British LGBT Awards 2025 WINNERS: Jess Glynne proudly accepts trophy on behalf of girlfriend Alex Scott as the BBC Sports star is honoured alongside Jade Thirlwall, GK Barry and Steps' Ian H Watkins

Daily Mail​

20-06-2025

Alex Scott and Jade Thirwall led the winner at the star-studded British LGBT Awards 2025 which was held at The Brewery in London on Friday evening.
The glitzy bash, hosted by Scott Mills and Kemah Bob, saw Alex's pop star girlfriend Jess Glynne, 35, accept LGBTQ+ Public Figure award on behalf of the BBC Sports presenter.
The couple made their red carpet debut at last years BRIT Awards, after keeping their relationship private for months, with later admitting that they chose to do so because they knew it was 'special'.
Meanwhile Jade, was crowned Moet's Celebrity Ally of The Year in recognition of her support for queer rights and causes, just weeks after she led thousands of fans in an anti-JK Rowling chant.
Also honoured were I'm A Celeb stars GK Barry and Richard Coles, whose sweet friendship on the show was named one of the year's most defining pieces of LGBTQ+ media.
Steps star Ian H Watkins, 49, who shares nine-year-old twin sons Macsen and Cybi with ex Craig Ryder, was presented with the Special Recognition Award in honour of him using his platform to champion queer parenting.
Iconic stage and screen actor Billy Porte r, 55, also nabbed his own Special Recognition trophy, while TV stars India Willoughby and Ella Morgan collected the first ever Pride.Purpose.Progress #StrongerTogether Award in honour of the tans community.
Jade, who couldn't be present and accepted the gong via video link, told her gay fans how much she 'adorned' them, before cheekily thanking those who bought jockstraps from her merchandise collection.
The singer raised eyebrows when she announced the range last year that also included a butt plug on a keychain and silicon-based lubricant.
She said: 'Thank you, thank you, thank you, so so much for this award. It really does mean everything to me. I just want to say that from the bottom of my heart, I really do adore the LGBTQ+ community'.
'I know for a fact that I wouldn't be where I am now were it not for that community supporting me, and making me the best artist I can be, and the best ally that I can be'.
Before quipping: 'And I would personally like to thank my gay fans especially for making my jock strap my best-selling merchandise piece - thank you so, so much'.
Jade continued: 'But in all seriousness, I want you to know that my allyship is not transactional. It has always been incredibly important to me, for many years now, to be the best ally I can be, and show up for the community time and time again'.
'And I do feel like at this time more than ever, it really is crucial for allies to speak up, stand up and show support for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the trans community'.
Before adding: 'I'm really sorry that I can't be there tonight, I'm genuinely gutted. But I just want to say congratulations to all of the winners tonight and you have my oath, for eternity, that I will constantly strive to be the ally that you deserve'.
She posed proudly with the gong she accepted on behalf of her partner who was not present
TV stars India Willoughby and Ella Morgan (pictured) collected the first ever Pride.Purpose.Progress #StrongerTogether Award in honour of the tans community.
Jade is far from the first celebrity with a large LGBTQ+ following to release risqué merch.
Following her 2020 dance-pop album Chromatica, Lady Gaga released a hot-pink jockstrap while Cambridge-born singer Charli XCX previously sold a sex paddle alongside a branded douche. For her latest album Brat, she sold a key on a necklace
When asked about the X-rated merch, that coincided with the release of her fourth single Fantasy, Jade told Vogue: 'I'm collaborating with a friend of mine, Samuel Douek, on a kind of Fantasy bundle package with some of his products and some of mine. It's fun getting to do stuff like that.'
Douek is a filmmaker as well as the owner of CBD-based lubricant brand Howl - a product which features in Jade's collection.
She continued: 'Obviously, in Little Mix, there was kind of a ceiling on how far we could push things with our demographic and fan base.
'So I'm excited for my own stuff to have that same element of fun and empowerment, but in my own way as a 31-year-old woman.'
As well as the X-rated bundle, fans can buy a series of coloured bandanas - which are typically used as a visual shorthand for the LGBTQ+ community to discreetly signal sexual preference.
Sarah Garrett MBE, Founder of the British LGBT Awards said: 'This year's ceremony felt more important than ever. At a time when our community is facing increasing challenges and adversity, it was vital to come together to celebrate each other and embrace that wonderful sense of collective joy'.
'Honouring the trans community with the first-ever Pride.Purpose.Progress #StrongerTogether Award was a very meaningful moment, and a reminder that inclusion must be at the heart of everything we do. The British LGBT Awards exists to uplift, empower and recognise those creating real change - tonight was a powerful reflection of that mission'.
Kelvin Anderson, Chair of LGBTQ+ at Tesco colleague network said: 'We are delighted to once again be a headline partner of the British LGBT Awards in 2025. At Tesco we Stand Proud Together to support our LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers across the country all year round and the awards help to elevate the voices and achievements of the wonderful LGBTQ+ community and its allies'.
Before adding: 'We want all our LGBTQ+ colleagues to feel like they belong and can thrive at Tesco and the awards are just one of the ways we can show our support.
Earlier this month Jade was performing at Mighty Hoopla in London when she sang one of her new songs FUFN (F*** You For Now) - using it to take aim at the Harry Potter author.
'Transphobes,' JADE shouted, as the crowd replied: 'F*** you'. She then turned attention to the writer, yelling ' JK Rowlin g' to which the crowd chanted again: 'F*** you'.
A festival-goer shared the clip online with the caption: 'Jade, the legend you are!!!'
JK has denied being transphobic, but she previously said she would 'happily' go to jail for misgendering a trans person rather than referring to them by their preferred pronouns.
She is also using the new Harry Potter series to fund organisations dedicated to removing trans rights , with her 'Women's Fund' website saying it will offer financial support to those fighting trans inclusion 'in the workplace, in public life, and in protected female spaces'.
The author made her first controversial comments about trans people six years ago, and has long claimed their inclusion in spaces such as bathrooms is a threat to women.