GQ Awards - International Male

Celebrities light up GQ awards

From correspondents in London

September 06, 2006 07:34am
Article from: Press Association

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SIR Paul McCartney has been named GQ Man of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony in Britain this morning (AEST).
But the former Beatle, who has endured a torrid year because of his split with wife Heather Mills, was not set to attend the awards.

He was awarded the title for being one of the "most dignified" of "living legends" and for being "embraced by the Great British public like no time before".

Among those to walk the red carpet at the glittering event were model Naomi Campbell, singer and new father Rod Stewart, Extras creator Ricky Gervais, Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen and television personality Jonathan Ross.

Baron Cohen spent several minutes signing autographs for fans and posing for photographs.

Former Doctor Who star Billie Piper, dressed in a red knee-length dress and black heels, arrived to cheers from waiting fans, as did Big Brother TV host Russell Brand.

Among actors attending the awards, held at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden, were The Wind That Shakes The Barley star Cillian Murphy, Trainspotting actress Kelly Macdonald and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

Pop stars Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Lily Allen also attended, with Allen wearing her trademark ballgown but swapping her trainers for black heels.

Among those presenting awards were model Eva Herzigova and Stewart's partner, Penny Lancaster.

Former Doctor Who star Billie Piper was named Woman of the Year, while singer Justin Timberlake took the title of International Man of the Year.

Singer and new father Rod Stewart got the gong for Outstanding Achievement, while Borat - Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen's other comic creation - won the Editor's Special Award.

Big Brother TV host Russell Brand won Most Stylish Man of the Year, and was presented with the award by outspoken singer Lily Allen. Jamie Oliver took Chef of the Year, while David Cameron won Politician of the Year.

GQ Editor Dylan Jones said of the decision to award the Man of the Year title to Sir Paul: "Paul McCartney turned 64, produced one of his best albums in years, orchestrated the 90-minute Las Vegas Beatles spectacular, Love, finished a record-breaking tour of America, and this month releases his fourth full-length classical work, Behold My Heart.

"Plus, this year he has been embraced by the Great British public like no time before. And with good reason. Paul McCartney is not only one of our greatest living legends, he's also probably the most dignified."

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson won TV Personality of the Year, and received his award from Penny Lancaster. Jonathan Rhys Meyers got the award for the Lab Series Man of the Year, presented by model Eva Herzigova.

Extras creator Ricky Gervais was named Comedian of the Year and Jonathan Ross Radio Personality of the Year. The Wind That Shakes the Barley star Cillian Murphy took the title for Actor of the Year, and Keane got Band of the Year.