Tony Hadley receives Outstanding Achievement Award
06 November 09
Tony Hadley, lead singer of Spandau Ballet, last night received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the BT Visit London Awards 2009 in recognition for his contribution to London’s music scene.
On picking up the award, Tony Hadley commented:
“As a Londoner born and bred I’m thrilled to be receiving this award. London has been a tremendous influencing force in my career. In the 80’s Spandau Ballet were a formative part of the new romantic scene that had its beginnings here. Today London continues to be one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world, at the forefront of music and fashion and it’s an honour to be recognised as part of its rich heritage.”
Tony, originally from Islington, North London, has been active in the music business for over 30 years both famously with Spandau Ballet and as a successful solo artist, he has even starred on the West End stage as Billy Flynn in Chicago. Tony was presented his award by the star of the BT television adverts Esther Hall.
Now in their 6th successful year, the prestigious awards are a mark for excellence recognised across the industry.
Commenting on the success of last night’s awards, Visit London’s Interim CEO Sally Chatterjee said:
“The BT Visit London awards last night celebrated the best of the tourism industry from accommodation to attractions and events to eating out. Tourism is a hugely important part of London’s economy and I would like to thank all the organisations that work so hard to make London such an incredible city.”
This year, for the first time, Visit London recognised a Londoner for their contribution to making the city a better place to live and visit. After a public vote, Emma de Souza was declared the capital’s first London’s Hero for her dedication to Kidsweek, an annual event bringing London theatre to a younger generation.
London’s Hero winner Emma de Souza said:
“I am thrilled and shocked to have won and very touched that Hana Thompson took the time to nominate me. The award has come as a huge boost at a tricky time and it is wonderful to have the achievements of Kidsweek recognised”
The award ceremony was hosted by Magic 105.4 More Music breakfast host Neil Fox with support from Justin Wilkes and Neev from Kiss 100. Guest presenters included singer Kim Wilde and paralympian Ade Adepitan.
Neil Fox, Magic 105.4 More Music Breakfast Host commented:
“London is the greatest city on earth and I am delighted to host this amazing awards event celebrating all the people and places that make the capital so special.”
The Visit London Awards comprise 14 industry-judged entries, ranging from Large Hotel of the Year to the Sports Tourism Award. The awards also included four people’s choice awards; Best Family Fun and Best London for Free Experience sponsored by the London Evening Standard, London’s Hottest Music Event sponsored by Kiss 100 and the London’s Hero award sponsored by Magic 105.4.
Notes to Editors
Outstanding Achievement - Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley is a Patron of the following charities: The Whittington’s Hospital Charitable Trust ‘Building for Babies Appeal’, The Lowe Syndrome Trust, The Shooting Star Hospice and The Huntingdon’s Disease Association.
He is also an Ambassador of the Action Medical Research ‘Touching Tiny Lives’ Campaign and for this he has undertaken three Treks - The Inca Trail in Peru, The Lost World in Venezuela and has trekked from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. In so doing he has raised in excess of £600,000.
He is a regular member of the Arsenal Celebrity Soccer Team, once again raising many thousands of pounds for the Arsenal Charities.
He has for the last 19 years had a fantastic solo career and although performing over 200 shows each year has also managed to find time to play for our troops in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Cyprus, Germany, Northern Island and The Falklands Islands.
He is currently back on tour with Spandau Ballet after a twenty year break.
People’s Choice Awards
Evening Standard’s Best Family Fun Award
Wicked the Musical
Evening Standard’s Best London for Free Experience
Natural History Museum
Kiss 100’s Hottest Music Event
West End Live
Magic 105.4’s London’s Hero
Emma De Souza
As organiser of Kids Week in London’s West End, Emma is dedicated to bringing London theatre to a younger generation. Her commitment and enthusiasm have helped increase Kids Week ticket sales from a few thousand in the initial years to 51,000 this year. After Emma’s son was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital, she was inspired to use Kids Week events to raise money for the hospital.
Industry Awards
Accessible Tourism Award
Gold – St Martin-in-the-Fields
Silver – Greenwich+Docklands Festivals
Bronze – The British Postal Museum & Archive
Sustainable Tourism Award
Gold – Cavendish Conference Venues
Silver – ExCeL London
Bronze – Cavendish Hotel
Business Venue of the Year
Gold – ExCeL London
Silver – Natural History Museum
Bronze – Cavendish Conference Venues
Corporate Event of the Year
Gold – ExCeL London – The London Summit: Growth, Stability & Jobs
Silver – The Brewery – Glaston-Brewery
Bronze – Maybourne Hotel Group – Event Organisers Party at the Berkeley, 6 April 2009
Consumer Event of the Year
Gold – Greenwich+Docklands Festival – Greenwich+Docklands International Festival
Silver – Winter Wonderland
Bronze – Westminster City Council – West End Live
Sports Tourism Award
Gold – England and Wales Cricket Board – ICC World Twenty20 England 2009
Silver – Arsenal Football Club / Emirates Stadium – Emirates Cup 2008
Bronze – Chelsea Football Club – Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tours and Museum
Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year
Gold – Natural History Museum – Darwin Exhibition
Silver – Historic Royal Palaces: Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace – Henry 500
Bronze – Westfield – Launch of Westfield London
Best Gastronomic Experience
Gold – Bingham
Silver – Paternoster Chop House
Bronze – Vinopolis
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Gold –The Cavendish Hotel – Operations Team
Silver –Royal College of Physicians – Meetings and Events team
Bronze – National Maritime Museum – Nicholas Babbs
Budget Accommodation of the Year
Gold – Generator Hostel London
Silver – Palmers Lodge Boutique Backpackers
Bronze – Think Apartments Limited
Large Hotel of the Year
Gold – Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel
Silver – InterContinental London Park Lane
Bronze – The Athenaeum
Small Hotel/B&B of the Year
Gold – Bingham
Silver – The Colonnade
Bronze – SACO Holborn/SACO Serviced Apartments
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold –National Maritime Museum
Silver – ZSL London Zoo
Bronze – Imperial War Museum London
Best Tourism Experience
Gold – National Maritime Museum
Silver – Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
Bronze – BBC Tours
View all the Latest Press Releases
For older press releases look in our archive:
