Love Island stars Laura Anderson and Paige Turley are getting ready to dazzle as red carpet hosts at next week’s glittering Pride of Scotland Awards.
The glamorous duo will chat to the inspirational winners and celebrity guests as they make their way into Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms for this year’s star-studded ceremony.
Laura and Paige say they can’t wait to bring the nation all the gossip and style from the red carpet but admit they will be stocking up on waterproof mascara and paper hankies ahead of the big night.
The stunning pair, who got together last week for a pre-awards photoshoot, have been given a preview of the unsung heroes’ stories and say they have been welling up just reading them.
Laura, 34, who is 30 weeks pregnant with her first child with her ex, Gary Lucy, said: “I’m delighted to be teaming up with lovely Paige on the Pride of Scotland red carpet but I’m already worried I will turn into a blubbering wreck when I come face to face with the incredible winners and their families.
“As a mum-to-be I am more emotional than ever before and the kids’ stories have already been tugging at my heartstrings, and that is before I have even met them.
“It’s going to be a very special night as the nation comes together to celebrate all these amazing unsung heroes. It’s the perfect antidote to all the negativity in the world at the moment.
“In Scotland we are a bit modest when it comes to celebrating our achievements which makes awards like these so important and so worthwhile.”
From acts of kindness and selfless bravery to raising millions for charity, it’s no wonder the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with TSB is the People’s Oscars.
The combination of big hearts and big stars have made our annual awards, which began in 2020 and will once again be compered by Elaine C Smith and Sanjeev Kohli, a runaway success.
This is Paige’s second year as red carpet host and the singer, from Fauldhouse, West Lothian, is preparing herself for another night of tears, cheers and laughter.
The 25-year-old said: “I loved last year’s awards. It was an emotional and magical rollercoaster.
“Being on the red carpet for the first time can be overwhelming for folk and I enjoyed putting everyone at their ease and sharing in their joy. It was incredibly touching and humbling.
“It’s the kids who get to me the most. Some of them are really ill, yet they take everything in their stride. It’s admirable for them to have that much love for the world despite what’s happened to them.
“Just take little Mila Sneddon who has battled leukaemia and been through so much. She was still dancing about after midnight last year.”
Paige, a 2012 Britain’s Got Talent finalist whose new dance track Lonely Tonight was released on Friday, admits there were too many magical moments in 2022 for her to choose a favourite.
Paige, who has moved into her own place near Glasgow with her dog Kevin, said: “There were so many stand-out moments, including when the Ukrainian orphans appeared on stage to surprise Stevie Carr, who had rescued them from war-torn Dnipro and brought them to safety in Scotland. The look on his face was priceless.
“Then there was the moment Lulu got up on stage and sang Shout! These are memories that will stay with me forever. I just know it’s going to be another remarkable evening.”
Laura, who grew up in Cambusbarron, near Stirling, is convinced her daughter, due in August, will arrive early and hopes she will wait until after the awards.
She said: “I’m due in two months and I keep telling everyone I feel like I am going to go early but hopefully not too early. Due dates are so unpredictable.
“It’s all very exciting. I can’t wait to meet her. I have always wanted to be a mum and hopefully I will rise to the challenge. I honestly feel the pregnancy has been pretty textbook so far. I’ve been so lucky.
“I will be having her in Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University hospital. The staff have all been lovely at my appointments and they are always checking on me.”
Laura, who split with ex-Hollyoaks star Gary, 41, after announcing her pregnancy, added: “My family are so glad I’m back in Scotland so they can see lots of the baby once she arrives. My sister Nicole had a wee boy eight months ago so my daughter will have a cousin to play with.
“We chose a name really early on and I am excited to share it. It’s very fitting. It’s traditional but modern.”
The Love Island pals, who plan to see more of each other now they are both back living in Scotland, are busy co-ordinating their red carpet outfits for this year’s hottest ticket in town.
Paige, who is concentrating on her music career and has more tracks coming out later this year, said: “We have been having a lot of discussions about what to wear. Laura’s more prepared than me so I’m going to have to sort myself out fast.
“I think we will make a brilliant team. We are both chatterboxes so shutting us up on the red carpet might be a problem.
“We are both honoured to be a part of such a magical event. There’s only a few days to go and we can’t wait. Bring it on!”
The awards will take place on Thursday, June 22, and the winners will be announced in the Daily Record and online that day.
● Watch out for tomorrow’s big interview with event hosts Sanjeev and Elaine.
- Tune into the red carpet live from 5.30pm on Thursday, June 22 on Facebook and Instagram.
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