*Sir Ian McKellen, Eastenders star Danny Dyer and Queen legend Brian May are all big winners at RBS British LGBT Awards*

*‘Gay Oscars’ also handed to transgender actress Rebecca Root, TV presenter Alan Carr, Boy George and Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams*

An array of gay celebrities and ‘straight allies’ battled it out for a series of coveted gongs at the RBS British LGBT Awards tonight (Friday May 13th 2015).

The star-studded bash hosted by Spice Girl Mel B and former Blue singer,Duncan James, took place at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms. Over five hundred people packed the annual LGBT event to celebrate the people and organisations with a track record of promoting equality and diversity.

Sir Ian McKellen won the prestigious Global Icon Award as British LGBT Awards organisers paid tribute to his longstanding activism on equality issues. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Hollywood actor said he was humbled to be nominated by the public.

Eastenders cast member Danny Dyer was presented with the TV Celebrity Straight Ally while legendary Queen guitarist Brian May scooped Straight Ally of the Year accolade, presented by American singer Adam Lambert.
Danny, who first appeared on the BBC soap just over two years ago, is an LGBT advocate and has a huge gay fan-base while Brian May was recognised for his support of a variety of LGBT organistations and AIDS charities.

TV favourite Alan Carr, who has had his Channel 4 show chatty man since 2009, was presented with the LGBT Celebrity of the Year award. He saw offtough competition form the likes of Mary Portas, Caitlyn Jenner and Paul O’Grady.

The BBC celebrated winning the Media Moment of the Year award for BBC Two’s Boy Meets Girl. Stars of the UK's first ever transgender comedy series, Rebecca Root and Denise Welch, took to the stage to collect the award.
In a double triumph for the BBC, Newsnight presenter Evan Davis was also named Broadcaster of the Year.

Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, who is currently in Istanbul for the European Championships, was named Sport Personality and sent a video message broadcast to the VIP audience thanking her LGBT fan base for voting.

Meanwhile Sam Smith scooped the Music Artist of the Year award. He saw off stiff competition from the likes of Adele, Frank Ocean and Little Mix. The singer, who has had an impressive four UK number 1’s since bursting onto the music scene back in 2012, thanked the public for selecting him as their winner.

Awards host Mel B congratulated the winners. Speaking at the awards, the Spice Girl said:

“Every winner and every nominee is incredibly deserving. You are the cool kids and I am proud to be with you celebrating your success with you.

“To win an RBS British LGBT Awards is simply fantastic because the public decides the winners. This is a fantastic event and it is really great to be part of it.”

Sarah Garrett, British LGBT Awards organiser, commented:

“The British LGBT Awards is Britain’s biggest gay event. We are proud of our winners and grateful to all those who turned up to support the LGBT community.”

Some of the UK’s top business leaders, charities and organisations were also recognised for their commitment to the LGBT community.

The full list of winners of the British LGBT Awards 2016 are as follows:

LGBT CELEBRITY RISING STAR AWARD: Rose & Rosie

CMS LGBT CORPORATE RISING STAR AWARD: Mark McBride-Wright

LGBT NETWORK GROUP AWARD: Rainbow - The LGBT Professional Network, Lloyds Banking Group

SIGNATURE LIVING DESTINATION AWARD: Los Angeles

SPORTS PERSONALITY AWARD: Nicole Adams

LGBT INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODEL AWARD: Ayla Holdom

SOCIETE GENERAL LGBT DIVERSITY CHAMPION AWARD: Jacqui Gavin

MEDIA MOMENT AWARD: Boy Meets Girl Airs On BBC2

JUDGES' SPECIAL AWARD - TV CELEBRITY STRAIGHT ALLY AWARD: Danny Dyer

CELEBRITY STRAIGHT ALLY AWARD: Brian May

BNP PARIBAS CORPORATE STRAIGHT ALLY AWARD: Lt Gen James Everard KCB CBE

MUSIC ARTIST AWARD: Sam Smith

ROYAL AIR FORCE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Asda

BRAND/MARKETING CAMPAIGN AWARD: MTV

OUTNEWS GLOBAL LGBT CELEBRITY AWARD: Alan Carr

LGBT BROADCASTER OR PRESENTER AWARD: Evan Davis

GMB CHARITY/COMMUNITY INITIATIVE AWARD: LGBT Foundation

HUFFINGTON POST - LOUD & PROUD AWARD: Boy George

GLOBAL ICON AWARD: Sir Ian McKellen

RBS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Sarah Waters