A BLIND activist, who has been honoured for 50-years of campaigning, taught dancer Ashley Banjo how to cha cha while collecting her Pride of Britain Award, as she was branded a star and comedian by a host of famous faces.

Jill Allen-King OBE, 82, from Westcliff, also rubbed shoulders with a range of stars including Mary Berry and Peter Andre at the glitzy ceremony on Monday night held at London’s Grosvenor House.

The campaigner, who won the life time achievement award, has brought in major changes for the blind and visually impaired such as braille on bus buttons and textured paving at pedestrian crossings and train stations.

Mrs Allen-King’s guide dog, Jagger, proved a huge hit with the celebs and was even given his own miniature Pride of Britain Award by Paul O’Grady.

She said: “I asked Ashley Banjo if he knew how to ballroom dance and when I said no I grabbed him and insisted I taught him on stage when getting my award. “I spoke for far too long on the stage and everyone just kept cheering me. They all told me I was so funny I should have my own comedy show.

Echo: Dance - Mrs Allen-King OBE danced with Ashley BanjoDance - Mrs Allen-King OBE danced with Ashley Banjo (Image: PA)

“We walked the red carpet and it was all quite an experience. I met Ben Shephard and Suzanna Reid and talked to them for a long time, I also met Peter Andre who I talked to for a while too.

“I also met Mary Berry, Ed Balls MP, Arlene Phillips and Linda Robson sat on our table and chatted too.

“We had steak at the awards but I was so nervous and excited before getting on stage.

Everyone said I was amazing and a star.

“Paul O’Grady presented me with the award and he obviously loved my guide dog Jagger, who even got his own little Pride of Britain award.”

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She said the award is very heavy and she enjoyed chatting and spend lots of time with Mr O’Grady as he walked her to a press photoshoot.

Born fully sighted in 1940, a bout of measles meant Mrs Allen-King had to have one of her eyes removed as a baby.

Aged just 24, on her wedding day, she lost her sight completely because of glaucoma - unrelated to her childhood illness.

She added: “It’s been such an wonderful and amazing experience. On Sunday we attended a special dinner when we met some of the other winners and the stories are just heartbreaking.

“I’ve been doing TV interviews and it’s been a bit tiring, I was on GB News yesterday in the London studios.”

Other celebs on the bill included dames Joan Collins and Kelly Holmes, TV presenter Holly Willoughby, Hollywood star Idris Elba and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Earlier this month, ahead of the announcement ITV crews surprised Mrs Allen-King at her home after telling her they were making a programme about inspirational people.

Born fully sighted in 1940, a bout of measles meant Mrs Allen-King had to have one of her eyes removed as a baby.

Aged just 24, on her wedding day, she lost her sight completely because of glaucoma - unrelated to her childhood illness.