You embody everything that is great about Britain

AS the excitement builds ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Pride of Britain Awards tonight, King Charles and the Prime Minister led tributes to our nation's true heroes.

- SANJEETA BAINS

In a letter to King's Trust Young Achiever winner Molly Leonard, the monarch wrote: "On this 25th anniversary of the Pride of Britain Awards, I send my warmest admiration to all of this year's winners. You each represent the very best in our society."

Molly, 26, who has struggled with an eating disorder, now provides mindful craft workshops aimed at improving mental wellbeing.

And it was winners such as Molly who Prime Minister Keir Starmer had in mind when he said: "For a quarter of a century, the Pride of Britain Awards have celebrated the people who embody everything that is great about Britain. These are people from all walks of life, but they all have one thing in common. They are heroes.

"They may not be the cape-wearing superheroes we normally think of - in fact, they look just like the rest of us.

"But they do have something that makes them very special indeed. Bravery, determination, generosity, empathy and huge spirit. They have the power to touch our hearts, to make us hopeful, to make us proud.

"They're a testament to the incredible things people can achieve even in the face of hardship." He sent a message to winners, saying: "Britain is proud of you." Tonight's awards gala at Grosvenor House in London will be hosted by Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo, and will be on ITV on Thursday.

Stars taking part include James Corden, Michael Sheen and Ray Winstone, along with TV favourites such as Clare Balding, Joel Dommett and the Strictly line-up.