The NatWest British LGBT Awards return to London this Friday (12 May) when the great and the good of the LGBT world (and their allies) will be battling it out for a gong in recognition of their work to promote diversity.
So ahead of the bash, here’s 8 things we can expect…
1. Alan Carr and Mel Sykes will be reunited
The celebrity friends will reunite to share presenting duties. The duo, who are returning to Radio 2 with a new show this summer, say they’re looking forward to handing out the glitziest gongs in showbiz.
2. The (Royal) red carpet is being rolled out
With Prince William and a variety of a-listers including James Cordon, Lady Gaga, Adele and Madonna up for awards, we’re expecting an impressive turnout of big name celebs.
3. There’s going to be a battle of the broadcasters
Sue Perkins, Clare Balding and everyone’s favourite Scouser Paul O’Grady are in the running for the Broadcaster of Year accolade. But they face tough competition from Graham Norton who won the prize in 2015.
4. Rylan Clark-Neal and husband Dan are up for a gong for being first gay couple to host ‘This Morning’
Rylan Clark-Neal and his husband Dan made history when they presented ITV’s ‘This Morning’, becoming the first gay couple to host the daytime show. They’ll be at the ceremony hoping to pick up the Media Moment award.
5. Lots of rising stars will be recognised
Emerging LGBT talent including ‘Dancing On My Own’ singer Callum Scott, ‘X Factor’ runner up, Saara Aalto, radio presenter George Shelley and 22-year-old SNP MP Mhairi Black, are all in with a shot at winning the Rising Star of Year award - one of the most hotly contested categories.
6. There’ll be some emotional speeches
Emotions run high at the British LGBT Awards and in 2016 Sir Ian McKellen made a poignant speech highlighting the issues facing men and women in countries where being gay is still illegal.
7. It’s not all about the gays
The British LGBT Awards always attract friends of the LGBT community. Queen legend Sir Brian May, ‘EastEnders’ star Danny Dyer, Lorraine Kelly and former Loose Woman Denise Welch are known supporters of the annual event and are all expected to be in attendance on Friday.
8. There’ll be a George Michael tribute
Award organisers are planning a tribute to the late George Michael. Speaking earlier this year, awards co-founder Sarah Garrett MBE, described him as an “international icon, a trailblazer and music legend.”
The 2017 NatWest British LGBT Awards will be streamed live at www.britishlgbtawards.co.uk from 9pm on Friday 12 May.
10 LGBT Rising Stars
Samira Wiley ('Orange Is The New Black' actress)(01 of10)
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"I was just taught that love is the most powerful thing." (credit:Megan Mack via Getty Images)
Adore Delano (Drag performer/singer)(02 of10)
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"My voice is not only for singing, I speak about body image issues, HIV rights, and many other topics that should be addressed when you have a platform like mine." (credit:Gabe Ginsberg via Getty Images)
Mary Lambert (singer/songwriter)(03 of10)
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"Hearing women of all ages sing 'She Keeps Me Warm' at the top of their lungs - they don’t give a shit about what pronoun it is.
"They get that it’s about love, so I think that’s really given me perspective. I think people can deal with it, and they get it." (credit:Paul Morigi via Getty Images)
Todrick Hall (YouTube star/singer)(04 of10)
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"When you’re a person that’s trying to be a public figure and you’re black and you’re gay and for some people it’s a little too much for them to handle...
"I think there are a lot of people who are afraid to be who they are and if I have to sacrifice a little bit of fame and a little bit of success because I’m being 100 percent truthful with who I am, hopefully that will create a paved way for someone else." (credit:Robin Marchant via Getty Images)
Ines Rau (model)(05 of10)
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"It's all about what's in your heart. Gender and sexuality do not make you who you are. Your heart and actions do!" (credit:Instagram/Ines Rau)
Riley Carter Millington ('EastEnders' actor)(06 of10)
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"I want to help make a difference. [Being trans] is a part of me and I want hopefully to make other people feel like they can come out, like they can feel that they’ve got support." (credit:Peter MacDiarmid/REX/Shutterstock)
Angel Haze (rapper)(07 of10)
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"Sexuality is like having a favorite colour. It doesn’t rule you, you know? And I should be able to do whatever and whoever I want at any given time." (credit:Brian Killian via Getty Images)
Joe Lycett (stand-up comedian)(08 of10)
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"Gender is fluid and I think it’s absolutely fascinating, so I talk about that a little bit in my show. I think it’s important some people do publicly go, 'Hey, I’m not straight and I’m not gay. I’m somewhere in the middle and that’s OK.'" (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Ruby Tandoh (foodie/'Bake Off' finalist)(09 of10)
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"To all the bros who hate social media, who pit it against 'real life' - I never would've had the courage to be me without Twitter's queer queens." (credit:Richard Saker/Rex/Shutterstock)
Troye Sivan (YouTube star/pop sensation)(10 of10)
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'[Being gay] been a non-issue for me. But the same thing that’s been a blessing in my life can lead someone to suicide. Every time I hear about an LGBTQ kid committing suicide, it’s just so much frustration. I just think about lost potential because a parent wasn’t accepting or a friend wasn’t, and it ended an LGBTQ kid’s life.
"I really want the parents of my audience to see these videos actually. And realise that their reaction influences their kid’s entire experience. Showing them two sides of the coin: this is how it could go or this is how it could go. It’s up to you." (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)