Hero worship

BRITAIN’S celebrities may be all glammed up and out in force on the red carpet at the Imperial War Museum, but for once they won’t be the stars of the show.

Instead, they’ll be paying tribute to Britain’s soldiers in A Night of Heroes: The Military Awards 2010.

The ceremony celebrates the bravery of the Armed Forces and honours those who have served with distinction over the past 12 months.

Although the event is only in its third year, it seems it has already become a firm fixture in the awards’ schedule.

Phillip Schofield, who will be presenting the ceremony with Amanda Holden, says: “A Night of Heroes is one of the most important dates in my diary, I’m so proud to be there and very happy to be hosting with Amanda again this year.

“Every recipient will say ‘I’m no hero, I’m part of a team’, or ‘I was just doing my job’. Well, we can say ‘No, you are extraordinary, and on this night we have the chance to look you in the eye and say ‘Thank you’.”

If that’s not enough to convince you that The Military Awards are on their way to becoming an institution, there’s also the fact that the statuettes now have what every good prize needs – a nickname, in this case the Millies.

The categories include most outstanding sailor or marine, most outstanding airman, best unit and most outstanding reservist.

There are also awards for overcoming adversity, which recognises an inspirational serviceman or woman who has suffered severe injury or illness, and managed to overcome their difficulties with fortitude.

The Life Saver Award will go to an individual or group who has performed a remarkable life-saving act, whether they are medical professionals or not.

True grit is also rewarded, be it home or abroad, and civilians are recognised too in the support to the Armed Forces category, which is designed to honour a charity worker, civil servant or member of the public who has provided exceptional help to the military.

The judging panel includes General Sir Mike Jackson, General The Lord Guthrie, Admiral The Lord West, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire and Sally Thorneloe, widow of Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, as well as Ross Kemp, Jeremy Clarkson, Kelly Holmes, Katherine Jenkins, Rio Ferdinand and Andy McNab.

They’ll also be handing out their own gong – the judges’ award for special recognition.

FOUR non-famous people with nothing more to offer than perhaps a cheeky lasagna – at a push. Come Dine with Me shouldn’t work, but the fact that it’s now in its 11th series certainly shows that it does. Too many cooks may indeed spoil the broth, but fortunately for us, that just makes for better viewing.

But with such a straight-forward premise that sees these wannabe chefs cooking an array of meals in an attempt to better each other at the hob, why is it so popular? Because nowhere else will you find the same bawdy humour, (the odd few) skilful ideas and classic drunken moments as contestants down one-too-many shandies with their meal. It’s a recipe for success.

Throw in the sarcastic voiceover guy who ties himself in knots over the slightest mishap and you have yourself a readymade gourmet meal of delicious TV.

In tonight’s helping, Tony Giugliano hosts the final dinner party in Edinburgh, hoping his green cocktails and haggis pasta will impress his dinner guests.

THERE’S more to music festivals than mud, noodles and questionable hygiene. Continuing the highly successful Britannia series for BBC4, Festivals Britannia tells the story of the emergence and evolution of the British music festival through the mavericks, dreamers and drop-outs who have produced and experienced them.

This 90-minute documentary traces the ebb and flow of British festival culture over the past 50 years – set to a wonderful soundtrack of 50 years of great popular music.