Perdita
19-09-2011, 08:44
Wednesday, 5 October 2011, 8:00PM - 10:00PM on ITV1
Cheryl Cole, David Beckham, Gary Barlow, Ant and Dec and Gemma Arterton are among more than 100 stars who unite to celebrate Britain's unsung heroes.
Hosted by Carol Vorderman, the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards 2011 is packed with breathtaking stories of heroism and courage, uplifting and moving moments and hilarious celebrity surprises.
And this year it is bigger than ever.
In her first TV appearance since quitting the X Factor, Cheryl Cole flies to Afghanistan to meet our brave servicemen and women on the frontline to mark the tenth anniversary of British military operations in the war-torn country.
HRH Prince Charles turns into Jeremy Beadle to surprise one winner who is so overwhelmed he has to comfort her. David Beckham makes a girl's dream come true while Top Gear's Richard Hammond swaps his supercar for a helicopter to drop in on a young winner.
Winners range from a six-year-old cancer survivor who raised ￡20,000 for other kids he met on the ward to a fundraising genius who turned his personal heartbreak into a £50million charity for sick children.
Also honoured are the heroes of this summer's riots, a supergran who foiled an armed robbery by battering the raiders with her handbag and a young woman who put her life on the line to drag two people to safety from the path of a speeding train.
Nominated by the public, the winners truly deserve recognition. From all walks of life, of all ages, and from all over the country, their achievements are extraordinary, inspiring and a lesson to us all.
Celebrities at the glittering dinner at London's Grosvenor House are from the worlds of showbusiness, soaps, sport and politics. They include Harry Potter stars, James Corden, Ant and Dec, Joan Collins, One Direction, JLS, The Saturdays, Jimmy Carr and stars from Eastenders, Coronation Street, Strictly Come Dancing and Downton Abbey.
Since it started in 1999, Pride of Britain has become the biggest event of its kind in the UK. It is also one of the highest-rated awards shows on British TV. Among A-listers who have taken part are Sir Paul McCartney, President Clinton, Kylie Minogue, Dame Helen Mirren and Ewan McGregor.
Host Carol Vorderman says: "It's always such a great pleasure hosting Pride of Britain. For me, it is the only awards show on TV that really matters because the winners are real people who could not be more deserving
"Over the past decade, there have been so many heart-warming, inspiring stories of people who have contributed so much to this country. It's a chance for us to celebrate Britain at its best and I'm not surprised it has become the biggest national event of its kind."
HRH Prince Charles, who takes part in Pride of Britain every year, says: "The Pride of Britain Awards are, I believe, a unique way to celebrate the achievements of some truly remarkable people, and hear something of their inspiring and humbling stories.
"These marvellous awards remind all of us that, despite what one might think, throughout this country there are extraordinary people living selfless lives, showing unbelievable courage and caring for their families, neighbours and communities."
David Beckham says: "I'm always delighted to take part in the Pride of Britain Awards. The winners are always amazing, particularly the little children. I think the bravery and courage they show is an example to us all."
Simon Cowell says: "These awards are far superior to the Brits and Baftas. I genuinely believe it's the best award ceremony of the year. It makes you realise exactly what life is about and what people have to overcome."
The winners are selected by a judging committee which this year includes the Olympian double gold medalist Rebecca Adlington, Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry, ITN newsman Mark Austin, Daybreak's Christine Bleakley, Tess Daley and Chief Nurse Dame Christine Beasley
Cheryl Cole, David Beckham, Gary Barlow, Ant and Dec and Gemma Arterton are among more than 100 stars who unite to celebrate Britain's unsung heroes.
Hosted by Carol Vorderman, the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards 2011 is packed with breathtaking stories of heroism and courage, uplifting and moving moments and hilarious celebrity surprises.
And this year it is bigger than ever.
In her first TV appearance since quitting the X Factor, Cheryl Cole flies to Afghanistan to meet our brave servicemen and women on the frontline to mark the tenth anniversary of British military operations in the war-torn country.
HRH Prince Charles turns into Jeremy Beadle to surprise one winner who is so overwhelmed he has to comfort her. David Beckham makes a girl's dream come true while Top Gear's Richard Hammond swaps his supercar for a helicopter to drop in on a young winner.
Winners range from a six-year-old cancer survivor who raised ￡20,000 for other kids he met on the ward to a fundraising genius who turned his personal heartbreak into a £50million charity for sick children.
Also honoured are the heroes of this summer's riots, a supergran who foiled an armed robbery by battering the raiders with her handbag and a young woman who put her life on the line to drag two people to safety from the path of a speeding train.
Nominated by the public, the winners truly deserve recognition. From all walks of life, of all ages, and from all over the country, their achievements are extraordinary, inspiring and a lesson to us all.
Celebrities at the glittering dinner at London's Grosvenor House are from the worlds of showbusiness, soaps, sport and politics. They include Harry Potter stars, James Corden, Ant and Dec, Joan Collins, One Direction, JLS, The Saturdays, Jimmy Carr and stars from Eastenders, Coronation Street, Strictly Come Dancing and Downton Abbey.
Since it started in 1999, Pride of Britain has become the biggest event of its kind in the UK. It is also one of the highest-rated awards shows on British TV. Among A-listers who have taken part are Sir Paul McCartney, President Clinton, Kylie Minogue, Dame Helen Mirren and Ewan McGregor.
Host Carol Vorderman says: "It's always such a great pleasure hosting Pride of Britain. For me, it is the only awards show on TV that really matters because the winners are real people who could not be more deserving
"Over the past decade, there have been so many heart-warming, inspiring stories of people who have contributed so much to this country. It's a chance for us to celebrate Britain at its best and I'm not surprised it has become the biggest national event of its kind."
HRH Prince Charles, who takes part in Pride of Britain every year, says: "The Pride of Britain Awards are, I believe, a unique way to celebrate the achievements of some truly remarkable people, and hear something of their inspiring and humbling stories.
"These marvellous awards remind all of us that, despite what one might think, throughout this country there are extraordinary people living selfless lives, showing unbelievable courage and caring for their families, neighbours and communities."
David Beckham says: "I'm always delighted to take part in the Pride of Britain Awards. The winners are always amazing, particularly the little children. I think the bravery and courage they show is an example to us all."
Simon Cowell says: "These awards are far superior to the Brits and Baftas. I genuinely believe it's the best award ceremony of the year. It makes you realise exactly what life is about and what people have to overcome."
The winners are selected by a judging committee which this year includes the Olympian double gold medalist Rebecca Adlington, Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry, ITN newsman Mark Austin, Daybreak's Christine Bleakley, Tess Daley and Chief Nurse Dame Christine Beasley