmony in the name of her son Anthony.
When they appeared on stage, Diane said: ‘Your capacity to take pain and turn that pain into hope and action is an inspiration for every single one of us.
Good work: Campaigning sisters Amy and Ella Meek, 18 and 16, were named Pride of Britain’s first ever Environmental Champions for setting up a charity to help fight the global scourge of plastic pollution
‘It doesn’t matter what colour or gender we are. You are an inspiration, all I can do is salute you.’
18-year-old Anthony, who had dreams of becoming a lawyer, was chased from a bus stop in Huyton and killed with an ice pick in an unprovoked attack.
Gee said: ‘I forgive them. I don’t hate them. Hate is what killed my son. I am in enough pain. Why take on and carry about hate and anger as well?’
In 2006, Gee launched the Anthony Walker Foundation in a bid to combat racism and offer a space for people to feel safe after experiencing racial abuse.
Incredible: The Emergency Services award went to Stephen Warton, 53, from Cumbria, who saved a drowning teenager on one of his shifts
Through educational outreach programmes in schools, the Foundation worked with nearly 40,000 young people in the last five years alone.
Speaking about the ceremony, Carol said: ‘My favourite part of the Awards are the winners and how happy they are that they’re being celebrated.
‘These incredible people make you want to be a better person. And even though everyone says how much it makes them cry, it is a celebration too of all the truly extraordinary things they have done.’
Celebs: His gong was presented by Penny Lancaster and her husband Rod Stewart at the event
Ashley Banjo said: ‘I have so much respect and admiration for all of the winners’ and I can’t wait to meet them, see the look on their faces as they are surprised and celebrated and to experience this really special moment with them.’
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 humbling to see the extraordinary things people have done to make a difference and support those most in need in their communities.’
Inspirational: 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
Closing the incredible ceremony were Westlife who sang their new hit My Hero to the star-studded crowd.
Nominated by the public, the winners are from all walks of life, of all ages, and from all over the country.
Since the first ceremony in 1999, royalty, prime ministers, and hundreds of leading figures from showbusiness, sport, politics and the arts have all taken part.
The awards attract an audience of around five million viewers every year in a primetime slot on ITV – making it the highest rated awards show of its kind on British television.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, 2020’s ceremony featured prerecorded segments of recipients receiving their awards at home, while a host of big names headed to The Royal Hospital Chelsea to film links ahead of the show.
Honour: EastEnders’ Diane Parish and Danny Dyer led their fellow co-stars as they joined Gee on stage to celebrate her mission to promote racial harmony in the name of her son Anthony
Performance: Closing the incredible ceremony were Westlife who sang their new hit My Hero to the star-studded crowd
As the awards aired on ITV, landmarks across London, including the London Eye, BT Tower and County Hall, turned red, white and blue in celebration of the winners.
Marcus Rashford and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore were among those honoured in the ceremony, which awarded the remarkable achievements of Brits who have selflessly contributed the the nation and the world.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, were broadcast on ITV on November 4 at 8pm.
PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS 2021: THE WINNERS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – Rosemary Cox, 82, Wolverhampton
SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Rob Allen, 34, Northampton
THIS MORNING EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARD – Stephen Warton, 53, Cumbria
GOOD MORNING BRITAIN YOUNG FUNDRAISER – Hughie Higginson, 10, and Freddie Xavi, 11, Lancashire
CHILD OF COURAGE – Harmonie-Rose Allen, 7, Bath
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE – Max Woosey, 11, North Devon
SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Gee Walker, 67, Liverpool
ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION – Amy and Ella Meek, 18 and 16, Nottingham
PRINCE’S TRUST YOUNG ACHIEVER – Hassan Alkhawam, 23, Northern Ireland
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