A BRAVE young boy who inspired Theresa May to save hundreds of lives by changing the law on organ donation won the hearts of stars and celebrities at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.

Heart transplant survivor Max Johnson, from Winsford, can be seen receiving his Child of Courage award as the star-studded show will be screened on ITV this evening at 8pm.

Standing on stage beside Jeremy Corbyn, the 10-year-old moved the 1,000 strong audience to their feet as he thanked Loanna and Joe Ball for donating their daughter's heart - to save his life.

As he spoke to the parents of nine-year-old Keira, special guests at the ceremony, everyone at the Grosvenor House in London mounted a spontaneous standing ovation.

Max's mum Emma, 48, said: "It was really moving, the highlight of the evening, above and beyond meeting any celebrity. For me it was wonderful that everyone paid tribute to Joe and Loanna in recognition of what they had done.

"Keira was in a car crash and her mother and brother were seriously injured. Joe was scuttling round three different hospitals when Keira died and he had to make this decision on his own.

"We can't stress enough how grateful we are to them."

Max told the celebrity audience including Sir Cliff Richard, Prince Charles, David Beckham, Amanda Holden and the England football team : "Don't waste your organs, you could save between four and nine lives."

His parents Emma and Paul, 45, and brother Harry, 13, had to keep the award a secret until they arrived in London for the awards ceremony.

Wearing hidden microphones they were ferried with Max to Trafalgar Square where Ashley Banjo from Diversity was waiting for them.

"Ashley was dressed as a frozen robot," said Emma, who works at The Hut Group in Northwich. "He asked Max to put money in a hat to make him move and started dancing. Then suddenly Ashley took his mask off and Max said: 'I recognise you.'"

The Britain's Got Talent winner took Ashley to 10 Downing Street where he was stunned to meet Theresa May as she gave him a gold envelope revealing he had received a Child of Courage award.

Max campaigned for an opt-out system which means everyone will be presumed to be an organ donor unless they state otherwise, while fighting for his life in hospital.

He was only eight when he suddenly fell ill and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Doctors implanted an electric pump to keep him alive and he had a transplant in August 2017.

"He carried on fighting for the campaign even though he'd got his heart because so many of his little friends died waiting for their transplants," said Emma. "He said: 'I'm lucky, I want to help those that weren't so fortunate.'"

After hearing that the new legislation being introduced in 2020 will be named Max's Law, he said: "That's quite cool!"

The awards show is on ITV on Tuesday, November 6 at 8pm.