And the winners are in of the annual Hits Radio Pride Poll 2023!

Comedian Joe Lycett was named TV/Film Icon, with Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott announced as the nation’s Sporting Icon. Callum Scott was this year’s Music Icon and Billy Porter was the only international name on the list, taking home the Style Icon title.

Voted by fans and listeners of Bauer Media’s dedicated LGBTQ+ station, Hits Radio Pride, the poll also highlights the best Small, Medium and Large Pride events that take place across the UK. Manchester Pride – a previous winner – was recognised as the best Large event, Brighton Pride took top spot in best Medium event and Margate got a shout out as the best Small event.

Jordan Lee, Hits Radio Pride Presenter, said: “Whilst we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all year round, Pride Month is a special time for all of us at Hits Radio Pride. It lets us highlight, celebrate, and support those communities nationwide that are making a huge difference. We’re here to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and it is always a beautiful experience to see how passionately our listeners join us to offer support to and for the best Pride events each year as well as celebrating those LGBTQ+ Icons using their platforms to make a difference over the last twelve months.”

Jordan Lee spoke to Billy Porter on Hits Radio Pride and revealed to the Broadway star that he had been named this year’s Style Icon. Billy was thrilled and shared just how much making a statement with his style means to him: “My Great Aunt Dorothy told me to dress for the job you want, not the one that you have. I’m first generation post-civil rights movement and I dress to impress – first impressions are important. And I’m just grateful that I never cared about what anybody else thought about how I expressed myself though clothing so I’ve never been limited. What you see is who I’ve always been and I think that’s why folks resonate so much because I’m not putting it on. You can go back to phots of me and people would call me crazy and tell me I looked ridiculous and made fun of me and it never mattered to me. I hear people say all the time ‘I could never pull that off’ but all you have to do is put it on! It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about your choice.”

Now in its fourth year the Hits Radio Pride’s Pride Poll asks listeners to vote in categories spanning Music, TV/Film, Sport and Style, voting for those within popular culture who have used their platforms to make a real impact over the last twelve months. Once again it also celebrates the best Pride events across the country celebrating diversity and inclusivity with all major Pride events in the UK nominated and audiences able to write in any that may be missed.

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For further press information, please contact:

Odelia Yu – Commercial Communications Manager, Bauer Media

E: odelia.yu@bauermedia.co.uk M: 07718 124791

Beth McDonald – Communications Manager, Bauer Media Audio UK

E: beth.mcdonald@bauermedia.co.uk M: 07513 823447

About Bauer Media UK:

Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Brand Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.