Pride of Britain fans were moved to tears watching Sunday's show as Rhian Mannings received her Special Recognition Award.
Actor Michael Sheen surprised Rhian with her award as she thought she was out for a brunch until her bumbling waiter came in and removed his mask, revealing the Prodigal Son star underneath.
Rhian was overwhelmed as she turned to her husband and demanded to know if he was in on this.
Brave Rhian's story is an utterly heartbreaking one, as she lost her baby son George to from undiagnosed influenza and pneumonia, aged just one.
"The staff were incredible, but it was clear they were not equipped to support families immediately," said Rhian.
"We wanted somewhere to sit quietly with him to say our goodbyes, but there wasn't a facility."
She explained that she and then husband Paul were devastated and had no support system, and so tragically, Paul took his own life just five days later.
"Seeing his son die so suddenly, traumatically, he just couldn't carry that feeling of helplessness," said Rhian.
"My life as I knew it for me, was over, if we'd have had some support in the days after George's death, Paul would be here today watching his son grow up."
She added: "We were failed not by anybody, but by a system that didn't exist."
Rhian set up 2 Wish Upon A Star, a charity that works with health boards and police forces, providing vital support to families rocked by the traumatic death of a child or young adult.
And amid the laughter as Michael gave Rhian her award, there were inevitable tears as Rhian acknowledged the "bitter sweet" moment.
Michael himself fought tears as he told Rhian it was "an honour" to give her the award.
"You have made such a difference to so many families in their darkest moments," he told her.
One viewer tweeted: " #PrideOfBritain good god, how awfully sad!!!!!!!!! RIP baby George".
"Oh my god her son AND her husband? No that got me out the blue. Nope. Nope. Nope.
"Could not ever understand the pain of that," wrote another.
#PrideOfBritain"This is heartbreaking."
A fourth wrote: "Just when I think I’m pulling myself together I start crying again,".
* Watch the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, now on ITV
