Strictly Come Dancing's Emma Willis became tearful today while presenting the Attitude Pride Awards. The star made an emotional opening speech at the event, which celebrates the everyday LGBTQ+ heroes and trailblazers within the community.
This year, the award ceremony took place at The Chancery Rosewood, a five-star hotel in London's Mayfair. However, the Grosvenor Square venue was previously the location of the US Embassy – the "irony" of which wasn't lost on Willis.
"This room was built for diplomats and it's now being used to celebrate people who got where they are by being anything but," she pointed out while on stage.
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As the star continued her speech, she got emotional thinking about the plight of LGBTQ+ people and her hope for a kinder and more inclusive society for her children to grow up in.
"What kind of... [chokes up] Ooph! What kind of world do we want to live in?" she reflected, tearfully.
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"Oh, God. I've got three kids, and I want to live in a world where they are free to be themselves. Where they feel safe to express themselves in whatever way they choose and that they are free to love whoever they choose, without fear.
"It's because of all of you in this room that hopefully they'll be able to grow up and do that. This is, I think, the most important awards ceremony of the year," she added. "We are shining a light on the real people who make a real difference."
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The Attitude Pride Awards reached a huge milestone this year, with today's ceremony marking a whole decade of the important event.
"At a time when some of the global narrative continues to push back against diversity and inclusion, having PEUGEOT return as headline sponsor of our PRIDE Awards for a third time means the world," Attitude publisher Darren Styles OBE said in a statement.
"Together, we can cast our net ever wider for the real-life heroes who deserve to be on that stage, and create the biggest and best PEUGEOT Attitude PRIDE Awards Europe yet. We bring you the greatest LGBTQ+ PRIDE Awards celebration on the continent – and on the eve of Pride in London."
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
