Meeting the winners is always my favourite thing'

Dancer Ashley Banjo is stepping out in style once again to present The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises

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As the Pride Of Britain Awards approach for the 26th year in a row, Ashley Banjo is returning to co-host the moving show and, as he admits, he couldn’t be happier to be back.

“It’s genuinely an honour to host and there’s not much like it in this country. It’s so important, even if it’s only for one night, that we see what the real ‘pride of Britain’ is and we see a real cross-section of people from different walks of life who have done amazing things,” says the dancer.

Ashley, 37, alongside his now good friend Carol Vorderman, is presenting the show, which recognises “unsung heroes” from across the United Kingdom who have demonstrated bravery, overcome adversity or made an extraordinary contribution to society.

Former Countdown host Carol has been a staple at the ceremony since it began, and with her wealth of experience, Ashley says she has certainly taken him under her wing.

“She’s a legend, an icon. I say it every year but she’s so knowledgeable and so invested, so working next to her really makes me up my game,” explains Ashley. “I didn’t really have any expectations of her before we met, other than that I thought she would be really smart, which she is. She teaches me things without knowing it. She’s got strong opinions and it makes me learn too. So I’m always at the top of my game around her.”

As it turns out, Carol is quite the fan of Ashley’s Britain’s Got Talent-winning dance group Diversity, too. “Oh, she’s our biggest fan. She comes to shows with me and Diversity,” Ashley says.