Julian Clary will be hosting the 2024 British LGBT Awards, Metro.co.uk can exclusively reveal.
The 64-year-old comedy legend will be taking to the stage for the 10th anniversary of the awards on June 21 in London.
He will be following in the footsteps of Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Rylan Clark, handing out prizes at Britain’s biggest LGBT+ awards show after his emotional appearance at last year’s event.
Clary left the audience in tatters when he presented a posthumous award to the late Paul O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio, delivering a poignant speech for his friend which sparked a two-minute long standing ovation.
Having trailblazed for the LGBT+ community in the 1980s via his outrageous stand-up comedy, national treasure Julian has remained a British TV regular ever since.
The star-studded event will honour the celebrities, campaigners, businesses and community activists who have helped advance the fight for LGBT+ rights over the past year.
Previous award winners include Sir Elton John, Sir Ian McKellen, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga and Jess Glynne.
In 2018, HRH Prince WIlliam was recognised with the International Ally award for his support of LGBT+ charities.
Last year, Sue Perkins hosted the awards, and presented prizes to the likes of Paloma Faith for her advocacy work, with Erasure singer Andy Bell scooping the lifetime award and Katherine Ryan crowned the year’s biggest celebrity ally.
The 2024 host said he was ‘honoured’ to be tasked with running the awards show.
‘I am delighted to be announced as host of the 2024 British LGBT Awards,’ Clary said.
‘The British LGBT Awards remain one of the most important and recognisable celebrations in the LGBT+ calendar and the 10th anniversary will be a huge celebration.
‘I am so excited to recognise not only the household celebrity names, but those working tirelessly behind the scenes to advance LGBT+ rights on a daily basis.
‘As a former British LGBT Award winner, I am honoured to host the event and cannot wait to see everyone on June 21st.’
Sarah Garrett MBE, British LGBT+ Awards founder, said: ‘We are delighted to confirm the legendary Julian Clary as host of the 2024 British LGBT Awards for our 10th anniversary celebration.
‘As a member of the LGBT+ community in the public eye for more than four decades, Julian is the perfect host for such a momentous occasion.
‘He brings the perfect blend of humour, entertainment, experience and style to the awards and I have no doubt he will be a smash hit with our audience.
‘The British LGBT Awards will once more recognise the celebrity icons, trailblazers, allies and innovators of the LGBT+ community as well as those driving positive change in business and society.
‘It is going to be so much fun and I hope to join Julian and all of our other fantastic and deserving guests on the dance floor in June!’
Google, Burberry, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Transport for London and BT are among businesses hoping to be recognised for their commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace on the night.
Clary’s appearance at the awards show comes just after he wraps up his 2024 stand-up comedy tour, Julian Clary: A Fistful of Clary, which is making its way around the UK as of April.
Public nominations are now open for the 2024 awards.
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