Boy George has received a lifetime achievement award at the British LGBT Awards, in recognition of a decades‑long contribution to British music and culture.
The Culture Club singer was presented with the surprise honour by French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier at a ceremony held in central London. Awards organisers said the accolade celebrated Boy George’s “significant contribution to British musical culture”.
It was a successful evening for the 64‑year‑old artist, who also won music artist of the year, beating nominees including Charli XCX and Doja Cat.
Speaking to the BBC after the ceremony, Boy George said the award had come as “a genuine surprise”.
“I feel so emotional. I was sitting there with my best friends and I can’t even tell you how beautiful it was,” they said. “To be presented by Jean Paul Gaultier is very special. They have always been there for me, whether I’ve been big or small in my career.”
The recognition follows disappointment earlier this year at the Eurovision Song Contest, where Boy George appeared as a guest performer on San Marino’s entry, which failed to qualify for the final.
Speaking before the awards, Boy George said they would prefer to write the UK’s Eurovision entry rather than perform it.
“I think the emphasis should be on the song,” they said. “Write the song first, then find the singer. You need someone with an amazing voice - a big European, belt‑it‑to‑the‑sky voice. And the song should be a ballad pretending to be disco, pretending to be Irish, but a bit gay. That’s so Eurovision.”
The British LGBT Awards, first held in 2014, are among the most prominent events celebrating LGBTQ+ people and allies in the UK. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Ruby Wax and Tom Read Wilson.
Other winners included Kate Winslet, who received an advocate award via video message, and Stephen Libby, who won media moment of the year after jointly winning series four of The Traitors.
Previous recipients have included Ian “H” Watkins, Adele Roberts, Tom Daley and Doctor Who actor David Tennant.
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical.
Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Member discussion