With just two days to go until the Pride of Scotland Awards, hosts Elaine C Smith and Sanjeev Kohli are getting ready to ‘gie it laldy’ for the nation’s unsung heroes.
The comedy duo brought fun and laughter to our People’s Oscars last year with their on-stage antics and they are looking forward to giving our inspirational 2023 winners a night they will never forget.
Rab C Nesbitt Legend Elaine, who prompted the Lulu sing-a-long at the 2022 awards, said: “Sanjeev and I have dedicated our lives to entertaining folk and making them laugh.
“We have great on-stage chemistry but Pride of Scotland isn’t about us, it’s about the fabulous winners and that’s why we are both determined to give them a night they will remember forever.
“Sanjeev and I just go with the flow. You cannae really script us. Last year a voice in my earpiece told me to keep talking as the comms had gone down.
“Spotting Lulu in the audience I started belting out the first few notes of Shout as a gag. Next thing I knew she was up on stage singing her hit and getting everyone to join in.
“It was a totally unscripted and joyous moment and a brilliant end to an awesome night. I just know there are going to be similar moments this year too.”
Elaine, 64, who is busy filming the seventh season of hit BBC show Two Doors Down, added: “In his memoir my friend and fellow actor Richard E Grant talks about finding a pocketful of happiness every day and that’s what these awards are all about.
“Life is tough and we have to grab the happiness when we can. A steady stream of awfulness emerges through 24 hour news and social media but Pride of Scotland highlights the good there is in the world.
“This year’s winners don’t just give those around them a pocketful of happiness, they give them bucket loads and that’s why we need to gie them laldy and celebrate their achievements in style.”
From acts of kindness and selfless bravery to raising millions for charity the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with TSB will salute the nation’s unsung heroes.
A host of stars from the worlds of TV, film, music, sport and politics will descend on the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on Thursday night to applaud the winners.
Still Game’s Sanjeev agrees with his co-host Elaine about it being one of the most uplifting nights of the year but advises guests to pack their Kleenex.
The dad-of-three, who has also starred in River City, said: “Like Elaine I get paid to fanny about and swear on television so if I can put a smile on people’s faces then I feel like I have paid something back to the universe for my jammy life.
“I just know there will be a lot of fun and laughter but I’m also preparing myself for the tears, especially when it comes to the Children of Courage - they break my heart.
“I am genuinely touched by their stories. You would need to have a swinging brick for a heart not to be affected. It’s an emotional rollercoaster every year and I’ll be squirrelling away my tissues again.”
Sanjeev, whose eldest daughter Ruby is graduating from Dundee University tomorrow, added: “Generosity and kindness is part of the Scots’ DNA and these awards shine a light on those qualities. Just look at last year’s winner Stevie Carr who saved all those orphans from war torn Ukraine - a big humble man looking for nothing in return.
“His face when some of the kids came on stage was just priceless. Here’s to another evening crammed full of magical moments.
“I’ve decided to leave my tartan mankini at home and kilt up again to free up my legs in this hot weather. I wont be going true Scots but I might need to hide an Aldi bag full of ice cubes under there.”
It’s panto queen Elaine’s third time at the helm of the awards, which began in 2020, and she is still raging she had to miss the 2021 show due to Covid.
She said: “I am immensely proud to be associated with Pride. It came about by accident as I only got asked to do it as the original host Nicky Campbell got Covid in 2020.
“The following year I had to miss it as my Two Doors Down co-stars Arabella Weir and Alex Norton got Covid and I was made to isolate. I was raging as I never caught the virus from them.
“I’m so glad I was back in the saddle last year and am back again for the 2023 spectacular. It really is the highlight of my year and doing it with Sanjeev makes it even better.”
Sanjeev admits he would love to do a series with Elaine, who has always been one of his idols.
The Fags, Mags and Bags star said: “I wrote for Elaine’s sketch show 20 years ago but until Pride last year we had never shared a stage. I would love to do a TV show with her.
“I think we should bring my character Navid from Still Game and Christine from Two Doors Down together. Can you imagine her being a customer in his shop? It would be like two worlds colliding - epic.”
Elaine, who has just finished a spell playing Miss Hannigan in Annie, added: “I could see Navid and Christine together on screen but he would have to do deliveries as she never gets to leave Beth’s couch.
“I’m back filming the new series and I’ve been melting. Spending 11 hours a day in a fat suit, a big baggy bra and a cardigan sat on a sofa is hard going.
“Sadly, my co-star Doon Mackichan who is coming to the event won’t be able to partake in any wee drams as we are both needed on set at 7am on Friday morning.
“Wee drinks aside this year’s Pride is shaping up to be outstanding and I can’t raise a cheer with Sanjeev to this year’s remarkable winners.”
- find out which huge stars will be attending our glittering awards in tomorrow’s Daily Record
- tune into the Red Carpet LIVE at 5.30pm on Thursday, June 22, on Facebook and Instagram @prideofscotland
https://www.facebook.com/prideofscotland.org
https://www.instagram.com/prideofscotland/
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