BBC News | SHOWBIZ | Attenborough honoured at Emmas

Film director Lord Attenborough has been honoured for his contribution to the fight against racism at the star-studded Emma Awards.

The BT Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards (Emmas), held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, celebrate the efforts of people in the media who promote cultural awareness.

Lord Attenborough, formerly Richard Attenborough, was given the lifetime achievement award for his anti-racism campaigning which included his 1987 film Cry Freedom, which brought the horrors of apartheid in South Africa to the world's attention.

He also directed the 1982 classic Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley, which highlighted the inherent racism of the British Empire in India.

The event was hosted by comedians Richard Blackwood and Nina Wadia, who were both up for awards.

Lord Attenborough has long fought racism
Goodness Gracious Me, in which Wadia appears, picked up best TV entertainment production.

Another of its stars, author and comedian Meera Syal, walked away with media personality of the year.

Craig David, who controversially missed out on a Brit Award earlier this year, scooped the best music act.

Nutty Professor

In the public figure section, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan won public figure of the year while best sporting personality was awarded to tennis ace Venus Williams.

Lucy Liu won best actress award
The acting world had a clutch of awards dedicated to it with Ally McBeal star Lucy Liu winning best TV actress and Michelle Yeoh gaining best film actress for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

The awards for the men went to Eddie Murphy for Nutty Professor II and Felix Dexter for The Prince of Dalston.

The Emmas for the arts section went to Jeff Mirza for his comedy talents, author Vikram Seth for An Equal Music and The Lion King for best theatre production.

The award ceremony will be screened on BBC Two at 2200 BST on Saturday.


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