‘The Good Will Always Win Out!'

As the Pride of Britain Awards turns 20, host Carol Vorderman reveals the secrets of its success…

- Elaine Reilly

Just over 20 years ago, in May 1999, Carol Vorderman was busy getting ready to host the first-ever Pride of Britain Awards at The Dorchester hotel in London.

It wasn’t televised but Carol was so moved by all the heroic, courageous and inspiring people she was meeting that afterwards she decided to visit ITV with the idea of turning this into the annual TV event we know and love today. The rest, as they say, is history!

Here, Carol, 58, chats to TV Times about the milestone anniversary, this year’s ceremony and why the event has stood the test of time…

Happy 20th to the Pride of Britain Awards! Can you believe the event has reached this milestone?

I know, 20 years, it goes so fast. It’s just wow! When I think back, my son Cameron was two. He’s now 6ft 5in and lovely. My daughter Katie is now 27 and about to get her PhD in nanotechnology at Cambridge. When they were young I kept them totally out of the spotlight, but they’re both coming this year. It’s such a big thing in our family.

Do you remember how it started?