NORMALLY she is used to being the one in control of an interview, but the positions were reversed for Fiona Phillips as reporter BARBARA FISHER took the chance to chat to her ahead of the Uxbridge College ceremony.
A star of breakfast television who will soon be quitting permanently took a break from the sofa to present awards to outstanding students.
Among the winners were a student who went on to achieve top grades at A Level after suffering terrible depression, a single mother who went back to college to study accountancy, and a refugee who learned English and is now studying childcare.
The overall winner - the Superstar - was Waheedullah Safi, 18, who arrived from Afghanistan unable to speak English three years ago, and has now won a place at Somerville College, Oxford University.
Achievers of all ages celebrated with over 500 friends, family and staff at Uxbridge College's Annual Awards Ceremony 2008 on Thursday, at The Beck Theatre in Grange Road, Hayes.
The 109 winners were chosen from among 10,000 part-time and full-time students at the college, which has campuses in Park Road, Uxbridge and Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, and was rated outstanding by Ofsted earlier this year.
Special guest Fiona Phillips, who presented the awards, told the packed theatre: "If I can do it (become a success) anyone can do it - I never thought I'd be interviewing prime ministers.
"Lots of people coming to Uxbridge College have overcome huge obstacles in their lives. It really is truly humbling to see what you have achieved.
"I feel very privileged to be among you."
Launching the event, principal of Uxbridge College, Laraine Smith, said: "We are here to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our students, and to acknowledge the support that our outstanding staff have provided to ensure that our students reach their full potential."
* For more information about courses available at Uxbridge College, call 01895 853333 or visit www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk.
