The annual Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards left viewers in floods of tears after one winner shared their emotional story and called out the bullies that threatened his life
The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards viewers were once again moved to tears on an emotional night. Scenes, which aired Wednesday, showcased the nation’s incredible stories of strength, bravery and courage from incredible people up and down the country.
And it was teenager Zach Eagling that left viewers pouring their heart out online – and hitting out at those who targeted him online. The 13-year-old was successful in launching a campaign that changed the law to protect people with epilepsy.
In his VT before taking to the stage to receive the Teenager of Courage award, Zach and his mum explained how his online journey reaching milestones was met with hatred. Some users on social media would send him flashing images, which could potentially trigger a seizure.
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However, instead of shying away from the content, Zach was determined to make a change and had a law passed making it a criminal offence for people to send such vile content.
He said: “I am so proud, I don’t know how I’ve managed it but I have. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this.”
And after being handed the award by Strictly judges, Shirley Ballas said: “On behalf of everyone in Strictly, for you to be able to change a law that makes you rather extraordinary gentleman and we are extremely proud of you”
And fans online also shared there thoughts. One user on Twitter/X fumed: “genuinely what the f*** is wrong with people you’d send a little boy with epilepsy spending his time fundraising, flashing gifs trying to trigger his brain. like it absolutely baffles me there’s people like that out here #prideofbritain.”
Another agreed, saying: “#prideofbritain This a new low in terms of online bullying. How it actually enters someone’s head to do that leaves me speechless and very sad. Well done Zach Eagling. You’ve created good from their evil. They’re not fit to lick your shoes.”
A third added: “What an inspiration #Zach has proven to be – a force of nature with an `unbeatable’ attitude! #PrideofBritain.” And a fourth wrote: “Zach you are a legend! #prideofbritain”
All winners were nominated by the public, with the recipients being ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds. They were honoured for actions that were deemed extraordinary and inspiring.
The awards celebrated achievements such as overcoming adversity, performing extraordinary acts of kindness, and displaying immense courage.
The Prime Minister was in the audience at the ceremony, that is sponsored by P&O Cruises. The event, which took place on Monday night, saw Keir Starmer joined by his wife Victoria.
He also invited the winners and their families to 10 Downing Street, where he celebrated their achievements and they got a chance to show off their shiny new trophies.
Speaking of the stories, the PM said: “I always arrive thinking of this problem, that problem, like the world is on my shoulders. But the moment I hear the first story, I think, ‘give your head a wobble’.
“You’re doing amazing things here. Loads of people sitting in their living rooms may well say, ‘if they can do that, maybe I can do that.'”
He also said: “People say, ‘oh Britain’s broken, people don’t care about each other’. But it’s the complete opposite: if given the chance, almost everybody will try to do something for somebody else. Just look around you.”
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