Singer Lily was honoured for her her passionate and outspoken support for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, picking up the Hero Of The Year Award at the star-sudded ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Lily Allen
Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images
The awards celebrated those who work to promote diversity across Britain’s media industries, and also saw presenter Reggie Yates beat the likes of Graham Norton to be named Presenter Of The Year.
Journalist India Willoughby was also awarded Media Moment Of The Year for her stint on ‘Loose Women’, which marked the first time a trans woman had sat on the panel of the ITV daytime show.
Open Image Modal
Reggie Yates
Joe Maher via Getty Images
Labour MP Diane Abbott, who this year celebrates thirty years since being elected the UK’s first black woman MP, also won the prestigious Icon of the Year award.
There were also gongs for ‘Gogglebox’ and actor Russell Tovey at the event, which was held at London’s Hilton Waldorf Hotel.
Open Image Modal
India Willoughby
Leon Neal via Getty Images
Commenting on the winners, Diversity in Media Awards host, Jane Hill, said: “It has been a fantastic night that has rightly celebrated people and organisations across the media who are making a real difference in promoting the values of diversity.
“So many brilliant people have won awards and there were some very special moments.”
Awards co-founder, Linda Riley, added: “There is still much to do to ensure that every strand of British media accurately reflects the diversity of society but these awards are a great way to celebrate those who are already doing it. It has been wonderful to celebrate such inspirational role models.”
Media Moment of the Year: India Willoughby on ‘Loose Women’
Icon of the Year: Diane Abbott MP
TV Programme of the Year: ‘Googlebox’
Journalist of the Year: Matthew Cain (Attitude)
Rising Star of the Year: Victoria Broom
Actor of the Year: Russell Tovey
Broadcaster of the Year: BBC
Production Company of the Year: Betty
Marketing Campaign of the Year: Jabong
Media Organisation of the Year: Simon Jones PR
Blogger/Podcaster of the Year: Gemma Turner
Radio Programme of the Year: Badass Women’s Hour
10 LGBT Rising Stars
Samira Wiley ('Orange Is The New Black' actress)(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
"I was just taught that love is the most powerful thing." (credit:Megan Mack via Getty Images)
Adore Delano (Drag performer/singer)(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
"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)
Open Image Modal
'[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)