Pride of Britain launches with huge party as Florrie Bark shares hope for future
A huge cruise ship party has kicked off the biggest search for Pride of Britain nominations with a splash - as previous winners and hosts joined the big bash on P&O Cruise's flagship Britannia
It didn't matter what the British weather did when Pride of Britain launched its 2025 search for unsung heroes, because when last year's Child of Courage Florrie Bark whizzed on deck in her electric chair – her glorious smile brought the sunshine.
With newly grown curls peeking out of her vintage towelling cap, Florrie wore her sunglasses – so come rain or shine, the party on top of P&O Cruises's flagship Britannia to kick off the biggest and best ever search for nominations was going to be a splash. Excited to be catching up with last year's winners again, Pride of Britain hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo greeted winners and their families and all the guests as they came onboard.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises have been celebrating remarkable people young and old for 26 years. And Carol has been there for all of them. 'I know I also say Pride of Britain is not a show – it's a family, but it genuinely is a privilege and a joy,' said a very happy Carol as she hugged old friends.
Also delighted to be back at the helm, Ashley added: 'We can't wait to do Pride of Britain every year. This year's so special because normally after the October awards, everyone goes back to their lives, but this time, we get to catch up with everyone again to launch our hunt for Pride of Britain's class of 2025.'
Looking amazing in a royal blue jumpsuit, beside Ashley in a black leather shirt, not even the early thunderstorms were going to rain on Carol's parade at the impressive Pride of Britain launch parade., docked in Southampton, glistened in the sunshine.
Guests gathered on the sun terrace on the ship's 17th floor, bedecked with multi-coloured flags, fluttering in the warm breeze over the azure blue swimming and paddling pools. Florrie giggled as she joined the party and spotted the silver and purple clad stilt-walkers dancing, as a brass band played a medley of pop classics, against a distant backdrop of little boats bobbing in the sparkling quayside water.
The Isle of White car ferry sounded its fog horn as winners' families happily roasted each other with champagne and orange juice. Last year's winners have been enjoying holidays of a lifetime, thanks to P&O Cruises. And the holiday atmosphere continued on this magical day.
'On the top deck in the sunshine, it felt like we were on holiday with all the winners,' said Ashley. 'We always say Pride of Britain is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, but actually the extraordinary things they have done make them extraordinary!'
After the drinks reception, winners and guests mingled with celebrities in the ship's elegant crow's nest, with its plush carpets and gold rails. Everyone gathered for the photo-call with Carol and Ashley, but the kids kept losing their trophies, which just made Florrie giggle more.
Little action man Jacob Newsom, who won Fundraiser of the Year, used the chairs in the lounge like an obstacle course, and was rolling around the floor as Carol and Ashley looked on amused. 'I like having an audience,' he yelled, possibly ruining the entire TV interview, but nobody minded.
After losing his mum to breast cancer when he was seven, Jacob, now 11, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities. 'I want to be a fighter pilot when I grow up – or a doctor, so I can cure cancer.' Eight-year-old Florrie feels the same. Cancer has touched her life and although her hair is now growing back, she is waiting for a lung transplant. 'I want to be a cancer nurse when I grow up – or like Barbie,' she said sweetly.
Lunch was served in the ship's swish Limelight Club, where a pianist tinkled away on the grand piano. Carol chatted with Agnes Nesbitt and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, who both won special recognition awards for founding their charities, over a delicious lunch of beef fillet or sea bream.
Ashley and Molly Leonard sat together and caught up on how the award has changed the 27-year-old's life since she won Young Achiever of the Year for her mental health work through crafting. Jeff Brazier - this year's red carpet host - had everyone laughing as he interrupted Ashley's pudding and made him come up on stage to talk about what Pride of Britain meant to him - reminding Carol this was her 26th year.
'When this all began we had 20 categories – and it took four and a half hours on the night – so I pleaded for a co-host,' Carol told the audience, which included Emily Greenwood who was recognised for Outstanding Bravery after she risked own life to swim into icy winter seas in Cornwall.
Carol's wish was answered when Ashley came on board five years ago. 'And I really need him when I walk down the stairs on stage in stilettos,' she joked. 'I am Carol's mobile banister,' agreed Ashley, revealing: 'I was asked to collect donations in a bucket for my first year,' he laughed.
The Diversity choreographer admits it's changed his life. 'Especially since becoming a dad. Just keeping it together is hard enough for me. 'When I see children like Florrie, I just don't know how parents cope. It really touches me.'
Host Jeff chatted to last year's winners Molly and Michelle Tolley about how life changing it was to be nominated. Michelle, from Norfolk, turned 60 on her cruise to the Canary Islands. 'My husband and I renewed our vows for our 40th wedding anniversary – so I was queen of that ship!'
Telling the audience she didn't know who nominated her for her work campaigning for victims of the NHS blood scandal, she said: 'There are so many amazing people in the world, there are not enough awards to go around. Infected with Hepatitis C after receiving transfusions, Michelle added: 'Being nominated was life affirming to me – it highlighted our cause and so many people got tested because of it.'
Everyone gathered on the top deck to watch as Carol and Ashley cut the ribbon on the brand new nominations booths, which will be popping up all over the country, as the ship set sail on its cruise round the British Isles.
For those thinking of nominating someone, Carol explained: 'None of our winners ever set off to win a Pride of Britain Award. Some are caught up in a moment and they find their courage and others are courageous for years and years and decide to help other people.'
Finally, it was time for last year's winners to hand on the baton – a Pride of Britain trophy – to the Captain of P&O Cruises Britannia, Paul Brown, who proudly received it and will now sail around the British Isles looking for your nominations. Carol reminded everyone how Pride of Britain is needed more than ever now, saying: 'The world has got noisier and all the news is about people who have behaved badly towards each other. But Pride reminds us of how many good people there are.'
Encouraging people to vote for their unsung heroes, she added: 'This is the launch of the nominations process – and then it's throttle to the floor now as we start contacting nominees secretly and surprise them with a celebrity ambush – like Ant and Dec!'
As the day's festivities came to an end and the Pride of Britain party left the ship, genuine holidaymakers embarking for their cruise were wondering as they waited for lifts why Carol, Ashley and Jeff had come on their holiday. One traveller could be heard saying, 'Ooh look, it's Carol Vorderman. The entertainment's got an upgrade this year!'
Our new look
Pride of Britain has been bringing people together for 26 years. Over that time, core values of Bravery, Kindness, Love, Inspiration, Strength, Community and Empathy have become firmly established as the Awards DNA.
Now, a stunning new visualisation of the Pride of Britain brand, which is set to be rolled out alongside a refreshed and reimagined logo, brings those values vividly to life.
The new brand identity, developed with top creative agency BBD Perfect Storm, is being revealed alongside the official launch of nominations for the 2025 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises.
Each strand represents a core Pride Of Britain value that brings people together for these extraordinary awards, celebrating the very best in people and what they selflessly do for others.
Pride Of Britain is the highest-rated Awards of its kind on British television, bringing some of the world 's most famous faces together to celebrate truly extraordinary achievements of people of all ages, from children of courage to lifesaving emergency workers, inspirational fundraisers and people who make the world a better place, in local communities and on a national or even global scale.
Jason Foo, CEO at BBD Perfect Storm, said: 'It's been an honour to reimagine the visual identity of such an iconic and beloved event. The Pride of Britain Awards are rooted in values that speak to the very best of humanity – bravery, kindness, strength and community."
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises, hosted by Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo will be screened in primetime on ITV1 in the Autumn.
Award categories
Do you know a remarkable person who makes the world a better place?
It only takes a minute to nominate them for a Pride of Britain Award at prideofbritain.com.
Don't worry if you're not sure which category to choose – our team reads every nomination and will make sure all nominees are considered for the most appropriate award.
P&O CRUISES INSPIRATION WARD
Celebrating a remarkable individual or group who inspire everyone around them, or the wider world, with their positive spirit and awe-inspiring journey to achieve, or overcome adversity. They may deserve recognition for an extraordinary reaction to a defining or pivotal moment, or perhaps their actions have had an extraordinary impact.
ITV FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR
For tireless and inspirational charity fundraising, aged 18 and over.
To reward a young person aged 17 and under for inspirational charity work.
THIS MORNING LOCAL HERO
For an individual or group that goes to remarkable lengths to help people around them in their local area
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
To recognise far-reaching achievement, possibly on a national or international scale.
For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty.
For adults who risk their own safety to help others in danger.
For battling against the odds to help others, or a courageous act to save someone in danger.
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