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A winning night at Pride of Britain
The stars were out in full force at the 2025 Pride of Britain Awards, but it was the winners who shone the brightest. We look back at some of the night’s most touching moments, from acceptance speeches to backstage interviews.
10 min
24 Oct 2025
Meet Javeno McLean, a true inspiration
Javeno McLean is the very worthy winner of the first-ever 2025 Pride of Britain P&O Cruises Inspiration Award, which shines a light on a remarkable person who shines their light on others.
Personal trainer Javeno’s mission is to give older folks and people living with disabilities or illness an inclusive space where they can get physically, emotionally and mentally stronger through exercise. It all started when he was 16 years old and noticed a boy in a wheelchair struggling in the gym and offered to train him. Fuelled by a strong sense of justice and a desire to help, Javeno began a career in personal training and ultimately opened his own gym, J7 Community Health Centre, in Manchester’s Blackley neighbourhood. J7 has become more than just a place to get fit – it’s a community hub where people of all ages and abilities can improve their health and feel connected. And with nearly 2 million followers on social media, Javeno’s positive impact can be felt far and wide.
Backstage with Javeno McLean
How does it feel to win the first-ever Pride of Britain P&O Cruises Inspiration Award? Fresh off the Pride of Britain stage, Javeno McLean spoke candidly about what the experience means to him.
‘It feels unreal,’ he said, beaming. ‘For the first time in my life, I see that I’m changing people’s lives, people’s perception of disability and disadvantaged people.’
Moments before, Javeno was presented with the award by boxing legends David Haye, Frank Bruno and Barry McGuigan to a roar applause from the audience, with his wife, mum and dad watching proudly from the crowd.
With a Pride of Britain Award under his belt, what’s next for Javeno? ‘I’ve already got ideas of what I want to do, and this is going to open up the doors to help put a smile on more people’s faces,’ he says.
Winning moments at Pride of Britain
On an evening full of shining stars and magical moments, none shone as brightly as when the night’s winners took to the stage. We heard their incredible stories, watched them meet their heroes and cheered them on as they were honoured for their remarkable bravery and invaluable contributions.
Seventeen-year-old Marcus Skeet was presented with the Special Recognition Award for overcoming serious mental health challenges and turning his struggle into inspirational feats of charity. When he was told on stage that mental health charity Mind was setting up running groups in his honour, his face lit up the room. As did Lifetime Achievement Award winner Sally Becker’s, a humanitarian aid worker credited with saving thousands of children’s lives, when she was reunited in person with someone she’d saved decades ago in Bosnia. These and so many other moments left a lasting impression on everyone watching, just as the winners have left a lasting impression on all the lives they’ve touched.
A huge congratulations from P&O Cruises to everyone who received an award at this year’s celebration.
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