We were on the red carpet and chatting with the celebs - here are just a few things we found out
The Pride of Britain Awards are one of the most special nights of the year - and we had front row spots on the red carpet, in the ceremony, backstage with the winners AND at the afterparty too.
The celebrities were there to honour real life heroes for their inspirational acts, and were left feeling humbled by the experience.
There were many moving moments at the ceremony, which will be broadcast on ITV at 8pm tonight, but we did also get to have a good peek at (and chat with) the celebs.
This is what we learned...
1. Simon Cowell DOES cry
He may have had enough of X Factor sob stories (and let's face it, there have been a few...) but TV's Mr Mean is not afraid to shed a tear or two of his own. Once in a while.
He told us: "It's a sad event. I have been known to shed a tear - these eyes do cry occasionally. Lauren is a bit of a crier so there will be a lot of tears tonight."
2. Cheryl's back looks awesome (really)
Whatever you think of Cheryl's giant rose tattoo, and let's be honest, it divides opinion, her back can still look absolutely AMAZING.
Her stunning backless blue lace Michael Costello gown was jaw-droppingly gorgeous from every angle - even with THAT tattoo peeping out.
3. Carol Vorderman can handle a quick change
Carol walked the red carpet looking striking in red - then there she was wowing in white when it came to hosting the Awards themselves. Combine her with Cheryl and youl'll have a union flag to match Chezza's umbrella.
4. You can take the high road AND the low road
At least if you have legs as long as Abbey Clancy's... and find yourself a fab black Versace dress to wear to your next red tie do.
5. Tulisa is happy!
Tulisa Contostavlos says she has never been better. But when you have a dramatic black dress, a night out with with your celeb mates and a kiss from Simon Cowell, what more does a girl need?
6. Brucie is not happy
Well, he is and he isn't. Sir Bruce Forsyth is still larking about and is very impressed by Tess and Claudia's presenting. He's less happy about the judges getting so trigger happy with the big scores early on.
7. Lauren is one of the gang
Lauren Silverman looks like she's become BFFs with all of Cowell's X Factor pals. After chatting away to Cheryl, she nipped to the loo with Sarah Jane Crawford who was also sat at their table.
8. Dermot is a Cheryl fan too
X Factor host Dermot O'Leary told us: "If I had to chose to sit next to Simon, Cheryl or Louis I would pick Cheryl! If it has to between two it would Cheryl and Simon!"
And he's sitting on the fence when it comes to picking a winner this year, explaining: "It's tough! You can never tell it's about who can handle the pressure."
9. But Cheryl is a fan of Simon (says Simon)
"You know what, she loves working with me. If she had a tail she would wag it." That's what he told us. And we bet her tail wagging would look fab in that lovely blue dress...
10. And Simon is a fan of our own Zoe
Or of her teeth at least. He told our showbiz reporter Zoe Shenton she had the whitest teeth he had ever seen. The poor X Factor contestants will probably be trembling - it's makeover week. And that usually involves a trip to the dentist.
11. It's the boys who arrive late
Simon Webbe, Dermot O'Leary were the last to walk the red carpet - while Strictly winner Aljaz Skorjanec missed it all together after a busy training session with his celeb partner this year Alison Hammond.
Aljaz arrived after it had all started and couldn't find his seat - until our showbiz editor Mark Jefferies helped him out.
Oh, and obviously Simon Cowell likes to take his time and leave a gap on the red carpet before he makes his entrance.
12. Heels do funny things to ladies
Amanda Holden came into the press room without her heels on but was walking as if she was still wearing them! We've all done it - particularly when we've gone for a really long dress like this green goddess.
13. Union J are handy with a bucket
With a bit of help from the Strictly stars, the X Factor graduates did a whip around in the room to push the total of Stephen Sutton's charity fund from £4.97million through the £5m barrier.
Admittedly, plenty of celebs are also clearly generous with their cash, because a bucket alone will not get you there.
14. McBusted are divided...
Over Matt Willis's purple Pride of Britain hair do. Matt (Busted) didn't seem so sure about it but Dougie Poynter (McFly) said he was into it. But then he wasn't the one wearing it.
15. Joey Essex is a bit noisy
He got told to Ssssh by the ITV producers filming the awards. And he also got a bit confused by the butter.
PoB update: am on a table next to Joey Essex. He just tried to butter his bread roll with a cube of nougat. pic.twitter.com/803flPbpT2
— clemmie moodie (@clemmiemoodie) October 6, 2014 16. PDAs at the dinner table are TOTALLY fine
There was a whole lot of love in the room as the remarkable stories of selflessness and sacrifice clearly made the guests feel grateful for what they have - and made sure their loved ones knew it. From Lauren's loving kiss for Simon to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini's tender moment helping wife Cheryl with her dress, we got a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
17. Tissues and waterproof mascara are THE must have accessories
Talking to the celebs on the red carpet, three words key words kept coming up: tissues and waterproof mascara.
When you have stories like little Ted McAffery's (Back of the net! He's off to Disneyland!), it's hardly surprising.
And Paul Hollywood recommends a little cry in the toilets if it all gets a bit too much. So get your tissues ready and prepare for the most moving awards show of the year.
Don't miss The Pride of Britain Awards, Tuesday 7 October, ITV at 8pm.
