Pride of Scotland awards brings glamour with Laura Anderson leading red carpet

Pride of Scotland was full of glamour as celebrities graced the red carpet at Glasgow’s Hilton hotel. Love Island’s Laura Anderson, who looked resplendent in a figure-hugging red dress, revealed she’d gone for sustainable fashion for the night.

Laura, who was pregnant at last years awards, said: “I’m very excited to be here. I’m the first one here. I feel like I’m the first at the party but it’s very exciting to meet everyone.”

Laura rented her dress from a website called HURR. She added: “It’s sustainable fashion and all that. It’s a little bit cheaper than buying which is always nice. I don’t know how many people have worn it but it smells nice.”

Laura, who co presents the breakfast show on Capital radio, said: “I’m just being a mum just now, getting up at four thirty in the morning. I don’t know how I manage it.

“My little girl is now eight months old. Last year she was in my belly. She’s got such a fun personality. She’s so funny and she does crack me up. I’m just trying to be present and work for her.”

Comedians Janey Godley and daughter Ashley Storrie arrived at the same time at the hotel but as Ashley talked about her recent filming of her comedy series Dinosaur, Janey disappeared to find the mini horse that arrived from Therapy Ponies Scotland.

Ashley said: “It’s so important to celebrate goodness in the world. We always go on about the bad things that are happening but this is the good things and it’s important.”

Talking about her new BBC series she added: “I’m not a Dinosaur. I’m still a baby and not extinct.” As Janey disappeared to join the tiny horse further down the carpet, Ashley added: “It doesn’t matter.

“I could have won an Oscar but my ma has met a tiny horse.” Janey said afterwards: “That wee pony was a like a real life My Little Pony. I was stroking its hair and everything. I loved it.”

She wasn’t the only one enamoured by the tiny horse. Asked if she might like to pose with it, or even take a shot at riding it, Susan Boyle who looked resplendent in a pink dress from Frox of Falkirk laughed: “I’d probably buckle it.”

Another alternative for transport for the night was given by brothers Tom and Luke Stolz, who offered to pick host of the night Elaine C Smith up on the red carpet. As Elaine ran for cover, they picked up showbiz journalist Bev Lyons instead.

The Three times world strongest man and two times European strongest man were thrilled to don their kilts for the occasion. Luke said: “We are giving out an award tonight which is really special.

“It’s great to see all the amazing people here. It’s not going to be a drunken night tonight for Tom and I because we have a lot of competitions.” Fellow heavyweight Sheli McCoy aka Gladiator’s Sabre was also providing strength on the red carpet.

Sheli said: “I do feel a little bit like an imposter because there are some really amazing people tonight but I’m looking forward to enjoying the night and meeting everyone that deserves these awards. I’ve literally read some stories. I will need some tissues.”

Sheli from Dundee said of her role in the show: “My job is to meet force with force and to remind them again just why I’m there.”
As she was chatting, wrestler turned actor and presenter Grado joined her and revealed the two had never met before.

As they swapped a strong handshake, she admitted she didn’t know who he was. Grado smiled and said: “She’s from the Gladiators and she doesn’t know who am are. Cmon. Ok there’s no lifting tonight.”

He added: “It’s good here cause I don’t think I’ve ever been at a Pride of Scotland awards. I’m excited I’m giving out an award. I’m with Mani from Scots Squad. I’ll get a night out with him and I’m sure the two of us will end up greeting.”

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