CELEBRITIES, including Ben Fogle, Matt Dawson and Dr Hilary Jones, are backing the 2021 Worcestershire Health & Social Care Awards.

Run by Newsquest’s Worcestershire titles, including the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal, the aim of the awards is to champion those teams and individuals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for people during the Covid pandemic.

Good Morning Britain (GMB) star Dr Jones will be your host, and some household names will be making guest appearances including Birds of a Feather's Lesley Joseph, The Royle Family's Ricky Tomlinson and Eastenders' Jake Wood. Also set to appear are stage performer Debbie McGee and Rugby and TV star Matt Dawson.

Dr Jones qualified in 1976 and has been ITV‘s health editor appearing on Daybreak, GMB and the Lorraine Kelly show since 1989.

Dr Jones, who has an MBE for services to public health, has been a prominent face during the pandemic providing advice and opinions for GMB viewers.

Another of those backing the awards is broadcaster, writer and adventure Ben Fogle. The star, who came to prominence after his appearance on Castaway and has appeared on a number of shows including Countryfile and Crufts, said he wanted to pass on his best wishes to all the finalists.

"The work of the NHS has never been more important than over the last 18 months," he said. "I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every single one of you for your incredible selfless work during the pandemic.

"I also would like to extend my best of luck wishes to the finalists in the Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards."

The real stars will be those nominated for one of our awards. In this past year of coronavirus they will have some especially inspiring stories to tell that will make it a truly uplifting occasion.

Among the categories being contested on the night will be the Care Hero award, GP Practice of the year, Health Care Team of the year, and the Good Nurse award.

The evening will be live streamed on the paper's Facebook site on the evening of Thursday, May 27, between 7pm and 8pm.