Pride of Britain Awards 2016: Sir Cliff Richard gives a thumbs up as he joins Nicole Scherzinger

The stars arrived at Grosvenor House for the celebratory bash
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Emma Powell1 November 2016
The Weekender

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Sir Cliff Richard gave a thumbs up to the cameras as he joined close friend Gloria Hunniford at the Pride of Britain Awards.

The event marked Richard’s first public appearance since learning that he will not be charged with sex abuse.

The 76-year-old singer – who wore a black sequinned jacket – said he felt “happy” to be back on the red carpet to celebrate the “positive aspects of being British”.

Speaking to Standard Online he said: “I feel very happy to be here, why wouldn't I be? It's nice to have a night that's not about celebrity, but anything we can do to help or make it glitter somewhat that's okay, that's our job tonight.

All smiles: Sir Cliff Richard with Gloria Hunniford
Chris Jackson/Getty

“What we're doing is celebrating ordinary people who have done something extraordinary. And I love the idea that, in this negative world that we seem to live in these days, [the awards] seem to present the most positive aspect of being British.

“I do feel like I'm an ambassador for Britain, I've always flown British airways, I don't know what it is to be British other than , I feel British.”

Richard was joined at the celebratory bash at London’s Grosvenor House by fellow singer Sir Tom Jones who said he was “thrilled” to be handing out an award.

Baby on board: Kimberley Walsh looks stunning in a black gown
Chris Jackson/Getty

He said: “It's a wonderful thing because, they call them ordinary people, but when they do extraordinary things then they're not ordinary.”

Host Carol Voderman looked stunning in a plunging flower print dress as she posed alongside Myleene Klass, Joan Collins, Katie Piper, and X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger.

The former Pussycat Doll - who is mentoring the boys on this year's series - turned heads in a pink gown.

Pretty in pinki: Nicole Scherzinger proves she's got the X Factor when it comes to fashion
Chris Jackson/Getty

Former Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh cradled her baby bump as she worked the cameras, while Katherine Jenkins made her way through a string of selfies with fans.

McFly members Harry Judd, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher enjoyed a triple date with their wives Izzy Judd, Georgia Horsley and Giovanna Fletcher, while Emma Bunton cosied up to her partner Jade Jones.

A host of Strictly Come Dancing stars enjoyed a break from rehearsals to attend the event including Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton, Daisy Lowe and Aljaz Skorjanec, Laura Whitmore, and Ed Balls and his partner Katya Jones.

Leggy look: Ed Balls with his Strictkly partner Katya Jones
David Fisher/Rex

The X Factor contestants were also out in force including girl group Four of Diamonds and Ryan Lawrie and Emily Middlemas, who put on a romantic display as they worked the red carpet hand-in-hand.

Lawrie opened up about being saved by the Lifeline vote for the third consecutive week saying: "It's so hard but I must be doing something right if I'm being saved. So next week I'm just going to go out and do an amazing performance and hopefully I won't be in the bottom three."

Other attendees included Kym Marsh, Ross Kemp, Kirsty Gallacher, Nicola Roberts, Mollie King, Mary Berry and 2016 Great British Bake Off champion Candice Brown who made her red carpet debut alongside her partner.

Cheryl was scheduled to attend, but fuelled pregnancy rumours after she pulled out.

Announcing her absence on Twitter she said: “Gutted I couldn't make the #prideofbritain awards tonight. One of my favourite awards! Good luck to all the nominees you're all amazing.”

The Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards celebrate the achievements of the country's unsung heroes.

The Pride of Britain Awards will be on ITV at 8pm on Tuesday.

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