The real X Factor

Stars salute our Children's Champions at 2005 awards

By Robbie Collin & Gemma Calvert

X FACTOR rivals Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh finally lined up on the same side this week...for the News of the World's Children's Champions Awards.

They were among a galaxy of stars celebrating the nation's real heroes...people who work above and beyond the call of duty for children.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was there, so were Michael Owen, Frank Lampard and Alan Shearer, all the X Factor finalists on their first night out together, McFly, Daniel Bedingfield, Olympic heroine Dame Kelly Holmes, stars from Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Hell's Kitchen, Where The Heart Is, Harry Potter, Big Brother and loads more.

Our own Ulrika Jonsson joined Simon to present the awards. And as they handed out trophies and thousands in prize money, Simon said: "You each have that X Factor... people who have worked so hard or performed acts of incredible heroism."

But the real show stealer was 11-year-old Joel Jamieson, of Wallasey on Merseyside. He is Britain's outright Children's Champion 2005, and won through for the lifetime of care he quietly devotes to his seriously ill brothers and his entire family.

Brilliant

Joel realised a great ambition when he stepped on stage, looked at the X Factor finalists in the audience and yelled: "What time is it?" The crowd of celebs roared back: "Chico time!"

From his table, Chico couldn't hide his delight. "I can't explain how brilliant tonight has been," he said. And referring to two other winners — six-year-old Rebekah Johnson and her brother Christopher, nine, he added: "I was so touched when little Rebekah said she couldn't believe she was having dinner next to me. The truth is I was privileged to sit next to her because of what she and Christopher have been through."

Chico's fellow contestant Shayne Ward added: "I've been taking Christopher around the room getting autographs and seeing his face light up. It's made my night." Sitting close by, X Factor's Nicholas Dorsett turned back to Joel and said: "We've got wall-to-wall stars. But this lad's the biggest."

All winners of our awards, run with Barnardo's, high street giants Bhs and boss Philip Green — are detailed in the News of the World.

Their big day on Wednesday started with lunch at the luxurious Marriott County Hall hotel. Louis Walsh took time out from X Factor to join them.

Excited

"What an incredible group of people," he said. After lunch they all headed off to No 10. There, Barnardo's president Mrs Blair set the tone for the rest of the day when she said: "Each of you is an inspiration.

From Downing Street, grown-ups were taken for a champagne reception on the sensational London Eye. And the kids went to toy store Hamleys for the pick of their favourites. Finally came that celebration dinner at the Grosvenor House hotel on London's Park Lane.

With a storming set from McFly still ringing in his ears, England and Chelsea hero Frank Lampard said: "I've been lucky enough to sit next to Joel Jamieson tonight. What a great lad." Frank's club boss Jose Mourinho said: "Meeting the winners has been great. I'm thrilled to support such a worthwhile event." England hero Michael Owen added: "When you've got kids you realise how valuable children are."

After playing four of their greatest hits, with Big Brother's Orlaith and Blue Peter's Zoe Salmon dancing in front of the stage, McFly's Dougie Poynter said: "We had a great time and hope everyone else did. We'd love to be involved next year."

Magic

And when we caught up with Newcastle soccer legend Alan Shearer he was still open-mouthed with amazement at close-up tricks from Marvin Berglas, creator of Marvin's Magic, who was working his way through the crowds.

Daniel Bedingfield belted out his very best tracks in an amazing acoustic performance including his worldwide smash Wrap My Words Around You. "What a night," he gasped. Andy Pemberton, half of X Factor duo Journey South, had to pinch himself. "This is the first time we've been invited to anything like this," he said.

Dame Kelly Holmes added: "I judged the awards on a conference call from South Africa to the rest of the judges in the UK, so it's lovely to be here."

Stunning Lucie Silvas, who played her top ten hit Breathe In and new single Forget Me Not, which is released in December, said after her set: "What a brilliant audience. I flew in from Ireland and wouldn't have missed this for the world."

Among the hardest working stars of the day was Corrie's Nikki Sanderson who, with Danny Young, had hosted the children in our party at Hamleys toy store that afternoon. In the evening she helped Simon and Ulrika hand out trophies and Bhs cheques to the winners. Each received £5,000 with overall Champ Joel Jamieson getting £10,000.

But as the night ended, the last word belonged to Simon Cowell: "People will remember this night," he said. And rightly so, because it's been the best Children's Champions ever."

CHAMPIONS

CHILDRENS CHAMPION 2005: Joel Jamieson.

SCHOOLS AWARD: Peter Walker, the first head to introduce random drugs tests in his school.

MEDICAL AWARD: Juliet Houghton of Leicester for her work with HIV-positive children.

999 AWARD: Special Constable Christine Smith of New Tredegar, South Wales, for her tireless work in deprived communities.

INDIVIDUAL AWARD: Laurie Matthew, from Dundee for helping thousands of child sex victims.

ITV NEWS CARER AWARD: Joan Griffiths, of Abergavenny, for her life of adoption and fostering.

Our three SPECIAL AWARDS went to mum Karin Sward, who ran back into the tsunami to rescue her children; Joey Sobol, for diving for food in flooded New Orleans to feed his family; and little Christopher and Rebekah Johnson of Sutton, Notts, for caring for mum Cathey after their dad died in the 7/7 bombings.