The winners were chosen from a wealth of worthy and celeb nominees (Pictures: Getty) The winners of the Metro Pride Awards have been unveiled at a star-studded and moving ceremony in central London. Hundreds of people gathered at a venue in Covent Garden, central London, this evening to recognise the incredible organisations, celebrities, businesses and allies that campaign for LGBTQ+ rights. Hosted by television presenter Rylan Clark, a nominee himself, the event saw emotional tributes to LGBTQ+ icons and applause for leading equality campaigners. Some of the biggest names in British culture took home awards for the contribution to the LGBTQ+ movement. Upcoming celeb GK Barry won the Rising Star Award (Credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) TV Judge and presenter Robert Rinder MBE won recognition as Broadcaster of the Year. Pop Idol winner Will Young was chosen as Metro’s Music Hero of the Year. Internet personality and I’m a Celeb jungle survivor GK Barry picked up the Rising Star Award as her career goes from strength to strength. Legendary drag queen The Vivienne, who died at the age of 32 in January, was honoured with the Icon Award. For a decades-long career spanning comedy, writing, narrating and acting, Stephen Fry was thrilled to receive the event’s Lifetime Achievement Award The Vivienne was given the Icon Award in her memory (Picture: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) The winners, as well as those who were highly commended, were decided by a mixture of a public vote by readers and a judging panel. Heroes not usually in the spotlight also had their pioneering contributions to LGBTQ+ rights celebrated. Elliot Barton, who has driven eyelash brand Tatti Lashes to international success, won the award for LGBT+ Business Leader. While Lauryn Yuen, TikTok’s Global Client Solutions Manger and leading LGBTQ+ advocate within the firm, was celebrated for her work with the Business Ally award. British corporations also won awards, with British Airways taking home Brand of the Year and Wickes receiving Business of the Year. In total there were 22 winners, as well as 10 categories where there was a highly commended runner-up was chosen. Stephen Fry picked up the LIfetime Achievement Award (Picture: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) Richard Hartley-Parkinson, Executive Editor of Metro, said: ‘Congratulations to all the winners and those who were highly commended at the 2025 Metro Pride Awards. ‘We pride ourselves on being a diverse newsroom, offering a platform to those who wouldn’t normally have a voice and giving positive representation. ‘There will be people who want to detract from the awards with comments like “how many awards ceremonies do these people need”. ‘But these awards are not for those people – they’re intended to inspire younger generations, people questioning who they are. We want everyone to see all the great things that all our nominees have accomplished, not just the winners. ‘The more people see us celebrating all that is good with being LGBTQ+, the more confident they will be in loving themselves, loving who they want to love, and becoming the hes, the shes, the theys and the thems they were born to be.’ To find out more about the Metro Pride Awards, click here. The winners of Metro Pride Awards 2025: Icon Award Winner: The Vivienne Brand of the Year Winner: British Airways Highly commended: Just Eat Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award Winner: Create Fertility Highly commended: MSB Solicitors LGBTQ+ Network Group Winner: ScottishPower – In-Fuse Highly commendedL Spire Healthcare – LGBTQ+ Colleague Network Most Inclusive Employer Winner: London Stock Exchange Highly commended: Moody’s Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Winner: Nissan Grassroots or Charity Organisation of the Year Winner: Just Like Us Highly commended: LGBT Foundation Celebrity of the Year Winner: Edward Einninful OBE Marketing Campaign of the Year Winner: Open Media Highly commended: Millwall Romans – Millwall F.C. Business of the Year Winner: Wickes Highly commended: Macquarie Best Breakthrough Business Winner: Williams & Hirst Highly commended: Mildreds Rising Star Award Winner: GK Barry Sports Hero of the Year Winner: Cindy Ngamba Business Ally Winner: Lauryn Yuen, TikTok Highly commended: Emma Carey, MSB Solicitors Broadcaster of the Year Winner: Robert Rinder MBE LGBT+ Trailblazer Winner: Suki Sandhu OBE and Simon Jones LGBT+ Business Leader Winner: Elliot Barton, Tatti Lashes Highly commended: Anna Deignan, The Premier League Music Hero of the Year Winner: Will Young Inspirational Ally Winner: Sharleen Spiteri Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Stephen Fry Metro Global Recognition Award Winner: Anastacia Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page.