{"id":523112,"date":"2025-10-23T21:28:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T21:28:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/523112\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T21:28:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T21:28:19","slug":"pride-of-britain-viewers-in-tears-as-winner-targeted-by-sickening-bullies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/523112\/","title":{"rendered":"Pride of Britain viewers in tears as winner targeted by sickening bullies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The annual Daily Mirror&#8217;s Pride of Britain Awards left viewers in floods of tears after one winner shared their emotional story and called out the bullies that threatened his life<\/p>\n<p>21:13, 23 Oct 2025Updated 21:26, 23 Oct 2025<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Daily Mirror&#8217;s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/pride-of-britain-awards\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Pride of Britain Awards<\/a> viewers were once again moved to tears on an emotional night. Scenes, which aired Wednesday, showcased the nation&#8217;s incredible stories of strength, bravery and courage from incredible people up and down the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">And it was teenager Zach Eagling that left viewers pouring their heart out online &#8211; and hitting out at those who targeted him online. The 13-year-old was successful in launching a campaign that changed the law to protect people with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/epilepsy\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">epilepsy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">In his VT before taking to the stage to receive the Teenager of Courage award, Zach and his mum explained how his online journey reaching milestones was met with hatred. Some users on social media would send him flashing images, which could potentially trigger a seizure.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/pride-britain-awards-live-itv-36123372\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36123372\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pride of Britain Awards 2025 winners in full as heroes honoured on ITV<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/gallery\/who-replace-tess-claudia-x-36119343\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36119343\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Who will replace Tess and Claudia? X Factor legend to ex contestant<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761254898_558_0_The-2025-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg\" alt=\"Zach Eagling with mum Claire and Strictly members\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Zach Eagling with Strictly members(Image: David Dyson)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">However, instead of shying away from the content, Zach was determined to make a change and had a law passed making it a criminal offence for people to send such vile content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">He said: &#8220;I am so proud, I don&#8217;t know how I&#8217;ve managed it but I have. I don\u2019t know what I\u2019ve done to deserve this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">And after being handed the award by Strictly judges, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Shirley-Ballas\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Shirley Ballas<\/a> said: &#8220;On behalf of everyone in Strictly, for you to be able to change a law that makes you rather extraordinary gentleman and we are extremely proud of you&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761254899_265_0_The-2025-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg\" alt=\"Teenager of Courage winner Zach Eagling\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Teenager of Courage winner Zach Eagling(Image: Rowan Griffiths)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">And fans online also shared there thoughts. One user on Twitter\/X fumed: &#8220;genuinely what the f*** is wrong with people you\u2019d send a little boy with epilepsy spending his time fundraising, flashing gifs trying to trigger his brain. like it absolutely baffles me there\u2019s people like that out here <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/prideofbritain?src=hashtag_click\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\">#prideofbritain<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Another agreed, saying: &#8220;<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/prideofbritain?src=hashtag_click\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\">#prideofbritain<\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/> This a new low in terms of online bullying. How it actually enters someone\u2019s head to do that leaves me speechless and very sad. Well done Zach Eagling. You\u2019ve created good from their evil. They\u2019re not fit to lick your shoes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">A third added: &#8220;What an inspiration <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/Zach?src=hashtag_click\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\">#Zach<\/a> has proven to be &#8211; a force of nature with an `unbeatable&#8217; attitude! <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/PrideofBritain?src=hashtag_click\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\">#PrideofBritain<\/a>.&#8221; And a fourth wrote: &#8220;Zach you are a legend! #prideofbritain&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">All winners were nominated by the public, with the recipients being ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds. They were honoured for actions that were deemed extraordinary and inspiring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The awards celebrated achievements such as overcoming adversity, performing extraordinary acts of kindness, and displaying immense courage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Prime Minister was in the audience at the ceremony, that is sponsored by P&amp;O Cruises. The event, which took place on Monday night, saw <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/keir-starmer\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Keir Starmer<\/a> joined by his wife Victoria.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/keir-starmer-britains-not-broken-36109925\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">He also invited the winners and their families to 10 Downing Street, <\/a>where he celebrated their achievements and they got a chance to show off their shiny new trophies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Speaking of the stories, the PM said: &#8220;I always arrive thinking of this problem, that problem, like the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">world<\/a> is on my shoulders. But the moment I hear the first story, I think, \u2018give your head a wobble\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;You\u2019re doing amazing things here. Loads of people sitting in their living rooms may well say, &#8216;if they can do that, maybe I can do that.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">He also said: &#8220;People say, \u2018oh Britain\u2019s broken, people don\u2019t care about each other\u2019. But it\u2019s the complete opposite: if given the chance, almost everybody will try to do something for somebody else. Just look around you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@mirrorshowbiz\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">TikTok<\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">,<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/story.snapchat.com\/p\/e938f430-2c82-432e-9424-9522e5dc822c\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Snapchat<\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">,<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mirrorceleb\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" 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rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">YouTube<\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">and<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@dailymirror\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Threads<\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/kardashians-season-7-disney-plus-36120587\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36120587\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Where The Kardashians season 7 is on TV as Kim, Kourtney and Khlo\u00e9 return<\/a><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The annual Daily Mirror&#8217;s Pride of Britain Awards left viewers in floods of tears after one winner shared&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":523113,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,393,4884,1144,72932,712,1705,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-523112","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-britain","8":"category-uk","9":"category-united-kingdom","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-northern-ireland","14":"tag-pride-of-britain-awards","15":"tag-scotland","16":"tag-showbiz-snapchat","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom","19":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115425609496313149","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=523112"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523112\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/523113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=523112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=523112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=523112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}