Behind the scenes at Pride Of Britain

Closer’s News Editor Katie Banks gets all the goss from the Pride Of Britain Awards

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by Katie Banks |
Published on

Making my way down the red carpet of the Pride Of Britain Awards, it was clear that the celebs had come out it there droves to honour real people who’d done extraordinary things.

The first person down the red carpet at the Grosvenor Hotel on Park Lane and into the glittering reception for a glass of chilled champagne was Corrie star Michelle Collins. She laughed: “Do you like my hairdo? I’ve gone a bit dominatrix tonight!”

Michelle Collins “I’m worried that I might never work again!"

After revealing that she’s set to leave next April to spend more time 17-year-old Maia daughter, she said: “I’m worried that I might never work again! No really, I can’t wait to chill out a bit with Maisie. She’s a real brainiac. She wants to go to Cambridge."

Soon in after Michelle, the Saturdays, Mollie King, Rochelle Wiseman, Una Healey, Vanessa White all walked in holding hands. Mollie was fiddling with Una’s zip as she joked: “I don’t know how I got into this dress tonight!”

Katie with Michelle Collins
Katie with Michelle Collins

And then she added: “We can’t wait for Frankie’s baby to arrive – it’s any day now and we’re so excited for her!”

Jimmy Carr was happy to pose with a gaggle of girl guests who said to him: “Can we have a photo” with the comedian joking: “Yes, you can if you take your top off!”

Union J were then ushered in by their publicist with everyone asking them about this year’s X Factor.

JJ Hamblett told me: “I like both the Sams in the competition. Sam Callahan used to do the same gigs as us and Sam Bailey’s voice is like no other. I think she’s really talented.”

Union J's X Factor favourites are both Sams

As people sat down for dinner, lots of celebs were swapping their goss with each other. Pixie Lott – wearing what looked like a see-through wedding dress – was busy gassing away with Ortise and his girlfriend AJ, while Myleene Klass was seen whispering to Alexandra Burke – probably telling her about her new toyboy!

Ed Milliband: "Proudest moment: Marrying my wife Justine and having my kids.”

The two men running the government – David Cameron and Ed Milliband both attended the event – but don’t worry, they sat at separate tables. When asked what the proudest thing that he’s done was, Ed replied: “It’s very simple. Marrying my wife Justine and having my kids.” Ahhh!

At around 8, everyone sat down for a lavish three-course meal including a smoked salmon and crab starter, Scotch beef with dauphinois potatoes and spinach and a dark chocolate tart for pudding.

Yum! I caught up with some celebs on the run to the ladies. First up, Kelly Hoppen who refused to spill the beans on her best pal Posh. She looked at me sternly and said: “You know I can’t talk about Victoria!” but she was keen to say how much she was enjoying Dragon’s Den.

David Cameron had his eye on Katie's dress

Then Kristina Rihanoff told me how draining her Strictly rehearsals had been. She said: “Daaarling, I don’t know if I can stay past 11 tonight because I’ll be up at 7am training. It’s killing me!”

In the loos, Michelle Mone could be spotted covering her chest in bronzer while Nicole Scherzinger spent ages applying her lip gloss.

During the awards Nicole was given a shock when Child of Courage Harley Lane refused to let her give him a peck on the cheek. She looked awkward as he shouted: ‘Get me off this stage now!’

Meanwhile David Walliams made everyone laugh as he dressed up as a bumble bee to give 91-year old charity worker Jean Bishop her award.

Katie chilled with Peter Andre

At the after party – which kicked off at 11 – Paul Potts was seen on the dancefloor with a mystery blonde companion while the EastEnders crew Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Katie Fitzgerald with their on screen father Jake Wood had glasses of wine.

Tom Fletcher:"I had to use my silk hankie as I was blubbing away. This awards show gets me everytime!”

McFly were keeping the party going but admitted that the awards had been a tad emotional. Tom Fletcher told me as I made my exit: “I had to use my silk hankie as I was blubbing away. This awards show gets me everytime!” Ahhh!

Thank you so much www.girlmeetsdress.com for my amazing gold dress that made me feel like a super star throughout – even David Cameron said it was his fave! (I’m sure he didn’t say that to all the girls!)

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