Joe Lycett, Sir Rod Stewart, Alex Scott and Harry Styles are among the stars nominated for this year’s British LGBT Awards.
Lycett made headlines ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal, in November, when he publicly urged David Beckham to pull out of a reported £10m deal with the host nation – threatening to destroy £10,000 of his own money should the football star fail to do so.
Stewart also spoke out against Qatar’s human rights record in an interview with The Sunday Times, agreeing it “would have been good” to play his song The Killing of Georgie, about the murder of a gay man in the 1970s, at the opening ceremony as a protest. “I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1 million, to play there 15 months ago,” he continued. “I turned it down… It’s not right to go.”
Other stars shortlisted for the awards include Sue Perkins, Lizzo, Alison Hammond, Emma Watson, Rebel Wilson, Michelle Visage, Luke Evans and Graham Norton.
The British LGBT Awards honour leading LGBT+ activists, allies and celebrities who have worked to advance the rights of LGBT+ people during the past 12 months.
Announcing the awards, British LGBT Awards founder Sarah Garrett said: “It is more important than ever that we shine a light on those who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the LGBT+ community, during what has been another very challenging 12 months for the community.
“The nominees, which include an exciting mix of famous LGBT+ faces, allies and organisations, have all demonstrated a commitment to advancing LGBT+ rights.”
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This year’s LGBT Awards ceremony takes place on 23 June.
Lycett is nominated for the media moment of the year award for his money-shredding stunt, after which he revealed the cash was fake – with the real amount donated to charity.
World Cup pundit Scott wearing the One Love armband tribute in Qatar is also shortlisted for the award, along with moments including Jack Rooke’s comedy series Big Boys, and Ncuti Gatwah and Yasmin Finney starring in Doctor Who. Last year, the prize was won by Johannes Radebe and John Whaite for their same-sex Strictly Come Dancing partnership in 2021.
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Sir Rod is shortlisted in the celebrity ally category, along with Hammond, Watson, Styles, Visage, Pink, Katherine Ryan, Jenna Ortega, Patrick Stewart and Simone Ashley.
Billy Porter, Emma Corrin, Rebel Wilson and Luke Evans are among the stars shortlisted for the LGBT+ celebrity award, while Anne-Marie, Becky Hill, Lizzo and Maneskin are included in the music prize category.
Other previous British LGBT Award winners include Sir Elton John, Edward Enninful, Hillary Clinton, Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Munroe Bergdorf and Demi Lovato.