PRIDE ...AND JOY

FOR 25 years Pride of Britain has served up magic moments from emotional reunions to jaw-dropping surprises - and last night's anniversary awards did not disappoint.

- MATT ROPER

From the heroic mum meeting the 10-year-old boy whose life she saved to the beaming five-year-old coming face to face with her movie idol Paddington, this year's gala was as moving as ever.

As always, it was a night about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

And as ever, the famous faces faded into the background as the real heroes took centre stage. For the 25th anniversary guests were asked to wear silver, and the tearjerking moments came thick and fast from the start.

The night began with a special tribute to former Mirror editor Peter Willis, who we lost in 2021 aged 54. He embodied everything the awards he founded stands for.

Simon Cowell gave a personal tribute to Peter, in which he described how his legacy lives on.

It set the scene for a night that celebrated the best of us.

Celebs reached for the tissues straight away as the first award went to five-year-old Aiyla Mota, who didn't let losing her legs to sepsis take away her zest for life.

She came on stage in a ballerina outfit, as the audience heard how she throws herself into everything from school work to gymnastics, horse riding and ice-skating.

Mum Eulanda said: "It's her who keeps me together. People ask me, 'How do you cope?' How can I not? She's smiling that's all that matters."

She was joined on stage by Cowell and Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft, but was most excited when Paddington Bear appeared to give her a Child of Courage award.