The stars were out last night to honour the nation’s inspirational unsung heroes at our glittering People’s Oscars.
Well-kent faces from the worlds of music, sport and TV gathered at The Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh to celebrate our Pride of Scotland Award winners.
Walking the red carpet was single legend Lulu, who dazzled in a bright orange blazer and skinny jeans. She said: “I’m thrilled to be here. Scotland is a little country with a huge amount of unsung heroes. It’s right that we celebrate them all.”
Love Island’s Paige Turley, wore a white trouser suit and killer heels and was accompanied by her footballer beau Finn Tapp, wearing a dapper three-piece grey suit.
Paige said: “We fell in love with the Pride of Scotland Awards last year and jumped at the chance to come again this year. We are honoured to be here and to be recognising some extraordinarily brave and inspirational people.”
Finn added: “Thanks to Paige, I now have a special place in my heart for Scotland and am delighted to be here to honour the country’s greatest Scots.”
Host Elaine C Smith cut a striking figure as did Bridgerton’s Ruby Barker, singer Nina Nesbitt, sports presenter Eilidh Barbour and former Eastenders actress Laurie Brett, who were all dressed to the nines.
Actress Laurie said: “These are the people who make me proud to be Scottish. The night belongs to them and I’m over the moon to be here to show my appreciation for their achievements.”
The girls may have brought glamour to the red carpet but the male celebs also put on a show with host Sanjeev Kohli, Rangers’ legends Allan McGregor and Leon King, The Mummy’s John Hannah and Still Game’s Gavin Mitchell and Greg Hemphill all suited and booted for the biggest night of the year.
Taggart and Coronation Street star John Michie arrived looking sharp in a dapper suit. The soap favourite said: “All these people have done so much and to be at an event of this calibre is fantastic.”
But really all eyes were on the men, women and kids who were being honoured for their part in making our country great.
From humbling acts of kindness and selfless acts of bravery to raising millions for charity, the Pride of Scotland Awards, in partnership with TSB, recognised 10 incredible winners.
One of the biggest cheers of the night went to Child of Courage Mila Sneddon, six, who had to endure cancer treatment in isolation during the pandemic and whose bravery touched the Duchess of Cambridge, who used a photo of her blowing kisses to her dad through a window in her book Holding Still.
Paying tribute to the brave schoolgirl at our glittering ceremony TV presenter Stephen Mulhern honoured Mila saying: “Massive congrats on your award. I have heard about all you have been through and how brave you have been. Your family are so proud of you. The Duchess of Cambridge is proud of you. Everyone is proud of you.”
Lorraine Kelly added: “Mila has shown such incredible courage and now she is cancer free which is the best news ever. She is such a special little girl.”
There was not a dry eye in the room when Special Recognition winner Stevie Carr, who led a mercy mission to rescue orphans from Ukraine, was surprised on stage by the children, whose lives he saved. They said: “Stevie is our hero. He is our superman.”
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay surprised Child of Courage Zac Gunn, four - the “wee warrior” with a zest for life who is waiting for a lifesaving lung transplant.
Gordon said: “Young man you are only four-years-old and already you have a huge award. Congratulations.”
Zac’s fellow Child of Courage winner Keiran Reid, who has raised more than £10,000 for the RNLI after his fisherman father was lost at sea, was praised by Scotland captain Andy Robertson. The Liverpool legend said: “You deserve this recognition. I am very proud of you and all the fundraising you have done.”
Special recognition winner Lucy Smith, who was the youngest Scot ever to be diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and has raised more than £200,000 for charity, was left speechless when Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne honoured her. The Fantastic Beasts star said: “Lucy your strength, your bravery and your sheer determination is an inspiration to me and the people of Scotland. You are amazing.”
TSB Community Hero Louise Russell, who founded a charity to tackle loneliness amongst pensioners by helping them adopt rescue animals, was gobsmacked when congratulated by Ricky Gervais.
The Afterlife star said: “Congratulations on the great work you do for the older community and animals. They all need our help so well done.”
Emergency Services Hero PC Clare Chalmers, who single-handedly tackled a knife wielding attacker on the remote Isle of Mull, was delighted to receive her angel trophy from actress Laurie Brett, who said: “Clare is a real-life hero who went above and beyond to protect a member of the public.”
Prince’s Trust’s Young Achiever Jack Smyth, who has overcome severe health challenges to set up his own business combining his love for cars with his talent for art, was delighted to receive his gong from Lulu, who said: “What an inspiration Jack is! He has followed his dreams and not let anything get in his way.”
The final Special Recognition Award went to Boots & Beards - a unique group helping Glasgow’s Asian community discover freedom, friendship and mental wellbeing in the Scottish mountains.
One of the most poignant moments was when Lifetime Achievement winner Jean Cumming, whose counselling charity Crisis has provided support to 50,000 families, veterans and children, received her award from Hollywood actor John Hannah. The Four Weddings and a Funeral star said: “You have helped make a difference in so many people’s lives. You are a true inspiration to us all.”
TV presenter Carol Vorderman also honoured Jean saying: “By setting up Crisis, Jean is providing a lifeline for the people when they need it most. She is so deserving of this award.”
- Keep an eye on the Daily Record over the next few weeks for more coverage of our heartwarming and glittering Awards.
- The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with TSB, will broadcast on STV in July.
