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Twenty years on and the annual Scouseology Awards, held last Friday at the city鈥檚 Crowne Plaza Hotel, seem to be going from strength to strength. With a guest list that dazzles like diamonds on snow, Liverpool can be justly proud of its talent and, also, it鈥檚 generosity.

Hosted by DJ鈥檚 Billy Butler and Linda McDermott, the annual black tie event organised by Johnson Young Associates continues to help raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for regional good causes via The Radio Merseyside Charitable Trust, and so ensures that the list is strictly 鈥� Liverpool A鈥� when it comes to attendees. Dean Sullivan, Ricky Tomlinson, Suzanne Collins and Pauline Daniels amongst many others were all out in their finery.

Arguably topping the list of celebs to pick up an award, however, was Jennifer Ellison who collected the Film category award, thanks to her role in The Cottage released recently. Alongside Jennifer, Cathy Tyson picked up the International award for her continued TV and Film successes, as well as for making her return to the Everyman stage in last year鈥檚 Stephen Sharkey play, The May Queen, to much critical acclaim.

The city鈥檚 theatres were also given the credit they deserve, with The Royal Court 鈥� thanks to their monster hit productions Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, Two and Stags and Hens and running their first rate programme of stand-up shows 鈥� won the award for Comedy.

A statue will honour Ken Dodd

The Everyman Playhouse, meanwhile, were also well represented by Lizzie Nunnery, who collected the award for Best Newcomer, thanks to her sell out debut hit at The Everyman last September, Intemperance, starring Brid Brennan.

Other awards were presented to Claire Hamilton for her hugely popular Radio Merseyside Drive Time show, Everton legend, Dave Hickson and, also, to The Wombats for their steady rise throughout the past twelve months, culminating in a gig at The Arena this Autumn.

For his remarkable versatility and continued support of Liverpool鈥檚 theatrical output, Andrew Schofield was given the Theatre award. Collected by Dave Kirby because the actor was on stage at The Royal Court in Alan Bleasedale鈥檚 On The Ledge, the Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels co-writer said: 鈥楾he man鈥檚 a phenomenon. He plays eleven instruments to jazz syandard, sings like a lark and acts like a dream. He is revered by his peers and by the people of this city 鈥� his city 鈥� and I know he is extremely proud to have had his work acknowledged in this way.鈥�

Musical Director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko, deservedly scooped the Personality accolade, whereas Phil Redmond was on hand to receive the Culture award.

By far the biggest news of the night, however, was that bronze statues in honour of two of Liverpool鈥檚 brightest stars 鈥� Bessie Braddock MP and comedian Ken Dodd OBE 鈥� are to be erected in Lime Street Station. In making the announcement, Merseytravel Chief Executive, Neil Scales, whose company have commissioned the work, said:听 鈥楲ime Street is one of our most important gateways and, in terms of public art on our network, this will be one of the jewels in our crown. In Ken鈥檚 case, this is our personal tribute to a man who continues to bring laughter to millions.鈥�

Ken Dodd himself said: 鈥業n a city where everybody鈥檚 favourite subject is Playtime, this is a tremendous honour and I feel deeply moved.鈥�

This year鈥檚 lifetime achievement award was presented to The Scaffold and Mike McCartney revealed the band was set to re-record and re-release its chart-topping Lily The Pink听 and said: 鈥楾he record will be released on October 31, the anniversary of mine an Paul鈥檚 mum鈥檚 death from cancer. The proceeds will be shared between the Linda McCartney Centre, the Lily Centre and the Pink Ribbon Campaign. Our mission is to make it the biggest number one ever and we want the biggest stars we can get to sing alternative verses.鈥�

This in turn led to an audience sing-a-long of the much loved hit, led by McCartney and band cohort, John Gorman.

The audience were further entertained by an 鈥渋mpromptu鈥� 鈥� if remarkably short 鈥� performance by Ken Dodd himself, the Hairstylist, Herbert and, also, by the fabulous vocal and musical talents of Theatre Director Jen Heyes, accompanied by the 鈥�100 Thinking Heads鈥� artist, Anthony Brown on guitar.