"My favourite teacher was Mr Brooks - first name Jim, who taught science at my secondary school. He made his lessons fun by utilizing humour - he would  draw cartoons on the blackboard and controlled the classroom in a very powerful way, almost jedi way  - we were mesmerised.

When I had to play Ian George , the Uber-head teacher in Lucy Gannon's Hope and Glory on BBC 1- I went to a school in South London to do some background research.  When I saw the work load the head teacher had to get through every day - his in tray scraped the ceiling! I was just full of respect.

I also think Beacon Teachers who turn  failing schools around should especially  be valued and celebrated, just as those who go that extra mile to engage kids with sensitivity and creativity.  Young people need that lightbulb moment in their lives in order to push through and gain some self esteem - and any teacher that can engender this process is incredibly valuable. And worth their weight in Cornetto's - Big up yourself Teachers!!!!"

Lenny Henry

“I honestly don’t think it’s ever been harder for teachers than it is now –.  I think the Teaching Awards is a great way to say thank you. 

I used to go to a prep school in South Wales and had a lovely leather satchel – now I find the smell of leather very nostalgic and it takes me straight back to my school days.

Roger Burnel was undoubtedly my favourite teacher, he was an acclaimed drama teacher and brought me out of my shell.  He treated his pupils as though they were equals and always showed us respect.”

Rob Brydon

“Having set up my own successful make-up school, teaching is something I feel exceptionally passionate about.  I always keep in contact with my students and love creating a special bond with them and watching them grow.  Teachers are a wonderful breed and certainly aren’t recognised enough – let’s give something back and say thank-you.

Mrs Marani was my favourite teacher because she was like my grandma – she taught me everything, was so kind, everyone adored her and it was great when she became headmistress.”

Jemma kidd

“Knowledge is irresistible. Anything is potentially interesting, but it depends entirely on who's talking about it. That's why teachers themselves are so important.The outstanding teacher that I remember is my old English teacher David Hilliam. He was passionate about apostrophes. He really was. He was the master of his subject and he engaged and encouraged us with it.”

Alex James

“I wasn’t exactly a model student, and to be honest I must have been a bit of a nightmare at times, but if it wasn’t for my teachers having faith and steering me in the right direction, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. So thank you!”

Jamie Winstone

“Like most people I was a bit naughty at school, not always paying attention and letting my mind wander but I realise now, particularly having my own kids, just how important that time in my life was. My favourite teacher was a lady called Mrs Dale, and she my Art History teacher.

I can’t say this was my favourite subject but somehow she somehow managed to bring it to life and had us all enthralled. Teachers are so important because they shape who we become later on in life – they are an inspiration to everyone and I feel proud to be supporting them.”

Claudia Winkleman

"When I was at school I had this amazing teacher who taught me English language. Above all he taught me the imaginative use adjectives. I think it's down to him I ended up going in to journalism.  Then after I left school at 18 I actually went out to Uganda for a year to teach and I absolutely loved it, it really opened my eyes to the vital place of teachers in all societies, wherever you are in the world. Over the years I stayed in touch with that English teacher until he died. A number of my friends went on to become teachers and they are constantly opening my eyes to what rewarding and special job it is. Teaching is a skill and those who dedicate their lives to it deserve to be rewarded and held in the highest regard by everyone, so I am proud to lend my support to such a deserving charity."

Jon Snow

“I consider the teaching profession to be immensely underrated and needs the recognition it deserves.  I wish the profession could break free from all of these Government targets and teachers could just get on with what they do best – teaching.  I feel so strongly about the profession as it runs through my family and ask anyone about their favourite teacher and they’ll always be able to remember one.  Mine was undoubtedly Mr Bennette, a primary school teacher who taught a bit of everything from English to football.”

Philip Glenister

“My favourite teacher was Miss Bowron, she taught me for six years and I loved and trusted her. She was very straightforward and quite firm. She didnt say much but I knew she believed in me and that gave me alot of  confidence.

Everyone remembers a good teacher – they’re someone who believes in you and can change your life.”

Bella Freud

"I was massively influenced by my teachers at school. At junior school I remember I had an altercation with someone and the deputy head handled it in a fair and balanced way. It could have been different and I remember him for that.

I have three cousins who are teachers and I know how hard they work and I have two daughters now at school. We expect such a lot from our teachers and I’m happy to say that all those I’ve met are good.”

Mark Ramprakash

“My favourite teacher was Lynne Spiers who taught me at Strathclyde Primary School in Glasgow. She just retired recently and we have kept in touch over the years. She instilled a love of reading, writing and always encouraged our imagination. She was inspirational and made a big difference to so many of our lives with her sheer enthusiasm and love for life.”

Lorraine Kelly

"I have had many wonderful teachers. The first was Mrs.P.T. who taught me woodwook when I was seven.

There was a gorgeous flame haired history teacher and a bohemian Scot, Mrs. Dawes who gave me my love of poetry."

Fern Britton

"Whenever I look back and think about school, there is always one teacher who puts a smile on my face, and that is Mr Jefferson. He made history lessons bearable, I was never that good at history but he made it manageable and fun. I didn’t end up taking history but I’ll always be grateful to him for making the lessons enjoyable.”

Ortis Deley

"One of my favourite teachers at school was a man called Mr Pullin. He taught me for Music, and led the two choirs that I sang in. He was inspirational in the sense that he was very passionate about what he did and expected 100% from us - I really respected him for that even when he would shout or get annoyed. When I was selected to be part of the Madrigal Choir, the coveted choir of the school, I was so pleased. We toured Italy, Barcelona and Vienna which which were my first real trips abroad the memories will stay with me for ever. He gave me the confidence to perform in front of lots of people which has really helped me with my career as a presenter.”

Angelica Bell

"My favourite teacher was Mrs Sambucci. She taught me art at college, after I left school. She was glamorous, warm, funny and sensitive, and was probably the first teacher I felt treated me as a friend as much as a pupil. She fired my interest in art and I wanted to be just like her"

Carole Smilie

"I had two influential teachers. There was Miss McCleary at my primary school where we had a stage and we put on productions which was very unusual in the late 1940s. Then there was Mabel Irving at my secondary school who was also very encouraging. She is still alive and the BBC took me back to see her"

Richard Wilson

"I’ve always had absolute admiration for teachers. They’re the unsung profession. In the past teachers and doctors and the priest were the most important people in society and so they should be. Being taught and learning is how you develop. “I had a wonderful drama teacher – Jackie Stoker, who discovered what I could do and made me work hard. That pays fantastic dividends. She absolutely insisted that I auditioned for drama school and that I would get in. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and I am eternally grateful for that. It’s quite right to have these awards and long may they continue.”

Imelda Staunton

“First there was Brother Jim who taught me maths (at Lawrencetown College, County Dublin). The other was a small but incredibly dynamic man, Mr Murter, who inspired my life-long love of language. They both gave me a sense of purpose and really helped me through a rocky period when I was a teenager. Teachers can have such an enormous impact, you just know they do.”

Mariella Frostrup

“One teacher who stands out was my PE teacher. I was always good at sport but he gave me the belief that it was OK to express myself. Sometimes when you’re talented and you could win everything at school you go into a shell because it doesn’t always make you popular. He gave me the belief that it was OK to go out there and achieve my dreams. From the age of 12 I wanted to go the Olympic Games so to go and win a gold medal ( Athens 2004, 4x100m relay) was a dream come true.”

Darren Campbell

“My best teacher was my music teacher at primary school. I was quite confident and tried to tell him how good was Wagner was. He decided to introduce me to Louis Armstrong so I suddenly found jazz – then blues, then pop!

My headmaster was brilliant too and understood my passion for railways. So, thankyou to him for letting me sit by the window in my classroom and watch the trains go by.”

Pete Waterman