CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Star Studded Forth Awards Ceremony celebrates Local Heroes, Sports plus Music Stars

Stars including Amy MacDonald, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Byrne and Go West all took to the stage in the capital on Thursday night in celebration of Forth Heroes.

Star Studded Forth Awards Ceremony celebrates Local Heroes, Sports plus Music Stars

Article Source: Material
Last Updated: 17 November 2018 11:11

AMY MACDONALD, ED BYRNE, GO WEST, LEWIS CAPALDI, MARK BEAUMONT AND MORE ALL JOIN CELEBRATION OF FORTH HEROES.

Stars including Amy MacDonald, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Byrne and Go West all took to the stage in the capital as one of the best events in Edinburgh’s entertainment calendar delighted hundreds of fans. This year was one of its biggest and best yet as record-breaking adventurer and cyclist Mark Beaumont also joined the festivities alongside Angie Brown, Rozalla, and Max George.


The Forth Awards are once again sponsored by Edinburgh St James which, with an investment value of £1bn, is one of the largest and most significant development projects underway in the UK. Working with Radio Forth as the main sponsor, Edinburgh St James will bring revitalisation to the East End of Edinburgh with 850,000 sq. ft of shops, 150 new homes and 30 restaurants. Echoing the aims of the Forth Awards, Edinburgh St James also recognises those living in our community through its numerous sustainability and socially responsible initiatives.

Kicking off the show, BAMR (Boogie, Arlene, Marty and Robbie) took to the Usher Hall stage as X Factor contestant Caitlyn Vanbeck performing vocals, with the five-piece receiving rapturous applause from the delighted Forth Awards audience. Setting themselves a challenge on the breakfast show to create a chart-topping hit, the team did exactly that, with ‘Break Your Heart’ pipped to the top spot by none other than Calvin Harris and Sam Smith. With a party atmosphere from the very beginning, it was clear the Usher Hall audience were in for a day of unrivalled entertainment.

The inaugural award of the night with The Forth Contribution to Sport Award going to none other than record-breaking adventurer Mark Beaumont. The Perthshire cyclist holds the world record for cycling around the world in less than 79 days, completing the gruelling 18,000 mile trek by cycling 240 miles every day and sleeping for less than five hours a night. Receiving his Forth Award, Mark said, “I’ll tell you one thing for free – I’m not doing that again! Scotland now have the male and female world record. Thank you!”

Next up, Callum Gallacher presented The Forth Rising Star Award to one of the biggest stars the Scottish music scene has produced in recent years. Lewis Capaldi has had a phenomenal few years since his debut single ‘Bruises’ was released in 2017; amassing over 155 million plays on streaming services, supporting Sam Smith, Niall Horan and Rag’N’Bone Man on tour, playing on the Main Stage at TRNSMT Festival to thousands of hometown fans, winning ‘Best Breakthrough’ at the SSE Scottish Music Awards in 2017 and more recently selling out two nights at Glasgow’s Barrowlands in under 24 hours. Collecting his award before a stellar performance of new song ‘Someone You Loved’ and his massive debut ‘Bruises’.

For the first local heroes award, Micky Gavin presented The Forth Charity Volunteer of the Year Award to the very deserving Heather Duff. Since battling cancer, Heather has devoted herself to fundraising for Maggie’s Cancer Centre, running an annual hockey tournament aptly named ‘Stick It To Cancer’ – which this year, smashed its fundraising target of £4000, raising an epic £120,000.

Ian Rankin accepted his Forth Icon Award via video message; the Fife-born author has firmly established himself as a leading crime writer, with his famous Inspector Rebus novels loved around the world.

Next up, The Forth Fringe Recognition Award went to Irish comedian Ed Byrne who has become a household name in the 30 years he’s spent in the business of making people laugh. From TV appearances on Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week to his hilarious observational stand up, Ed Byrne has been entertaining audiences for years and today’s Forth Awards audience got a special set from the man himself. On his award win, Ed said, “Scotland is hugely important to me… I did my first gig in Glasgow, second professional gig in Edinburgh and met my wife here.”

The prized Forth Best Teacher Award went to Karen Woodhouse from Townhill Primary School, who organises out of school activities for her kids including litter walks and nursing home visits, plus even helped set up a lending library in school when Townhill’s own library closed. The awards kept coming as The Sun Inn, Dalkeith took home The Forth Best Bar Award which should come as no surprise to their customers who arbed to the family friendly vibe and lazy Sunday lunches!

Next to the stage, Angie Brown and Rozalla got the Forth Awards audience on their feet as they brought 90s dance vibes to the Usher Hall, performing massive tracks like ‘Everybody’s Free’ and ‘Are You Ready to Fly’.

SAM RADIO, the first radio station of its kind in Scotland, were the next local winners of the afternoon, scooping The Forth Community Venture Award to recognise the phenomenal achievements of founder Paul Ross and his family. A community internet radio station which caters for adults diagnosed with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, SAM RADIO has grown from five to thirty presenters all producing and hosting live weekly radio shows – a worthy winner indeed.

Having recently released his first solo single ‘Barcelona’ this summer, Max George, formerly of The Wanted, then treated the audience to a short set, bringing the summer vibes back to Edinburgh on this November afternoon with songs including ‘Barcelona’ and ‘Glad You Came’. Max said “It’s so great to be back in Scotland, all you winners should be so proud of yourselves.”

The Radio Forth Awards always takes pride in shining a light on those giving back to others, and this year’s winner of The Forth Cash for Kids Award was one of the most passionate and memorable yet. After being diagnosed with cancer at 17, Joanna Lamb endured nine months of gruelling treatment and sadly had to have her leg amputated. Despite this, Joanna has raised a staggering £25,000 for the ‘It’s Good 2 Give’ charity, made speeches about her charity work and illness at events such as the Michelle Obama Dinner, plus become a trustee for the charity. Having recently been advised that her cancer has spread and is now terminal, Joanna is a truly inspiring young woman who continues to raise as much money and awareness as she can for the illness. In a sombre yet inspiring moment in the awards, Joanna received a standing ovation from the crowd, saying “I have amazing friends and family, the support from them is the reason I keep going.”

The penultimate performance of the night came from Forth Awards favourite Amy Macdonald who performed a thrilling set after picking up The Forth International Music Icon Award, a thoroughly deserved award which recognises Amy’s incredible feats over the last 11 years in the music industry. Having sold 12 million albums, the singer-songwriter is set to release her fifth album ‘Woman of the World: The Best of 2007 – 2018’, and treated the audience to performances of her songs ‘This Is The Life’ and ‘Woman of the World’.

Following Amy’s rousing performance, Boogie presented the penultimate award of the night, as The Forth Local Hero Award went to a stunned Iain McKendry. Iain was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 15 months and his parents were told he may never walk. 23 years later, Iain is now a spin instructor at Danderhall Community Centre after his pure determination saw him progress from using a wheelchair, to walking aids, to now walking independently. A commendable winner and extremely inspiring young man, Iain said “I got certified because people kept saying I would never walk or talk…well look at me now.”

Wrapping up another jam-packed afternoon of high calibre entertainment, inspiring winners and non-stop banter from Forth presenters, it was time for the final award of the night. Arlene was thrilled to present The Forth Contribution to Music Award to 80s pop duo Go West. The BRIT award winners are six albums and 20 million sales down the line but show no signs of slowing down as they thrilled the crowd with performances including 'We Close Our Eyes' before finishing with 'King of Wishful Thinking' saying, "We wrote a song for the film 'Pretty Woman' - it's our last song, we want to hear you right at the back!"

The Forth Awards 2018 was once again a celebration of the best music and entertainment around, plus inspiring stories from Forth’s local heroes – whether simple acts of kindness by local teachers, or staggering amounts of money raised for life-altering charities, everyone had an afternoon to remember and for all our local heroes, it was certainly one for the memory books.

Richie Jeffrey, Head of Events said: “The Forth Awards are always a truly incredible and inspiring afternoon and our 15th annual celebration was no different. From the unrivalled Usher Hall atmosphere, to our non-stop entertainment and moving stories from very worthy winners, it is with real proud that Radio Forth is able to support and reward people in our community in this way. People like Joanna Lamb and Iain McKendry are the pillars of our community and to see them met with such joy and celebration of their achievements today is a highlight every year. Thank you once again to our incredible performers, local heroes and of course the crowd who make it such an unforgettable event!”



FORTH AWARDS 2018 - WINNERS LIST

THE FORTH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ICON AWARD WITH VICTOR PARIS
Presented by Ewan and Cat
Winner – Amy Macdonald

THE FORTH CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC AWARD WITH THE LIQUID ROOMS
Presented by Arlene
Winner – Go West

THE FORTH ICON AWARD WITH THE EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Winner – Ian Rankin

THE FORTH FRINGE RECOGNITION AWARD WITH OMNI
Presented by Craig Hill
Winner – Ed Byrne

THE FORTH RISING STAR AWARD WITH PRESTIGE VENUES AND EVENTS
Presented by Callum Gallacher
Winner – Lewis Capaldi

THE FORTH CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT AWARD
Winner – Mark Beaumont

THE FORTH BEST BAR AWARD WITH CALEDONIAN HEATING
Presented by Matt Allit and Cathy Kirk
Winner – The Sun Inn, Dalkeith

THE FORTH CHARITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD WITH GILSON GRAY – LAW, PROPERTY AND FINANCE
Presented by Micky Gavin
Winner – Heather Duff

THE FORTH BEST TEACHER AWARD WITH FUSE
Presented by Gina McKie
Winner – Karen Woodhouse

THE FORTH LOCAL HERO AWARD WITH THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
Presented by Boogie
Winner – Iain McKendry

THE FORTH CASH FOR KIDS AWARDS WITH WESTWOOD’S HEALTH CLUB
Presented by Arlene
Winner – Joanna Lamb

THE FORTH COMMUNITY VENTURE AWARDS WITH GYLE SHOPPING CENTRE
Presented by Alan Edwards
Winner – SAM RADIO





Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Escape The Past
Link
Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
Great Run Company

Latest Edinburgh News

Bombay Sapphire unveils Gin & Gelato at The Dome, Edinburgh

Bombay Sapphire unveils Gin & Gelato at The Dome, Edinburgh

Following the hottest June on record, Bombay Sapphire announces the coolest pairing of the summer - Gin & Gelato - launching at The Dome, Edinburgh on Friday 18th July.

READ MORE
Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

The UK's biggest touring celebrity food & music festival celebrates its 20th year - announcing star-studded line-ups and exciting new features in Edinburgh and Glasgow!

READ MORE
Assembly Festival relaunches Local Residents Ticket Offer

Assembly Festival relaunches Local Residents Ticket Offer

Fringe Tickets for Just £6.50: Assembly Festival re-launches Local Residents Ticket Offer for EH, FK, G, KY, ML & DG postcodes.

READ MORE
Edinburgh charities to receive funding to help put a stop to child poverty in Scotland

Edinburgh charities to receive funding to help put a stop to child poverty in Scotland

Three Edinburgh based children's charities have been named among 11 Scottish organisations as partners of STV Children's Appeal's newly launched Ignite Fund.

READ MORE
Duck & Waffle Edinburgh launches exclusive Veuve Clicquot summer terrace

Duck & Waffle Edinburgh launches exclusive Veuve Clicquot summer terrace

This summer, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh turns up the heat with the launch of its brand-new Summer Terrace in partnership with Veuve Clicquot.

READ MORE
Edinburgh restaurant makes UK top 100 debut

Edinburgh restaurant makes UK top 100 debut

An Edinburgh restaurant has earned its place on The Good Food Guide's UK-wide list of ‘100 Best Local Restaurants 2025’, just five months after its launch.

READ MORE
Forth Awards open nominations for local heroes across Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk

Forth Awards open nominations for local heroes across Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk

The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, has opened nominations for its local hero awards, aiming to celebrate the very best of Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.

READ MORE
Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

READ MORE
Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

READ MORE
Gilded Balloon launches Postcode Pals

Gilded Balloon launches Postcode Pals

Gilded Balloon launches a rewards scheme with £6 tickets now available for local residents for some of the Fringe's biggest shows - including Rosie O'Donnell, Jack Docherty, Kim Blythe and more!

READ MORE
Summer savers tickets at the Edinburgh Playhouse

Summer savers tickets at the Edinburgh Playhouse

ATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the Edinburgh Playhouse!

READ MORE
Sheila Fleet Jewellery celebrates grand opening of new Edinburgh retail premises on Hanover Street

Sheila Fleet Jewellery celebrates grand opening of new Edinburgh retail premises on Hanover Street

Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.

READ MORE
Calling artists and makers!

Calling artists and makers!

Leith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.

READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

READ MORE
Manran to headline as Innis & Gunn bring the best of Scotland to the Mound for Fringe 2025

Manran to headline as Innis & Gunn bring the best of Scotland to the Mound for Fringe 2025

Scottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.

READ MORE
SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches the summer edition of its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches the summer edition of its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!

READ MORE
Traverse Theatre announces Autumn 2025 season

Traverse Theatre announces Autumn 2025 season

Hot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.

READ MORE
New Edinburgh hotspot, The West End Garden, opens in the grounds of St Marys Cathedral

New Edinburgh hotspot, The West End Garden, opens in the grounds of St Marys Cathedral

Edinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.

READ MORE
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Launches Search for Director of Mischief

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Launches Search for Director of Mischief

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Today, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.

READ MORE
Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

This summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Families will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.

READ MORE
The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

This week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.

READ MORE
Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Newtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.

READ MORE
Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Open Pass Scotland
Paisley First
Tea Green
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Escape The Past
Link
Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
Great Run Company
Open Pass Scotland
Paisley First
Tea Green
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

Tapestry Weaving Experience Day
This tapestry weaving experience day at Dovecot Studios is a rare chance to learn the art of tapestry weaving at the UK’s longest running tapestry studio.
Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival
The Edinburgh Food Festival is back at Assembly George Square Gardens and has expanded to include live folk music.
The Coal Porters
Catch The Coal Porters when they bring their 2025 tour to Leith Depot on Saturday 6th September!
International Moon Day
To mark the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Dynamic Earth is celebrating International Moon Day on Sunday 20th July with a day of free, family-friendly, lunar-inspired activities!
St James Quarter Sessions
St James Quarter Sessions is back for its third year, between 15th and 24th August, with a packed line up of heavy hitters and up and coming talent taking over the East End of the city!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall