Carol Vorderman, 65, returned to host the Pride of Britain Awards for the 27th consecutive year, wearing a figure-hugging shimmering black gown at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on October 19, 2026. The ceremony, co-hosted with Ashley Banjo, is set to air on ITV1 and ITVX on October 22.
Carol Vorderman's 27th Year Hosting
Vorderman has led the show since its launch in 1999. Speaking to the Mirror, she said: "Pride of Britain is needed now more than ever... We're incredibly divided as a nation, and there are plenty of reasons to be miserable... But through it all, one thing unites us-and that is hope and the goodness of people."
The event paid tribute to everyday members of the public for acts of bravery and community spirit. Notable guests included His Majesty King Charles III, Jude Bellingham, Davina McCall, and a live musical performance from boyband Blue.
The Showstopping Dress and Fan Reactions
Vorderman's off-the-shoulder, dazzling black gown featured an all-over shimmer, accentuating her hourglass figure, with an elegant train at the hem. She complemented the outfit with a diamond necklace and debuted a deeper brunette hair colour, worn in sleek, voluminous waves.
On Instagram, she wrote: "PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS TONIGHT @itv 8PM. I'm so excited for you to meet our nation's unsung heroes tonight. They're brave. They're brilliant. They deserve all the love." The post amassed thousands of likes, with celebrity friends including Lisa Riley, Alan Carr, and Vicky Pattison commenting compliments.
Awards Highlights and Carol's Lifestyle
During the ceremony, Andrew Franks, a volunteer security guard and chef, won the Outstanding Bravery award after being stabbed three times while tackling a knife-wielding attacker outside a synagogue in Heaton Park. Asif Hasan, a paediatric cardiac surgeon, received the Lifetime Achievement award for his work in children's heart surgery and organ transplantation.
Vorderman attributes her youthful appearance to regular fitness, a One Meal A Day (OMAD) diet, and cosmetic maintenance. She completes three 45-minute weight-training sessions weekly, focusing on lower-body exercises, and stays active through hiking and daily step-counting. She has not used scales since 1999, instead gauging progress by how clothes fit and health indicators. She has been candid about using Botox and non-invasive skin treatments.
The Pride of Britain Awards 2026 airs on Thursday, 22 October from 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
