Britney Spears, Little Mix and Take That win big at this year’s Bizarre Awards – Full winners revealed
A-listers Simon Cowell and Robbie Williams collect gongs from Bizarre column, with comeback king James Arthur and Ellie Goulding also honoured
FROM the shock union of Cheryl and Liam Payne, the brief but dramatic reign of Hiddleswift and the total implosion of Brangelina, I’ve brought you all the world exclusives during a dramatic year of showbiz.
But today is my favourite on the Bizarre calendar as I hand out The Sun’s famous awards to the superstars who have done themselves proud this year.
It's an A-list line-up of winners, including Man of the Year James Corden who has truly owned Hollywood, and Woman of the Year Britney Spears who reclaimed her rightful place as the world's princess of pop.
After dominating pop culture for the last decade, Simon Cowell becomes a Bizarre Icon.
And Bizarre's most famous awards go to an always entertaining duo - Olly Murs is Caner of the Year, while recently divorced Professor Green has worked hard to obtain Player of the Year.
Here are all the winners...
BIZARRE ICON - Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell receives his Bizarre Icon award from Dan Wootton
SIMON COWELL becomes a Bizarre Icon after dominating pop culture for the last decade. Many of the biggest superstars in recent memory – the likes of ONE DIRECTION, SUSAN BOYLE and CHERYL – have come direct from his music and TV factory.
The mogul said: “I’m really really happy, Dan – and I really mean that. Apart from the photo because it looks like I’ve got a mullet. You’ve doctored it, you’ve spoilt my moment. I’ve waited all my years for an icon award and now you’ve made me look like a Bay City Roller.
“I was thinking, if there’s one thing to be really proud about it’s that we’ve created a lot of artists, a lot of careers, a big impact on the charts and that’s what we always set out to do. We’re still doing it, thank God.”
WOMAN OF THE YEAR - Britney Spears
THE name of BRITNEY SPEARS’ new album foreshadowed her 2016, with Glory returning the princess of pop back to the top of charts and earning rave reviews. During a triumphant visit to London, she told me she was loving being in an independent single woman in her 30s. It shows.
She said: “That’s so cool – I’ll put it above my fireplace. This is so freaking beautiful – wow, Woman of the Year. It has been a good year. I’ve been busy – the most busy I’ve been in a very long time but it’s been fun.”
MAN OF THE YEAR - James Corden
JAMES CORDEN has become the most successful British TV export of the decade, with the Late Late Show becoming a huge success in part because of massive YouTube hits Carpool Karaoke and Drop The Mic. He mastered hosting the Tony Awards and gets his biggest ever gig next month as new presenter of the Grammys.
He said: “The Bizarre Man of the Year award. I can’t believe it. It means the world to me—it really does. I know you’re a long way away but you’re always in my heart. I will show this to my wife and actually put it by her bed so she can just know that I’m the Man of the Year. Thanks so much, I’ll see you soon guys. Bless you.”
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - Robbie Williams
THERE is no one in pop more charismatic than ROBBIE WILLIAMS – his return to Bizarre and the charts with Heavy Entertainment Show has shown his younger pop rivals how it’s done. He fully deserves to be only the third Brit Icon following DAVID BOWIE and ELTON JOHN.
He said: “There’s been a lot of neuroses that have gone into the making of this album: ‘I must find a hit from somewhere or else everybody dies.’ That’s what it’s felt like.
“I’ve been working really hard. I’m a working daddy. I have a purpose, I’ve been doing it all for the kids.
“And to top it all off I’ve been given Entertainer of the Year by Bizarre. God bless you Bizarre. Thank you very much.”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Little Mix, Glory Days
IN a depressing year for music, LITTLE MIX stood out with an album of pure pop perfection which should turn them into international superstars next year. Every track could be a No1 single.
Perrie Edwards said: “That is so amazing, what a treat. It’s our favourite album ever, so we’re very glad to get recognition for it. It’s been the best year of our lives – ever, ever, ever.”
SONG OF THE YEAR - Ellie Goulding, Still Falling For You
IN an incredible feat, ELLIE GOULDING wins the coveted gong for a second year in a row with Bridget Jones’ Baby theme song Still Falling For You following up her hit from the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack Love Me Like You Do. One of Britain’s genuine international stars.
In a video message, Ellie said: “Thank you so much for this award. It means a lot to me. I really love this song and I’m glad you like it too. This year’s been pretty amazing for me. I’ve done over 100 shows, so I’m pretty tired, but I’m looking forward to spending time with my family this Christmas and unwinding a little bit.
Next year I’m just gonna be writing more music. Like every year for me it never goes the way I planned and I never know what’s round the corner, so who knows.”
GROUP OF THE YEAR - Take That
A QUARTER of a century since they were formed and TAKE THAT remain the No1 group in Britain, with a huge fanbase and ambition to match. This year they went from performing their most intimate gig ever for The Sun on a boat in Cannes to headlining Hyde Park in the gig of the summer.
Frontman Gary Barlow said: “This means a great deal for us, so thank you. I remember playing that gig on the boat with you Dan in Cannes over summer and Hyde Park too.
“It’s definitely an important year for us next year too. It’s our 25th anniversary next year, which apparently means we’ve been together 25 years. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true.”
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Professor Green
PROFESSOR GREEN sadly divorced from his wife MILLIE MACKINTOSH in February – but since then he’s been a regular in Bizarre, stepping out with beauties including LAURA WHITMORE, RITA ORA, VOGUE WILLIAMS and CAROLINE FLACK. He deserves some fun.
He said: "I feel unworthy. This is all a bit deep for Player of the Year Awards, but I just think you have to rely on yourself for happiness. I don’t think you can base your happiness on the presence of someone else. I think for you to be able to successful have a relationship with someone else you have to be happy within yourself. I think I’m happy with myself."
CANER OF THE YEAR - Olly Murs
OLLY MURS follows in the footsteps of pop hellraisers by bagging the 2016 Caner gong. He secured victory after letting me publish a drunken nude photo where his modesty was only protected by a giant pineapple. My type of party animal.
He joked: “It was the naked pineapple shot! Obviously, I’m single so I have been going out drinking quite a bit, but I drink responsibly. It’s been a year of work hard, play hard. Since I turned single I just wanted to enjoy my life and my job and everything a bit more. This one’s definitely going up in my house – in my bar.”
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR - James Arthur
FEW people would have predicted former X Factor champ JAMES ARTHUR would have ended the year as one of the world’s most exciting and successful musicians. But after launching his comeback with a Bizarre Facebook Live, everyone paid attention and sent him to the top of the pops.
He said: “F***ing hell. I didn’t think this was possible. I was very lost. I didn’t know where I was going, what I was doing. As you saw, I pressed the self-destruct button. But I believed that my music and my talent could take me very far.
“Thank you for all your support. I really appreciate it. It was Bizarre’s Facebook Live that launched the start of the comeback.
"Now there’ll be more music and maybe win some awards to validate it a little bit.”
FILM OF THE YEAR - The Revenant
TV SHOW OF THE YEAR - The Americans (ITV)
ALL THE WINNERS...
SONG OF THE YEAR - Runners Up
ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Runners Up
