Gathered around the table, a host of celebrities alternate between amazed and tearful, with oohs and ahhs echoing around the room.
Carol Vorderman, Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams and broadcaster Kate Garraway were just some of the famous faces helping to choose the nation’s unsung heroes.
Broadcasting legend Moira Stuart, 73, said of one nominee: “All I’m saying is wow, I doff my cap and I’m on bended knees, and I’ve got two replaced knees.”
As always, the judging process for the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, became a heated affair – not to mention an emotional one.
Radio DJ Adele Roberts laughed: “I stupidly put eyeliner on, why have I done that? I tried to make an effort but this is gonna come off.”
The panel also featured Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, who joined via videolink, Prof Clare Gerada, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police.
Around the mahogany table at the Grosvenor House hotel in Mayfair, Central London, there were lively discussions as the panellists examined the extraordinary feats of ordinary people.
The awards will take place at the hotel, again hosted by TV presenter Carol alongside Diversity dance troupe leader Ashley Banjo.
Ex-Countdown star Carol said of the judging process: “It was difficult, as ever.”
Boxer Nicola found it tough to land on a winner in the children’s award categories, having become a mother for the first time in August – when girlfriend Ella Baig gave birth to son Taylor.
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Nicola said: “The children’s categories were really difficult this year having a child myself.
“It makes me feel a lot more emotional about the kids that are doing such an amazing thing.”
TV presenter Katie Piper, the winner of a Special Recognition Award back in 2012 for her activism work, is also on the panel this year. She said: “I love the whole thing of Pride of Britain.
“It kind of restores your faith in Britain and you think actually, we’re not a bad bunch of people and we help a lot of other people too.”
- The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, will be broadcast on ITV later this month.
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