Sir Chris Hoy to be honoured at tonight's Pride of Scotland awards

Daily Record

23-06-2025

Sports legend is one of 12 inspirational winners at our 2025 People's Oscars
The countdown to the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards is over - and today we reveal the unsung heroes to be honoured at tonight's red carpet spectacular.
Our glittering People's Oscars will see awe-inspiring Scots recognised for their acts of courage and kindness as well as a special award for Sir Chris Hoy.
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The six-time Olympic gold medallist, whose courage and dignity in the face of terminal cancer have inspired the nation, will be honoured with the first ever Scotland's Champion award.
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The sporting hero, who was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023 which has now spread to his bones, cannot be at tonight's ceremony but is delighted with the recognition and has dedicated his award to everyone who is battling cancer right now.
Speaking from his home in Cheshire Chris, 49, said: 'Thank you so much for this beautiful trophy as it really does mean a lot to me. It's been a tough couple of years but we are getting through.
'Knowing that we have this type of support from people across Scotland really lifts us up so I would like to dedicate this award to anybody who is going through a similar challenge right now.
'If you would like to support us go to the Tour de 4 website and find out the details of a mass participation cycle ride starting and finishing in Glasgow on the September 7 from which we aim to raise more than £1m for cancer charities across the country.
'It's also my aim to change perceptions of what a stage four cancer diagnosis might look like.'
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The inspirational dad-of-two, who after his diagnosis, said: 'You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. You remind yourself, aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible."
Tonight guests at the Glasgow Hilton will hear a tribute to Edinburgh-born Chris, who started riding BMXs at the age of six, from the queen of daytime TV Lorraine Kelly.
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Lorraine, who is one of the 11-time cycling world champion's biggest fans, said: 'Sir Chris Hoy is one of our greatest ever sporting heroes, a leading light from British cycling's golden age and a giant of a man both in and out of the saddle.
'From an early age it was clear he had not just talent but the drive and determination to make it to the very top.
'When he retired from competition he was our greatest ever Olympian winning six gold medals across three Olympic Games but as we know a greater challenge than sporting glory lay ahead.'
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The ITV morning show host added: 'Despite his devastating diagnosis Sir Chris was determined to make a difference and him speaking out has already had a huge impact with charities reporting a surge of enquiries for tests. It's called the Chris Hoy effect and it's saved lives.
'He is also planning a charity bike ride not just to raise money but to send a positive message about living with cancer. I'm so proud to say that he is truly Scotland's Champion.'
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As well as the cycling legend the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with P&O Cruises will be honouring 11 unsung heroes.
This year's Teenager of Courage is Georgie Hyslop, 16, who has channelled her energy into helping others and raised an incredible £51,000 despite her cancer diagnosis.
Theo Hardie, seven, will pick up the Young Fundraiser award after running 100 miles to raise funds to buy his little brother Jude, three, a wheelchair.
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Plumber Stewart Miller, who risked his life during a killer storm to save a woman from drowning in the River Tay will receive an Outstanding Bravery award as will shop workers Bob Bell, Cheryl Gourlay, Aisha David and Osman David who tackled an armed robber during a raid on their store.
Our Emergency Services award will go to Coastguard winch paramedic Norman Macleod, who braved storms to drop solo onto a ship where two sailors had suffered horrifying injuries.
There will be Special Recognition awards for the Speirs Family, who run inspirational charity Calum's Cabin, 'Vape Crusader' Laura Young and shopkeepers Asiyah and Jawad Javed who have done so much for their local community.
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We will also be celebrating two King's Trust Young Achievers - Ashleigh Lancaster, 28, who started a business delivering mental health training to frontline workers and Shane Lee, 26, who has autism and has landed his dream job with M&S.
There is a new category this year - the P&O Cruises Inspiration Award - which will go to the Ups and Downs Theatre group for children and young people with Down's syndrome and their siblings.
Big names coming to celebrate at the show hosted by Elaine C Smith and Sanjeev Kohl include Succession legend Brian Cox, who is getting ready to take the stage at the Dundee Rep in new play Make It Happen, and BGT legend Susan Boyle.
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Other stars attending include Sheli McCoy aka Sabre, Star Wars actor Denis Lawson, singers Nathan Evans, Calum Bowie and Cammy Barnes and Strictly's JJ Chalmers and Dr Punam Krishan.
Love Island's Paige Turley and Saint Phnx's Stevie Jukes will be going live from the red carpet and presenter Laura Anderson will be manning the Pride of Scotland bar.
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First Minister John Swinney will also be there to celebrate the best of Scotland and there will be a performance from Britain's Got Talent finalist Vinnie McKee.
It is gearing up to be the most spectacular night of the year.
- Catch all the red carpet drama in tomorrow's Daily Record