TV favourite Gok Wan today said he’s ‘over the moon’ to be hosting the Stonewall Awards at the V&A on Thursday 1 November.
Stonewall’s annual Awards celebrate people and organisations who’ve made a positive contribution to the lives of Britain’s 3.7 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and are the biggest night in the charity’s fundraising calendar.
This year’s shortlisted Entertainer of the Year nominees include The Great British Bake-Off co-host Sue Perkins and X Factor star Marcus Collins, while two Paralympic champions are among those competing for the Sports Award of the Year. ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and All Star Mr & Mrs make the shortlist for Broadcast of the Year, and pop diva Jessie J and the founders of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company are shortlisted for Hero of the Year.
Gok – currently hosting Channel 4’s dating game show Baggage – said:
‘I was over the moon when Stonewall asked me to host their fabulous Awards. It’s an amazing opportunity to celebrate some big names and unsung heroes who’ve made a huge difference to millions of gay people. Over half of gay kids are bullied at school, and Stonewall’s leading the way to stop that. I’m so proud to be able to support their work.’
Seven awards – Entertainer, Politician, Broadcast, Journalist, Publication, Writer and the Sports Award of the Year – will be selected by an independent judging panel including the broadcaster Alice Arnold and former England rugby hero Ben Cohen. Three Awards – Hero, Community Group and Bigot of the Year – are voted for by Stonewall’s thousands of supporters.
The seventh annual Stonewall Awards ceremony takes place on Thursday 1 November at the V&A in London. Tickets are £155 plus VAT. To book your ticket visit www.stonewall.org.uk/awards or call 020 7593 1875