For Olympic rower James Cracknell there was one clear winner in the Pride of Britain Special Awards category.
Jane Tomlinson, the cancer campaigner who has raised more than £1 million for charity through gruelling acts of physical endurance.
"Jane is an inspiration to all of us who are athletes," James said at the judge's panel meeting, held at Richard Branson's home. "But she is also an inspiration to ordinary people and the challenges we all face in our everyday lives."
Inspiration was the order of the day at the panel meeting, with our nine judges compelled to choose between heroes from across the country.
Mirror editor, Richard Wallace, singer Ms Dynamite, heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub, and the UK's Chief Nursing Officer Chris Beasley met with Fiona Phillips, Mirror columnist and GMTV presenter, previous Pride of Britain Teacher of the Year Sab Sahota-Lyons, and Michael Young from British Gas to debate the winners.
But it was judge Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, who best summed up the atmosphere.
"There have been so many astonishing acts of bravery, it's impossible to choose. Every story both is moving and inspiring.
"This year's Pride of Britain is more important than ever," he added. "It is a celebration of what makes Britain strong and holding it in London is a chance to say thank you to all those in the capital who showed such tremendous courage on 7th July this year."
Ms Dynamite was inspired particularly by all the children of courage.
"It's hard to imagine any child having the presence of mind that these children did, at such young ages.
"To rescue your brother and sister from car beneath the surface of a canal, to refuse to give up hope when you've been attacked by a firebomb, to deliver a baby - these are extraordinary acts."
Former Teacher of the Year Sab Sahota-Lyons, was impressed that headteacher Liz Owens had taken on not just the literacy at her school, but also the children's nutrition.
"Turning a school around is about more than just lessons," she said. "It's about looking after the whole child. And this headteacher was doing it long before Jamie Oliver made it a big issue."
All the judges, meanwhile, commended 83-year-old Richard Carr-Gomm's work with the most marginalised people in society - the elderly, the disabled, those with mental illness.
From modest beginnings, the ex-home help has set up an extraordinary charity which provides over 1,000 homes for the disadvantaged.
And every judge also commended the extraordinary work of Richard Curtis, the unsung hero behind Live 8 and Make Poverty History.
"Richard Curtis has almost single-handedly made this the Year of Africa," said Sir Ian Blair. "It is a fantastic achievement."
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