Christine McGuinness wins diversity prize for autism and ADHD campaign advocacy
The author and presenter, who was diagnosed with autism later in life, is an ambassador for Caudwell Children, a charity that provides autism support and services for disabilities, and fronted a BBC documentary titled Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism.
Blackpool-born McGuinness, 36, beat nominees such as the first blind Strictly Come Dancing winner, comedian Chris McCausland, and TV presenter and campaigner Katie Piper, who founded a charity to help others who had been scarred from traumatic incidents, and had herself survived burns.
She has three children, Felicity and twins Leo and Penelope, who have all been diagnosed with autism, with her former husband, Paddy McGuinness.
Accepting her award, McGuinness said: 'My dream was to be a mum, and I was blessed with three incredible earth angels, who all just happen to be neurodivergent, and it's because of them that I got my diagnosis.
'I'm so grateful and proud to have my voice and be able to speak for those that can't speak for themselves. Please spend time researching, please be patient with each other, if you have friends or family who are autistic or ADHD.
'Whilst we look like we are happy being alone and pretending we are like everyone else, it's really with thanks to our friends and family.'
On Wednesday, McGuinness attended the ceremony, hosted by Loose Women star Charlene White, and Dr Ranj Singh, for the fourth annual diversity prize at Grosvenor House, London.
The event, founded by LGBT+ campaigner Linda Riley, celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion by recognising and bringing together individuals and organisations.
Guests included presenters Angellica Bell and JJ Chalmers, and former New Tricks actress Tamzin Outhwaite, along with disco group Boney M, who performed their hits Daddy Cool, Rasputin and Sunny.
Riley said: 'I'm so proud of what the British Diversity Awards represents, diversity and inclusion are the foundations of a stronger, more successful society.
'The British Diversity Awards celebrate those organisations and individuals leading the way in creating a more equal and representative world for everyone. It's been a truly inspirational night.'
Boxer Cindy Ngamba, the first member of the Refugee Olympic Team to win a medal at the games, taking bronze at Paris 2024 for the women's 75kg event, was given the athlete powering positive change award.
The Cameroonian, 26, was granted refugee status in the UK because it would be unsafe for her to return home because of her sexuality – homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon.
The winner of the company of the year award went to bankers Monzo, and the Nationwide Building Society's Enable Network won the outstanding ability network of the year award.
Gemma Webb, from property development company Barratt Redrow, won the head of diversity of the year award, and Kat Parsons, from energy and services company Centrica, took home the inspirational role model of the year award.
Sky UK were awarded diversity team of the year, EDF Energy's Women's Network won outstanding women's network of the year, and energy company E.ON's LGBT+ and Friends won outstanding LGBTQIA network of the year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reporter descends tower landmark on live TV
A BBC reporter has become the 50,000th person to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. John Maguire undertook the challenge live on BBC Breakfast earlier, descending 100m (330ft) down the 170m (560ft) landmark. The tower, which marks its 20th anniversary in October, has had more than five million visitors since it opened. As he descended, Maguire told viewers and presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty: "You get the most extraordinary view... I must say it is rather disconcerting." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. More on this story Watch: 90-year-old woman abseils down 100m tower Watch: Unique drone footage shows tower dive Exercise simulating tower disaster gets underway Related internet links Spinnaker Tower
Cosmopolitan
3 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
Top Boy star Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault
Micheal Ward, best known for his starring role as Jamie in Top Boy, has reportedly been charged with rape and sexual assault. According to reports, the Metropolitan Police have said the alleged offence took place in January 2023 and involves one woman. In full, Ward has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault (as per the BBC's report) and is set to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court in London on 28 August. The Met's Det Supt Scott Ware said: "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward - we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports." Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, said: "Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against a woman in January 2023." She added: "We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. "It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings." Most recently, Ward posted on social media about the film Eddington which he appears in alongside big names including Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix and Austin Butler. He does not appear to have commented on the charges as yet. Cosmopolitan UK has reached out to a representative of Ward. Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC's Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women's Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Food Network Star Anne Burrell's Cause Of Death Revealed After Chef Was Found Dead Inside Her Brooklyn Home
Food Network star 's shocking death has been ruled a suicide after first responders discovered her dead inside her New York home. The chef—who rose to stardom after starring in 'Worst Cooks in America'—was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' inside her $1.5 million Brooklyn apartment in June. Now, five weeks after her sudden death, the cooking mogul's passing has been confirmed a suicide, as first reported by People. Burrell's death was described as 'acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine,' according to the New York City medical examiner's office. Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are antihistamines that are often used to target allergies. Amphetamine is often prescribed to help treat ADHD. Meanwhile, ethanol is compound found in alcohol. Officers from the 76th Precinct of the NYPD responded to a 911 call from Burrell's address about an 'unresponsive 55-year-old female' potentially in 'cardiac arrest' on Tuesday, June 17 at 7:50 a.m. However, after arriving at the property, emergency responders 'pronounced [Burrell] deceased on scene,' police officers said. The chef is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier; her mother, Marlene; sister, Jane; and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; as well as her brother, Ben. According to People, police officers didn't initially identify Burrell as the deceased because they had yet to inform her family members about her passing. However, the address police provided in their report matches an apartment unit that is registered to Burrell. The star chef's family later announced the tragic news of her death in a statement, describing Burrell as a 'beloved' relative and friend. 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend—her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal,' the family's heartbreaking statement read. The Food Network also honored the cooking guru in a message shared with the New York Post, which read, 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. 'Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.' Burrell had been living in the Carroll Gardens dwelling since 2019, when she purchased it for $1.5 million, according to records, two years before she tied the knot with Claxton. In the years since, she shared regular glimpses inside the three-bedroom property, offering fans a sneak peek inside the picturesque abode, as well as the sunlit terrace on which she could often be seen relaxing. Other sweet social media posts shared from inside the home included videos of her husband bonding with their pet cats, as well as images of Burrell kicking back with some knitting, or cuddling with her beloved felines. Burrell became a household name after showcasing her talents in the kitchen on a slew of cooking shows, including 'Iron Chef America,' 'Chef Wanted,' and 'Chopped.' The chef even received an Emmy nomination for her show 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,' which was on for nine seasons. Burrell graced TV screens after teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education in the early 2000s. In addition to cooking up several tasty meals on the big screen, Burrell also released two cookbooks: 'Cook Like a Rock Star,' which was a New York Times bestseller, and 'Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.' Just five days before she passed away, Burrell shared a selfie to Instagram with a Big Apple icon, who is known as Green Lady of Brooklyn, and expressed her excitement to meet the NYC star. Related Articles How To Find Rental-Friendly Senior Communities That Don't Feel like Nursing Homes Homes Are Flooding Onto the Market in Las Vegas as Retirees Flee the City and Investors Cash Out Boomers Worry About Moving to Senior Communities for 1 Surprising Reason—but Would Thrive in These 10 Retirement Spots
