An A-list red-carpet team will be there to greet winners at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, from Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson to GK Barry and Ladbaby
A glittering line-up of hosts are preparing to greet the extraordinary winners of the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises, when they take to the red carpet later this month, at this year’s ceremony. The star-spangled 28th Pride of Britain Awards will celebrate the incredible achievements of some of the UK’s incredible real-life heroes.
And an A-list red-carpet team will be there to greet them at the central London venue on 19 October – before sharing the incredible evening with viewers of ITV and ITVX from 22nd October. Returning to host the Red Carpet Live stream are the much-loved duo Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks, who will once again bring their trademark energy and humour to Pride of Britain’s social channels.
Joining them on the carpet is GK Barry, who will be getting up close with this year’s incredible winners and a star-studded line-up of famous faces, as they make their grand entrances. Sam and Pete said: “We are back as your official red carpet hosts for the best night of the year – the Pride of Britain Awards 2026. And what an honour it is to be involved for another year as official red carpet hosts – it’s always chaotic with us, but always so fun. It’s the one evening where we all come together to celebrate the nation’s true heroes so please get involved and tune in.”
And GK Barry said: “‘Come on! The night we’re all waiting for – Pride Of Britain. It is a genuine honour to be involved in the awards every year – from judging panel to red carpet hosting. It’s such a special night where our Country’s heroes and legends are celebrated. I can’t wait to meet the much deserved winners this year, see you on that carpet.”
Founded by former Mirror editor Peter Willis, the Pride of Britain Awards honour unsung heroes, such as children of courage, tireless fundraisers, and those who have acted with outstanding bravery. Award categories include the This Morning Local Hero, the Emergency Services Award, Child/Teenager of Courage, and P&O Cruises Inspiration Award.
Since the first Pride of Britain Awards in 1999, Royalty, prime ministers, global icons and huge stars have honoured our winners, including HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Diana Ross, Sir Paul McCartney, Sharon Stone, Harry Styles, Janet Jackson, David Beckham, Taylor Swift, Anthony Joshua, Sir Mo Farah and Ant and Dec.
Over the years, Pride of Britain winners have made an indelible impression. In 2018, British cave rescue divers – John Volanthen, Rick Stanton, Jason Mallinson, Chris Jewell, Josh Bratchley and Connor Roe – won the Pride of Britain Outstanding Bravery Award, following the rescue of 12 boys and their football coach from the flooded Tham Luang cave in Thailand. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when, to the surprise of the team and viewers, all 12 rescued boys walked out on stage to thank the men who had saved their lives.
The same year, 10-year-old Max Johnson received the Child of Courage award, after campaigning for an opt-out organ donation system in England, which became known as Max and Keira’s Law. Max received a new heart from Keira Ball, who died aged nine.
In 2012, TV presenter Katie Piper was honoured with the Special Recognition Award for her bravery and for setting up a foundation to support burns survivors following a horrific acid attack. That year, Doreen Lawrence received the Lifetime Achievement award for her fight for justice, following the racist murder of her son in 1993.
Florrie Bark, an inspirational eight-year-old from Corby, Northants, with an unforgettable giggle, won the Child of Courage in 2024. Florrie captured the nation’s hearts when she shared how she lives with acute myeloid leukaemia – talking on social media about her lung transplant, and using her profile to support other sick children and raise money for charity.
Our star-studded hosting team will be awaiting to greet this year’s heroes. Over at the OK! Magazine fashion section, there’s a new hosting duo for 2026, with Ekin-Su joining returning host Ellis Ranson. Together, they’ll be keeping a close eye on the glamour of the night and showcasing the best and most show-stopping looks to hit this year’s red carpet.
Ekin-Su said: “Pride of Britain is always such a moving and inspiring night, so I feel really honoured to be part of it this year. Hosting on the red carpet is incredibly exciting but for me the most special part is getting to celebrate the remarkable people and stories at the heart of the awards.”
Also returning this year are Ladbaby’s Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, who will be bringing fans along for the ride with exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the awards throughout the night, capturing the fun, excitement and unforgettable moments away from the main ceremony.
Making her Pride of Britain debut this year is Harriet Fisher, who became famous after losing her job and launching her street-interview and chat series, Fired on Friday, Famous by Monday.’ Harriet will be taking viewers behind the scenes of Pride of Britain, capturing people’s stories away from the main event, as well as chatting to winners and stars on the red carpet.
Harriet said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of The Pride of Britain Awards family this year. What a joy to be able to clap these monumental achievements from extraordinary people. I’ve always loved watching from the sofa, so to be able to be there with my mic and be a part of such a unique show is a real dream come true.”
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises is a unique event on the national calendar, as co-hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo introduce the winners and their astonishing stories – with the magical moments that will capture the nation’s hearts, brought to life on prime time TV.
TV legend Carol, 65, has been presenting the incredible event since the Awards’ inception in 1999 and says anyone looking for hope will be blown away by the goodness of people at the Pride of Britain Awards.
She told the Mirror: “Pride of Britain is needed now more than ever. We’re incredibly divided as a nation. And there are plenty of reasons to be miserable: the cost of living crisis, global uncertainty. But through it all, one thing unites us – and that is hope. And the goodness of people.”
Diversity star Ashley Banjo agrees. The dancer, 37, joined Carol as a host in 2021. He told the Mirror: “I think Pride of Britain is important for so many reasons. It’s called Pride of Britain because you see this real cross-section of the country. If anybody wants to know what Britain is, don’t go to one particular area, or listen to one particular person, or sit inside one particular echo chamber.
“Watch Pride of Britain and you will see people from all different walks of life, different genders, different colours, different religions – all of it. You’ll just see a real cross-section of the heroes that make up this country.
“That’s one of the reasons I’m so proud to be involved – because I’m British and sometimes you get not only confused in that identity, but lost in so much negativity. Pride of Britain, for me, is inherently about Britain and British people doing incredible things, but also about positivity and hope.”
*The Pride of Britain Awards will take place on 19th October, before airing on ITV and ITVX from 22nd October. Find out more about the Pride of Britain Awards 2026 HERE
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
