The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East today at a star-studded award ceremony which saw Amy Macdonald, Wet Wet Wet, Connor Burns, Claire Richards and more recognised alongside local heroes.
With all performers kept under wraps until on the day itself, a sold out Usher Hall audience were treated to surprise sets from superstar singer Amy Macdonald, Scots icons Wet Wet Wet, Claire Richards of Steps fame, Highland folk pop band Tide Lines and more.
Forth 1 presenters handed out awards to local heroes as well as celebrities, with Boogie and Arlene, Garry Spence, Callum Gallacher and Steven Mill making appearances onstage, as well as a charity auction to raise money for Forth 1’s Cash for Kids, helping to make a difference for kids across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
10 awards were handed out across the jam-packed show, recognising hometown heroes across Best Teacher, Best Restaurant, Best Workplace and the all important Forth Local Hero Award.
One of Scotland’s most successful touring comedians, local boy Connor Burns took to the stage to perform a hilarious set before picking up the Forth Fringe Award, recognising his completely sold out run in August. Connor’s hometown set at the Forth Awards proved why he’s one of comedy’s fastest rising stars.
Connor Burns said: “I can’t believe it. It’s such an honour to know it was voted for by the listeners. Forth 1 have always looked after me as they do with new talent. This is my first award.
“I’m a many time runner up, so I’ve finally got something to hang on my wall!”
South Queensferry’s family-run seafood restaurant The Crab and Lobster Shack was voted Forth’s Best Restaurant, run by the Coghill family and offering up high-quality seafood.
Plus, Mr David Barrett, of Preston Tower Primary School was voted the Forth Best Teacher, hailing originally from Canada and gaining experience working in Thailand, David’s pupils and colleagues said he turned lessons into adventures and took genuine care in helping every child see their own potential.
He said, “I’m one of a team and really we’re all winning this right now.”
Next up, iconic Scots band Wet Wet Wet were honoured with the Forth Music Recognition Award, as founding member Graeme Clark, guitarist Graeme Duffin and lead singer Kevin Simm performed hits ‘Love Is All Around’ and ‘Goodnight Girl’.
With over 15 million records sold worldwide, Wet Wet Wet are one of Scotland’s most successful musical exports and said: “Scotland has been a big part of Wet Wet Wet’s life and so have the people of Scotland who took us into their hearts. It’s lovely to be in Edinburgh again at the Forth Awards – they’re a big supporter…we love them and they love us!”
The top talent continued into early evening as Scots superstar singer Amy Macdonald was named the Forth Best Artist, entertaining the crowd with huge hits ‘Mr Rock & Roll’, ‘Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?’, and ‘This Is The Life’ . With her latest album release and two upcoming dates at Glasgow’s Hydro, Amy Macdonald continues to sell out shows around the world since catapulting onto the music scene in 2007.
Onstage accepting her award, Amy Macdonald said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be here this afternoon. It’s such a nice venue, I remember performing here on tour a few years ago and really enjoying it.
“Thank you so much to Radio Forth for having me and giving me nice prizes and playing all my songs on the radio. I hope you have an amazing rest of your day – don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do, which is… absolutely nothing, so do whatever you want! It’s been a pleasure to be here.”
A heartwarming moment in the afternoon came when Pawel Zakrzewski won the Forth Cash for Kids Award for co-founding the Edinburgh Combat Project, Edinburgh’s first martial arts charity, helping children facing mental and physical health challenges and offering a lifeline for kids facing tough circumstances.
The Forth Best Workplace award went to Free Agent, for their commitment to well being, learning, sustainability and empowering their community of small businesses, whilst Dunbar adventure park East Links Family Park took home the Forth Visitor Attraction Award.
One of the most emotional moments of the show, the Forth Local Hero Award went to Lisa Fleming, recognising her work in founding The House of Hope with her husband Euan after her own diagnosis with incurable secondary breast cancer in 2017.
Forth Awards, Usher Hall
Lisa has raised over £2 million for research, support and education after identifying a gap in wellbeing and support provision within her hometown of Edinburgh. The House of Hope has become a sanctuary for those impacted by breast cancer, with fully funded, tailored workshops, classes and support groups and holistic therapies.
Next up, Claire Richards, of Steps fame, took to the stage to perform an electric set including 00s Steps hits ‘Tragedy’ ‘One For Sorrow’ and more, before Boogie and Arlene presented the singer with the Forth Icon Award.
Claire Richards said: “It’s really exciting I never win anything so it’s really lovely to be recognised in that way!
“I haven’t spent that much time in Edinburgh – we’ve been here since last night and it’s beautiful here, absolutely beautiful. Everybody in Edinburgh needs to come and see The Steps Musical. It’s the perfect medicine to everything. It’s just joyful.”
The 2025 Forth Awards came to a dance-fuelled end with performances from Angie Brown, Oceanic and Robin S ensuring the crowd danced the remainder of the evening away to 80s and 90s hits.
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 20th edition of the Forth Awards was just as special as ever, as we shone the spotlight on local listeners making a difference in their communities.
“The sold out Usher Hall crowd enjoyed an afternoon of music, comedy and theatre performances as well as learning more about our inspiring winners and the work they do.
“It’s an honour for Forth 1 to be able to celebrate our community across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk – huge congrats to all of today’s winners and thanks to our incredible performers.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
FORTH AWARDS 2025 – WINNERS INFO
THE FORTH BEST RESTAURANT AWARD WITH SALTIRE HOSPITALITY
WINNER: THE CRAB AND LOBSTER SHACK – SOUTH QUEENSFERRY
The Crab and Lobster Fish Shack is a seafood restaurant in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh. It serves a variety of seafood, from high-end fish and chips to dishes like crab nachos, lobster thermidor, and West Coast mussels. It features an open kitchen, a nautical theme inspired by the Hamptons, and offers a range of drinks and desserts
THE FORTH CASH FOR KIDS AWARD WITH NEWTOWN DÉCOR
WINNER: PAWEL ZAKRZEWSKI
Pawel’s journey is one rooted in deep personal loss, resilience, and a commitment to changing lives. He tragically lost his father at the age of five, a loss that left him feeling directionless and emotionally disconnected, despite being surrounded by family. As a young boy, Pawel struggled to cope without a father figure. He rebelled against rules, disengaged from school, and got into trouble, behaviours that reflected a child in pain, searching for purpose. That purpose eventually came through martial arts.
What began as an outlet for his anger and confusion became a lifeline. He later discovered that his late father had not only been a boxer, but a multiple-time boxing champion who had used martial arts to support others in his community, something that deeply inspired Pawel. Martial arts became his path forward, and he went on to compete at the highest levels in Thailand before a spinal injury brought his competitive career to an end.
Returning to the UK during and after COVID-19, Pawel recognised a growing need among young people in his community, especially those facing mental health challenges or showing the same rebellious behaviours he once had. It was then that his priorities shifted. Inspired by his father’s dream of creating a first-class facility for all children in need, Pawel co-founded the Edinburgh Combat Project.
THE FORTH BEST TEACHER AWARD WITH OMNI CENTRE
WINNER: MR DAVID BARRETT – PRESTON TOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL
David Barrett is an amazing, inspiring teacher who brings a unique energy to Preston Tower Primary School. In a profession largely staffed by women, he stands out, not just for being different, but for all the right reasons. His humour, warmth, and intelligence make him a favourite with students, parents, and colleagues alike. Originally from Canada and enriched by his time in Thailand, David brings a global perspective into the classroom, turning lessons into adventures. He combines knowledge, humour, and genuine care to help every child see their own potential.
THE FORTH BEST WORKPLACE AWARD WITH FUSE
WINNER: FREE AGENT
Find an accountant in Edinburgh – FreeAgent
Free Agent is a company that truly lives its values through everyone’s every day actions. It’s a place for innovation, collaboration, inclusivity and on one of the office walls, they quote Bill and Ted’s mantra – “Be excellent to each other” – and that is truly the standard from the CEO down.
The company supports well being, learning and are committed to sustainability and to empowering their community of small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers.
THE FORTH VISITOR ATTRACTION
WINNER: EAST LINKS FAMILY PARK
East Links Family Park is a 20-acre farm-themed adventure park in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland, offering a variety of activities for all ages, including a train safari, animal handling, and a large play fortress. It is a family-friendly attraction with options like go-karts, trampolines, crazy golf, a hay barn, and indoor and outdoor play areas, as well as an on-site café
THE FORTH LOCAL HERO AWARD
WINNER: LISA FLEMING
The House of Hope was founded by Lisa Fleming and her husband Euan, following Lisa’s own diagnosis with incurable secondary breast cancer in 2017. Over the last 6.5 years, Lisa has immersed herself within the cancer community, along with Euan and the support of friends and family, successfully raising over £2 million for secondary breast cancer research, support, and education.
Over the last few years, through public speaking across the UK, forging relationships on and offline with other patients living with or impacted by breast cancer, Lisa identified a gap in wellbeing and support provision within her hometown of Edinburgh.
As a service user of Future Dreams House in London, which is currently the only dedicated breast cancer support centre in the UK, Lisa has experienced first-hand as a patient the positive impact that such a service can have on the emotional and physical wellbeing of someone living with breast cancer.
THE FORTH BEST ARTIST AWARD WITH VICTOR PARIS
WINNER: AMY MACDONALD
THE FORTH MUSIC RECOGNITION AWARD WITH THE LIQUID ROOM
WINNER: WET WET WET
THE FORTH ICON AWARD WITH THE EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
WINNER: CLAIRE RICHARDS
THE FORTH FRINGE AWARD WITH WATERMANS
WINNER: CONNOR BURNS
