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The Radio 1 Teen Awards have been running since 2008, offering the chance to celebrate teenage life in all its glory and to recognise some real life teen heroes.

The Teen Awards are big in many ways - they now take place at Wembley Arena, and guests over the years have included massive celebrities such as One Direction and Demi Lovato. But they're so much bigger than your average awards show, for so many different reasons.

Who better to tell us why the Teen Awards are special than a Teen Hero winner themselves? Each year, the Teen Awards honour Teen Heroes - the selfless, inspirational and brave teens who deserve recognition for their strength, courage and innovation.

Lewis, the Teen Hero for 2016, has gone through regular brain surgeries since he was just a toddler. Having spent a lot of time in hospital himself, he knows first hand how isolating it can be - it's really hard to make friends when you're not able to attend school. He set up , a website which helps poorly and disabled children to come together and socialise.

We spoke to Lewis about his experiences at the Teen Awards - and it sounds pretty incredible. "My best memories of the awards are when Nick Grimshaw announced my award and I walked out on the stage at Wembley. The audience were screaming and cheering and it felt amazing. Crazy! But amazing. When I left there were people waiting outside for me to take a selfie with me and they were shouting 'Lewis!' It was every teenager's dream come true."

Lewis met Nick, The Vamps, DNCE and other Teen Heroes at the awards - and had a meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge beforehand.

So just what kind of impact did the Teen Awards have on Lewis's life?

"To be recognised by Radio 1 and the Teen Awards was unbelievable," said Lewis. "Everyone listens to Radio 1, it's massive! After being on the radio and TV everyone found out about Friend Finder. I had so much contact from people wanting to help or be helped. Winning the award not only changed my life but also the lives of all the young people I've helped since that had heard about Friend Finder from Radio 1."

And for the stars of the show, it's meeting people like Lewis that make Radio 1's Teen Awards such a special event.

"Teen Awards isn't just about the performers and celebrities," This years co-host Rita Ora tells us.

"It's actually about the heroes, which makes it ten times more different to anything I’ve ever done."

Both Rita and Nick worked hard during their teen years to make their dreams come true, but say that's nothing compared to what the Teen Heroes have achieved.

"It makes you question what you've done with your own life," says Nick.

"You're meeting these kids who are 14 years old, they're super brave and have been through a really hard time.

"They've not just made it through this traumatic time, they've gone through it and decided to change the way that situation could be for someone else."

"We need loads of people like that," says Rita.

Rita is right, Teen Awards isn't just about the performers and the celebrities, but they are a big part of it.

This year, she will be presenting and performing, alongside some of the biggest names in pop. Also taking to the stage will be former One Direction star Liam Payne, queen of relationship advice Dua Lipa, Teen Awards veterans The Vamps and global sensation Camila Cabello.

And what happens when a group of pop stars like these get on a stage? Screaming. Lots of screaming.

"It's the loudest thing I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot of award ceremonies," says Nick.

"It's really weird afterwards when you leave the Teen Awards and you're at home and you can still hear it."

So get your earplugs ready, even if you're watching or listening at home. It's going to get loud.