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A bunch of golds at GQ awards
Terry Kirby03.09.08
The lustre of Olympic gold shone brightly even among the stars at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards when five of Britain's record haul of medal winners were surprise guests.
London Mayor Boris Johnson joined guests such as Sir Elton John, Gordon Ramsay and singer Tony Bennett last night in applauding the Beijing medal winners who were enjoying a night out after the rigours of Olympic competition.
Coxless four rowers Steve Williams and Peter Reed, 400-metre winner Christine Ohuruogu, Pippa Wilson, one of the "blondes on a boat" who won the Yngling class in sailing, and woman's sprint cyclist champion Victoria Pendleton were all presented with bouquets.
The Mayor was at the Royal Opera House to receive the magazine's Politician Of The Year award, appropriately presented by style gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. "I can't tell you how much it means to me and all my associates at City Hall to receive this award,'' he said, joking that the award was from the "arbiters of male grooming for best dressed man of the year". Mr Johnson added: "Last time I presented the award to Michael Howard for politician of the year and shortly afterwards he sacked me."
The evening was hosted by Sir Elton and Lily Allen, who was drinking wine. When she told the audience, "now we reach a very special point in the evening", Sir Elton quipped: "What, you are going to have another drink?" Allen replied: "Elton, I'm 40 years younger than you, I have my whole life ahead of me."
Allen sparked speculation that her brother Alfie is to marry actress girlfriend Jaime Winstone, daughter of actor Ray Winstone when she said: "Please welcome my very soon-to-be sister-inlaw Jaime Winstone."
Among the other awards, Ramsay won Entrepreneur Of The Year, presented by Liz Hurley. Led Zeppelin took the Outstanding Achievement title, presented by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, DJ and producer Mark Ronson received the Alfred Dunhill Maverick Award, as a "gentleman of independent or non-conformist views or actions" and 82-year-old Bennett was given the Inspiration award.
Carol Vorderman made her first public appearance since leaving Channel 4's Countdown and joked with the audience: "Give us a job."
