James W Phillips seen at The ICON Awards at Star-Studded Ceremony at London Fashion Week in Support of Prostate Cancer Charity

Publisher and editor, James W Phillips was out and about in London at the ICON events ICON (thisisicon.co.uk) a fixture of London Fashion Week which on Friday 17th February returned with a celebrity gala and awards ceremony at the Connaught Rooms in the De Vere Grand Hotel, London in aid of prostate cancer charity prost8.org.uk.

The awards honoured ICONS, namely people who have contributed to music, fashion, entertainment and philanthropy.

Scores of celebrities and top influencers were in attendance including Anita Dobson who brought along rock legend husband Sir Brian May, Matt Goss, Ben Odoefu, Nick Knowles, model Ellie Goldstein, Sam Fox and Made in Chelsea star Sophie Hermann who, famed for her quick witted nature, hosted the red carpet.

And the Winners Are…

Notable winners included Matt Goss, who recently announced he will be going on tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, picking up on the night an award for contributions to music and fashion. Matt’s agent Chris Herbert, the man responsible for putting the Spice Girls together, was in the crowd along with Goss’ girlfriend Chantal Brown.

Some of the others present to collect awards included actor, author and film producer Terry Stone; theatre impresario Paul Gregg, London native actor, rapper, writer and director Adam Deacon; model, TV personality and entrepreneur Jo Wood; and Cheddar Gorgeous of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame.

Anita Dobson meanwhile accepted an award in recognition of her decades of service to some of the most recognisable British shows in entertainment. Ever the supportive husband, Sir Brian May watched his wife of 20 years collect her honours to raucous applause. 

On receiving the award, the star said: “I am utterly thrilled to be receiving an ICON Award, and the fact that this event is raising money to support the vital work of Prost8 makes me even happier.”

Sir Charlie Mullins, the famous Pimlico Plumber and “Britain’s flushest tradesman” won an award for his services to philanthropy to cheers from his fiance the singer Raquel Reno who also performed at the event.

Theatre impresario Paul Gregg was on hand as well to pick up an award following the announcement of his new play Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding’ while the actor Tamer Hassan delivered his award acceptance speech from the devastated earthquake zone in Turkey.

And a New Beginning for Ben Odoefu?

Ben Odoefu was keen to put recent headlines behind him following an acrimonious split from Vanessa Feltz.  He was a guest at the ICON Awards in support of theatre impresario Paul Gregg, whose forthcoming play – Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, he is taking a leading role in. 

Lisa Loving

Also attending was glamorous matchmaker and author Lisa Palmer, founder of Mogul Matchmakers and a person lauded by Piers Morgan as “the cupid for millionaires”. Lisa was present to take an award to add to her trophy cabinet which already includes a prize from the 2022 international businesswoman awards, further cementing her position as a celebrity relationship expert.

ICON’s Mission

Founded by Buzz Talent’s Helen Georgio and Rachael Lewis, THIS IS ICON has celebrated fashion and music through a series of very well-received events which also work to spark a conversation around chosen causes, with much-needed funds going into the coffers of various charities in recent years.

This year, the ICON Awards raised money for Prost8, a charity dedicated to deliver cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures to men diagnosed with low to intermediate prostate cancer. 

Helen Georgio of Buzz Talent said: “The ICON Awards set out to deliver another star-studded and glamorous event where we honour some truly inspirational people”.

The star of ICON events is rising as a notable fixture of London Fashion Week since the first was launched in 2021.

“We were pleased to bring together top celebrities with top fashion, music and philanthropic figures and provide them with great musical entertainment to complement the headline awards ceremony.

“The importance of raising money for Prost8 on their noble mission to offer better, non invasive treatments to men diagnosed with prostate cancer further underscores our work to provide great events linked to a worthy cause.”

Going Once

Attendees also got the chance to bid on auction lots such as an ultimate luxury Formula One party experience in Abu Dhabi and an all inclusive private island stay in the Caribbean. All proceeds will go to Prost8’s campaign to secure equipment for the NHS to provide revolutionary treatments for prostate cancer which are far less invasive and life changing than conventional prostate cancer  treatments.

Not only that, but a unique “Be A Movie Star” experience was up for grabs giving layfolk the opportunity to feature in Terry Stone and Richard Turner’s next film with tickets to the red carpet premiere included alongside a VIP after party.

A Michael Owen shirt was also auctioned off by auctioneer and former Olympian Derek Redmond to one lucky bidder who wanted a piece of history from one of England’s best ever footballing talents.

Almost Full Monty

However, it was the closing moments of the show that drew screams from the crowd as six men stepped on to the stage in nothing more than Prost8 boxer shorts.  Sporting the slogan “MAD” standing for Manhood and Dignity, the pants underline the charity’s determination to offer men minimally invasive treatments that avoid life altering outcomes like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

The Cause 

Prost8 founder, Paul Sayer (himself a prostate cancer survivor), said: “Prost8 hopes to cut out the aggressive procedures that are currently being offered to men with treatable localised disease. This event has really helped us raise the money to fund focal treatment units, including ultrasound and cryotherapy”.

The Prost8 charity has ambitious plans to deploy at least the first two suites early this year (costing about £350,000 each) and two more before the year end.  Centres such as Bath, Norwich, Newcastle, Sheffield, Fife and Wrexham are on the list, among others. 

Sayer adds: “1 in 8 men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, so it is critical that treatment centres are in place. With 24m adult men in the UK, if just 1 in 8 donated £1 we would reach our £3m target instantly”.  

To donate visit prost8.org.uk.