Radio Forth Awards: Stars shine as Assembly Rooms rock

Published on Thursday 13 November 2008 09:34

STEREOPHONICS, James Blunt and Alesha Dixon rocked the Assembly Rooms yesterday at the glittering Radio Forth Awards ceremony.

The star-studded line-up, which also included Sharleen Spiteri, Leon Jackson and Jason Donovan, shared the stage with winners receiving recognition for making their community a better place to live.

As Jason Donovan began his acoustic version of Any Dream Will Do, the audience were in high spirits. The excitement grew as former Mis-Teeq member and Strictly Come Dancing champion Alesha Dixon strutted across the stage performing new single The Boy Does Nothing.

But the real stars of the show were those less accustomed to the limelight – the award winners.

Dalkeith High School teacher Mark Colston received the Best Teacher award after being nominated by pupils.

The modest history teacher, who lives in Pencaitland, said: "It's not so much a tribute to me, it's a tribute to the kids at Dalkeith High School – it's a great school with great kids."

The awards also recognised musical achievement, and picking up a prize in the One to Watch category was 21-year-old singer/songwriter Carrie MacDonald from Drylaw.

She said: "I'm ecstatic, it's just so surreal to be here. There were five acts in total and I was very surprised when they read my name out."

One of the event's stars-in-the-making was Jack Robertson, 13, who amazed the audience with his performances of Valerie and I Know Where I'm Going, from the musical Hairspray.

The Liberton High School pupil was asked to open the show after being spotted by Grant Stott at a school talent show, where he also impressed celebrity judge Sandi Thom. The singer asked to meet him after the school contest, and e-mailed him to wish him luck ahead of yesterday's ceremony.

Jack said: "It was good fun. I didn't realise there were going to be so many big names – it's one of the biggest things I've done. I thought it would be very nerve wracking, but once I'm up there I just enjoy it."

James Blunt, who won Best Performance Award, said: "The background to the awards obviously is the celebration of music in Scotland and that's why I'm here, but if anything like the community element of it can be tied in, it's a very special thing."

Author Ian Rankin, who presented an award, said he was "gobsmacked" by the show. "There's an awful lot of unsung heroes in Edinburgh and it's nice for them to get a bit of the limelight as well," he said.

Evening News editor John McLellan joined Scotland manager George Burley to present the award for Contribution to Sport, which went to Chris Hoy, and was received by the cyclist's mother Carol.

Mr Burley said: "It's been great, there have been special awards for all sorts of people and of course with Chris Hoy, a magnificent achievement in the Olympics to win three gold medals – he certainly did the city proud."

Stereophonics took to the stage to receive the Music Recognition Award and close the show to a rapturous reception.

Accepting the gong, Frontman Kelly Jones paid tribute to Edinburgh in a suitably rock'n'roll style.

He said: "Edinburgh was one of the first cities we ever came to that we thought we were abroad.

"We did Hogmanay here, which was good, Edinburgh was the first place we signed a publishing deal and that night was the first night we had to apologise to our hotel manager for smashing our hotel."

ALL THE BEST

RADIO FORTH Best Performance Award

James Blunt – Corn Exchange

FORTH ONE Best Place to Work Award

Edinburgh International Climbing Arena – Ratho

FORTH 2 Best Visitor Attraction

Edinburgh Castle

The FORTH ONE to Watch Award

Carrie MacDonald

FORTH 2 Local Bar or Restaurant

The Bridges Pool Hall – South Queensferry

RADIO FORTH Special Recognition Award

Leon Jackson

The Tom Wilson Award

Darren Crawford - Polwarth, Edinburgh

FORTH ONE Best Teacher Award

Mark Colston – Dalkeith High

FORTH ONE Best Fringe Award

Grease Lightnin' Drag Show

RADIO FORTH Contribution to Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife

Chris Holland – Buckhaven, Fife

RADIO FORTH Cash for Kids Award

Radio Forth Allstars

RADIO FORTH Best Artist Award

Sharleen Spiteri

FORTH 2 Contribution to Sport Award

Chris Hoy

RADIO FORTH Music Recognition Award

The Stereophonics