LOCAL HEROES AWARDED ALONGSIDE CALLUM BEATTIE, HUE AND CRY, NATASHA HAMILTON, HEAVEN 17 AND MORE
The Forth Awards, presented by OT, have once again crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East – with local heroes celebrated alongside huge names from the entertainment world including Callum Beattie, Hue and Cry, Susie McCabe and more.
A sold out Usher Hall enjoyed surprise performances from the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Scottish singing star Nathan Evans, 80s icons Heaven 17, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton and more, as well as a charity auction raising money for Forth 1’s Cash for Kids.
Forth 1 presenters including Boogie and Arlene, Garry Spence and more handed out awards to celebrities and local heroes alike, with 10 awards in total handed out across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
The afternoon kicked off with an electrifying performance from homegrown hero, Edinburgh singer Callum Beattie, who picked up the Forth Best Artist Award before entertaining the crowd with his huge hit ‘Salamander Street’.
Having previously won a ‘One to Watch’ award at the Forth Award’s years previously, Callum said, “I’m really fortunate that I’ve had the country behind me selling out concerts.”
One of Scotland’s most beloved comedians, Susie McCabe collected the Forth Fringe Award whilst Scottish pop duo Hue and Cry took home the Recognition Award. The band got the crowd dancing and singing along as they played 80s hits ‘Labour of Love’ and ‘Looking for Linda’.
One of the most emotional moments of the event, The Forth Local Hero Award went to Steven MacLellan, a Baberton local who rescued his neighbours from a tragic gas explosion in December last year.
Having formerly served in the Army Reserves, Steven’s quick thinking and bravery helped ensure two neighbours were pulled from the rubble. Picking up his award after receiving a standing ovation,
Steven said “I feel very privileged – I didn’t expect this. I’m quite humbled by the fact that the local community nominated me for it. My wife told me that one of the neighbours had nominated me for this. I’m really honoured to get this. Just chuffed.”
Scottish singer songwriter Nathan Evans, whose astronomical rise to fame saw him reach global audiences with his now-famed sea shanties on TikTok, took to the stage to perform before The Forth Best Workplace Award went to Murrayside Care Home in Corstorphine, which provides high-quality care for residents including dementia and short-term respite care.
Care Home Manager Suzanne Welsh collected the award after receiving hundreds of nominations from staff and residents, saying: “This is amazing but my staff are amazing so that makes it!
“You treat your staff well and they treat the residents well – it really means a lot.”
16 year old Lewis Gourlay from Dunbar collected the Forth Cash for Kids Award, as he progressed from a beginner to a volunteer at The Wave Project, a surf therapy programme which aims to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Edinburgh favourite Camera Obscura was named best Visitor Attraction, whilst Queensferry High School teacher Mr Rory Swann was named Best Teacher (BELOW).
Dunfermline’s Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s took home Best Restaurant with Jack and Bryan Coghill saying: “Absolutely unreal. There’s no words. The public has voted us here and we can’t believe it.
“We’ve been to a few awards this year and we finally got one. And it’s for Dunfermline.
“It’s not Edinburgh and it’s not Glasgow but we’ve done it for Dunfermline!”
Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton performed the band’s biggest hits ‘Whole Again’ and ‘Right Now’ with the Forth Awards rounded off by performances from the voice of dance act The Time Frequency, Mary Kiani, plus vocalists Amanda Wilson and Katherine Ellis, before a show-stopping performance from 80s synth-pop heroes Heaven 17. The duo played a rousing rendition of their smash hit ‘Temptation’ before closing out the 19th edition of the Forth Awards.
Recognising everything from small acts of kindness from teachers and care workers, to achievements in the world of entertainment, The Forth Awards were once again a celebration of inspiring stories from Forth 1’s local heroes and performances to remember.
Richie Jeffrey, Head of Events said: “The Forth Awards are always a really special afternoon as we celebrate local listeners who go over and above for their communities.
“Today was no exception as our sold out crowd in the Usher Hall enjoyed non-stop entertainment, music and comedy, as well as inspiring stories from our worthy winners.
“Forth 1 are delighted to be able to shine a spotlight on these people and recognise them as pillars of our local community, and we’d like to thank today’s audience for supporting the event year after year!”