Television personalities, Katie Piper and Mark Wright, hosted the night of celebration featuring some of the greatest names in showbusiness across TV, film, music, theatre and sport on 19 October.

Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, Chairman of Variety, the Children’s Charity welcomed guests who were treated to a three-course dinner alongside entertainment from Olly Murs, Emmanuel Kelly, Alexandra Burke, Sydnie Christmas, Amy Di Bartolomeo and Fayth Ifil.

Sir Stephen Fry collecting his award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Film.

Sir Stephen Fry was awarded Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Film, honouring his extraordinary career as an actor, writer and advocate for the arts.

Speaking about Variety’s work, Sir Stephen Fry said, “The important thing really is not just raising funds, but it’s how you do it. It’s how you make those children feel involved in the world and part of the world and accepted. I think what Variety does is give opportunities for these children to develop and to feel loved. It’s really important. Variety has proved that it really makes a difference.”

Ant and Dec collecting their awards for Outstanding Contribution to Television.

As one of the UK’s most successful and enduring entertainment acts, Ant and Dec were awarded Outstanding Contribution to Television. Ant and Dec said, “It’s such a time-honoured charity, Variety. To be here tonight following in the footsteps of some great winners in the past is a real honour. It has done a lot for a lot of underprivileged children, children who haven’t had the best start in life, so any help that you can give would be greatly appreciated.”

We were pleased to be joined by Variety beneficiary and Young Ambassador Izzie, who has bilateral cerebral palsy. An active sportswoman and judo champion, Izzie won a gold medal for Great Britain at the European adaptive kata championships.

Izzie took to the stage alongside Katie Piper to share how the wheelchair she received from Variety has transformed her life and ensures sport can be a central part of her life saying, “Without Variety, I wouldn’t be as independent as I am now. I wouldn’t have half the titles, let alone any of the titles that I have now because they have given me my independence that any 19-year-old should have the opportunity to have. You’ve given me a new life.”

Variety’s Young Ambassador, Izzie, with Katie Piper.

Thanks to the generous donations from all of our guests, the evening raised £300,000 for Variety to provide practical support that makes an immediate and lasting difference to children and young people with disabilities and disadvantages across the UK.

The evening also celebrated 70 years of ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, with ITV receiving the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Broadcasting, recognising over seven decades of iconic programming.

ITV’s CEO, Dame Carolyn McCall, commented, “I am delighted that ITV is celebrating its 70th birthday with Variety, the Children’s Charity, at this year’s Variety Club Showbusiness Awards. As we reflect on 70 years of making world-class programmes as a broadcaster, producer, and streamer, everyone at ITV feels a huge sense of pride in our clear sense of purpose, our distinctiveness and in our achievements as a commercially independent company.”

Olly Murs closed the evening with a standout performance.

Olly Murs won Outstanding Contribution to Music, recognising his chart-topping career and support for charitable causes. Olly added, “A really amazing evening, such a prestigious event, so to walk away with this outstanding contribution to music is a real honour, so thank you to Variety. From hearing about the stories tonight, being a parent myself now, to see what the kids are going through and what you can do to make a difference, I think anyone should get involved and donate as little or as much as you can. It really will help change their future and their life. I saw that first-hand tonight.”

Laurence Guinness, Chief Executive of Variety said, “Variety’s incredible award winners embody the very best of British entertainment. We thank them all for their support. Their generosity helps to transform the lives of thousands of disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK at a time when vulnerable children need Variety’s assistance more than ever.”

William Roache OBE and Barbara Knox MBE collecting their awards for Outstanding Contribution to Television.

Huge congratulations to our Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2025 recipients:

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Radio: Vernon Kay

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre: Jamie Wilson

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Music: Olly Murs

Variety Club Silver Heart 2025 International Humanitarian Award: Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to British Broadcasting: ITV

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Comedy: Adam Hills MBE

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Global Contribution to the Arts and Humanity: Vanessa Williams

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Football and Sports: Leah Williamson OBE

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby and Sport: Zoe Aldcroft and The Red Roses

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Film: Sir Stephen Fry

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Television: Ant and Dec

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Entertainment and the Spirit of Variety: Mark Wright

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Entertainment and the Spirit of Variety: Katie Piper OBE

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Outstanding New ITV Talent: Sydnie Christmas

Variety Club Silver Heart Award 2025 for Artistic Impact and Inclusion: Emmanuel Kelly

Variety Club Gold Heart Legacy Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Entertainment: Petula Clark CBE

Variety Club Gold Heart Legacy Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Television: Lesley Joseph

Variety Club Gold Heart Legacy Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Television and Variety: Pip Burley

Variety Club Gold Heart Legacy Award 2025 for Outstanding Contribution to Television: William Roache OBE and Barbara Knox MBE

Variety Club Gold Heart Legacy Award 2025 for Outstanding Global Vision and Philanthropy: Julia Morley CBE

Vanessa Williams with her award for Outstanding Global Contribution to the Arts and Humanity.

Variety would like to extend our thanks to Green Room Ents Ltd for helping to organise the event.

Alexandra Burke and Leah Williamson OBE.

Photo credits: Danny Kaan.