The worlds of UK and international entertainment gathered on Sunday, October 19th, at The Londoner Hotel for the prestigious Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2025. Hosted by Katie Piper and Mark Wright, the glittering event celebrated the biggest names in TV, film, music, theatre, and sport, while raising crucial funds for Variety, the Children’s Charity. The evening also paid tribute to 70 years of ITV, the UK's largest commercial broadcaster.
The Variety Club Silver Heart Awards celebrated outstanding contributions across multiple fields. Television legends Ant & Dec were honoured for their enduring career, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Television award from fellow host Stephen Mulhern. Pop star Olly Murs won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, acknowledging his chart success and charitable support.
Sporting heroes were celebrated, with Leah Williamson OBE receiving the Silver Heart for Outstanding Contribution to Football and Sports for leading the Lionesses to their Euros 2025 victory. Furthermore, Zoe Aldcroft & The Red Roses were recognised for their Outstanding Contribution to Rugby following their Women’s Rugby World Cup win.
International accolades went to Vanessa Williams, who received the Silver Heart for Outstanding Global Contribution to the Arts and Humanity. The prestigious International Humanitarian Award went to philanthropist Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE. ITV itself was honored for its Outstanding Contribution to British Broadcasting, presented by Ant & Dec.
The evening also saw Sir Stephen Fry recognized for his enduring impact on Theatre and Film, while Adam Hills MBE was celebrated for his work in Comedy and championing disability representation. The Variety Club Gold Heart Legacy Awards paid tribute to veterans, including Petula Clark CBE, Lesley Joseph, and Coronation Street legends William Roache OBE & Barbara Knox MBE.
Variety's Chief Executive, Laurence Guinness, thanked the winners: "Their generosity helps to transform the lives of thousands of disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK at a time when vulnerable children need Variety’s assistance more than ever."
