Throng

Wednesday 10 October
9:00pm on ITV1

More than a hundred of the country's biggest stars unite to celebrate the most remarkable people of the year - the nation's unsung heroes.

Prince Charles and Prime Minister Gordon Brown join JK Rowling, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, Ewan MacGregor, Ant and Dec, Stephen Fry, Dame Shirley Bassey, Simon Cowell, Jamie Oliver, Sir David Jason and Little Britain's Matt Lucas and David Walliams in saluting the amazing real-life winners.

Other guests include top sportsmen Lewis Hamilton, Wayne Rooney and England captain John Terry, TV stars Davina McCall, Richard Hammond and Kelly Brook as well as the nation's soap favourites.

Hosted by Carol Vorderman, the glittering annual awards from London's West End are packed with breathtaking stories of heroism and courage, uplifting moments and hilarious surprises.

Winners range from an air stewardess who delivered and battled to save a 1lb premature baby at 30,000ft to Britain's oldest man, the last First World war volunteer, who still visits schools to educate children at the age of 111 years old.

Film star Ewan MacGregor joins the British troops in Iraq to honour an extraordinary 32-year-old female bomb disposal officer.

Among the courageous children is a teenager who wrote an A-Z guide to help kids cope with cancer and a 12-year-old boy who saved his family from a crazed attacker with a meat cleaver.

Other winners include a pioneering heart surgeon who has saved the lives of more than 20,000 adults and children.

Winners have been chosen from thousands of nominations by a panel of distinguished judges including Sarah Brown (wife of Prime Minster Gordon Brown), Simon Cowell, GMTV's Fiona Phillips, British Medical Association chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum, ITN anchorman Mark Austin and Manchester Chief Constable Michael Todd.

Their stories are guaranteed to inspire, and move, the whole country.

Carol Vorderman says: "It's a great chance to show there are amazing people in this country doing brilliant things which just take you’re breathe away. And it's a chance for everyone to celebrate what a great country we are."

She admits she has to wear waterproof mascara on the night and says: "It's an incredibly humbling experience and you can't fail to be touched by the inspiring, real-life stories.

"Sometimes I can get a little choked up, but it's because it's so extraordinarily uplifting."

Previous guests of the Awards, now in its ninth year, have included Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Sting, Victoria and David Beckham, Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Michael Caine.

Prince Charles says: "These remarkable awards remind us of the compassion, decency and courage which still exists in every corner of the land."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown says: "It's a great honour to take part in Pride of Britain, a highlight in our national calendar, celebrating the very best of our country."

The award categories are:

Outstanding Bravery

Child of Courage

Teacher of the Year

ITV Carer of the Year

GMTV Emergency Services

Tesco Neighbour of the Year

Fundraiser of the Year

Special Recognition

Prince's Trust Young Achiever

Lifetime Achievement