Adele Roberts tearfully accepts Pride Icon award: 'I didn't know if I'd see a moment like this again'

Radio presenter Adele Roberts tearfully admitted she “didn’t know if she’d see a moment like this again” as she accepted the Pride Icon honor at Attitude magazine’s Pride Awards.

The event was hosted by Radio 2 presenter Rylan Clark and featured a performance by singer Will Young at Raffles London on Wednesday.

Former BBC Radio 1 presenter Roberts, who was a finalist on Dancing On Ice this year, has been candid about being diagnosed with bowel cancer and her use of a stoma bag.

She was declared cancer-free in 2022, and has been in a relationship with Kate Holderness for around two decades.

After receiving a standing ovation, Robert emotionally expressed heartfelt gratitude to be collecting the honour after overcoming her battle with bowel cancer.

“[I’m crying] because if this means so much to me, this is a very special moment. I didn't know if I'd see a moment like this again,” she shared.

The broadcaster bravely recalled: “The last time I was lucky enough to hold an award like this, I didn't know if I was going to live or die, this is in 2021 and I just found out I had cancer.

“It was a week where I didn't know what stage cancer I had so I had to just go about my life as well [as I could] - and anyone who sadly has been diagnosed with cancer will know life goes on, you just leave that hospital and you hope you're gonna be okay.

“But it was an instant lesson in privilege of life, and how lucky I am to be here, and the importance of time and how you spend it.”

Roberts went on to thank the NHS and “the love of her life” Holderness for her support throughout her health battle. She concluded her inspiring speech stating: “It's not what happens to you. It's how you respond.”

The Chase star Paul Sinha was among the other famous faces honoured as a Pride icon for embodying “the spirit of pride, resilience, and progress.”

Known as The Sinnerman on the ITV quiz show, the 54-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, the same year he married Oliver Levy, who accompanied him to the awards show.

During his speech, the champion quizzer took aim at the Tory government, making digs at David Cameron expensive and notably Rishi Sunak’s decision to leave D-Day commemoration early earlier this month.

Also named an icon was RuPaul’s Drag Race France and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World contestant La Grande Dame, known for her fashion forward styles, and German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans.

Darren Styles, publisher of Attitude magazine, said: “The Peugeot Attitude Pride Awards 2024 have once again shone a spotlight on the incredible work being done within and for the LGBTQ+ community.

“This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate 10 remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of pride, resilience, and progress. Their stories and achievements inspire us all and remind us of the power of visibility and authentic self-expression.”

The show also named “heroes of the LGBTQ+ community”, including Mike Parish, founder of the LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group, British-Nigerian activist Bisi Alimi as well as married Jewish and Muslim couple Adam Imber and Ali Najjar.

Winners also included Glasgow artist and author Juano Diaz, the family of Alice Litman, her mother and sister Caroline and Kate Litman, and fertility equality campaigners Whitney and Megan Bacon-Evans.

The family of Ms Litman, who was found dead at the age of 20 on May 26 2022 in Roedean, Brighton, said she was left to “languish” on the Gender Identity Services waiting list.

Giving a narrative conclusion, a coroner said: “At the time of her death, Alice had been on the waiting list for Gender Identity Services for 1,023 days, which contributed to a decline in her mental health.”

Aside from the winners a slew of stars were in attendance including actor Russell Tovey, Ireland’s Eurovision star Bambie Thug, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Tia Kofi, Bimini Bon Boulash and Ella Vaday, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, singer Mabel, Munroe Bergdorf and broadcaster India Willoughby.